Iredell EDC’s Development Council Highlights Continued Industrial Growth and Emerging Opportunities
Iredell County’s industrial market continues to gain momentum, with strong development activity, growing recruitment prospects, and emerging opportunities tied to advanced manufacturing, artificial intelligence, and logistics.
On October 7, Iredell Economic Development Corporation’s convened investors, developers, business leaders, local government representatives, and economic development partners at On the Nines in Mooresville for their Development Council. In addition to an update on the county’s industrial development pipeline, attendees heard market insights from a panel of industry leaders. The overall outlook was optimistic: Iredell County remains well-positioned for continued industrial growth and investment.
Iredell EDC reported that approximately 15.5 million square feet of industrial space is currently in planning or permitting, with an additional 1.5 million square feet delivered since 2023. The pipeline reflects significant private-sector confidence in Iredell County and is supported by the county’s strategic location along the I-77 corridor, available industrial land, and business-friendly environment.
Craig Goodson, Director, Economic Development with Iredell EDC shared updates on recent activity. Recent development activity underscores that momentum. Notable projects include approval of Compass Datacenters’ 1.3 million-square-foot hyperscale campus in Statesville, the acquisition of the remaining 900 acres in Larkin Regional Commerce Center by The Keith Corporation, and the full lease-up of NorthPoint Development’s 600,000-square-foot speculative building at Park 4077. Additional projects continue to advance throughout Statesville, Mooresville, and Troutman, creating opportunities for future business recruitment and expansion.
Business recruitment activity remains healthy, with manufacturing accounting for the majority of active project inquiries. Statesville continues to lead Iredell County in recruitment activity, while Mooresville and Troutman are attracting increasing interest from developers and expanding companies.
The meeting’s featured panel included Ryan Beadle, Vice President of Development for Jackson-Shaw; William “Billy” Boat, General Partner of Victory Lane Development; Spencer Yorke, Executive Managing Director at JLL; and Grant Miller, Vice Chair at Colliers. Together, the panelists offered insights into market conditions and trends influencing industrial development across the Southeast.
One of the strongest themes to emerge was the return of demand for larger industrial facilities. Panelists noted that much of the excess warehouse inventory developed during and immediately following the pandemic has now been absorbed. As a result, availability of buildings exceeding 500,000 square feet is tightening in many markets, and demand for million-square-foot facilities is beginning to reemerge. Several panelists indicated they expect increased activity in larger industrial projects over the next few years, creating opportunities for communities such as Iredell County that still have substantial industrial land available for development.
Panelists also discussed the continued expansion of the Charlotte industrial market. What was once considered an outer-market location is now increasingly viewed as part of the greater Charlotte industrial ecosystem. Site selectors and developers are widening their search radius, bringing Statesville, Troutman, and other Iredell County communities into consideration for projects that previously may have focused solely on locations closer to Charlotte.
Artificial intelligence and data center development generated considerable discussion as well. While large-scale projects such as data centers tend to receive the most attention, panelists emphasized that the broader opportunity extends far beyond the facilities themselves. Demand is growing for electrical equipment manufacturers, power distribution suppliers, technology infrastructure companies, logistics providers, warehousing operations, and other businesses that support the rapidly expanding AI ecosystem. Industry experts noted that AI-related growth is becoming an increasingly important driver of industrial real estate demand nationwide.
Another key takeaway was the growing importance of power infrastructure. Panelists observed that while workforce availability remains a critical factor, access to reliable power has become one of the first topics discussed during many site selection conversations. As advanced manufacturing processes, automation technologies, and data centers require increasing amounts of energy, communities with sufficient utility capacity are gaining a competitive advantage.
The discussion around workforce needs reflected a similar shift. Employers continue to seek talent but increasingly require specialized technical skills in areas such as robotics, industrial automation, mechatronics, electrical systems, advanced manufacturing, and data center operations. Panelists stressed that the communities best positioned for future growth will be those that continue investing in workforce development and technical education partnerships.
Developers also acknowledged several ongoing challenges. Rising costs for steel, concrete, asphalt, labor, and transportation continue to affect project economics, and higher interest rates remain a consideration for financing and development decisions. At the same time, panelists noted that reshoring efforts and domestic manufacturing investments are creating significant opportunities across the Southeast as companies seek to strengthen U.S.-based production capabilities.
Perhaps the strongest endorsement of Iredell County came when panelists discussed the region’s collaborative approach to economic development. Developers praised the strong working relationships among local governments, economic development organizations, utilities, educational institutions, and private-sector partners. Several noted that this level of coordination and shared vision is a distinct competitive advantage and often differentiates Iredell County from other markets competing for industrial investment. According to Grant Miller, “The Development Council meeting shows why Iredell County continues to win projects and be at the top of mind for projects looking within the region. When you have industrial developers and brokers, along with public and private partners sitting in the same room and talking openly about what is ahead, we can move at the speed today’s environment demands.”
The meeting concluded with a clear message: while challenges such as infrastructure demands, workforce development, and construction costs remain, Iredell County’s combination of available industrial land, experienced developers, strategic location, and collaborative leadership continues to create an environment where investment can thrive. As trends such as AI, advanced manufacturing, logistics expansion, and reshoring are reshaping the industrial landscape, local leaders and industry experts believe Iredell County is exceptionally well-positioned to capture the next generation of economic growth.
About the Development Council
The Iredell EDC Development Council provides a forum for developers, contractors, and industry professionals to share insights and strengthen the relationships that drive economic development throughout Iredell County. Meetings are designed to promote collaboration, transparency, and informed decision‑making across the development ecosystem.
If you attended our Development Council or are a developer, contractor, or industry professional, we invite you to respond to a brief survey o we can continue improving future sessions and ensure they provide value to you.
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