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North Carolina is in need of more megasites where companies can establish large operations, particularly for manufacturing, with hundreds or thousands of jobs.

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

A collaboration in Eastern North Carolina is working to establish a new megasite in a move that would give the region a distinct advantage when it comes to recruiting major companies.

The nonprofit Greenville Eastern North Carolina Alliance is working with Pitt County and the City of Greenville to establish a 3,300-acre megasite along Saintsville Road north of Briley Road. The land is part of a 10,000-acre area owned by timberland company Weyerhauser (NYSE: WH).

The current market value for the largest tract of land at the proposed site (8,366 acres) is just shy of $8.8 million, according to Pitt County tax records.

Josh Lewis, president and CEO of the Greenville-Eastern North Carolina Alliance, told Triangle Business Journal a committee within the alliance has been working for several years to identify the best potential parcels for megasites in the county. The Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina runs the General Assembly-created Megasite Readiness Program to identify new megasites across the state.

A megasite is 1,000 acres or more designated for industrial use. Examples include the Siler City megasite in Chatham County where Wolfspeed (NYSE: WOLF) has a new semiconductor materials plant preparing to come online and the Greensboro-Randolph Megasite where Toyota (NYSE: TM) has its new EV battery factory.

Without a megasite in a county, "you'll be restricted from recruiting something like Toyota," Lewis said. Toyota is investing nearly $14 billion in its battery manufacturing plant, which could one day support thousands of jobs.

"You want to be in the game for whatever projects the community feels like they would like to attract," Lewis said. "... When you have requests for information, or you have leads come in, you can only respond to what you have product for. And so the reality is, if you do not have a site that has the utility access, road access, and you have a certain level of preparation for that type of user, then you're just not in the game."

In total, the alliance estimates that costs for due diligence, design and buildout of infrastructure are roughly $450 million plus an additional $102 million for the design and construction of utility services.

Next steps for the proposed megasite include:

"If after all those processes are completed, and there's no red flags, then the county or city or alliance would actually have to own the property in order to access money for hard infrastructure, roads, utility lines and things like that," Lewis said. He said he hopes the groups can get the property "under control by the fall" and "within two years, we would have to be at a place to know exactly what direction we're going in."

Megasites have become a bit of a scarce resource for North Carolina, making it more difficult to attract larger projects. The latest site acquired was the 1,350-acre Person County Mega Park, which Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT) bought in October 2024 for close to $27 million. Microsoft has not revealed its plans yet for the megasite, but local leaders and analysts have said the tech giant could use it for a data center.

Ben Tobin covers real estate and economic development in the Greater Triangle, focusing on the counties outside Wake, Durham and Orange. Have a tip? Reach him at btobin@bizjournals.com or (919) 327-1012.

ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) — This story will be updated throughout the day as information becomes available.

6 p.m. | Transylvania County lifts 'yellow zone'

Transylvania County officials report that the county is lifting its yellow zone.

Residents are advised to avoid travel in the area to allow crews to work on containing the Table Rock Complex fires.

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5:45 p.m. |

The USDA Forest Service also is lifting fire restrictions across the four National Forests in North Carolina effective on Wednesday, April 2, at 8 a.m.

The forest service reports that visitors are now permitted to build campfires and use camp stoves and fire rings.

Despite statewide fire restrictions on the state's National Forest being lifted, the restrictions on all open burning in the area of Roan Mountain remain in effect.

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4:30 p.m. | Burn ban lifted for North Carolina

The North Carolina Forest Service has lifted a ban on all open burning in the state. This will go into effect at 8 a.m. on Wednesday, April 2.

This comes after a statewide ban that went into effect on March 21.

According to the North Carolina Forest Service, the burn ban being lifted does not apply to fires started within 100 feet of an occupied dwelling. That, instead, is determined by a local fire marshal.

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4 p.m. | Teens arrested for alleged connection to Table Rock Fire

Officials with the South Carolina Forestry Commission have arrested three teenagers in connection with the Table Rock Fire, which has now spread to nearly 14,000 acres in North Carolina and South Carolina.

The three teens were each charged with one count of negligently allowing fire to spread to lands or property of another.

Their names are as follows:

FULL STORY: 3 TEENS ARRESTED FOR ALLEGEDLY CAUSING TABLE ROCK FIRE THAT SPREAD TO NEARLY 14,000 ACRES

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3 p.m. | Henderson County's state of emergency lifted

Henderson County officials announce that Board of Commissioners' Chairman William Lapsley has lifted the State of Emergency for Henderson County. This went into effect at 10 a.m.

