BY DONNA SWICEGOOD
NorthPoint Development Executive Vice President Caleb Moore said the decision to invest $51 million in a Statesville project was an easy decision.
“There was really something special here that drew us,” Moore said during the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Park 4077 development on Odessa Drive between Crawford and Jane Sowers roads. The location, between Interstate 77 and Interstate 40, was one drawing card but not the only one.
“It was really the people and you forget that when we talk about building speculatively we’re taking a pretty big risk,” he said.
There’s a great workforce to draw from in the area, Moore said.
“Being able to create jobs that are community based where people can live, work and grow and raise families is really important,” he said. “This really stood out as the premier spot in the region.”
The ribbon cutting was held Wednesday afternoon on the 427-acre site.
The 585,880-square-foot facility has the capacity to expand to 3.8 million square feet, company officials said. Moore said.
Park 4077 facility has the potential to bring in more than 400 construction and operational jobs.
“This is a big deal,” Moore said.
The building currently houses the Art Guild of Philadelphia and NanoXplore.
Moore said the development is the result of a partnership between the City of Statesville, Iredell County and the Iredell County Economic Development Corporation.
“We’ve really been welcomed with open arms,” he said.
Sen. Vickie Sawyer called the development a blessing. “Welcome to our community,” she said.
Statesville Mayor Doug Hendrix said this development illustrates the confidence in the community and value of strong public and private partnerships.
“This investment was made with a clear goal — to attract high-quality, industrial users, expand our tax base and create long-term economic opportunities for our residents,” he said. “Thank you for investing in Statesville.”
Iredell County Commissioner Melissa Neader said she was excited to welcome NorthPoint.
“When you bring in the businesses with above average pay rates, tremendous. You can support your families,” she said. “What I am seeing here is living wages being created.”
That is what Iredell County needs, she said.
“We want our families to stay here, to raise their kids here.”