NC Industrial Park Gains Sewer Access, Opens 238 Acres

Alexander County, North Carolina, just solved one of the biggest obstacles to economic growth: basic infrastructure that makes businesses want to move in.

The Alexander Industrial Park's new sewer system went live this January, bringing modern wastewater service to a 16-acre prepared site. County officials, engineers, and utility workers walked the completed project together on January 26, marking the finish of 2,440 feet of new sewer line.

The best part? Taxpayers didn't pay a dime. Two grants covered the entire $452,330 cost: $226,165 from the Appalachian Regional Commission and $226,165 from the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality. Alexander Railroad Co. donated the land easement needed to make it happen.

The immediate benefit serves 16 acres ready for development right now. But the real win extends far beyond that initial plot.

The new infrastructure can support an additional 72 acres owned by the county and 150 acres owned by Alexander Railroad Co. That's 238 total acres now equipped for businesses looking to build, expand, or relocate.

The Ripple Effect

The industrial park already employs hundreds through companies like Craftmaster Furniture, Paragon Films, Borealis Compounds, and Shaver Reload. Those existing employers benefit from improved infrastructure, while the expanded capacity means room for new companies and the paychecks they bring.

Rural communities often struggle to attract businesses because they lack the basic infrastructure cities take for granted. Sewer access might not sound glamorous, but it's the foundation that turns empty land into workplaces. It's the difference between "maybe someday" and "ready to build tomorrow."

Alexander County chose to invest in the unsexy essentials that create real opportunity. They secured grants, partnered with local businesses, and built infrastructure that will serve their community for generations.

The project shows what's possible when local governments focus on removing barriers instead of just hoping businesses show up. Every acre now has what companies need to say yes.