North Carolina Construction News staff writer
State and local officials highlighted infrastructure improvements underway at the U.S. 301 Industrial Site in Enfield as part of North Carolina’s Selectsite Readiness Program, an initiative aimed at preparing industrial properties for development.
The program supports grading, clearing, infrastructure and engineering improvements to create shovel-ready sites for advanced manufacturing and other large-scale industrial projects. The effort comes as North Carolina was named 2025 State of the Year by Business Facilities Magazine for its economic development performance.
Halifax County is one of 15 Selectsites statewide and received a $3 million grant to improve the Enfield property. The funding includes $2.35 million from the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina’s Selectsite Readiness Program and $650,000 in matching funds from the N.C. Department of Transportation.
NCDOT’s investment will fund upgrades to Trestle Road, which connects U.S. 301 to the industrial site. The project includes realigning and extending the existing unpaved road and paving it as a two-lane route designed to accommodate truck traffic. NCDOT will design and construct the improvements, while Halifax County is acquiring the necessary right-of-way.
“This investment makes it clear that Halifax County and District 27 is open for business,” said Rep. Rodney Pierce. “By preparing sites like this one, we’re positioning this region to keep competing for new opportunities and long-term growth.”
Commerce Secretary Lee Lilley said replenishing North Carolina’s inventory of ready-to-develop industrial sites has been a key factor in recent economic development successes across both urban and rural areas.
“When our communities have shovel-ready sites, they increase their competitiveness to attract new companies, expansions and capital investment while creating new jobs,” Lilley said.
Christopher Chung, chief executive officer of the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina, said speed to market has become a critical factor for companies evaluating new locations.
“The Selectsite Readiness Program helps communities do the hard work upfront so companies can move quickly, create jobs and invest in North Carolina with confidence,” Chung said.