An open burning ban remains in effect in Henderson County.

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2:30 p.m. | Table Rock Complex update

In an afternoon update, the South Carolina Forestry Commission provided updated numbers on the Table Rock Complex.

Table Rock Fire – 13,287 acres (SC) & 635 acres (NC) | 30% containment

This fire received over an inch of rain over the last two days, which has reduced fire activity, says the South Carolina Forestry Commission. Crews continue to make progress on extinguishing hotspots and securing control lines.

Persimmon Ridge Fire – 2,078 acres | 74% containment

This fire has "ceased growth and will remain in its current footprint," says the South Carolina Forestry Commission.

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1 p.m. | No changes in Alarka Five Fire

Swain County Emergency Management reports no changes in the Alarka Five Fire, which has reached 1,515 acres and is 62% contained. There are currently no evacuation orders in place.

A total of 89 personnel are currently working on this fire.

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11 a.m. | Containment rises

Rattlesnake Branch Fire (Haywood County)

Officials with the U.S. Forest Service report that the Rattlesnake Branch Fire remains at 1,865 acres but has reached 24% containment.

The fire is burning on private land and the Shining Rock Wilderness Area in Pisgah National Forest, around the community of Cruso. Nearly 160 personnel are working on this fire.

Table Rock Complex (Upstate, Transylvania County)

In a morning update, the South Carolina Forestry Commission said that as conditions dry on Tuesday, crews will work to build direct containment lines along the perimeter of the fire.

Table Rock Complex TOTAL: 15,365 acres | 32% containment

Table Rock Fire – 13,287 acres | 30% containment

Persimmon Ridge Fire – 2,078 acres | 74% containment

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7:30 AM | Wildfire containment increases

Black Cove Complex (Polk/Henderson counties)

The Black Cove Complex saw a significant increase in containment after Monday's rain. At noon, the N.C. Forest Service estimated that the Black Cove fire was 36% contained, and the Deep Woods fire was 32% contained. By the county's 5 p.m. update (listed below), the Black Cove fire had reached 93% containment, and the Deep Woods fire nearly doubled its containment.

Table Rock Complex (Upstate, Transylvania County)

The South Carolina Forestry Commission said moist conditions on Sunday significantly reduced fire activity. In a 1 p.m. update Monday, officials said the perimeter of the Table Rock fire had not increased, and any additional acreage shown was due to a successful burnout on the southwest part of the fire. The Persimmon Ridge fire has not increased in acreage in several days.

A curfew that had been in effect for Transylvania County was lifted Monday evening, but a burn ban remains in effect.

In a social media post on Monday afternoon, the Pickens County Sheriff's Office said mandatory evacuation orders in Greenville County had been downgraded to voluntary evacuations, and the voluntary evacuations in Pickens and Greenville counties had been lifted.

Rattlesnake Branch Fire (Haywood County)

According to a Monday afternoon update from the U.S. Forest Service, the Rattlesnake Branch fire is about 1,865 acres and 21% contained.

US FOREST SERVICE USES HIGH-TECH DRONE TO MAP, FIGHT RATTLESNAKE BRANCH FIRE

Forest officials credited the decrease in acreage to better mapping. The fire is burning on private land and the Shining Rock Wilderness Area in Pisgah National Forest, around the community of Cruso.

Alarka Five Fire (Swain County)

As of 5 p.m. Monday, the Alarka Five fire had burned 1,515 acres and is 62% contained. There are currently no evacuation orders in place.

"With conditions steadily improving, this will be our last evening update. We will continue sharing one update each day to keep the community informed," Swain County Emergency Management said in a social media post Monday.

ROBESON COUNTY — The Open Space Institute (OSI) and Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina have announced the acquisition of the 1,382-acre Camp Island property near North Carolina’s southeastern border, according to a prepared statement from the Lumbee Tribe on Monday.

OSI acquired the property with funding support from a private family foundation and a North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) grant facilitated by Ducks Unlimited (DU).

OSI has donated the property, rich with cultural significance and natural resources, to the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina, which will steward the forested property in perpetuity as a natural and cultural resource for the Tribe, according to Monday’s statement.

