North Carolina Construction News staff writer
Two North Carolina communities are preparing more than 200 acres for future industrial development, with funding going toward an access road, engineering, clearing and grading at rail-served sites in Harnett County and Greensboro.
The North Carolina Railroad Company (NCRR) awarded $1 million through its Build Ready Sites program, with each community receiving $500,000. NCRR opened applications Sept. 8 for the next round of Build Ready Sites funding. The program helps communities prepare rail-served industrial properties and strengthen their ability to compete for new industry. Communities interested in applying should:
- Review the program guidelines.
- Submit an initial application including details on the applying organization, contact information, site address and site details.
The competitive program helps communities prepare rail-served industrial properties by addressing development barriers before prospective employers arrive.
In Harnett County, the $500,000 grant will help prepare an 83-acre site at the Byrd Industrial Sites in Lillington. About 58 acres are developable. Funding will support engineering, clearing and grading for an access road to make the property accessible to manufacturers that require rail service.
The site is one of three sites within a 224-acre property, two of which are rail-served.
“Preparing and protecting rail-served sites puts Harnett County in a smaller pool of communities that compete for manufacturers requiring rail,” said Stephen Barrington, Harnett County’s economic development director. “We are grateful for North Carolina Railroad’s investment and partnership in helping us advance the Byrd Industrial Sites, ultimately spurring new jobs in our community.”
In Greensboro, the city received $500,000 to prepare 132 acres near Summit Avenue and Brown Summit Road in Guilford County.
The Reedy Fork Industrial Site includes five tracts being prepared for future industrial development. The grant will support clearing and grading on the northwest portion of the property.
“Having strong industrial sites ready when opportunities arise is important to Greensboro’s continued growth,” said Marshall Yandle, Greensboro economic development manager. “This support will help us move the site forward and give prospective employers greater certainty as they evaluate Greensboro for their operations.”
The Build Ready Sites program is intended to reduce development risk and make industrial properties more competitive when companies are evaluating locations.
“The best time to prepare for an economic development opportunity is before it arrives,” said Carl Warren, president and CEO of NCRR. “Build Ready Sites gives communities the resources to reduce development risk and put stronger sites in front of companies looking to invest in North Carolina.”
For the next funding round, communities must submit an initial application with information about the applying organization, contact information, site address and site details. Applications opened Sept. 8 and will be accepted through Oct. 2.