The Moore County Economic Development Partnership (MCEDP) has announced two major projects this quarter, as Amazon and First Tee of the Sandhills plan to establish new facilities in the county.
In its quarterly progress report for the period ending March 31, MCEDP said Amazon will construct a 65,000-square-foot last-mile distribution facility on about 16 acres at the Southern Pines Corporate Park. First Tee plans to build its headquarters and a community hub on approximately 35 acres in Cameron.
“After months of collaboration, we’re proud to see these efforts come to fruition,” said Natalie Hawkins, president of MCEDP. “These projects reflect our strategic focus on business recruitment and community development.”
Other highlights from the third quarter of the fiscal year include:
- MCEDP applied for a $75,000 USDA Rural Business Development Grant to support recruitment of wood-based manufacturing and clean energy businesses.
- Staff attended the Hunter Hotel Investment Conference on behalf of the Convention and Visitors Bureau to promote hotel development opportunities in Moore County.
- Five manufacturers received assistance with customized workforce training, English as a Second Language resources, and engineering student interns through NC State University’s Rural Works program.
MCEDP worked with the N.C. Department of Transportation and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on permitting and design for the access road to Iron Horse Industrial Park in Aberdeen. Construction is expected to begin in early 2026. - A 42-acre site in Robbins was evaluated for future development using a $35,000 grant from North Carolina’s Southeast regional partnership. No environmental or wetland obstacles were found.
- MCEDP partnered with Lee and Chatham counties on early planning for a regional music festival led by Ray Williams, a British music and film producer known for discovering Elton John.
- A housing needs assessment revealed Moore County will face a housing gap of more than 7,700 units between 2024 and 2029, as the county’s population is projected to grow by 4.2% from 2023 to 2028.
- A 30-member steering committee completed a nine-month review of the county’s 2013 Land Use Plan. The group recommended prioritizing rural preservation and a “small town model” to prevent urban sprawl.
The full quarterly report is available at moorecountyedp.org.
