Stanly County prepares for significant industrial growth

With a convenient location just outside of Charlotte, a robust community college system and a newly improved general aviation airport, Stanly County has all the right ingredients for a thriving industrial environment.

At the Stanly County Airport, recent lighting and runway upgrades are just one step in plans for expansion.

"Major projects for us over the last few years have been a pipe rehabilitation — Little Mountain Creek runs under both runways and the main taxiway. We noticed the pipe was degrading, so we did some work that will help it last 50 years or more out into the future. We also completed a large project a few months ago where we converted the main runway and taxiway lighting to LEDs," said Ken Swaringen, director of the Stanly County Airport. "We also replaced the old technology radio receiver for the pilot control lighting, so when pilots come in at night, they can use their radio to turn the runway lights on or alter intensity."

According to Swaringen, general aviation has risen in popularity lately, and there is a growing need for hangars. The Division of Aviation is aggressively looking for solutions to the space shortage, and Swaringen hopes updates made to the Stanly County Airport will spur further growth.

"We often say this is one of the best-kept secrets in the county, and we're trying hard to make it well-known throughout the region, because we have a lot of potential here. The things that make us attractive, that we haven't had up until the last year or so," said Swaringen. "There's water and sewer available here, there's natural gas available here, and we now have fiber optic cable servicing this area and a broadband tower. That broadband equipment can offer wireless broadband services to residents around the airport."

Already, growth is sprouting up around the newly improved airport. The North Carolina Emergency Training Center is slated to go in just across the street to the east of the airport, and will be a collaborative project between the North Carolina Office of Emergency Management and the North Carolina National Guard. The new training center will offer certifications for civilian organizations that aren't associated with the military.

Training opportunities will include firefighting simulations, water rescues, vehicle rescues and more. By opening training up to people outside of the military, the center will attract a much broader population.

"If this training center can become what we envisioned it possibly can be, I can see it bringing companies and personnel from N.C. State [University] or other research organizations here to help develop firefighting capabilities and firefighting equipment. As manufacturers develop new products, they can be tested here, and that could potentially bring folks from all over the world," said Swaringen. "I see it as a huge possibility to enhance the airport corridor and bring some potential growth, maybe even more aircraft personnel. You never know what's going to grow out of these things and spur other activity and growth here at the airport."

In addition to growth around the airport, the Albemarle and Locust areas in Stanly County are also seeing promising industrial development. The Prime Power Parks in Albemarle and Gastonia are the state's only industrial parks that offer backup power generation on-site.

For large companies that need continuous power and easy access to the nearby airport, the site is open and ready.

"The Prime Power Park has a large generator system that's running 24 hours a day. If they lose power, it can be very detrimental to them or stop the progress. At this site, once power in the area goes out, those generator systems kick on immediately and automatically, and continue providing power to the entire park," said James Schad, commercial real estate broker, owner, developer, landlord and property manager with LandVestors Group. "Stanly County is sitting in a good position. They're putting in infrastructure, increasing their sewer capacity, and doing everything they can to make sure the area is prepared for industrial growth."

"Stanly County is still growing, and it's a good county to be growing in."