Business owner James Gilliam will be getting a $60,000 city of Orange economic development grant for renovating 707 W. Front Avenue into office spaces. City Council and the city Economic Development Corporation board of directors unanimous approved the expenditure.
Gilliam owns Bates and Company and has the majority of shares in the H.T. Group, a staffing and recruiting business. Gilliam told the two groups he plans to spend at least $350,000 to $380,000 on the building. His companies have seven employees with an average salary of $95,000.
The building has had law offices and a psychologist’s office, but has been vacant for the past few years.
Gilliam said the building has 2,400 square feet. He plans to add 1,100 square feet and lease the space for more offices.
The EDC board held a public hearing and the only citizen to speak was lawyer Leslie Barras, who lives in the Old Orange Historic District. She urged the board to approve the plan because it fits the city’s master plan and supports economic development.
City Economic Development Director Jay Trahan said the grant will be used for the infrastructure of the building like dry wall, paint and flooring.
Bates and Company plus the H.T. Group are currently in a shopping center in Pinehurst. Another Gilliam company bought the downtown Orange property earlier in the year.
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