More than 300 jobs and a $127 million investment are the real award for the City of Sanford, but WithersRavenel and its municipal partner were happy to pick up another recognition for Project Forge.
The project that brought Bharat Forge and an automobile components manufacturing plant to Sanford was honored with a 2022 Engineering Excellence Award from the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) of North Carolina. The organization presented the honor on Nov. 11 at Pinehurst Resort.
WithersRavenel’s quick and efficient due diligence work at the project site was vital to Bharat Forge’s parent company Kalyani Group choosing Sanford. In two weeks, the project team assembled boundary surveys, geotechnical investigations, wetland delineation, and Phase 1 ESA for the 98-acre property.
WithersRavenel then collaborated with local governments and worked with Kalyani Group to create development and permitting strategies for a tight project schedule. Later, WithersRavenel provided additional survey, grading, erosion control, and funding application/administration assistance. We then partnered with Sanford Contractors on a design-build contract to provide the site building pad, entry roadway, and utility connections.
Our firm is proud to have worked with the City of Sanford, Lee County, Sanford Area Growth Alliance, Kalyani Group and other stakeholders on this project that was a big economic development win for the region.
Members of WithersRavenel, the City of Sanford and Sanford Contractors accepted the award. Subconsultant GeoTechnologies also contributed to the project with geotechnical engineering services.
