Print
More News

Economic Developers See Potential Catalyst For 120 Acres On Blue Clay Road

By Cece Nunn and Christina Haley O'Neal, posted Apr 2, 2021
Preliminary site plans for the Blue Clay Road Business Park show several buildings that could be developed at the site. (Photo courtesy of WBD)
Economic development officials say that $3.6 million earmarked for the extension of water and sewer infrastructure to 120 acres owned by New Hanover County will be a benefit to growing investment and jobs in the county.

The Blue Clay Road site, while not being used now, has been dubbed Blue Clay Business Park.

The $3.6 million is part of $45.4 million the county is expected to receive from the American Rescue Plan, signed into law March 11. County officials announced a preliminary spending plan for the money on Wednesday.

“Essential utilities are requisite in attracting new investment and jobs. New Hanover County’s recognition of this, and the subsequent decision to invest in infrastructure, further substantiates Blue Clay Business Park as a business destination," said Wilmington Business Development CEO Scott Satterfield in an email this week.

The Blue Clay Business Park infrastructure is one of two water and sewer projects that would be funded under the county's plan. Also included is $4 million in water and sewer extensions for Sidbury Road to support lower development costs for affordable housing in northern New Hanover County.

County Manager Chris Coudriet said this week that the area needs to be able to accommodate growth in both housing and jobs.

“We have to as a community prepare for that. That means we have to have water and sewer in the ground so that builders, developers can put up the housing stock, and we have to have sites that future entrepreneurs, future business leaders are going to need . . . to put their facilities in play, as their new workforce moves in, as their existing workforce here retools,” Coudriet said earlier this week.

Extending water and sewer to Sidbury Road and Blue Clay Business Park would not have come about in the near future, at least not in the next two to five years, were it not for the American Rescue Plan funds, he said.

The county contracted with Wilmington Business Development (WBD) to do a project to study the site and due diligence work on the property, allocating funding to WBD to do the work. 

The site in 2019 was also selected for Duke Energy's Site Readiness Program, which includes an initial assessment of industrial sites from the perspective of a site selection consultant and a more detailed buildability assessment, as well as development of conceptual plans for the sites by expert land use and site planners.

WBD officials said that its due diligence reports are now being used to market the site. The infrastructure investment will make the site more attractive to employers. 

“Preliminary layouts highlight a 120-acre site (85 of which is buildable) where upwards of 875,000 square feet can be accommodated. Another nice differentiator is the ability" for rail to serve the location, Satterfield said.

The county's Blue Clay Road property is close to Interstate 40 and the Wilmington International Airport. 

Satterfield said, "Recent product development announcements throughout our region are positioning Greater Wilmington well for future job creation and investment opportunities.”
Ico insights

INSIGHTS

SPONSORS' CONTENT
Untitleddesign2 9202334730

Best in the State: Providing Quality Care to Medicare and Medicaid Patients Allows Novant Health New Hanover Regional Medical Center to Reinvest in Community

Novant Health - New Hanover Regional Medical Center Novant Health
Mcwhorter 0005

The Coastal Corridor is Helping Wilmington Startups With Connected Devices for Life Sciences Industry

Heather McWhorter - UNCW Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Gretchen roberts 2021

7 Secrets the IRS Doesn’t Want You to Know

Gretchen Roberts - Red Bike Advisors

Trending News

Conservation Group Signs $8M Deal To Buy The Point On Topsail Island

Audrey Elsberry - Mar 26, 2024

Rezoning Could Bring 123 Townhomes To Growing Leland Corridor

Emma Dill - Mar 25, 2024

N.C. Ports Officials React To Baltimore Bridge Collapse

Audrey Elsberry - Mar 26, 2024

Engineering Firm Hires Four Employees

Staff Reports - Mar 26, 2024

National Organization Bestows Top Award On Cape Fear Professional Women In Building

Staff Reports - Mar 26, 2024

In The Current Issue

Expanding Tastes On Castle Street

As John Willse and Beth Guertin, owners of Wilmington Wine bottle shop and now the recently opened Creative Tastings restaurant on Castle St...


INFO JUNKIE: Jack Fleming

Jack Fleming, owner of Socialry Marketing & Scourz and emcee for 1 Million Cups Wilmington, shares his media and tech picks....


Hacking Cyberdefense Shortage

A shortage of cybersecurity professionals influenced professor Ulku Clark and her team to slowly evolve UNCW’s offerings to now include eigh...

Book On Business

The 2024 WilmingtonBiz: Book on Business is an annual publication showcasing the Wilmington region as a center of business.

Order Your Copy Today!


Galleries

Videos

2023 Power Breakfast: Major Developments