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TOBACCO COMMISSION AWARDS $421,000 TO JOINT INDUSTRIAL PARK EXPANSION PROJECT

The Town of Rocky Mount and Franklin County can move forward with development of Phase II of their joint industrial park after the Virginia Tobacco Indemnification & Community Revitalization Commission awarded $421,000 to the project Tuesday.

The Tobacco Commission unanimously approved the Southside Economic Development Committee’s recommendations for funding projects at its regular meeting at Hotel Roanoke Tuesday morning, including $421,000 for development of the Cox Property as Phase II of the Joint Franklin County-Rocky Mount Industrial Park.

“The Town is extremely pleased that the Tobacco Commission invested in the development of this property,” said James Ervin, Rocky Mount Town Manager. “The Town fully expects to begin construction of the access road this year, with grading of the property to follow. This makes the property instantly marketable, with our goal to put at least 3 employers and over 500 jobs on the site once it is developed.”

“Town Council invested in the Cox Property with the expectation that it can become an exceptional site to lure continued economic development and growth to Rocky Mount,” said Mayor Steven C. Angle. “This cooperative effort between the Town, County, Tobacco Commission and VDOT will lead to greater diversity in our economy.”

The $421,000, along with $100,000 pledged by Rocky Mount, $100,000 from Franklin County and anticipated industrial access funds from the Virginia Department of Transportation, will add industrial access and utility service to the former Cox Farm Property.

A prior Tobacco Commission award of $331,000 has been used for engineering for site development and for Norfolk Southern to engineer and construct a switch to make the site rail-served. Norfolk Southern has committed to installing the switch by mid-summer of 2008.

The Town and County jointly worked on the Tobacco Commission application, with Assistant Town Manager Matt Hankins leading the effort.

“With the tobacco allocation available, the Town felt this was a great use of funds, developing one of the most attractive rail-served sites in the region,” said Hankins. “This is a key part of the Town’s effort to increase the variety of employers in the community and partner with Franklin County to achieve our development goals. The assistance from the Commission is well worth the investment of time and resources from the Town and County.”

Franklin County Director of Commerce & Leisure Services Scott Martin believes the site has great potential for future employment, and knowing the road, utilities and railroad switch will be built allows local economic development partners to showcase the site immediately.

“Franklin County feels that this project is an exciting development opportunity for our shared communities,” said County Administrator Richard E. Huff II. “Our investment demonstrates this belief.  Franklin County/Rocky Mount Industrial Park Phase II offers growing businesses the premier greenfield rail access site in the Roanoke Valley.”

“Tobacco Commission support of this project will further enhance Rocky Mount, Franklin County and the Roanoke Valley Economic Development Partnership’s collaborative efforts in marketing this site throughout the nation,” Huff said. “The Commission’s support of this project is yet another example of the great work that is being accomplished thanks to the strong ongoing positive partnership shared between the County and Rocky Mount. We learned a long time ago that vibrant industries locate in communities that elect to work together and construct a positive business atmosphere.”

Phase I of the Industrial Park houses some of Rocky Mount and Franklin County’s largest employers.

“These employers have done a great job of keeping our local residents at work, and we look forward to recruiting more great corporate citizens to Rocky Mount to ensure economic security for residents of the Town and Franklin County,” Hankins said. “This investment by the Town, Franklin County, the Tobacco Commission and VDOT is a great example of the progress we make working together.”

Thompson + Litton Engineers have completed preliminary engineering of the Cox Property site, and are preparing final specifications and bid documents for the project. Construction of the roadway and utility extensions should begin by mid-fall, with an expected completion date of mid-2009.

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