Albemarle's 'Prime Power' Industrial Park To Be First In N.C.

ALBEMARLE, N.C. -- The City of Albemarle and ElectriCities of North Carolina have signed an agreement to create Prime Power Park, North Carolina's first industrial park designed specifically to attract new industrial customers with mission-critical power needs.

The park, located on private property directly across from the airport, will feature a redundant power supply system, using a 1.8-MW generator to supply power to tenants under emergency conditions. Reliable, uninterruptible power is a key requirement for many industries that would suffer costly losses in the event of a power outage.

"This is a cutting-edge economic development tool that will help Albemarle attract new jobs and capital investment to the community," said Brenda Daniels, manager for economic development for ElectriCities of North Carolina Inc., which serves Albemarle and 50 other N.C. cities that have their own electrical distribution systems. "This is the kind of unique benefit that public power communities can offer to industrial customers."

"The creation of jobs and business opportunities are among the Albemarle City Council's highest priorities," said Mayor Roger F. Snyder. "This project has the potential to further both of these goals."

A target marketing plan for identifying and recruiting prospective tenants for the park is being developed by The Sanford Holshouser Business Development Group, said Robert Van Geons, executive director of the Stanly County Economic Development Commission. Examples of industries that would find redundant power attractive include injection plastic molding operations and high-end precision manufacturers.

"This facility will make the City of Albemarle and Stanly County more competitive in recruiting certain types of commercial and/or industrial customers," Van Geons said. "That, in turn, will help increase tax revenue, create jobs, and boost investment in the community. The SCEDC looks forward to assisting city officials in this important effort."