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THREE-WAY STREET
Moore County is a popular place, and not only with those taking a swing at its legendary golf courses. It’s adding residents and growing businesses, too.
Japan-based drugmaker Kyowa Kirin announced it was spending $200 million to construct its first North American factory early last year. It’s investing that money at Sanford’s Helix Innovation Park at the Brickyard. The company expects to create 102 jobs at the Lee County site. Add N.C. Department of Commerce incentives worth $2 million over 12 years and local incentives approved by Sanford City Council and Lee County Board of Commissioners, and the project is expected to grow the state’s economy by more than $1 billion, according to a news release.
The Kyowa Kirin project represents more than a single economic development win. “It will be a showcase for industry, not just from Lee but from Chatham and Harnett counties as well,” says Sanford Area Growth Alliance CEO Jimmy Randolph. “You’ll be able to see the manufacturing that’s happening here. It’s going to be a cornerstone of our workforce in North Carolina.”
Nestled together in North Carolina’s center, Chatham, Harnett and Lee counties have more than boundaries in common. Residents cross those lines regularly for work and play. They share utilities, including electricity and water. And their future, economic and otherwise, will be determined by their efforts, whether they’re done individually or collectively.
BUILDING A WORKFORCE
Central Carolina Community College has three campuses. Their reach is extended with instructional locations — seven in Lee, four in Chatham and nine in Harnett. “[It’s] more than an educational institution,” says Margaret Roberton, CCCC vice president of workforce development and chief of staff. “It is a vital component of economic development in the region and a trusted partner for businesses across Chatham, Harnett and Lee counties. CCCC’s deep connections to local industry make it a critical force in building a skilled workforce, supporting business retention and driving regional prosperity. The college’s impact extends beyond the classroom. CCCC collaborates closely with regional and local economic development organizations — Carolina Core, RTRP, SAGA, Chatham EDC and Harnett EDC — chambers of commerce, workforce boards and local governments to attract new industry and strengthen existing businesses.”
Harnett County Economic Development Director Stephen Barrington says CCCC may be the three-county region’s greatest asset. The best one specifically for industry may be the college’s 22-acre E. Eugene Moore Manufacturing and Biotech Solutions Center in Sanford.
Renovations to Moore Center’s 10,000-square-foot biotechnology building will make room for program expansions intended to support the region’s blossoming biotechnology industry. A “wall breaking” ceremony kicked off the work in September. “The building will contain clean room experiences, fill-finish labs, BioWork classrooms and a high flexible lab designed to shift with industry needs, among other learning spaces,” Roberton says. “This building will support individuals entering into the industry in areas of process technician and quality as well as upskilling the existing workforce as they progress through their careers.”
Kyowa Kirin joins manufacturers Pfizer and Astellas in providing input for renovations and designing future training efforts at the Moore Center. “The college through a mix of county, state and private funds has committed $32.1 million toward current renovation efforts, which include the biotechnology building and Phase 1 of the manufacturing building,” Roberton says. “We are working on a capital campaign leveraging both public and private funds for the $72 million needed to complete the full renovation of the center. We are inviting a number of area manufacturers for input on Phase 1 of the larger building as well as early design efforts for Phase 2.”
Phase 2 addresses the balance of approximately 175,000 square feet of the main building. “[It’s] focused on ensuring that relevant advanced manufacturing training is offered as well as holding space for partnerships and unique solution opportunities responding to manufacturing needs,” according to CCCC. “Training areas will include welding, industrial systems, automation, engineering technologies, computer-integrated machining, advanced materials/energy and the integration of Industry 4.0 technologies.”
The Moore Center is home to several programs. Robertson says the commercial drivers’ license division, is parked there, offering hands-on instruction for people pursuing this high-demand field. Other workforce development initiatives are underway elsewhere. Barrington says Harnett County has invested in CCCC’s Liftoff Lab program, funding multiple scholarships per year. The program is led by the college’s Small Business Center, which in partnership with the Sanford Area Growth Alliance and Downtown Sanford created Real Investment in Sanford Entrepreneurs in 2021.
CCCC has several new programs. FirstHealth FirstFutures is a healthcare workforce partnership with FirstHealth of the Carolinas and other community colleges. AdvanceNC is a collaboration of 12 community colleges, seven workforce development boards, three universities and two nonprofit partners that intends to create a more aligned and responsive workforce ecosystem for the advanced manufacturing sector. And Commercial Leap Ahead for Wide bandgap Semiconductors — CLAWS — works with NC State and N.C. A&T to respond to the national need for a skilled workforce in microelectronics and semiconductors.
