Warren County is using the Golden LEAF SITE Program to strengthen its competitiveness for economic development. What began as a search for a viable industrial site has advanced through identification, due diligence, and now active development, positioning the county to better compete for new industry.
Building a Competitive Product
Warren County leaders recognized that attracting jobs requires having a site ready to go.
“Warren County is a very rural community,” said McKinley Perkinson, Warren County Community and Economic Development Director. “Our primary goal is to bring jobs and investment here, but in rural areas you’re balancing a lot of competing needs. To be competitive, we have to ask: do we have a product to market?”
Companies prioritize speed to market, she explained, seeking locations where environmental conditions, infrastructure, and key questions have already been addressed.
“Our strategy is to develop build-ready sites that can meet that demand,” said Perkinson. “The Golden LEAF SITE Program helped us move toward that goal.”
Identifying the Right Site
Warren County entered the SITE Program in December 2022 when the Golden LEAF Board of Directors awarded a SITE Program – Identification project, supporting consultants to evaluate potential sites.
That process led to the selection of the Highway 1 Industrial Site.
“It stood out because of its location on Highway 1, just two miles from Interstate 85,” said Perkinson. “It had sewer access, water nearby, and no nearby residential development. It checked all the boxes.”
The process also revealed an opportunity the county might have otherwise missed.
“This land probably would have never been on our radar,” she said. “When it came on the market shortly after, we were ready to act.”
Due Diligence: Assessing the Site
In June 2024, the Golden LEAF Board awarded Warren County $31,700 in SITE Program – Due Diligence funding to assess the 66.43 acres at the site.
This phase uncovered key areas to assess.
“A Phase I environmental assessment identified underground storage tanks from its previous use,” said Perkinson. “That required further testing and remediation.”
A cemetery on the property also required planning but created flexibility.
“We have to maintain access, but it allows us to market the property as one large site or two smaller sites,” she said.
The SITE Program process reinforced the importance of following each phase carefully, shared Perkinson.
“You have to complete the steps of the SITE Program in order,” she said. “If you get ahead, it can create challenges with funding. It’s always better to ask if a certain step is covered by the funding before moving forward if you are unsure.”
She also emphasized the role of partnership.
“Golden LEAF staff have been extremely responsive and helpful,” she added. “They are focused on helping rural communities succeed.”
Moving into Development
In December 2025, the Golden LEAF Board awarded Warren County $1,087,460 in SITE Program – Development funding to begin infrastructure improvements, including waterline extension, engineering, and site preparation.
“The key focus right now is water infrastructure,” said Perkinson. “Without it, a company could face a 12- to 18-month delay.”
Additional support from the NC Railroad Company is funding clearing and grading, since the site offers future rail access.
Early Impact and Growing Interest
Even before completion, the site is gaining traction.
“I’ve submitted this site for nearly 10 projects in the past six months,” said Perkinson. “We’ve also had interest from local industries looking to expand.”
These interests represent a major shift.
“Before this, we had one site we marketed for over 25 years,” she said. “Now we have something that meets today’s demands.”
Looking Ahead
Warren County projects the site could attract manufacturing and distribution companies, bringing 75 jobs with average salaries of $60,000 and $80 million in private investment.
“This program has been a game changer for Warren County,” said Perkinson. “Without it, we wouldn’t be in this position.”
She is optimistic about what comes next.
“Once this work is complete, I think we’ll land a project, and I don’t think it will take long.”
Warren County’s experience highlights how the SITE Program helps communities move from possibility to preparedness, ensuring they are ready when job opportunities come.
Learn More
To hear more about the SITE Program and Warren County’s participation in all three phases, listen to the Golden LEAF Critical Conversations podcast – “How ready sites give economic developers a strategic edge”.