An Wadesboro property has been selected for Duke Energy’s Site Readiness program designed to give counties an economic and business boost.
The 73-acre site is owned by the town of Wadesboro between N.C. Highway 109 North and Airport Road. The site is a “prime location” for an industrial park, according to a press release from Duke.
Only eight sites in the state were selected to participate in the program, which Duke said provided a boost to North Carolina’s economy.
“In 2015, Duke Energy helped recruit more than $1.2 billion in capital investment and more than 3,200 new jobs to North Carolina,” the company said in the release.
The program works with “high-quality industrial sites” and county leadership to discuss providing water, sewer, natural gas and electricity services to the selected sites.
Duke will provide an assessment of the site through consultant McCallum Sweeney Consulting, a “buildability” assessment and a matching grant for sites suitable for large industries, according to Duke’s website.
“After each site’s state of readiness has advanced, Duke Energy’s business development team strategically markets each of them nationwide to companies looking to expand or relocate their operations,” the release said. “Sierra Nevada Brewery is an example of an economic development win for the state. Henderson County tourism and economic activity have been boosted by the brewery. And it all started with a piece of property, a vision for the future and a partnership with Duke Energy.”
Town Manager Alex Sewell said he expects the program to have a positive effect on the town.
“The town’s goal by participating in the program is to help improve quality of life by better competing for jobs and tax base,” Sewell said via email.
“The program includes a mock site visit, whereas our response and approach is evaluated by economic development professionals,” he said. “Their evaluation will help determine the feasibility and type of layouts for the town’s property as a potential business park.”
The seven other sites selected for the program are located in Alamance, Lenoir, Rowan, Rutherford, Scotland County and Wayne counties, as well as a site between Guilford and Rockingham counties.
For more information on the Site Readiness Program or Duke’s other economic development programs, visit considerthecarolinas.com.
Reach reporter Imari Scarbrough at 704-994-5471 and follow her on Twitter @ImariScarbrough.