CCCC is prepared for a variety of assignments. “From advanced manufacturing and life sciences to clean energy and healthcare, CCCC is at the table for industry recruitment and expansion conversations, ensuring companies know they will have access to the talent they need to grow and thrive,” Roberton says. “These efforts include innovative efforts to include employers in meaningful conversations about workforce needs from inviting employers to help design training environments to establishing Business & Industry Leadership Teams to provide industry direct connections into helping the college align our educational delivery to their current and future workforce needs.”
SHARED SERVICES
Chatham, Harnett and Lee counties share a workforce, trading commuters every morning and evening. “Our three counties are uniquely part of two distinct economic development regions in the state — Research Triangle and the Carolina Core,” Barrington says. “Areas in which each of our counties will actively work to uncover solutions include affordable housing, which differentiates from low-income housing; power, including use of alternative sources; and childcare, its scarcity and affordability.”
Barrington says more than half of Harnett residents leave the county for work. The county launched its Harnett County Jobs Campaign in January, hoping to spur 1,000 new jobs at or above 125% of the county average annual wage, which state data shows is $46,969, by the end of 2030. “We know this will not make a real dent in the 39,000, or net loss of 20,000, that leave the county every day to go to work,” he says. “But it is a focused start.”
Randolph says other parameters direct job creation in the counties. “We have to also consider our partnership with [Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina] and their interest in larger projects like in life sciences, energy related and, as the uncertainty around tariffs continues, we see projects that may be interested in onshoring manufacturing. The challenge is power and access to adequate power infrastructure.”
Central Electric Membership Corp. serves Chatham, Harnett, Lee, Moore and Randolph counties. “We need 20 to 50 megawatts for advanced manufacturing that may be heavily automated, and it’s putting some significant challenges to our partners on the utilities side to meet those needs,” Randolph says. “That’s going to be part of the story of economic development in the future. Some data center projects think central North Carolina would be a great place, but we don’t have the electrical capacity to support that. Some centers need potentially hundreds of megawatts, and that’s unprecedented in our area for a single
end user.”
The availability of other utilities can be hurdles, too. TriRiver Water serves Chatham, Lee and parts of Orange counties. It formed in July 2024, when Sanford and the town of Pittsboro in Chatham County merged their water services. Siler City in Chatham County joined a year later. “If you’re thinking about regionality in economic development, you’re now seeing how small systems are not adequate,” Randolph says. “And I think Sanford is going to be a model for the state, where we look at a more regional approach. TriRiver Water is making significant investments to connect all those cities and will move to a 30-million-gallon-per-day capacity. That’s critical for our larger businesses.”
Chatham County Economic Development President Michael Smith underscored the importance of adequate water supply to projects. “TriRiver Water is a key player in supporting our community across the county, from the Triangle Innovation Point megasite in Moncure to the Chatham Advanced Manufacturing site in Siler City,” he says. “From regional water infrastructure to industrial site development, our partnerships are fueling opportunity and shaping the future of Chatham County.”
MIXING WORK AND PLAY
Chatham County has water views. “Jordan Lake is the most visited state park in North Carolina,” Smith says. “And that’s exciting, because it’s right here in our county. It’s a beautiful body of water with zero development along its shores.” Chatham also has upscale housing developments, including one owned by Disney, and tourist attractions such as Carolina Tiger Rescue, a nonprofit wildlife sanctuary near Pittsboro.
Smith says Chatham has strong relationships with its neighboring counties. “And we’re fortunate to be part of both the RTP Regional Partnership and the Carolina Core,” he says. “These connections give us the advantage of collaboration and the support of regional marketing groups that help us share our story.” It has a whole chapter dedicated to business parks, including Triangle Innovation Point and Chatham-Siler City Advance Manufacturing, which has 1,300 acres available.
Apex Gateway has six completed buildings, which total more than 1 million square feet, and additional space is under construction. Tenants include Durham Coca-Cola Bottling, US Autoforce, Emcor and Life Sciences Logistics. “Through our partnership with Apex Economic Development, we are marketing the Apex Gateway site, which will offer over 1 million square feet of industrial space at the U.S. 64/N.C. 751 intersection,” Smith says.
