MAGGIE VALLEY — After months of divided votes and some bitterly divided opinions, the Maggie Valley Board of Alderman came together last week to approve something most people never saw coming to the little town.

Robots.

In a surprise turn, the board voted unanimously at its November meeting to approve a text amendment that would allow light manufacturing in town limits. That means that Automation Design Tech, the robotics company owned by new Maggie resident Mick Combs, can finally set up shop. The business is currently located in Ohio, but Combs has been looking to move it to Maggie — and specifically the back section of the old Carolina Nights building — for months. Except for a short-lived night club, the building has been vacant for nearly two years.

Though Combs could not be reached ...