Study: N.C. Industrial park faces funding obstacles

CAMDEN

Building even a first phase of an earth-friendly business park not far from the Chesapeake border could cost more than $4 0 million, and it could struggle to attract investors, a new study says.

About 30 people gathered at Camden County Middle School on Thursday to hear a report on the feasibility of a "green" park based on the study by the Institute for the Environment at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Money would have to come from multiple grants and private investments, said David Salvesen, deputy director of the university's Center for Sustainable Community Design.

The region already has a glut of business parks, Salvesen said. The best hope would be to attract clean, prospering industries in Hampton Roads, most related to the shipping industry, such as manufacturers of aluminum products and metalworking companies, he said.

A first phase over the next five years would cost $40 million to $60 million to build with the latest earth-friendly materials and techniques.

Sen. Marc Basnight, D-Dare County, a supporter of the project, could influence grant funding. Basnight appoints members to the board of the Golden Leaf Foundation, which has awarded more than $15 million statewide this year. The foundation distributes some of the money from a settlement with cigarette manufacturers.

"Sen. Basnight is determined to see Camden County get the economic boost they desperately need," said Katie Hall, a Basnight representative.

Starting costs could be much lower than what the study shows and federal funding may also be available, she said.

The park would be built on property on or near where a privately run landfill was proposed last year. A state law passed in August 2007 and backed by Basnight blocked the landfill, which was projected to earn $1 million to $4 million annually for Camden County. Basnight and other state officials proposed a green business park for the area instead.

As part of the study, UNC officials interviewed 20 firms in the region about locating to a green park in Camden County. Half expressed some interest, but many said Camden County was too far away, Salvesen said.

The farming area in northern Camden County does not have water, sewer, natural gas or rail lines. Most of the costs would come from installing that infrastructure.

Environmentally friendly industrial parks, or green parks, can be green or sustainable or both. Features of a green park include building with recycled materials, avoiding wetlands and using natural light.

A green park could attract businesses in which byproducts of one company could be consumed by another. For example, at a park in Denmark, a power station produces extra heat for a fish farm and fly ash for a cement road company.

Jeff Hampton, (252) 338-0159, jeff.hampton@pilotonline.com