The Camp Island project represents the first opportunity to establish a large, protected natural area under the stewardship of the state’s Lumbee Tribe, according to the statement.

The 2020 U.S. Census states that approximately 116,000 people in Robeson County self-identify as American Indian, making Robeson County the home of the highest concentration of American Indians in any county east of the Mississippi River.

“Properties like Camp Island play a vital role not only in the health of ecosystems, but also in the lives of the people tied to the land itself,” said Maria Whitehead, OSI’s senior vice president of Land for the Southeast. “OSI is honored to be part of this effort to preserve culturally significant land, and thanks to our partners, we have the incredible opportunity to return it to tribal stewardship and care.”

“We are excited to reconnect with this land, which we’ve not been able to access for a very long time,” said John Lowery, Lumbee Tribal chairman. “Our people are outdoors people, and the ability to steward this land for Lumbee and visitors alike is truly special. We are proud to preserve Camp Island for many years to come.”

The Camp Island property is especially important to the Lumbee Tribe as a cultural site where significant Indigenous artifacts have been found. The Lumbee Tribe operates several camps where participants engage in preservation and restoration activities, while deepening an understanding of their cultural heritage. Protecting Camp Island is a critical step toward imparting these values to future generations.

“This gift will give our youth an opportunity to learn about native plants, trees, birds, and local wildlife,” said Homer Fields, Lumbee Tribal Council Representative (District 14), who represents the Allenton Community where Camp Island is located. “We’re thrilled about this project.”

“We are truly grateful that OSI is cultivating community through their cultural sensitivities to address our reconnection to Mother Earth,” said Wendy Moore, Former Lumbee Tribal Council Representative and Former Chair of the Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee.

The benefits of the Camp Island project extend beyond the Lumbee Tribe. The property, which was once managed for wood products, will now be stewarded for forest and species conservation by the Tribe, and protected in perpetuity by the NAWCA grant agreement and other deed restrictions. It will become part of a larger network of protected properties in a “green corridor” between the Lumber and Cape Fear river basins.

Primarily forested wetland, the Camp Island property contains a vast matrix of blackwater swamps that drain directly into the Lumber River, a state-designated Scenic River that is considered one of North Carolina’s most pristine recreational assets and home to fish species like the Broadtail Madtom and Ironcolor Shiner. The Lumber River is known traditionally as the Lumbee River; its name was changed by state lawmakers in 1809 to reflect its use in timbering operations, but it is still known by the Lumbee People as the Lumbee River.

With abundant intact forested wetlands, the tract is within a designated Atlantic Coast Joint Venture Waterfowl Focus Area and Audubon Important Bird Area boasting, among other bird species, Yellow throated Warblers, Great Blue and Green Herons, Swallow-tailed Kites, and Wood Storks.

“We’re excited to join forces with OSI and the Lumbee Tribe to fund a project that holds tremendous value for wetlands, wildlife and the community,” said Emily Purcell, DU Director, Conservation Programs Southeast. “Collaboration drives conservation forward, and we’re honored to play a role in safeguarding Camp Island for future generations of the Lumbee Tribe to connect with their ancestral lands.”

In addition to being an important site for American Indian history and culture, in addition to natural resources, the Camp Island property has a long and storied history as a colonial-era British loyalist encampment, purportedly attacked by a group of the Camden District Regiment militia. In the 1850s, enslaved people who had escaped established a small community on the property with livestock and cultivated crops.

About the Open Space Institute

Founded in 1974, the Open Space Institute (OSI) has been a partner in the protection of more than 2.5 million acres along the eastern seaboard from Quebec to Florida. OSI’s Southeast office, established in Charleston in 2014, has been a partner in the protection of more than 130,000 acres across the Southeastern United States, the vast majority of which will be open to the public. Visit OSI online at openspaceinstitute.org/southeast.

About the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina

The Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina, also known as the “People of the Dark Water,” have their homeland in Southeastern, North Carolina, along the dark waters of the Lumbee river. The ancestors of the Lumbee have lived here for thousands of years. The Lumbee Tribe Housing complex is located in Pembroke, North Carolina. The tribal territory and service area of the Lumbee People includes four counties: Robeson, Scotland, Hoke, and Cumberland. The Lumbee Tribe is the largest American Indian Tribe east of the Mississippi River.

David Kennard is the executive editor of the Robesonian. Reach him by email at dkennard@robesonian.com.

