The Monroe Expressway's impact continued to be felt throughout the year in the form of increased interest in residential and commercial development, especially in the western part of the county. Historically, one of the major stumbling blocks for the Anson economy has been the county's perceived distance to crucial business locations such as Uptown Charlotte and Charlotte Douglas Airport. The Expressway cuts travel time from Peachland to these destinations to about 45 minutes and from Wadesboro to just under an hour.
A very significant FDI (Foreign Direct Investment) project announced in 2019, Loba-Wakol, opened its doors. The German manufacturer and distributor of adhesives and finishes purchased the former JJ Haines campus and moved its North American headquarters there from Charlotte. The company looked at more than 60 properties throughout the Charlotte metro region before making a decision.
"I met with the Economic Development and John Marek, and those guys really did a lot to incentivize us to move our business here and be a big part of this community moving forward," Chief Operating Officer Ashley Carter said. "That was really our goal. Find a place that wanted us as a partner and that we could als0 reciprocate the same type of relationship."
Carter and his team are already making connections within the community, especially with the schools. The company wants to offer developmental programs and training for local students at the high school level and at South Piedmont Community College.
"We wanted to get that out in front of these young people so they know there is a nice opportunity here," Carter said. "Most of the training we do is in the flooring side of the business, so it is a natural fit … We're really trying to get involved and let people know that there is an opportunity."
Loba-Wakol already hosts people from around the country in Wadesboro for classes and training. Those people coming from out of state turn to Anson for places to stay, eat and explore, bringing tremendous economic growth for the area.
The facility currently houses administration, sales, warehousing, and distribution light manufacturing, but by 2022 or 2023, the company hopes to add manufacturing to the campus.
Anson Economic Development Partnership (AEDP) also revealed a new business park coming to the county in September of 2020. The Atlantic Gateway Logistics Park, located five miles east of Lilesville, is a partnership between Pee Dee Electric, North Carolina South East, and Anson EDP.
This business park will be the new headquarters for Pee Dee Electric, consolidating Anson and Richmond Pee Dee offices into one central location. AEDP Executive Director John Marek believes there is potential for seven more buildings at the business park.
"Those buildings range in size from about 60,000 square feet, up to about 150,000 square feet," Marek said. " Those are appropriately-sized buildings for the purposes we are talking about, which are warehouse, distribution, and light manufacturing."
About 50 acres of the land is north of Highway 74, where the electric company's headquarters will be located, with an additional 70 acres south of the highway.
The project is estimated to bring 300 jobs such as material handling, forklift operators, kickers, packagers, and shipping. Marek estimates the business park will bring between three and five million dollars in annual property tax revenue. It could potentially bring more than $11 million to Anson's yearly payroll.
The Atlantic Gateway Logistics Park was named after the unique location on the strategic corridor connecting Charlotte and the Port of Wilmington and the Atlantic Coast.
Other businesses opened their doors for the first time, demonstrating a robust entrepreneurial spirit, even in these difficult times. A barber school, hair salon, clothing boutique, and new bakery all opened in Wadesboro. The theater showed off a new art gallery, and beloved Oliver's restaurant re-opened after renovations.
AnsonEDP continues to strive towards bringing new business to the county. The team is focused on overcoming the pandemic and creating more opportunities in 2021.
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