Joint Meeting on Proposed Mega Site Development - March 13, 2025

On March 13, 2025, the Greenville City Council and the Pitt County Board of Commissioners held a joint meeting to discuss the proposed development of a mega site on approximately 1,000 acres of Weyerhaeuser-owned land north of Greenville. The meeting began with a bus tour of the site, followed by presentations from state and local leaders, and concluded with a public comment period. The presentations focused on the site's potential, infrastructure needs, and next steps for securing state funding for due diligence.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Lisa, a community member, asked about the types of industries that might be attracted to the site. Garrett Wykoff of EDPNC responded that the focus would be on advanced manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, and boat manufacturing, with a hope to eventually attract an automotive or battery plant.
• Another individual spoke briefly but did not register; the mayor allowed them to speak but the content was not clearly recorded.

Discussion Items

• Mega Site Overview (Garrett Wykoff, EDPNC): Wykoff explained the state's Mega Site Readiness Program (MRP), authorized in 2022, which aims to identify and prepare sites of at least 1,000 contiguous acres. The program was motivated by record-high mega project inquiries and competition from other states. He noted that the Pitt County site was one of seven identified from 30 submissions, and that it benefits from a single property owner (Weyerhaeuser) and proximity to infrastructure.
• Site Evaluation (Joe Hines, Timmons Group): Hines detailed the evaluation process, highlighting that the site covers 0.23% of Pitt County's landmass but could generate significant tax revenue. He presented an example: a $5 billion investment could yield $21 million annually in property tax revenue, supporting up to $344 million in bonding capacity. The site's strengths include a single owner, flat topography, and access to water, sewer, and natural gas. Weaknesses involve potential wetland permitting challenges and the need for a new rail spur. Estimated development costs are $451 million, but Hines emphasized that initial due diligence is the key first step.
• Site Vision (Tim Jackson and Scott Anderson, Weyerhaeuser): Jackson and Anderson presented conceptual renderings of a 3,000-acre development that includes the 1,000-acre mega site plus supporting industrial, commercial, and residential areas. They proposed a new access road to Highway 11 and minimum 500-foot buffers from existing homes. The vision includes green space, retention ponds, and potential for future residential growth on adjacent Weyerhaeuser land.
• Utilities Update (Tony, Greenville Utilities Commission): Tony reported that Greenville Utilities has recently completed a water treatment plant expansion (from 22.5 to 32 million gallons per day) and is constructing new clarifiers and wetlands. The site is within one mile of a new transmission line, and natural gas lines are within two miles. Initial utility costs for the site are estimated at $10 million for electric and $40-41 million for water and sewer upgrades, with total build-out costs potentially reaching $72 million. He noted that the system has adequate capacity and that expansions would not necessarily trigger rate increases.
• Next Steps (Michael Calwin, City Manager): Calwin outlined the immediate steps: authorize Greenville Utilities to extend sewer to the site without annexation, then rezone the property to general industrial (county action), then enter a purchase option with Weyerhaeuser, and finally apply for state due diligence funding. Four public input meetings are scheduled from March 31 to April 2025. The county planning board and commissioners would consider rezoning in June-July, with a state funding application in July-August.

Key Outcomes

• No formal votes were taken during the meeting. The council and board discussed the proposal and expressed general support for proceeding with due diligence.
• Councilmember Portia Willis asked about the impact on nearby residents and the potential for utility rate increases, receiving assurances that no increases are anticipated early on.
• Councilmember Marion Blackburn expressed strong support, noting the project could revitalize the north side of the river and provide jobs and infrastructure.
• Councilmember Matt Scully emphasized the need for transparency and community engagement, particularly for residents in the rural areas north of the river.
• Commissioner Perkins Williams echoed the call for broad communication to ensure all affected citizens are informed.
• The next concrete steps are the public input sessions starting March 31, followed by actions by the GUC board and city council in April-May, and county rezoning in June-July.