Jackson County and Town of Spencer named first recipients of North Carolina Railroad Company Brownfields site grants

The North Carolina Railroad Company (NCRR) awarded its first Brownfields Site Grant to Jackson County and a second to the Town of Spencer. The program provides local governments with private funding to address environmental barriers, preparing rail-served properties for new industrial uses that attract investment and create lasting jobs.

“Not every job-creating site begins as a blank slate,” said Carl Warren, NCRR president and CEO. “We help communities overcome early redevelopment hurdles, unlocking the potential of rail-served properties.”

Brownfields are sites hindered by environmental concerns that can complicate redevelopment. NCRR’s program helps communities take critical, initial steps toward entry into the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ) Brownfields Program, positioning sites for remediation, industrial investment and job creation.

"NCRR is helping communities turn yesterday’s challenges into tomorrow’s opportunities by preparing rail-served sites for new industry and lasting jobs," said Trish Haver, NCRR’s chief commercial officer.

Jackson County received $92,000 to assess a 42-acre former sawmill site at 3636 Skyland Drive in Sylva which closed in early 2024. The county will provide a 20% match toward the $115,000 project, which will fund environmental assessment and remediation planning. The goal is to repurpose the property for future industrial use.

“This project allows Jackson County to transform a recently closed sawmill into new opportunities for our people and our future,” said Kevin King, Jackson County manager. “With NCRR’s support, we are preparing the site for industry, rail access, and workforce training. These investments will create good jobs and long-term prosperity for families across Western North Carolina.”

In Rowan County, the Town of Spencer plans to facilitate transformation of a property at 2555 North U.S. Highway 29, once a textile dyeing and finishing facility, into a rail-accessible industrial site, attracting investment and expanding job opportunities. NCRR awarded the municipality $99,800 in grant funding, with a 20% match, or nearly $20,000, provided by Samet Corporation.

“This funding helps us partner with property owners and redevelopment professionals to ready a site that has remained inactive and largely untouched for roughly 25 years,” said Peter Franzese, Spencer town manager. “By preparing this property for industrial use, we hope to identify new possibilities for investment and quality jobs in our community, while addressing a site that has long stood as a reminder of one of North Carolina’s most significant economic challenges.”

To ensure long-term impact, the railroad company requires that supported sites:

• Enter the NCDEQ Brownfields Program as part of redevelopment planning.
• Use grant funds within two years of the award for on-site remediation.
• Secure a company that will move at least 40 rail cars annually for five years; if not, partial repayment may be required.

NCRR's Brownfields Program complements the Build Ready Sites initiative with the goal to expand the pipeline of rail-served properties and remain a catalyst for economic growth across North Carolina.

For more information, visit https://ncrr.com/services/econ....