MORGANTON, NC — Burke County Commissioners and community partners marked another significant milestone in the County’s economic development strategy this week with a groundbreaking event for the Industrial Shell Building at the Burke Business Park, underscoring the Board of Commissioners’ continued commitment to job creation, private investment, and long-term tax base growth.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held on Wednesday, December 17, to mark the transition of the project from planning to active construction. The speculative industrial shell building is designed to meet strong market demand from advanced manufacturing and industrial users seeking move-in-ready facilities.
“With this project, Burke County is making a clear statement that we are serious about competing for high-quality jobs and investment,” said Jeff Brittain, Chairman of the Burke County Board of Commissioners. “This shell building gives us a critical tool to respond quickly to business opportunities while growing our tax base for years to come.”
Following the completion of road construction serving the Burke Business Park, site grading is expected to begin immediately, on or around January 5 or 6. Vertical construction will follow, with the building anticipated to be substantially complete by the third quarter of 2026.
The project is being developed in partnership with Burke Development, Inc. (BDI) and is supported by state economic development funding to position Burke County for competitive recruitment.
Interest in the building has already been strong, with more than 150 inquiries from industrial and advanced manufacturing companies received to date—highlighting the growing demand for modern industrial space in the region.
“This level of early interest confirms what we’ve believed all along—there is real market demand for a Class A industrial building in Burke County,” said Phil Smith, Commission Vice Chairman. “By investing proactively, the County is positioning itself to capture opportunities that might otherwise go elsewhere.”
Project Overview
· Location: Burke Business Park (Kathy Road), Morganton, NC
· Program: Class A speculative industrial shell building
· Size: Approximately 100,000 square feet, with a pre-graded pad allowing for up to 85,000 square feet of future expansion
· Design Features: 30-foot clear heights; precast insulated wall panels for energy efficiency and flexibility
· Purpose: Recruit advanced manufacturing and industrial users, support job creation, and expand the local tax base
· Funding: Supported by state economic development appropriations; proceeds from the building’s eventual sale will be recommitted in accordance with General Assembly grant terms
About Burke Business Park
The Burke Business Park is an 83-acre, shovel-ready industrial park with on-site water, sewer, and electric service; natural gas within a half-mile; and immediate access to Interstate 40 (less than one mile). The park is an ElectriCities Smart Site-certified site and is already home to a privately held 500,000-square-foot distribution facility.