North Carolina Railroad Company Awards $1 Million to Advance Rail-Served Industrial Sites

Build Ready Sites grants will help Harnett County and Greensboro prepare for future industry as NCRR opens its next funding round

RALEIGH, N.C., Sept. 8, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The North Carolina Railroad Company (NCRR) awarded $1 million in Build Ready Sites grants to Harnett County and Greensboro to prepare rail-served industrial sites for future economic development opportunities. NCRR also opened applications for the next round of the competitive grant program.

The communities each received $500,000 to address development barriers and prepare the properties for prospective industrial customers.

"The best time to prepare for an economic development opportunity is before it arrives," said Carl Warren, president and CEO of the North Carolina Railroad Company. "Build Ready Sites gives communities the resources to reduce development risk and put stronger sites in front of companies looking to invest in North Carolina."

Harnett County received $500,000 to help bring an 83-acre site, of which 58 acres are developable, to the market at the Byrd Industrial Sites in Lillington. The grant will support engineering and clearing and grading of an access road to make the property accessible for rail-served manufacturers.  The 83-acre site is one of the three sites within the 224-acre property, two of which are rail-served.

"Preparing and protecting rail-served sites puts Harnett County in a smaller pool of communities that compete for manufacturers requiring rail," said Stephen Barrington, Harnett County's economic development director. "We are grateful for North Carolina Railroad's investment and partnership in helping us advance the Byrd Industrial Sites, ultimately spurring new jobs in our community."

Greensboro received $500,000 to prep 132 acres near Summit Avenue and Brown Summit Road in Guilford County. The Reedy Fork Industrial Site includes five tracts being prepared for future industrial development. The grant will support clearing and grading on the northwest portion of the property.

"Having strong industrial sites ready when opportunities arise is important to Greensboro's continued growth," said Marshall Yandle, Greensboro economic development manager. "NCRR's investment is a valuable partnership as we prepare this property for future development. This support will help us move the site forward and give prospective employers greater certainty as they evaluate Greensboro for their operations."

NCRR opened applications Sept. 8 for the next round of Build Ready Sites funding. The program helps communities prepare rail-served industrial properties and strengthen their ability to compete for new industry. Communities interested in applying should:

• Review the program guidelines.
  
  
• Submit an initial application including details on the applying organization, contact information, site address and site details.

Applications will be accepted through Friday, Oct. 2, 2026.

About the North Carolina Railroad Company 

The North Carolina Railroad Company is the one private railroad company that has been driving economic growth for North Carolina for more than 175 years. The company manages 317 miles of rail corridor, transforming its trusted expertise and unique assets into economic advantages. The company's mission is to focus on our rail & safety expertise, assets and advantageous corridor to provide dynamic services and best-in-class solutions. Our vision is a railroad company promoting and facilitating opportunities leading to economic gains for North Carolina. For more information, visit ncrr.com.

SOURCE North Carolina Railroad Company