ElectriCities announced today that a $22.7 million commercial cold storage facility will be developed on one of its designated Smart Sites in Tarboro, N.C. The facility is expected to create more than 100 new jobs in the community and attract national and international customers needing large-scale cold storage capabilities for produce, meat and other goods.
This is the first major economic development project to be located at one of ElectriCities’ designated Smart Sites. ElectriCities has worked with public power communities across the state to develop shovel-ready Smart Sites that are located within five miles of a major highway and already have access to municipal electric service, water and sewer within 500 feet. These sites must also undergo an extensive review process by site selection experts before earning the Smart Site designation.
“Economic development is a competitive business, so we created Smart Sites to expedite economic development in public power communities across the state,” said Brenda Daniels, ElectriCities director of economic development. “It’s rare for a company to locate on an undeveloped property, so we’ve worked to develop shovel-ready sites that can significantly reduce the amount of time needed for construction.”
Construction on the 200,000-square foot cold storage facility in Tarboro will begin this summer and the facility is expected to open within 18 months. The facility will be located at the Tarboro Commerce Center, an industrial park that is currently home to a Japanese auto parts manufacturer.
There are 11 properties in North Carolina that have received the Smart Site designation, including sites in Battleboro, Farmville, Greenville, Kinston, Laurinburg, New Bern, Shelby, Statesville, Tarboro, Washington and Wilson. ElectriCities promotes Smart Sites at trade shows and industry events around the world.