Anson County Awarded $262,000 in NCSE Economic Development Grants

Anson County has received three economic development grants, totaling $262,000, from the North Carolina’s Southeast Product Development Fund. The grants, which are part of a $5 million appropriation last year from the North Carolina General Assembly, will boost the development and enhancement of industrial sites and shell buildings across the Southeast’s 18 counties. Support will cover a wide array of engineering, water, and wastewater infrastructure, design work, construction, roadway access, and other needs.

“Our region and our organization are moving forward aggressively in applying these funds to meet demand by businesses for industry-ready real estate product,” says Jeff Etheridge, chairman of North Carolina’s Southeast. “Companies reconsidering supply-chains in the wake of the pandemic and geopolitical concerns are seeking resilient, convenient, and reliable destinations for manufacturing, logistics, and other mission-critical operations. The Southeast wants to be ready for them. We are very grateful to legislative leaders for their leadership in making this program possible.”

“Enhancing and building up our inventory of viable sites and buildings is one of our highest regional priorities right now, and we’re collaborating with our county economic development partners to make sure these funds are applied in the most impactful way possible,” explains Steve Yost, President of NC’s Southeast.

The grants will support three key projects in Anson County:

Architectural Services for Spec Building Design (Anson Economic Development Corporation) – The $42,000 grant supports a $47,500 engagement of architecture services to construct a shell building at Wadesboro Industrial Park. Anson Economic Development Corporation is also investing in the project.

Extension of Water and Sewer at Anson 74 Rail Park (Anson Economic Development Corporation) – The $155,000 grant supports a $750,000 initiative to extend water and sewer infrastructure to the 130-acre Anson 74 Rail Park. Also investing in the project are the North Carolina Railroad Company, the private sector, and the Anson Economic Development Partnership.

Industrial Site Identification and Validation (Anson Economic Development Corporation) – The $65,000 grant supports a $73,000 initiative to identify and validate available acreage for future potential development as industrial sites. Anson Economic Development Corporation is also an investor in the project.