INDUSTRIAL MOMENTUM Situated just east of Raleigh and Wake County, Nash County is uniquely positioned to absorb the steady stream of growth radiating outward from the Research Triangle. In anticipation, the county has made substantial investments in site development and infrastructure, ensuring it is ready to accommodate both residential expansion and industrial growth. One of the most notable projects is the Middlesex Corporate Centre, a 300+ acre industrial park located just 25 minutes from downtown Raleigh. “We’ve added acreage and made major investments in road, water, and sewer infrastructure,” Phelps says. “Now that the park is fully developed, companies just have to tap in.” These efforts are already bearing fruit. The Crump Group, which selected a site in Nash County in 2021, announced an $85 million expansion less than a year later. Cummins Rocky Mount Engine Plant, a longstanding employer in the region, has invested $580 million in automation and advanced manufacturing upgrades. And LS Tractor, a South Korean company, recently expanded its operations by acquiring additional space across the street from its original location. “These aren’t just job additions—they’re long-term investments that show staying power,” Phelps notes. “It’s exciting to see both new and existing companies doubling down on Nash County.” SECTOR STRATEGY Nash County has carefully refined its economic development strategy to focus on four key target sectors: advanced manufacturing, food processing, life sciences, and logistics. “Our largest employer is Pfizer, and that anchors our life sciences cluster,” says Phelps. The county recently welcomed GXP Storage, a company that provides secure, long-term storage for FDA-regulated products and materials. “That’s the kind of industry we want to see more of here.” Thanks to major highway access through I-95, U.S. 64 (future I-87), and U.S. 264, the county is also 3 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 06 NASH COUNTY, NC
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