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County economic development director outlines Pelum park RFI, building sales and regional data‑center opportunities
Summary
Economic development director Mr. Bowman told the board the Pelum Industrial Park RFI will be ready in about two to three weeks, reported a Family Dollar building for sale at $850,000, said Cherokee Tobacco’s new 60,000+ sq ft building is nearing occupancy, and summarized regional data‑center announcements the county hopes to leverage for local jobs and training.
Mr. Bowman, presenting the board's economic development update on June 1, highlighted several local real‑estate opportunities and regional projects the county hopes to leverage for workforce and supply‑chain growth.
He said a standalone Vinius dialysis facility in Yansville has closed because of corporate cutbacks; the company has contacted patients and provided options and a phone number for those who need help locating alternate care (855362988). Bowman advised any resident needing assistance should call that number.
Bowman described a Family Dollar building for sale at $850,000 (about 8,300 sq ft) with the owner offering financing at 4% and encouraged potential buyers to contact the seller directly once the county website listing is live. He also said Cherokee Tobacco completed a 60,000+ square‑foot facility; landscaping is finished and the company awaits electrical completion and a certificate of occupancy, with a ribbon cutting anticipated near the end of July.
On broader economic strategy, Bowman said staff is compiling the technical data needed to prepare requests for information (RFIs) for the Pelum Industrial Park to send to the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina; he estimated the RFI package will be ready in "about the next two to three weeks." He encouraged a regional coalition aligned with neighboring localities and recommended marketing Caswell County for warehousing, distribution and service suppliers that do not require heavy utilities but do require available land and trained workers.
Bowman recounted attendance at a regional Institute for Advanced Learning and Research meeting where he said two large announcements were made, including one project he identified as a $1.44 billion investment (transcribed as "Microporus"), which he said would create substantial full‑time employment and that combined regional projects could yield thousands of jobs. He urged the board to coordinate workforce training with Piedmont Community College and Danville Community College so Caswell residents can qualify for incoming positions.
Board members asked follow‑up questions about coalition building, shovel‑ready pads, housing for incoming workers and the website launch timeline; Bowman said the website designer is temporarily out of town and staff will post listings when the county site is ready.
What happens next: staff will finalize the Pelum RFI, post available properties when the county site is operational, continue coordination with regional partners and present supply‑chain strategy documents to the board for feedback.