Chatham County EDC opened a satellite office at 79°West Innovation Hub, a 22,000-square-foot workspace and 8,500-square-foot warehouse in MOSAIC, a 44-acre mixed-use community in the live-work-play-learn community of Chatham Park, just north of downtown Pittsboro. “MOSAIC’s 79°West Innovation Hub keeps creating community with innovative programming and by becoming home to small businesses, including the Chatham EDC and the Chatham Chamber,” says Kirk Bradley, the developer of MOSAIC at Chatham Park. “More guests than ever are attending MOSAIC events, including concerts, markets, wellness Wednesdays and more. And Hampton Inn & Suites is bustling with both business and wedding party traffic.”
MOSAIC includes businesses, restaurants, apartments, an outdoor concert venue and a hotel. “[It’s] alive with activity, whether that’s community events on the Philip H. Kohl MOSAIC Family Commons or a tenant’s grand opening,” Bradley says. “We’ve added multiple new services, like Foundations Family Therapy and barre3 Chatham Park, and look forward to welcoming a new restaurant, a Tavolo Italian Eatery from local restauranteur Greg Lewis.”
Vanessa Jenkins is executive vice president of Cary-based Preston Development, which created the district. “Chatham Park is a unique community where residents can put down roots and work in a variety of locations,” she says. “We are convenient to megasites, the city of Sanford as well as Hartnett County. There are also many employment opportunities within Chatham Park as well. Various development projects are underway within Chatham Park, several of which will provide services and residential offerings for years to come. Grading of the UNC Health Campus, phase one of Asteria, StoryLiving by Disney, the extension of Chatham Parkway to connect Highway 64 and 15/501 have all broken ground this year.”
MOSAIC has plenty to offer. “[It’s] an attractive spot for businesses to locate, because it’s a mixed-use development, where community members can live, work, learn, play and dine all in one place in the growing community of Pittsboro,” Bradley says. “In short, the momentum at MOSAIC continues to add to Chatham County’s growing energy.”
MAKING ROOM FOR BUSINESS
Harnett’s population is about 146,000, 25% more than in 2010. That increase has been noticed.“Private developers are now circling the county and plan to bring to the market new shopping centers with top tier grocery store anchors,” Barrington says. “Harnett County has also invested in a relationship with Retail Strategies out of Birmingham, Alabama, to help attract national brands within the retail, restaurant and hospitality space.”
Truck equipment manufacturer Godwin Manufacturing, a $30 million Rooms to Go expansion, doors and turnstiles manufacturer Boon Edam, grocery chain Carlie C’s IGA and Warren Oil Co., are big blocks in Harnett’s economic foundation. The search for room to add more is underway. Product development — buildings and land — is Harnett County Economic Development’s focus. “Product development is all about ‘setting the table’ for new and expanding companies,” Barrington says. The county is working to identify buildings and land suitable for manufacturing and professional/business services and transitioning available land to market-ready sites. He says Harnett’s first Class A industrial park, Harnett 95 Industrial Center, will have approximately 800,000 square feet of industrial building space.
Harnett wants a high-level presence in manufacturing, retail, professional and business services and health care. “Cape Fear Valley Health continues to grow in Harnett County,” Barrington says. “Over the last year, they added a 60,000-square-foot facility at their Lillington campus that included a cancer treatment center. They are currently constructing an Adolescent Behavioral Health Center on the same campus.”
EXPANDING DEVELOPMENT
Kyowa Kirin’s impact goes beyond its factory and CCCC. Randolph says Sanford Area Growth Alliance worked with local developer James Goodnight Jr. to create office space inside the former Capital Bank Building, one of eight properties he owns in downtown Sanford. “And they’ve moved 55 of their employees there,” Randolph says. “So, we will have that live-work-play atmosphere going on downtown.”
Goodnight’s other downtown buildings are undergoing repairs and renovations. Downtown Sanford Inc. Executive Director Kelli Laudate says the Kimbrell’s Furniture Store is being repurposed into 10 market-rate apartments with three to four ground-floor spaces for retail. “Nearby, another building on South Steele Street is under renovation and will soon provide two additional opportunities for retail or restaurant tenants,” she says. “Both projects are expected to be completed by spring 2026. Sanford is fortunate to benefit from Mr. Goodnight’s investment and leadership as he brings not only a strong vision for downtown development but also a deep appreciation for historic preservation.”
The downtown Pilgrim’s Sanford Agricultural Marketplace is expected to open in the spring. It will be a regional hub for farmers and artisans and partner with N.C. Cooperative Extension for workshops, cooking classes and demonstrations on food preservation. A commercial kitchen will support local food-based businesses.
