Governor Josh Stein joined Halifax County and other state officials in Enfield today to celebrate the Select Site designation of the US 301 Industrial Site and associated grant funds to help improve the land for future job creation and investment.

The county had purchased the 500-plus acres, and utilities were constructed to support the location of Binderholz, an Austrian lumber company, and to also serve the 251-acre US 301 Industrial Site adjacent to the company.

The industrial site was selected as a state Select Site in 2024, and the county recently received a $2.3 million Select Site Development Grant to construct an access road to the site along with improvements to the electric substation owned by Halifax Electric. The North Carolina Department of Transportation provided a $650,000 match for construction of the access road. The site also has water, sewer, natural gas, and rail access.

Halifax County Economic Development Director Cathy Scott said the site is one of 15 Select Sites in the state. “This property is representative of a lot of long-term planning — not just within Halifax County, but with our state and regional partners. Sites like this don’t happen by accident. They really are the results of due diligence, infrastructure engineering, and public investment done with the goal to compete for industrial development projects.”

For rural counties, Scott said, “Being ready is everything. When a prospect is looking at the state... if the infrastructure is not in place, if the due diligence isn't done for a site, and if there’s uncertainty in the timeline to get things done, we’re simply not in the running anymore.”

The access road was the last piece of uncertainty in the project, she said. Now, she believes the improvements will help the county move projects to the next level. “This program has been a game-changer for counties like Halifax. We see this site as a catalyst. It has the potential to bring jobs and investment to our community.”

Governor’s comments

Stein told the audience, “When we prepare sites like this for the businesses of tomorrow, we are adding to the economic momentum we are seeing in our state. We’re turning dirt into jobs.”

CNBC recently ranked North Carolina the top state for workforce development. According to Site Selection magazine, North Carolina is the third fastest-growing state in the country, the governor said. “Business leaders and workers see we’ve got a good thing going here in North Carolina and they want to be a part of it.”

Stein said that in 2024, the Enfield land was identified as one of 15 Select Sites in the state. “We’re targeting it to be a site for major economic development activity.”

In November, the state awarded $3 million in grant funds to prepare the site through the North Carolina Economic Development Partnership, the state Department of Commerce, and NCDOT. “It’s an essential step in creating a shovel-ready site as we build a stronger and more prosperous North Carolina.”

The state is also emphasizing apprenticeships and career and technical education to ensure people have the skills and knowledge they need to work in an ever-changing economy, he said. “We also have to create physical sites that companies want to locate in. Today’s companies are looking for sites that are ready to go. When we deliver more shovel-ready locations like this one, we can connect more of our people to good, well-paying jobs more quickly and more efficiently.”

The governor noted the site has 30 megawatts of power. It can go up to 50, and there have been discussions of increasing it to 100. “It’s just off I-95 and not too far from our deepwater ports. It’s one of the many attractive locations in North Carolina that we pitch to businesses around the world on a daily basis.”

The state was recently named the 2025 top state for economic development by Business Facilities magazine, the governor said. “This is a strong testament to our business climate, our tireless work to secure more jobs and new investments for our people, and our efforts to prepare our people for those jobs.”

State Representative Rodney Pierce

Pierce said the money came through House Bill 1012 and passed unanimously in both chambers. Not only did that bill bring Halifax County the $3 million, it included a $51 million investment in Hertford County for an inland port project. “When we talk about a regional impact, that’s the type of impact these projects have in terms of spurring economic development in a region we know has lacked it.”

Chenoa Richardson Davis comments

Davis, vice chair of the Halifax County Board of Commissioners, said, “On behalf of the board, I want to say how much we appreciate your time and support for rural communities like Halifax. Your visit sends a strong message that Halifax County matters in North Carolina’s economic future.”

She said she was proud to be standing at the US 301 Industrial Site. “For rural counties, programs like Select Site are crucial because they level the playing field. We are competing for the same projects as larger metro areas, but we often start at a disadvantage.”

State partnerships and infrastructure funding, she said, are what allow counties like Halifax to advance. “When we can extend water and sewer, strengthen electric capacity, and expand broadband, we are creating opportunities for long-term growth.”

Kenny Flowers comments

Flowers, the chief deputy secretary for the North Carolina Department of Commerce, said that the investments in sites like the one in Enfield make a difference and create an environment “where we have additional investments from DOT and our partners that help get these sites ready for opportunity and investment. Readiness is super important… investments lead to readiness.”

Flowers said it is important that communities all across the state are subject to strong processes that allow investments that position them for economic success. “We have strong leaders that understand that.”

Adam Reed comments

Reed, the general manager for Roseburg Forest Products in Weldon, said he and his wife were among the groups that relocated from Oregon to Halifax County. “We’re very thankful for it.”

He said the foundation of the industry begins with access to raw materials, utilities, logistics, infrastructure, and end-user markets. He noted it is also rooted in good training and education. “Most importantly, it is built on a healthy partnership with a good community comprised of good people. We have found all of those in Halifax County.”