Albemarle City Council heard positive news on the city’s economic front.

Albemarle Economic Development Director Mark Donham presented his economic development plan and stated that “2019 is set up to be quite a year for investment.”

The city has been improving economically. Building permits have increased 37 percent in 2018 compared to 2017, Donham said.

Quality Enclosures, Inc., which manufactures shower enclosures and tempered glass, has a planned investment of $5.5 million in capital and equipment and will create at least 50 jobs in the area. Pfeiffer University is planning to invest $15 million and to hire 20 faculty and staff in downtown Albemarle.

Other economic investments include Enforge LLC, which provides exhaust and safety critical suspension systems for commercial trucks and the automotive industry, planning an investment in building and equipment of more than $4.2 million and hiring and retaining 44 jobs; Global Packaging Solutions has installed equipment estimated at $1.3 million and is on track to hire five employees; and Carolina Treetop Challenge owners are planning to invest around $900,000 to building at least eight courses at Rock Creek Park.

“Downtown Albemarle is looking up,” Donham said.

He said businesses and industries want to relocate to Albemarle because of abundant and reliable utilities and services, its strategic location to major cities and airports and being the western gateway to the Uwharrie Region.