Travel 2 miles from downtown Sanford, and you’ll find Riverbirch Shopping Center in an underserved corner of the city. In late September, Sanford City Council approved $4.4 million in incentives for Ohio-based Casto to redevelop the center, which is expected to include a Target and regional grocery store by 2030. The $64 million project aims to revive the former retail hub and marks Target’s first Lee County location.
Laudate says work on Kyowa Kirin’s office space was completed earlier this year. It signified something bigger than a place to put desks, chairs and workers. “What’s most important is the broader impact,” she says. “Bringing Kyowa Kirin downtown not only anchors a global company in Sanford but also strengthens the city’s ability to attract future industries to establish offices in the heart of downtown.” ■
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WILD MEETINGS
Carolina Tiger Rescue gives large and wild cats a better life. It helps local companies and student groups build unity and give back.
East of Pittsboro off U.S. 64 is Carolina Tiger Rescue, a 67-acre sanctuary that’s gaining favor with local businesses, which bring their staff for outdoor getaways. Cisco employees, for example, had visited 14 times this year as of late September. Employees from Deutsche Bank, Epic Games, Google, Lenovo, MetLife, SAS and Whole Foods have visited, along with sororities and fraternities from Duke University, NC State and UNC Chapel Hill. “It’s like a team building exercise for them,” says Kris Marino, Carolina Tiger Rescue executive director. “I worked for big nonprofits for a long time, and team building is a big thing. They’re getting a day out, and they have a way to give back.”
Marino says the sanctuary welcomed more than 1,000 workgroup volunteers last year. They represented almost 100 companies and universities and contributed nearly 4,500 hours to sanctuary care and maintenance. “We are on track to reach similar numbers in 2025,” she says.
Volunteers help construct enclosures, work on roads, mow grass or do any other outdoor task that needs to be completed. Some bring donations or wish-list items such as paper towels. “We just appreciate them coming and helping out with projects,” Marino says.
Carolina Tiger Rescue is home to 55 animals — tigers, lions, servals, cougars, caracals, kinkajous, bobcats, coatimundis, raccoons and porcupines. They live in spacious enclosures that replicate their natural habitat. Most come from traveling circuses, mom-and-pop zoos or private owners. “Some of our residents have been confiscated by authorities,” Marino says. “You cannot [privately] own a large cat anymore. It’s illegal. But you can own a wild cat like a bobcat [in four states, including North Carolina]. We actually have a bobcat that was owned by someone, and when she reached the age and size where she was no longer a kitten … well, she lives here now. We have a lot of caracals that people thought were cute, but at the end of the day, they’re wild animals.”
Everyone who enters Carolina Tiger Rescue requires a staff escort. The sanctuary offers public and private tours, school field trips, a middle school homeschool program and internships. Tours provide an opportunity to educate people about the animals and their rescue stories.
“From an economic perspective, those who travel here, they buy gas, they buy meals and they spend money in Chatham County,” Marino says.
“We hope to have more tours and educate more people. For everyone who works here, it’s a labor of love. It’s a great job. We have about 22,000 visitors a year. Our goal here is to educate.”
Marino moved to Chatham County in December 2020, and she toured Carolina Tiger Rescue the next month. “My favorite animal was the massive tiger who greeted you when you went on tour,” she says. “I walked in and saw him, and I immediately knew I needed to work with Carolina Tiger Rescue somehow. The tiger’s name was Caprichio, and he was a big boy. He weighed 489 pounds. I started working as a volunteer. He’s what made me want to stay.”
Caprichio was born in 2010 and rescued in 2016 from a roadside zoo in Colorado. His hind legs were injured, and his back was bowed from metabolic bone disease. Carolina Tiger Rescue provided medical care and a home. A staff favorite, he learned to appreciate human help and spent hot summer days splashing in his pool. He died in October 2023.
Marino heads a 22-person staff. She says their affection for the animals is continual. “We have a memorial garden, and we have a ceremony,” she says, alluding to Caprichio’s service. “It’s very emotional. Everyone who works here loves animals.”
Carolina Tiger Rescue has 12 acres where it will build a visitor’s center and educational building. D&G Community Development, a national organization that works with nonprofits, is organizing a capital campaign, and Carolina Tiger Rescue has fundraising links on its Facebook page and website. An architect and engineering firm are onboard, and Marino is working with local officials. “We probably are going to have our groundbreaking on the new 16,000-sqare-foot building in 2026,” she says. ■
— Kathy Blake is a writer from eastern North Carolina.
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