Brownfields are sites hindered by environmental concerns that can complicate redevelopment. NCRR’s program, the company says, “helps communities take critical, initial steps toward entry into the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ) Brownfields Program, positioning sites for remediation, industrial investment and job creation.” The program, NCRR adds, “complements the Build Ready Sites initiative with the goal to expand the pipeline of rail-served properties and remain a catalyst for economic growth across North Carolina.”
“NCRR is helping communities turn yesterday’s challenges into tomorrow’s opportunities by preparing rail-served sites for new industry and lasting jobs,” said NCRR Chief Commercial Officer Trish Haver.
Jackson County received $92,000 to assess a 42-acre former sawmill site at 3636 Skyland Drive in Sylva which closed in early 2024. The county will provide a 20% match toward the $115,000 project, which will fund environmental assessment and remediation planning. The goal is to repurpose the property for future industrial use.
“This project allows Jackson County to transform a recently closed sawmill into new opportunities for our people and our future,” said Jackson County Manager Kevin King. “With NCRR’s support, we are preparing the site for industry, rail access, and workforce training. These investments will create good jobs and long-term prosperity for families across Western North Carolina.”
In Rowan County, the Town of Spencer plans to facilitate transformation of a property at 2555 North U.S. Highway 29, once a textile dyeing and finishing facility, into a rail-accessible industrial site, attracting investment and expanding job opportunities. NCRR awarded the municipality $99,800 in grant funding, with a 20% match, or nearly $20,000, provided by Samet Corporation.
“This funding helps us partner with property owners and redevelopment professionals to ready a site that has remained inactive and largely untouched for roughly 25 years,” said Spencer Town Manager Peter Franzese. “By preparing this property for industrial use, we hope to identify new possibilities for investment and quality jobs in our community, while addressing a site that has long stood as a reminder of one of North Carolina’s most significant economic challenges.”
To ensure long-term impact, NCRR says it requires that supported sites:
- “Enter the NCDEQ Brownfields Program as part of redevelopment planning.
- “Use grant funds within two years of the award for on-site remediation.
- “Secure a company that will move at least 40 rail cars annually for five years; if not, partial repayment may be required.”
