The Alexander County Economic Development Corporation (EDC) was awarded two grants totaling more than $1.1 million to help prepare for future industrial projects, according to executive director David Icenhour.
The EDC most recently received a $500,000 grant from the North Carolina Railroad Company (NCRR) for the purpose of grading a site in the Alexander Industrial Park. Icenhour said the goal is to create a rail-served site that will be attractive to a future industrial prospect.
Alexander County is one of only six counties to receive the “Build Ready Sites” grant from NCRR. The communities selected will each make improvements to available rail-served sites to prepare for future industrial development with the goal of spurring growth in their local communities.
North Carolina needs build-ready (or construction-ready) rail sites, but there are few existing resources for development without significant interest from a client in a specific land site.
“Each of these recipients underwent a rigorous application and site-review process,” NCRR President and CEO Carl Warren said. “We’re honored to launch an innovative program that not only fosters growth in our local communities, but also creates opportunities for meaningful partnerships that expand our state’s competitive advantage.”
In addition, the EDC was awarded a $632,412 grant from the Golden LEAF Foundation in December 2021 which will be combined with the NCRR grant for the project, which includes engineering, design, and grading.
“We’re extremely appreciative of the grant awards from the North Carolina Railroad Company and the Golden LEAF Foundation and look forward to seeing this project result in new jobs and investment for Alexander County,” Icenhour said.
