North Carolina Construction News staff writer
ARCO Design/Build broke ground this week at Steel 70, a three-building industrial development in Johnston County that will deliver approximately 346,000 sq. ft. of space for distribution, warehousing, and light manufacturing.
Developed by Blue Steel Development, the project is located along the US-70 Business corridor, offering convenient access to the greater Raleigh-Durham region and key transportation routes across the Triangle and the Southeast. The campus is designed to provide flexible, efficient space for companies seeking to scale quickly while maintaining speed to market.
Construction on the initial phases begins immediately, with delivery of the first buildings targeted for 2026. The development will accommodate a range of tenants, from regional distributors to advanced light industrial users.
“Steel 70 is exactly the kind of industrial product expanding markets are asking for: well-located, flexible, and designed around efficient operations,” said Tim Wipperman, Division Manager at ARCO Design/Build. “We’re proud to partner with Blue Steel to bring new, high-quality industrial capacity to Clayton and help position the community for long-term economic growth.”
Clayton Mayor Jody McLeod said the project reflects the town’s growing momentum in attracting thoughtful, well-planned investment. “ARCO and Blue Steel have taken a proactive, partnership-oriented approach from day one, and we’re excited to see this project move forward,” he said.
ARCO has a long history of supporting industrial growth in Johnston County, completing 21 ground-up projects totaling more than 4.4 million square feet, including seven in Clayton.
“Steel 70 was designed to meet the growing need for modern, flexible industrial space in the Triangle region,” said Ryan Vaught, Chief Investment Officer at Blue Steel Development. “Clayton offers the connectivity, workforce, and pro-growth environment that today’s users prioritize, and ARCO is the right partner to deliver a high-quality project on an accelerated timeline.”
Blue Steel Development manages projects from site selection and entitlement through design, construction, and long-term asset management. Steel 70 reflects the firm’s continued investment in high-growth Southeastern markets and its focus on functional, scalable facilities for modern industrial users.