Preparing Prospective Sites for Economic Development
NC Certified Sites Program
The State of NC’s Certified Sites Program establishes a statewide inventory of available, tenant-ready sites: every site with the “Certified” designation has undergone a rigorous analysis by professional engineers and other specialists who have conducted in-depth due diligence assessments of the property.
WithersRavenel has experience with the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina (EDPNC). With the exception of the geotechnical study, WithersRavenel can complete all of the tasks required for site NC Certified Sites certification in-house; geotechnical services are typically subcontracted to a local partner firm.
Duke Energy Site Readiness
Through the Site Readiness Program, Duke Energy identifies high-potential sites and partners with county officials and local economic development professionals to develop a strategy for getting the sites fully ready to market to industrial projects.
For sites seeking certification under this program, WithersRavenel visits the property to understand the site characteristics, including potential environmental features, site access points, roadway networks, topographic conditions, and the location of utilities. Based on the findings, WithersRavenel prepares a buildable area exhibit to illustrate the potential for future site development at each location. The team also recommends additional studies that should be considered to further understand the site constraints and minimize development risks.
Industrial Development Fund (IDF)
North Carolina’s Industrial Development Fund provides incentive industrial financing grants and loans available to local municipal or county government applicants located in the 80 most economically distressed counties (Tiers 1 and 2) in the State.
WithersRavenel’s Funding & Asset Management team has prepared successful IDF applications for projects in Cleveland County, Craven County, and Lee County. In addition, 35 of the 80 Tier 1 and Tier 2 counties eligible for these funds are among our funding and engineering clients.
Golden LEAF Site Development Program
Due to the pace of business, economic development projects often move quickly. To be considered for these projects, it is critical for a community to have “quick to market” property available. Those properties are readily available in our state’s larger metropolitan areas, leaving most rural areas at a disadvantage. Golden LEAF is implementing a new site development program targeting rural communities to help make them more competitive and meet growing statewide demand.
WithersRavenel and partner Strategic Development Group know more than any other consultant about this program, because we are working with Golden LEAF to develop it. We take a comprehensive and common-sense approach to product development, and we are leveraging our years of experience with other site certification programs to create a program that centers and uplifts previously underserved areas.