New Sites Industrial Sites in the South - Second Quarter 2001

Montgomery, Alabama

The Montgomery Area Chamber has announced the newest industrial site in the area. Montgomery County Technology Park is located adjacent to Interstate 85 and U.S. Highway 80, only 10 miles from Interstate 65 and 15 miles from the Montgomery Regional Airport. The 345-acre site is pre-certified as suitable for the microelectronics industry, fully served with all utilities and offers outstanding soil conditions, visibility and accessibility.

Marion, Arkansas

When Union Pacific built Marion Intermodal Yard in 1998 to accommodate the railroad's expanded East-West intermodal shipping business, Marion officials immediately began the development of Railport Industrial Park near the massive intermodal terminal. Located just north of Memphis, the Railport Industrial Park consists of 2,100 acres of privately owned farm land. The city of Marion has invested several million dollars in infrastructure improvements at the park hoping to attract tenants.

Pine Bluff, Arkansas

Setting the stage for development of a long-planned research and technology park near Pine Bluff after years of hard work, a federal official, with the stroke of a pen, has transferred 1,500 acres of unused Pine Bluff Arsenal land to the Economic Development Alliance of Jefferson County. The property consists of two parcels situated along the northern boundary of the Pine Bluff Arsenal flanking the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's National Center for Toxicological Research on both sides.

Orlando, Florida

A developer has formally applied for a development of regional impact for 2,000 acres near the southern entrance of Orlando International Airport. Plans for the site include a high-end, mixed-use project, complete with office, industrial, commercial, residential and hotel space. A great deal of the land south of the airport is agricultural or swamp, although some portions have sprouted residential developments, including Lake Nona and Buena Ventura Lakes. Of the 2,000 acres, 300 are part of Orange County; the remaining 1,700 acres are covered by a joint-planning agreement between the city of Orlando and the county. Half of the acres are in the Boggy Creek Swamp, which is off limits to development.

Tampa, Florida

South Shore Corporate Park is now underway. Located in southeastern Hillsborough County, South Shore is a mixed-use development adjacent to Interstate 75. The site is ideally situated to accommodate light industrial/high tech uses in need of large sites, efficient access and adequate public facilities. With almost seven million square feet of light industrial use at buildout, South Shore is expected to be a primary employment center for the south Hillsborough area. Unique characteristics of the new site is that it's located directly on I-75 and large sites are available for larger users. The site is within 30 minutes of the Port of Tampa and Tampa International Airport. Utilities are in place or contiguous to the site and the park will be a Verizon Smartpark for advanced telecommunications availability.

Hillview, Kentucky

A new 43-acre light industrial park is now under development in this city located just south of Louisville on Interstate 65. The Bells Mill Industrial Park is expected to bring in about 40 small users and up to 400 jobs to the city in the next three years. The site is located four miles off the Interstate 65 Brooks exit.

Gaston County, North Carolina

The South Ridge Business Park is located one-half mile north of Interstate 85 only minutes from the Charlotte Douglas International Airport. The park is designed for manufacturing, assembly, distribution and warehousing. The interior access road in the park has been constructed to the highest standards. The topography is gently rolling and all utilities are in place. A Norfolk Southern main line is on-site.

The Gastonia Technology Park is a 380-acre site located near I-85 and U.S. Highway 321, only 20 miles east of Charlotte's airport. All utilities are on site.

Winston-Salem, N.C. to Pre-Certify Industrial Sites

Winston-Salem Business Inc. is starting a new site pre-certification program to help companies relocate or expand. WSB will identify industrial properties that might be attractive to new business and then do everything from a preliminary environmental analysis to getting the site under contract, enabling the site to be handed over almost immediately. Supporters of the program say that, with a new FedEx air cargo hub to open in 2005, the program will help in recruiting the anticipated many firms wanting to move to Winston-Salem due to improved air transport.

Lee County, South Carolina

In late June, officials in Lee County and Bishopville, S.C., dedicated the I-20 Industrial Center located near the intersection of Highway 15 and I-20 in Bishopville. The new park has 14 industrial sites each of which is 10 to 15 acres. Lots may be joined to accommodate larger users. All utilities are in place in the park, which is located about 50 miles east of Columbia and 20 miles west of Florence, S.C.