FUQUAY-VARINA, N.C. — A trucking school will not be making its new home in downtown Fuquay-Varina.

The vote by the town Board of Commissioners Monday was almost as divided as the opinions of residents against the proposed location.

Ultimately, the mayor broke the tie making it 3-2 against a trucking academy's move to the old Golden Corral location on Main Street.

"I applaud the hopes and dreams of a downtown revitalization, but if you will walk down Main Street, you see seven or eight empty buildings," said Charlie Gray, owner of Carolina Trucking Academy.

The restaurant has been vacant for three years. Gray said he wanted to put a family-owned business on the family-owned property.

"We were going to bring over $1 million in revenue. We thought it was a win-win situation," he said.

"I do think there would be a very nice positive impact that the trucking academy could have on the local economy. I just feel the trucking school could have the same impact if it were in a more suitable area," said Andrew Tate, executive director of the Fuquay-Varina Chamber of Commerce.

Leaders said the location would endanger public safety because of inexperienced and unlicensed drivers.

Gray invested about $25,000 of his own money under the impression the measure would pass. He said it is unlikely he will recover that money.