Randolph County’s recruitment of a 1.7 million-square-foot Ross Stores, Inc. distribution center is a powerful example of how long-term planning, infrastructure investment, and strong partnerships can come together to deliver transformational economic development. The project will create 852 jobs and $450 million in capital investment.
The groundwork for this success began years earlier with a vision for the I-74 Industrial Center near Sophia.
“The I-74 site had long been planned as a future industrial park, with about a 10-year buildout in mind,” said Crystal Gettys, Randolph County EDC Business Recruitment Director. “At the time, it was farmland and we didn’t have water or sewer infrastructure in place. The property had been on our radar for years, but the owners weren’t interested in selling, until we got a call that changed everything.”
When that opportunity finally came, the county moved quickly but faced significant challenges.
“Infrastructure was the biggest hurdle,” said Gettys. “We had to bring together multiple partners — the county, municipalities, and the City of Asheboro — to figure out how to provide water and sewer. The design process alone took three to four years, and we even had to redesign the water system after a major industrial user closed, which changed capacity needs. Installing sewer infrastructure was especially complex because it required running lines under an interstate and a railroad. It was a major project with a significant cost.”
That’s when the county turned to Golden LEAF SITE Program funding. In December 2022, the Golden LEAF Board of Directors awarded Randolph County $1 million through the SITE Program to extend sewer infrastructure to 30 acres within the industrial center.
“The funding for this site development project was critical,” said Gettys. “It helped cover the design and construction of the sewer line, which was one of the most expensive and challenging parts of the project. Combined with other funding sources like ARPA funds, state utility grants, and local bond funding, it allowed us to move from planning into action. Without that support, we likely wouldn’t have been able to get the site ready.”
That readiness made all the difference when Ross Stores, Inc. began searching for a location for its distribution center.
“We landed the Ross project,” said Gettys. “Importantly, we were able to compete for and secure that project because we had already done the upfront work.”
Gettys was clear that the Golden LEAF SITE Program funding was the difference maker for this project.
“No, we could absolutely not have secured this project without the SITE Program funding,” said Gettys. “Companies like Ross are focused on speed to market. Having that groundwork in place made all the difference.”
Before the project was announced, additional infrastructure needs emerged.
In June 2024, the Golden LEAF Board awarded $400,000 in Economic Catalyst funding to Randolph County to support road improvements, including turn lanes and traffic signals, to accommodate increased truck and employee traffic.
“In addition to the SITE Program funding for sewer, later funding helped with road improvements tied directly to the Ross project,” Gettys said. “Given the scale of a distribution center and the volume of truck traffic, those transportation upgrades were essential. Without them, the project would have been at risk.”
Beyond the immediate economic impact, the project has delivered broader benefits for the community.
“One of the biggest impacts has been improved collaboration,” said Gettys. “This project brought together municipalities and partners who hadn’t worked closely in years. It helped break down barriers and opened the door for future partnerships. It was also an educational experience for local leaders, helping them better understand what companies need and how critical it is to have infrastructure in place before recruitment begins.”
The process also reinforced key lessons for economic development.
“The biggest lesson is that you can’t wait until a company shows interest to start preparing a site,” said Gettys. “It takes years to get everything in place, so you have to be proactive. Don’t have tunnel vision. Be open and prepared. Start early, invest in infrastructure, and understand that it’s a long-term strategy, even if the payoff isn’t immediate.”