Lenoir considers rezoning for new industrial park

CITY HOPES TO ATTRACT MAJOR EMPLOYER TO ADD JOBS, BOOST AREA ECONOMY

Friday, September 1, 2006

By Marcie Young
Charlotte Observer Staff Writer

Lenoir city officials want to turn a tract of land into an industrial park, hoping to lure a major employer to the city, which has been hard hit by a slumping economy.

Officials from the city and the Caldwell County Economic Development Commission want to rezone about 150 acres in Lenoir from residential to heavy industrial and transfer a portion of Overlook Drive to the N.C. Department of Transportation.

The Caldwell County Economic Development Commission and Duke Energy bought the land over the summer, said Lenoir Planning Manager Chuck Beatty.

Lenoir officials will hold two public hearings at the Sept. 19 City Council meeting to discuss the road transfer request and the rezoning.

Lenoir Mayor David Barlow said the goal is to make the region more appealing to major potential employers. "We're doing all the things we need to do if this company were to come to our city," he said.

A large company is looking at opening a facility in Caldwell County, Barlow said, though he would not disclose the name of the company.

Regardless of whether the company locates in Lenoir, turning the land into an industrial park would likely make the city more attractive to other businesses considering opening shop in the area, he said.

"Even if this doesn't work out, we know we need an industrial park (to be prepared) for any future prospects," he said.

State officials recently told the Observer that Internet giant Google is considering opening a data center in Caldwell County.

In July, General Assembly leaders included a Google-requested provision into the state budget that would provide a tax break on electricity and equipment for Internet data centers in counties with limited economic growth.

Google spokesman Barry Schnitt said the company is growing but would not say if Caldwell County is a site they are considering.

The lot includes land that belonged to the Bernhardt furniture factory and property zoned for homes, said Beatty.


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