The long-rumored relocation of a major Charlotte company to Oakboro is still likely going to happen, though the exact date is not certain.

After a state economic incentives bill was passed in the state senate and signed by Gov. Roy Cooper in May, specifically tailored to help Charlotte Pipe and Foundry move to Stanly, it seemed like the official announcement was imminent.

Instead, months have gone by with little word regarding when the announcement would be made.

N.C. Rep. Wayne Sasser (R-Stanly), who first introduced the economic incentives bill in the House, said the rumor he’s heard is that Charlotte Pipe is making sure everything is correct on its end before the move becomes official.

“The ball’s in their court,” he said, “and we’re hoping and praying and ready to hear anytime, but we have not heard anything officially.”

County Manager Andy Lucas would not go into details except to say the county is still actively working on the project, which is code-named BlueSky.

Charlotte Pipe and Foundry spokesman Brad Muller said there’s nothing new to report on the project.

“We have still not made any new decisions on that project,” he said. “It’s a complex, costly consideration, so we’re still doing our due diligence.”

Once the move is official, the company would bring at least 400 employees to the Oakboro area.

The company employs more than 1,400 employees at seven U.S. plants, including 474 at the cast-iron pipe plant on 55 acres of property in uptown Charlotte, according to a 2018 article in the Charlotte Business Journal.