The development of the proposed Belfast Commerce Center in south Bryan County moved one step closer to reality this week when the city of Richmond Hill and TerraPointe, the real estate development arm of Rayonier, officially signed a water and sewer agreement.
Josh Fenn, executive director of the Bryan County Development Authority, said he was pleased by the signing of the agreement under which TerraPointe will construct water and sewer lines from Richmond Hill to the planned 900-acre, rail-serviced industrial site.
“We have been working very hard to bring Belfast online. We think it will complement our portfolio that we have in the Interstate Centre,” Fenn said. “This will provide that rail-served Interstate 95 product that we have been lacking. Obviously one of our strengths in Bryan County is speed to market. With this agreement signed, we will be able to keep that philosophy going.”
Fenn and Dan Camp, director and project manager with TerraPointe, agreed that the existence of the agreement, signed on Aug. 21, will improve the marketability of the site to potential clients.
“Obviously, one of the drawbacks and the reason it (Belfast) has been eliminated on some site selections is lack of water and sewer or a timeline for delivery of that,” Fenn said. “This agreement checks that box. It was one of the things that was under our control that we could solve. And thanks to the city and TerraPoine working together we now have that item taken care of.
“Now when we are asked when we can have water and sewer to the site, we can provide a definitive answer in writing, which we couldn’t before. That has really hurt us in the past.”
Camp said the agreement is important because now potential users know they can be in business at the site in a short period of time.
“Our next step is really working closely with the city and development authority to market this site,” Camp said. “We have also been working closely with the CSX railroad to market the site as well. It is really getting the word out about the potential of this location with its very large scale of size, its close proximity to the port, the high quality of workforce nearby and high quality of life in Richmond Hill.
“It is a pretty compelling situation for a large employer.”
Richmond Hill Mayor Harold Fowler was pleased the agreement finally came to fruition.
“The jobs and revenue that it is going to bring are what makes this important. That will take some of the tax burden off the residents of Richmond Hill. One big thing is that when you bring industry in, that will bring commercial property as well,” he said.
Richmond Hill is expected to eventually annex the Belfast Commerce Center property.