The Grundy Industrial Development Authority accepted a $45,000 contribution from the town on Sept. 22 to help equip the former Huddle House property as preparations continue for a new restaurant operation.
During the meeting at the town offices, officials described the money as an economic development contribution. Most of it is intended for equipment, including refrigeration units and an ice maker.
The property update indicated that equipment had been ordered, and much of it was already on site. Additional modifications are needed to fit the equipment into the existing restaurant space, including fabrication of stainless steel pieces. Town of Grundy IDA properties manager Dennis Ramey said Chad Thomas, who owns a fabrication shop in Vansant, will fabricate the stainless steel pieces.
An opening date remained uncertain. The incoming operator’s Greg and Michelle Stacy’s contract begins in October, but the board was told the remaining work could prevent an October opening.
In other business, the authority received an update on renovations at the Richardson building. Epoxy floor work was expected to begin with surface preparation that weekend and take about two weeks to complete.
A meeting with Appalachian Power was also planned to settle details of the building’s electrical metering equipment. The property update indicated that the utility would provide meter boxes and that additional equipment and installation work remained to be arranged.
The authority also heard about a temporary request to use a gravel lot at Town Center to stage trailers carrying crane components for bridge construction. The proposal involved roughly 12 to 15 trailers, with components moved to the work site as needed.
That arrangement was described as temporary, with the staging period expected to fall in the first half of October.
