The Blue Goose Lays a Golden Egg | Eastern North Carolina Now

    After being vacant for 4 years, the problem laden Quick Start ll (QS ll) building is finally being taken off the market. Often referred to as the "Blue Goose" because of the special colors it had been painted, it had become a "bad joke" and a financial black mark for Beaufort County.

    On September 25, 2012 Media reported the sale of QS ll building was imminent. Beaufort County Commissioner Jay McRoy refused to identify the buyer, saying only it was a "new company". Rumor had it the offer came from a group of Flanders Filters executives. Based on Secretary of State Records, it appears that the Flanders group had a sense of humor naming their project company "Blue Goose, LLC." on a pre-application form for a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG). As a note of interest, Flanders, New York is well known for their geese farms, but I don't recall seeing any blue geese while visiting there.

    The pre-application CDBG form dated October 17, 2012 was filed by Kevin E. Boyd (Flanders SVP and co-owner of Oak Ridge Metal Works - more about Oak Ridge later) at least 2 weeks before the QS ll sale was finalized by the Commissioners. With certainty that Blue Goose, LLC would actually acquire the infamous "QS ll Blue Goose", the company filed papers with the Secretary of State under the name "Pronamic Industries, LLC. (Oct. 29, 2012).

    Pronamic Industries estimated the condition and modifications to upfit the building would cost in the neighborhood of $1.5 million, which is more than they paid for the building. Hoping to get $750,000 in CDBG funds, they plan to invest $760,500 of their own money. Their estimate may be too low as a construction company familiar with the building says the cost will probably be closer to something in excess of $2 million.

    October 29th turned out to be a busy day for Pronamic Industries. The NC Dept. of Commerce responded to an earlier letter (date uncertain at this time) from BC Chairman Jerry Langley requesting permission for the business (Pronamic Industries Building Reuse Project) to begin the hiring process prior to submission of the CDBG application. He knew the company's name before it was actually legally incorporated with the Sec. of State.

    Four days later Mr. Boyd reportedly said the company was already hiring employees and planned to be operational by March, 2013. Even with permission to begin hiring, they didn't have all the proper paperwork in place and as of January 18, 2013 no employees had been hired.

One interested citizen questioned whether the "new" company (Pronamic Industries) had been properly vetted by the County before agreeing to be involved in the CDBG process. A local Bank acknowledged that Pronamic Industries has been in good standing since it was formed four months ago (Oct., 2012). On the other hand, the member/managers and owners (Flanders Filters Officials) have excellent standing as clients for over 8 years.

    Although built at a cost of over $2 million, the offer for QS ll was $1 million "as is". Based on the outstanding building loans that have been extended (which includes a $400,000 balloon payment in 2015), the County will be financially obligated long after the building is out of their hands.

    An update on how the Blue Goose is doing (sounds like an AFLAK commercial) shows the CDBG Grant process may be approved in the next week or two, just in time because the Blue Goose is going to get a neighbor - Oak Ridge Metal Works.

    Another venture by Kevin E. Boyd and the Flanders group is the purchase of the former Brooks Boatworks building across the road from Pronamic Industries. The City Council members authorized the City of Washington to submit an application to the Dept. of Commerce for CDBG funds ($320,000) to benefit Oak Ridge Metal Works. Founded in 2006 by Kevin E. Boyd and Harry L. Smith (both Flanders executives) Oak Ridge Metal Works specializes in welding and construction.

    According to Secretary of State Records the principal office address of Oak Ridge Metal Works (115 Regency Blvd., Greenville) is virtually next door to the Greenville office of Flanders Construction Clean Up Company at 105 Regency Blvd. Recent documents filed with the Secretary of State show Oak Ridge Construction ENC, LLC created 11/29/2012 is located at 1151 Page Rd., Washington, which of course is the home of the Blue Goose, LLC and Pronamic Industries.

    So all in all, you could say the Blue Goose laid a golden egg and is nesting in Beaufort County Industrial Park at 1151 Page Rd.