20191577 Ver 1_Public Comments_20200420 (3)

Strickland, Bev
From: Meguiar, Michael <[e-mail]>
Sent: Monday, April 20, 2020 8:55 AM
To: SVC_DENR.publiccomments
Subject: [External] Biltmore Farms, LLC
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As a local Buncombe County Manufacturing Leader, I was the Plant Manager of the GE Aviation site for 7 years, which
both expanded our legacy business, but also brought the innovative new technology of Ceramic Matrix Composite
business to Asheville, which has seen tremendous growth & expansion since 2014. In January of 2019, 1 became the VP
of Global Operations for Thermo Fisher Scientific, which also has an advanced manufacturing plant in North Buncombe
County, and is currently today producing critical, life saving equipment in the fight against COVID-19. For my 22years it
business, I've not seen anything more positively impactful to a local community than strong, innovative, manufacturing
jobs. I've personally seen what great manufacturing jobs can do in the growth and upward mobility of the middle class
through career advancement, educational opportunities, wage growth, and expanding the overall skill sets of our local
residents.
Currently serving as Board Chairman for the Economic Development Coalition of Asheville & Buncombe County, one of
our strategic growth targets for our board is to support manufacturing jobs which pay an average annual wage of
$52,844 — nearly 30% above the average wage in Buncombe County. Manufacturing is also a key driver in our tax base,
which invested over $1.513 in new capital into our economy over the past decade alone.
We therefore must support the proposed French Broad River Crossing, which is and will continue to grow as a primary
economic corridor in Buncombe County. The proposed new bridge will complement many critical manufacturing
neighbors in the area 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. As a community, it's imperative
that we identify strategic investments, and support the development of sites such as the one currently proposed by
Biltmore Farms. We all recognize that currently there are few available sites that can accommodate the high -wage
manufacturing employment we need in Buncombe County. This is historically true due to our topographical challenges,
as well as growth patterns and escalating land costs in the Asheville Metro Area. This economic development will access
over 400 acres that is critical to grow and develop our economy in Western North Carolina. Therefore we must support
this partnership and approve the French Broad River Crossing.
In the current market and global situation with COVID-19, we need to take bold actions support advanced
manufacturing infrastructure and to secure the economic future of our families in Western North Carolina. Our
economy must continue to diversify and commit needed resources that the proposed French Broad River Crossing which
will support.
For over 125 years, the Vanderbilt & Cecil families (Biltmore Farms) have personally committed to the growth and
sustainability of our community in Buncombe County. This is yet another generational commitment to this region that
they are making and I personally ask that you support the approval of the French Broad River Crossing.
Thank you,
Michael Meguiar
Vice President of Operations
Laboratory Equipment

Thermo Fisher Scientific
Phone [phone] Mobile [phone]
michael.mequiara-thermofisher.com I www.thermofisher.com fthermofisher.com