RUSTBURG, Va. (WDBJ) – The process of a new industrial development at Seneca Commerce Park is officially underway.
Campbell County Economic Development said it looks forward to moving forward with plans to build a 100,000-square-foot industrial building there, with the goal of increasing investment interest in the park by making it an operational site.
“Seneca Commerce Park is an investment the county has been making since the late ’90s, but as you can see, it has taken some time to develop. While we are fortunate to do business in Virginia, one of the best states in the country, that doesn’t change the fact that an industry or new business coming to an area wants to look for the shortest time to open. Having a ready lot or building to move into makes the biggest difference in choosing your area,” said Nina Rezai, Campbell County Economic Development Director.
The estimated budget is $11 million. Plans begin with clearing, leveling and site preparation on over 7.5 acres in the industrial park. It is the largest project the Economic Development Department has undertaken in over a decade.
“We set aside small amounts of money to develop the land in the park and then a few years ago we applied for the appropriate funds from two different funding agencies just to fund the clearing and leveling of the land. And then the county had some surplus money that the board of supervisors wanted to use to build the building,” Rezai said.
Current tenants at Seneca Commerce Park include Shentel, a telecommunications provider, Ceramic Tubular Products, a composite materials manufacturer, and Pinnacle Trailer Sales, a semi-trailer sales and service company.
“We’ve been hearing for years that with a larger building we could attract other industrial or commercial customers. Since there aren’t many buildings like that in the area, and especially none that are vacant, we thought this would be a great opportunity to build something that would attract some new businesses at a different level,” said Clif Tweedy, Campbell County’s deputy county administrator.
The county said site developments and industrial projects like this one are critical because they serve as magnets for companies looking to expand or relocate.
“Region 2,000 is a nice size but it’s not the biggest competitor, so we can always bring something in that helps the whole region and we think that will be another draw to bring people to this area,” Tweedy said.
Completion of the ready-to-lease industrial building is planned for spring 2026.
The district is currently looking for architectural and engineering firms to design the building and plans to solicit bids for the development of the site in the fall of this year.
All rights reserved.
