An economic development project in the Triad is moving closer to becoming a reality.
The Greensboro-Randolph Megasite has cleared a major hurdle.
The 1,400-acre industrial property is located just south of Greensboro, and was recently certified by a company called KPMG. That means the megasite has met special standards for development, including utility and transportation access and available workforce.
The project is a collaborative effort between several organizations in Greensboro and Randolph County.
Bonnie Renfro, with the Randolph County Economic Development Corporation, says this is a big deal.
“It really gives your site that stamp of approval that is important to companies and to consultants who advise them. It really says to the marketplace that this site is ready to go," says Renfro.
The goal is to attract an automaker, aerospace plant or other heavy manufacturing company.
“The certification status will really give us a boost in the marketing of the site across North America and into Asia and Europe,” she says. “There's a limited number of companies that would use such a large site."
Randolph County, The Greensboro-Randolph County Megasite Foundation and the North Carolina Railroad company own the site. In June the railroad company announced it would make an additional investment, buying an additional 100 acres.
Renfro says they will begin pitching the site globally in the coming weeks. If successful, the project could create more than 1,700 jobs in the region.
*Follow WFDD's Keri Brown on Twitter @kerib_news