Local and state officials were on hand for a groundbreaking ceremony at the Henderson-Vance Industrial Park Thursday to officially begin construction of a shell building on that campus.
“It’s a great day to see some dirt moving,” said Vance County Manager Jordan McMillen to the small group assembled on the chilly, blustery afternoon.
“This project is really about partnerships,” McMillen continued. From the city’s water and sewer extension and the nonprofit industrial park board that oversees the property to the county that is paying the bills and financing the project, McMillen said it would not be possible to build and grow without this multi-agency collaboration.
“This is a day we have anticipated for some time,” said Vance County Board of Commissioners Chair Leo Kelly. Having a shell building ready to be finished out by incoming industry puts Vance County in strong competition with other counties as companies look to locate or relocate their operations.
State legislators Lisa Barnes and Frank Sossamon, each coming off wins in the Nov. 8 midterm elections, were on hand for the ceremony. County Commissioner Tommy Hester credited Barnes for helping Vance County secure the funding for the shell building, but also for her role in getting $5 million for water projects in Henderson.
Hester also is president of the industrial park board. “Lisa stepped up and said ‘What can I do to help Vance County,’” Hester said, adding that whenever anyone asks that question, he is not shy to answer.
He said there could be a building on the site as early as January. “If you build it, they will come,” Hester told the group.