By Katie Piccirillo Sherman
North Carolina is regaining its position as one of the top states for business, according to Site Selections and Forbes, and with large corporations announcing new facilities here, economic development officers around the motorsports region are happy.
Margie Bukowski, Cabarrus economic development chief, credits transportation infrastructure for tapping into a demand for distribution and logistics companies.
Here’s a look at local economic development wins this past year.
Cabarrus
BUKOWSKI
Over the past few years, Cabarrus County has worked with NCDOT to widen I-85 to eight lanes. ”[Partnering with NCDOT] created a demand for distribution and logistics companies to be in this area,” said Bukowski. Four different distribution centers are being built within the community by several different developers. The buildings have attracted companies such as Amazon Fulfillment, FedEx Smartpost and Gordon Food Service. Alevo Inc. is the big news. The energy company will bring 2,500 jobs to the Cabarrus when battery production gets under way.
Cornelius, Davidson, Huntersville
MCDANIELS
Executive Director of the Lake Norman Regional Economic Development Corp., Ryan McDaniel, said the relocation of Bürkert Fluid Control Systems from Charlotte to Huntersville was a definite win in 2014. The company plans to construct a 120,000-square-foot building on Mount Holly-Huntersville Road due to their need for additional space and their desire to stay in Mecklenburg County. It means 61 new jobs and a $23 million investment. Another highlight was breaking ground on Two Harbour Place — a 51,000-square-foot, three-story office and retail building in Davidson. Valspar will be an anchor tenant after relocating from Charlotte.
Mooresville-South Iredell
CARNEY
The Mooresville-South Iredell Economic Development Corp. announced projects with investments totaling $256,449,094 and 923 new jobs. Notable project announcements include EarthKind, creating 380 jobs and investing $5.8 million; Harvest Garden Pro, creating 33 jobs and investing $120,000; Weber Screwdriving Systems, creating 38 jobs and investing $2.8 million; NGK Ceramics, creating 23 new jobs and investing $21 million; and Pactic, LLC, creating 80 jobs and investing $21 million. Infrastructure for the 476-acre Mooresville Business Park East will be in place by the end of next year.
