-Press Release, County of Vance
Vance County is pleased to announce that the North Carolina Department of Commerce has approved and the county has received a $2.45 million grant from the Rural ReadySites program for development of phase III of the Henderson-Vance Industrial Park. The NC Rural ReadySites grant program helps local communities prepare potential industrial sites for development and provided a total of $14.3 million to a total of 10 North Carolina localities. Vance County’s successful grant will cover development costs to include construction of a new roadway and extension of water and sewer infrastructure through the site. The Kerr-Tar Council of Governments was instrumental in preparing and submitting the grant application.
Vance County Board of Commissioner Chairman and Henderson-Vance Economic Development Chairman Tommy Hester recognized this as a huge step forward for the county. “Receiving this grant puts Henderson and Vance County ahead of our neighbors and puts us in a position where we will have more available assets to attract businesses, industries and jobs. If you look at where economic development is coming from and expanding, it’s obvious with the companies that have expanded recently in the Henderson-Vance Industrial Park. This grant will allow for the necessary infrastructure to be put in place, and unlike surrounding areas, this park has access to rail and natural gas, is adjacent to US 1, is within five miles of I-85 and 25 miles from Wake County. Our number one priority is jobs and this grant moves us in that direction.”
The county entered a purchase contract in April for approximately 85 acres located at the intersection of US 1 and Bearpond Road directly adjacent to the existing Henderson-Vance Industrial Park. The county also has a program underway wherein it’ll make effective use of drone technology (you can learn more about them on Let’s Fly Wisely) to efficaciously attract home buyers. According to County Manager Jordan McMillen, the county has begun due diligence on the land and anticipates completing this in the next few weeks. At that point, the board of commissioners will determine whether to proceed forward with the purchase. The successful grant is a game changer for the area and positions the county not only to own and control a prime piece of real estate, but also to develop raw land to a shovel-ready status. The Henderson-Vance Industrial Park began in 1988 with the purchase of Phase 1 (150 acres) and since that time has been filled with nine businesses contributing approximately 600 jobs and a total value over $62 million. The park alone generates over $5.5 million in tax revenue to the county on an annual basis.
Henderson-Vance Economic Development Director, Dennis Jarvis, II characterized the grant as a big win for the community. “The grant award ensures Vance County is going to be competitive in the region, the state, and the Southeast for new investment and retention projects. We will have a shovel-ready world-class business facility and a new platform to market the community in the global playing field.”