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HomeMy WebLinkAbout20200186 Ver 2_Economic Impact_20200215 P.O. Box 2339, Gastonia, NC 28053-2339 Phone: 704-825-4046 Fax: 704-825-4066 Local Strengths. Global Success. www.gaston.org Transportation and Economic Impacts – Apple Creek Business Park The Apple Creek Business Park will provide many needed assets to the residents and taxpayers of Gaston County. In conjunction with land development and business recruitment opportunities, the business park will provide a new thoroughfare connecting Highway 279 and Highway 275 together between White Jenkins Road and the 279/275 merger in Dallas. This road will remove nearly a mile and a quarter of excess travel along 279 and just over a mile on 275 for traffic travelling between the two highways. This will also provide shortened response time for emergency personnel and first responders to traverse the same distance. The economic impact of the Park and its associated thoroughfare will be substantial to the area. As land is quickly acquired and developed in Gaston County, the availability of tracts large enough to support a stand-alone business park are in short supply. According to a study performed by the Economic Development Commission in 2015, Apple Creek was the singular property cited as both large enough from a development perspective and convenient enough to vital transportation corridors (Hwy 321 and Interstate 85) to justify the investment. This, along with the few remaining developable sites available in Gaston County’s existing business parks (the Gastonia Technology Park in Dallas, SouthRidge Business Park in Bessemer City, the Summit at Court Drive in Gastonia, and the Oaks Commerce Center in Belmont) have driven the need to seek out all possible land development and business recruitment opportunities. At full build out, the Apple Creek Business Park will support up to 1.7 million square feet of industrial space for business recruitment and job creation. This park will give Gaston County the opportunity to recreate the success of past business parks and ensure that the future for the County and its residents is bright and secure. Donny Hicks Executive Director Economic Development Commission