Halifax County Business Horizons, a nonprofit economic development organization, announced today the successful execution and conclusion of a Brownfields agreement for the long-vacant former WestPoint-Stevens property in Roanoke Rapids.
Halifax County Economic Development Director Cathy Scott said as of Friday the property is owned by a new company — 1200 NC LLC.
She said the company is not ready to announce their projects.
An October 24 decision memorandum on file in the state Department of Environmental Quality’s Brownfields database says it has been determined that the site’s intended use is for no uses other than warehousing, distribution, food processing, indoor aquaculture, industrial, retail, office, data center, and associated parking.
Scott had told the Halifax County Board of Commissioners in October that a final Brownfields agreement for the property was completed and was awaiting a final review to ensure it met DEQ requirements.
“This classification resulted from 10 years of dedicated commitment to an application process that thoroughly examined the past, current, and future potential uses of the property with particular attention to environmental quality to ensure public confidence in site redevelopment,” Roanoke Rapids City Manager Kelly Traynham said today. “This was made possible by many individuals and agencies collectively sharing a vision for safe reuse of the site. The city of Roanoke Rapids welcomes the new property owners and looks forward to serving their development needs.”
In a statement today Halifax Horizons said, “This landmark achievement was made possible through collaborative efforts of Halifax Horizons as the prospective developer, and the Halifax County Economic Development Commission, with the support of the Upper Coastal Plain Council of Governments, Darin McClure of Mid-Atlantic Consultants, NCDEQ’s Brownfields Redevelopment Section, environmental attorney Mary Katherine Stukes, along with the vision and commitment of Halifax County and the city of Roanoke Rapids for the reuse of this property.”
Halifax Horizons said, “Once a manufacturing hub for one of the world’s largest textiles empires, the 55-acre former WestPoint-Stevens property also holds historical significance for the community. It was the south's first major unionized textile (mill) and the site of a bitter union fight in the 1970s that inspired the award-winning movie Norma Rae.”
Scott Aman, president of Halifax Horizons, said, “The seven-year process to a Brownfields Agreement for this site exemplifies the power of public-private partnerships in driving successful and sustainable projects to fruition — Working together works.”
A Brownfields agreement provides for future uses of the property, protection to future owners from past environmental contamination, and tax incentives for improvements to Brownfields property.
“The redevelopment of the WestPoint-Stevens property will be a catalyst for future jobs and investment,” Aman said.
