LOOKING INWARD, SEEING AHEAD: Lee County is developing its offerings, making it attractive to new residents and businesses.

• Author: Blake, Kathy

Draw a line on a map that encircles Raleigh, Greensboro and Fayetteville. Right in the center, you'll find Lee County. Its position is a result of simple geography. But It also reflects Its importance to economic development efforts in the region, says Sanford Area Growth Alliance CEO Jimmy Randolph. "We have [Central Carolina Community College] that is a jewel in the crown of the state Community College System and serves three counties in Lee, Harnett and Chatham, and there are a great number of potential employees moving through that system," he says. "And the U.S. 1 corridor from Raleigh to Southern Pines, we're central to that route. [Lee County seat] Sanford is central to this dynamic region."

Lee County and its communities offer new businesses and residents more than workforce training and a central location. Quality of life is being improved. Health care is expanding. And historical industries, such as agriculture, are being re-envisioned and revamped. Randolph says county leaders and residents are always looking to the future. "Time and again, we have invested significant financial resources for infrastructure development, understanding that we were Investing in a shared vision for the future, not just reacting to the immediate needs of today," he says. "Due to our strategic location in the center of North Carolina, our foresight and strategic investments consistently benefit folks far beyond the geographic borders of our relatively small county. We are a community of makers, a great place not only for large companies but for entrepreneurs. We're a great place to bring your ideas."

The efforts are attracting new businesses. Service Offsite Solutions, for example, announced in March that it's building an $11.8 million factory in Sanford, where it will create 235 jobs and make modular floors, walls and roofs for buildings. North Carolina Railroad's economic development initiative--NCRR Invests--will spend $300,000 to add a rail spur at the site. It will allow Atlantic and Western Railway to serve the new factory, moving about 150 more rail cars a year.

Other companies are receiving support, too. Sanford, in an agreement with Chatham County, is using a $50 million grant from Golden LEAF Foundation, which distributes the state's portion of the national tobacco settlement for economic development projects, to provide water and sewer to 2,500-acre Triangle Innovation Point, the former Moncure Megasite. Vietnamese automaker VinFast recently announced plans to build a $4 billion electric vehicle plant there, creating at least 7500 jobs. Production is expected to begin in mid-2024.

It was Lee County's foresight --a decade ago--that led to the water deal. "The megasite property owner originally reached out to the city of Sanford to supply wastewater treatment," says Vic Czar, Sanford's public works director. "The city of Sanford then partnered with Lee County, Chatham County and Golden LEAF to extend sewer from the Big Buffalo WastewaterTreatment Facility to the megasite."

Lee County and Sanford collaborated to bring the line to the Raleigh Executive Jetport, then the county, with Golden LEAF'S support, extended it to Triangle Innovation Point. "This partnership made the megasite ready for industry," Czar says. "When the site became a front-runner for VinFast, Chatham County needed a partner to meet the company's expansive water demands. Partnering with Sanford was a natural fit, as Sanford is water-rich, and the two governments have such a great working relationship."

Sanford will receive 20% of property taxes collected from companies connected to the system. "This arrangement benefits all involved," Czar says. "Chatham County and Lee County residents will have access to high-paying, quality jobs. VinFast will have the infrastructure it needs to be competitive in the market. Sanford's utility system will have the diversity of rate payers along with the additional revenue brought by the property tax."

Czar expects Sanford's foresight to continue attracting businesses. "None of this would be possible without the infrastructure provided by Sanford," he says. "VinFast's decision to locate at Triangle Innovation Point will have a significant impact on Chatham and Lee counties."

IMPROVING QUALITY OF LIFE

Lee County officials are making life better for current and future residents, many of whom will...