MCEDP

[Pinehurst, NC] — Moore County Economic Development Partnership (MCEDP) released their latest Quarterly Progress Report, highlighting the organization’s accomplishments and economic development initiatives during the quarter ended September 30, 2026.

“MCEDP started off the new fiscal year with a lot of activity, as we focused this quarter on responding to a large volume of new business leads, advancing our Iron Horse site, and promoting Moore County for new biobased industrial recruitment,” said Natalie Hawkins, MCEDP President.

Highlights and successes this quarter included:

Project Activity / Business Recruitment & Support

• During the first quarter, MCEDP received 54 new business leads, the highest first-quarter total ever. As of September 30th, MCEDP was actively working 29 projects that collectively represent the potential creation of more than 470 jobs and over $175 million in capital investment.
• MCEDP facilitated two (2) Moore Manufacturer Meetups this quarter, one at OA Defense in Robbins, and the other at Meridian Kiosks in Aberdeen. More than 20 local manufacturers, elected officials, partner support organization attended each Meetup and participated in facility tours to see advanced manufacturing operations firsthand.
• With a $75,000 Rural Business Development Grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture awarded earlier this year, MCEDP obtained North Carolina’s first Bioeconomy Development Opportunity (BDO) Zone Rating for Moore County. The County received a BDO Zone ‘A’ Rating that indicates high prospective viability of woody biomass feedstock supply and infrastructure to support biobased development and investment within the Zone – a 75-mile radius from the Town of Robbins. A global marketing campaign is currently underway to promote the rating globally and attract biobased industries to Moore County. “This is exciting news as the types of industry sectors Moore County is suited for continues to expand, and the BDO Zone Rating moves our community to the forefront of North Carolina’s growing bioeconomy,” said Hawkins.

Product Development

• MCEDP continued to make steady progress this quarter on efforts to prepare the Iron Horse Industrial Park in Aberdeen for development. Aberdeen’s Board of Commissioners approved an agreement with MCEDP in which the Town agreed to initiate and oversee the design and construction of the access road to the site using grant funds transferred from MCEDP to help offset the cost. MCEDP received the Phase II Environmental Site Assessment that favorably indicated no further assessments are recommended for Iron Horse’s soil, soil gas, surface water, and groundwater. MCEDP was also awarded a $40,000 microgrant from NC Railroad Company to complete additional due diligence – an ALTA land survey and an updated geotechnical analysis. All this work improves the developability of Iron Horse and enhances MCEDP’s ability to market the property.
• After receiving an appraisal for the 107-acre site in southern Moore County previously evaluated through Duke Energy’s Site Readiness Program for a business park site, MCEDP began negotiations with the property owner on a five (5)-year Option to Purchase Agreement.

Personnel Updates

• In September, MCEDP welcomed Lieutenant Colonel Bridget Kingsley as an intern. She is transitioning from active duty in the U.S. Army, and supported MCEDP this quarter by helping implement a new Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system.
• With the resignation of MCEDP’s Business Development Director this quarter, MCEDP began recruiting for a new executive-level Vice President role. Responsibilities of the Vice President will include partnering with MCEDP’s President to develop & implement strategy and direct operations while leading business development & retention efforts. MCEDP anticipates having the new Vice President in place by January 2027.

 Economic Health Dashboard

Moore County’s economic indicators continued to reflect positive momentum. Comparing the quarter ended March 31, 2026 with the same period in the prior year, Moore County added a net 333 businesses and 411 jobs. Average annual wages rose to $56,420 and private-sector employment reached 37,627 jobs. The current unemployment rate (September 2026) is 2.8%.

The complete Quarterly Progress Report for the quarter ending September 30, 2026, is available at www.moorecountyedp.org.