Greater Statesville Development Corporation

CONTACT: Sharon Harmon

Charlotte Regional Partnership

704-347-6735

  

 

March 1, 2007----Site Selection magazine today announced that Statesville/Mooresville, NC has been selected as the “Top Micropolitan Area” in the nation. This is a record-setting third consecutive year Statesville and Mooresville have been given this distinction.

A micropolitan area (a U.S. Census Bureau-designated population of 50,000 or less) is recognized by Site Selection based on its ability to secure new and expand corporate facility projects. The U.S. Census Bureau classifies 674 counties as micropolitan areas.

“This recognition shows the incredible teamwork economic development takes to be successful from our town, county, and state governments, Charlotte Regional Partnership, utilities, and our own local economic development economic development corporation and Chamber of Commerce.   Working together we are able to orchestrate a difficult piece of music into a symphony, and this results in new announcements that bring new tax base for the community, new jobs for our citizens, and better working partnerships,” said Melanie O’Connell Underwood, Executive Director, Mooresville-South Iredell Economic Development Corporation.

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In 2006, Mooresville created nearly $344 million in capital investment and 875 new jobs. Statesville created more than $21 million in capital investment and 283 new jobs. 

Among many other notable development projects in Mooresville, in December 2006 Atrium at the Lake Development announced it will construct a new $800 million, 128-acre mixed-use real estate development project off of I-77.

“This unprecedented accomplishment mostly is the result of the availability of quality industrial buildings and excellent industrial sites, convenient interstate access and a strong local leadership and workforce,” said Michael Smith, Director, Greater Statesville Development Corporation.  “Boasting the largest lake in the state and access to the scenic beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains also makes the area an excellent place to live.”

In state rankings for new and expanded corporate facilities, North Carolina placed third, behind Ohio and Texas, which ranked first and second, respectively.

Site Selection is the longest continuously published magazine in the development field. It is the official publication for the Industrial Asset Management Council and is published for more than 44,000 executives responsible for site selection and facility planning. Site Selection’s yearly analyses are regarded by corporate real estate analysts as the “industry scoreboard,” according to a press release issued by Conway Data, which publishes Site Selection.