Gaston County leaders considering tax breaks to attract new business in Lowell

GASTON COUNTY, N.C. — Hundreds of jobs could be coming to Gaston County if county leaders can agree on a plan to attract a new company to the area.

Gaston County commissioners are meeting Tuesday night to discuss green-lighting tax breaks for Sonic Automotive and Echo Park Automotive.

The automotive call center company is considering opening a headquarters in Lowell. Five hundred jobs, each paying $50,000 a year, would be created.

Gaston County commissioners are expected to approve a package similar to the one the city of Lowell is offering. The company would pay $422,948 in taxes to the city of Lowell over 10 years. Under the agreement it will get back $198,901 in incentives.

City Manager Kevin Krouse told Channel Nine the company will have to pay its taxes before getting reimbursed the following year.

"No gamble, no investing thinking we may have a return," said Krouse.

Krouse said Sonic Automotive and Echo Park Automotive may not announce which city it wants to expand in until next spring.

The company is also considering headquarters locations in Lancaster and York counties as well as in Atlanta, Houston and Nashville.

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