The Moore County Economic Development Partnership (MCEDP) has released its final quarterly report for fiscal year 2025, highlighting a record number of business inquiries and key advancements in regional development. A total of 147 business leads were received during the fiscal year—an increase of 19.5% over the previous year’s high of 123—indicating growing interest in the area as a business destination. Among notable achievements, handgun manufacturer OA Defense plans to relocate its headquarters and production operations to Robbins, North Carolina, creating 25 new jobs. MCEDP also facilitated internships for local manufacturers through NC State University’s Rural Works! Internship Program, placing five engineering students with companies including Carolina Crate & Pallet, Hamilton Beach Brands, and Reliance Packaging. However, plans for the Iron Horse Industrial Park in Aberdeen face challenges due to a revised transportation cost estimate showing construction expenses have more than tripled. Officials are now evaluating alternatives, including rerouting the access road to minimize environmental impact and reduce costs. Additional due diligence on a 42-acre site in Robbins confirms its viability for future commercial use. To address housing shortages, MCEDP is helping form a Moore County Housing Coalition with local stakeholders to accelerate workforce housing development. The group aims to support essential workers by expanding affordable living options. Furthermore, efforts to restore commercial air service at Moore County Airport continue, with discussions underway about securing community funding for a proposed route to Washington Dulles International Airport. The full report is available at www.moorecountyedp.org.
— news from Greater Fayetteville Business Journal
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Moore County EDP shares report highlighting economic development activities in the final quarter of FY 2025
By Staff Report, posted 2 hours ago n nMoore County Economic Development Partnership (MCEDP) recently released their Quarterly Progress Report highlighting their activities and initiatives for the quarter ended June 30, 2025. n n“I’m excited to share that MCEDP finished fiscal year (FY) 2025 celebrating another project win and setting another record for the number of business leads received,” said Natalie Hawkins, MCEDP president, in a press release. “FY 2025 was a productive year as we continued to advance several economic, community and workforce development initiatives in support of our mission to create economic prosperity and improve the quality of life for Moore County’s citizens.” n nHighlighted activities and successes this fourth quarter of the MCEDP fiscal year included: n nIn May, handgun manufacturer OA Defense announced their plans to relocate their headquarters and manufacturing operations from Nevada to an existing facility in Robbins and hire 25 employees. n nMCEDP received a record 147 business leads in FY 2025, a 19.5% increase in leads over last fiscal year’s record of 123. n nMCEDP conducted 30 industry visits to Moore County manufacturing companies and other businesses in FY 2025. These visits enabled MCEDP to support local businesses in a variety of ways including helping three manufacturers secure five engineering interns this quarter through NC State University’s (NCSU) Rural Works! Internship Program. This summer, Carolina Crate & Pallet in Vass and Hamilton Beach Brands in Southern Pines each employed one intern, and Reliance Packaging in Aberdeen employed three interns. n nThis quarter, MCEDP received a revised cost estimate from the NC Department of Transportation (NCDOT) that indicated the cost of constructing the access road to the Iron Horse Industrial Park in Aberdeen has more than tripled. As a result, MCEDP is evaluating options to determine the most practical and cost-effective way to move forward with Iron Horse’s development, including a potential option to relocate the road to more favorable terrain with less wetlands impacts in an effort to reduce construction costs. n nUsing grant funding obtained from NC’s Southeast, MCEDP completed two additional due diligence analyses this quarter on a 42-acre site in Robbins that MCEDP has under an option to purchase agreement. The geotechnical study and the water & sewer capacity study, in addition to the studies previously completed, all indicate the site is viable for future development as a business park site. n nRecognizing the urgent need for attainable workforce housing in Moore County as identified in the Moore County Housing Needs Assessment report presented last March, MCEDP has partnered with the Moore County Chamber of Commerce and the Mid Carolina Regional Association of Realtors to investigate establishing a Moore County Housing Coalition. Now in the formative stage, the Coalition could help bring together business leaders, property owners, developers, real estate professionals, and housing advocates to accelerate the development of workforce housing in Moore County that supports the needs of essential workers. n nMCEDP helped coordinate a meeting in June hosted by Senator Tom McInnis and Representative Neal Jackson to update local business leaders on the latest efforts to reestablish commercial air service at Moore County Airport. More than 30 attendees heard Managing Partner of Volaire Aviation Consulting Jack Penning speak about an offer from a regional carrier to provide daily service to and from Washington Dulles International Airport and the need for community support to fund a minimum revenue guarantee required by the carrier to help offset the risks associated with establishing the new service. n nThis quarter, MCEDP hosted its 13th annual Progress Cup golf tournament on May 28 at Mid Pines Golf Club, and a Moore 100 Members Meeting on June 16 where members and guests heard an update from NCDOT about transportation improvement projects planned and underway in Moore County. n nThe full Quarterly Progress Report for the quarter ended June 30, 2025 can be viewed on the MCEDP website at www.moorecountyedp.org. n nIn The Current Issue n nA toast to healthcare: Local heathcare safety net holds ‘Toast of the Town’ event to support critical fundraising push n nFor local nonprofit The CARE Clinic, financial sustainability depends entirely on private support—making the 25th annual Toast of the Town fundraising event on Sept. 18 a crucial component of the organization’s annual budget. Photo provided n nTeeing up for success: The Bogey Brothers brings multi-sport simulators to Cameron n nThe Bogey Brothers, located in Cameron, N.C., has four multi-sport simulator bays that promise fun for all ages. Whether it’s your first time hitting a golf ball or you frequent the fairway, this venue offers a new way to experience the sport. In add n nA class act: Greater Fayetteville Business Journal’s third quarterly Power Breakfast brings together education leaders n nFayetteville’s leaders, innovators and educators are invited to join the Greater Fayetteville Business Journal as we return to the Ralph and Linda Huff Orangery at the Cape Fear Botanical Garden on Tuesday, Sept. 16, for our third Power Breakfast in