ALAMANCE COUNTY, N.C. — UPS is considering expanding in Alamance County and bringing 450 jobs but now the debate over a Confederate monument in Graham has caught their attention.
The company released a statement siding with residents and activists who want to see the statue relocated.
It comes after a woman representing groups against the Confederate monument was removed from an August 17 Alamance County Commission meeting. UPS representatives were there.
"We recently became aware of concerns from local citizens objecting to a Confederate monument in Alamance County and asking UPS to support efforts to remove the memorial," a UPS statement said, "We support the calls for the removal of the Confederate monument and finding a proper place for it to be moved."
Both Mebane and Graham own the property UPS is considering. The company said they would bring 451 jobs with an average annual salary of $65,147.
Alamance County Commissioners approved $1,311,070 to attract UPS to Mebane at its August 17 meeting.
Graham also improved incentives earlier this month.
WFMY News 2 asked a UPS spokesperson what would happen if county and city officials don't relocate the statue. He said the company contacted local officials and told them they support moving the monument.
Graham City Manager Frankie Maness said those conversations are continuing.
"Like UPS, the City believes there is no room for racism or any form of hate in our community," Maness said in a statement to WFMY News 2, "We look forward to the opportunity of working with our citizens, community partners and business leaders such as UPS to address any form of racism, hatred or intolerance."
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