Caterpillar’s decision to locate its new facility in Georgia could be linked to its port in Savannah. Caterpillar announced plans Feb. 17 to build its $200 million manufacturing facility near Athens, Ga., bringing 1,400 new jobs to the Peach State.

Jim Bradshaw, executive director of the Brunswick County Economic Development Commission, said that the Illinois-based company’s decision was logistical. The company had considered a site on the Brunswick-Columbus county line for the project.

Bradshaw said Brunswick County officials offered to donate the land, waive permit fees and pay a percentage of property tax back in the form of grants each year; however, it was the guarantee of a deep water port that sent Caterpillar crawling into Georgia.

 “We could not guarantee that a 50-foot channel could be built or a new deep water port constructed for them to locate in our area,” Bradshaw said.

Caterpillar Building Construction Products Division vice president Mary Bell said the Athens site was selected because of its “proximity to major ports, a strong regional base of potential suppliers, a positive and pro-active business climate and a good pool of potential employees with manufacturing experience.”
~Jamaal O’Neal

Whole Foods eyes spring opening

Progress on Wilmington’s Whole Foods Market remains on schedule, according to a company spokeswoman.

Darrah Horgan, Whole Foods South Region spokeswoman, said on Feb. 15 the Austin-based natural grocer is looking to open its Port City location in late spring.

John S. Clark Company crews are putting the finishing touches on the 30,000 square-foot store at the intersection of Fordham Road and Oleander Drive.

Whole Foods will anchor the Oleander Point Shopping Center, which will have six to 10 retail spaces available.

Horgan added that store officials are searching for local farmers to sell their products in the Wilmington store once it opens. On Feb. 29, Whole Foods sponsored an open house for local farmers and producers “to educate local farmers and entrepreneurs about Whole Foods’ mission, and what products the store could purchase from interested parties,” Horgan said.
~Jamaal E. O’Neal
 
Home sales forecast sunny

Residential realty firms reported promising sales trends for 2012. About 250 units sold in January in New Hanover, Brunswick and Pender counties, according to the MLS.

While this is slightly down from January 2011, when 281 units sold, the pending sales index – which charts units that will close in 30 to 60 days -- has reached an all-time high for this time of year. As of mid-February, 789 units were on the area’s pending index, while this time last year there were about 600 units pending, according to David Flory, Cunningham & Company Mortgage Bankers mortgage consultant.
 
The region’s housing inventory has also shrunk 24 percent from this time last year.

Tim Milam, president of Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Advantage, said his sales numbers are up, “and that’s definitely a good sign that things are starting to get better.”

Last year, Milam’s southeastern division secured 277 contracts totaling $57.2 million. However, since the start of 2012, the division has recorded 454 contracts worth $80.6 million.

Jim Wallace, president and CEO of Intracoastal Realty Corporation, said his company’s sales are surging after a year in the doldrums. He added that, last year, Intracoastal Realty Corporation posted $40 million worth of homes under contract in the greater Wilmington area. Year-to-date, the firm has posted $73 million under contract.
~Christina Haley