The developer behind a highly anticipated Disney-themed community in North Carolina just made a major land purchase.

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

The developer attached to a Disney-themed community in a booming North Carolina county recently paid eight figures for land there with the project expected to break ground this year.

DMB/SWVP Raleigh, an LLC tied to Scottsdale, Arizona-based real estate developer DMB Development, and Stanley Living at CP, an LLC tied to Disney, purchased a combined 242 of acres along the Haw River in Pittsboro for more than $23.3 million last month, according to Chatham County deed records. The price comes to more than $107,000 an acre.

The land sits in Chatham Park, and the seller is tied to Chatham Park developers Preston Development of Cary.

DMB Development is the company working with Storyliving by Disney, Disney's real estate arm, on Asteria, a community set to span across 1,500 acres and include more than 4,000 residential units with a mix of multifamily and single-family homes. The Walt Disney Company (NYSE: DIS) sent shockwaves through the Triangle area when it announced in December 2023 that Storyliving had selected Chatham Park for its second Disney-themed community nationwide.

Mary Alexander, executive vice president and general counsel of DMB Development, said that a 25-acre tract included in the purchase will hold the future amenity site for the project. Specific details about the amenities have not been revealed. Additionally, about 74 acres will be used for residential purposes. The remaining 143 acres will be for open space, roads and utilities.

Disney and Preston Development did not respond to requests seeking comment about the project.

Since the Disney announcement in 2023, plans have largely been kept under wraps for what the community will fully entail.

Vanessa Jenkins, executive vice president of Preston Development, told Triangle Business Journal in November that Disney was planning to break ground on the development in the first quarter of this year and that the first homes would be available for sale in 2027.

The other community from Storyliving by Disney is in Rancho Mirage, California. That community, Cotino, is selling homes starting around $2 million, according to the development's website. One of the upcoming amenities for the development is Cotino Bay, an area filled with turquoise water and white sand beaches.

The Chatham community is expected to have homes at a much lower price point — in the six-figures — than Cotino.

Chatham Park, a development years in the making that will have tens of thousands of housing units at full buildout, has been bustling with big project announcements. Last month, a highly-anticipated $22 million YMCA opened in the North Village of Chatham Park. And in December, TBJ reported that Preston Development, led by Bubba Rawls and Tim Smith, is planning a more than 600-home neighborhood, called "NoVi," as the next phase of the North Village.

Also, UNC Health has acquired land in Chatham Park for a future expansion.

Chatham Park will include more than 20,000 homes at full buildout across the more than 7,000 acres in the master-planned community.

Ben Tobin covers real estate and economic development in the Greater Triangle, focusing on the counties outside Wake, Durham and Orange. Have a tip? Reach him at btobin@bizjournals.com or (919) 327-1012.

A popular state park in the Triangle region is poised for expansion after the state bought up hundreds of acres.

The state of North Carolina has spent millions to acquire hundreds of acres in a booming county with plans to incorporate the land into an existing state park.

Per a Harnett County deed recorded on March 20, the state purchased 273 acres off River Road for a little more than $6.15 million. The land has an address of Cokesbury — an unincorporated community southwest of Fuquay-Varina — and was previously owned by investors with Chalybeate Properties, an LLC based out of Arlington, Virginia. Chalybeate Properties had owned the land since 1999.

Julia Hegele, spokeswoman for the North Carolina Department of Administration, wrote in an email to the Triangle Business Journal that the state acquired the land "on behalf of the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, Division of Parks & Recreation.

"My understanding is that it will be incorporated into Raven Rock State Park, but that is all the information I have," Hegele said. Raven Rock State Park straddles the Cape Fear River northwest of Lillington. It spans more than 4,800 acres. Adding the recently acquired land, which lies just north of the park would push it over 5,000 acres.

The park saw more than 377,000 visitors in 2023.

The purchased land is off River Road and is zoned RA-30 for residential and agricultural uses.

Harnett County is seeing an explosion of growth due to its close proximity to Wake County and cheap land.

The most recent estimates by the U.S. Census Bureau have the county sitting at a population of just over 146,000. That represents a more than 27 percent increase in population since 2010.

Largest North Carolina State Parks

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Ben Tobin covers real estate and economic development in the Greater Triangle, focusing on the counties outside Wake, Durham and Orange. Have a tip? Reach him at btobin@bizjournals.com or (919) 327-1012.