20191577 Ver 1_Public Comments_20200420

Strickland, Bev
From: Jay Richardson <[e-mail]>
Sent: Monday, April 20, 2020 4:56 PM
To: SVC_DENR.publiccomments
Subject: [External] Biltmore Farms, LLC
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Hello, good people of the NC Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). I hope you all are feeling safe and healthy.
Please find this message to demonstrate my support for the French Broad River Crossing that has been proposed by
Biltmore Farms LLC in a recent permit filing. Note that I write this message wearing two hats: as vice -chair of the board
of the Economic Development Coalition for Asheville -Buncombe County (EDC) and as general manager of a
manufacturer in Asheville.
When the EDC's new 5-year strategic plan was shared at the end of 2019, 1 was particularly pleased to see citizen
wellbeing as a guiding tenet. With economic mobility being a major component of wellbeing, coupled with average
wage rates in Buncombe County and across Western North Carolina lagging behind the statewide average for decades,
the EDC is naturally focused on infrastructure investments that enable attracting and supporting higher wage jobs in our
community. As the proposed French Broad River Crossing is a critical investment for growing our manufacturing sector
in Buncombe County, this work can help rebuild the middle class of our region through career access and opportunity to
residents of all educational backgrounds and skill levels. Manufacturing remains one of the strategic growth targets for
the EDC, paying an Average Annual Wage of $52,884 - nearly 30% above the average wage in Buncombe
County. Manufacturing is also a potent driver of growth in our tax base, investing over $1.513 in new expansion capital in
the economy of our County in the past decade alone.
Also prominent in the EDC's strategic plan is overcoming the topographical challenges as well as growth patterns and
escalating land costs in the Asheville Metro Area, thereby minimizing hurdles in attracting high -wage employers to the
region. The proposed new bridge and site of French Broad River Crossing will complement one of the primary
employment corridors for the region, with manufacturing neighbors such as Borg Warner Turbo Systems, Jabil, Eaton
Electric, Reich Automotive, OceanX, JCrew Distribution Center, Arcadia Beverage and retail centers such as the Asheville
Outlets. Investing in sites such as this is critically important for expanded economic opportunity for current residents
and future generations of the region.
Finally, I am fortunate enough to experience first-hand, at least every work day, a direct connection with an
infrastructure investment that enabled great jobs in Asheville. Since the site for New Belgium Brewing in Asheville was a
brownfield, I have fond memories of working with then -named NC DENR to get the site ready for construction. Not only
were Tracy Wahl and her team a pleasure to work with, it was clear that they knew and respected the positive ripple
effects of their collective efforts. I look forward to the NC DEQ approaching the French Broad Crossing in a very similar
way.
If can be of any assistance throughout the process, please just say the word.
My best,
JAY RICHARDSON
General Manager — Asheville, NC
828-333-688o

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