Courtesy The Dunn Daily Record
DUNN — Harnett County Government, in collaboration with the I-95/I-40 Crossroads of America Economic Development Alliance (Alliance), announced the acquisition of land for the county’s first Class A industrial park. The new development, Harnett 95 Industrial Center (Harnett 95), will be located in Dunn and span 60 acres.
The project’s first phase will feature a 162,000-square-foot speculative industrial building, with construction set to begin in the first quarter of 2025. Samet Corporation will serve as the project developer. Once completed, this facility will be the first of six planned Class A industrial buildings at Harnett 95.
Situated at the intersection of Arrowhead Road and U.S. Highway 301 in Dunn, Harnett 95 could include more than 800,000 square feet of industrial space at full buildout. Multiple site plans and space options are available, which include suites ranging from 28,000 square feet to a 621,000-square-foot single-user facility. Buildings will be available for both sale and lease.
Phase one of the project is expected to be delivered by the fourth quarter of 2025. The development will include modern amenities and benefits from great accessibility to major thoroughfares like Interstates 95 and 40.
This major development aligns with Harnett County’s strategic efforts to attract new industries and drive economic growth, enhancing the region’s competitive position in North Carolina.
“The Harnett 95 Industrial Center is poised to drive industrial growth in Harnett County,” stated Stephen Barrington, Harnett County’s Economic Development director. “Our team is dedicated to identifying and developing market-ready sites that not only boost tax revenue but also deliver high-quality jobs with above-average wages for our local communities. We are grateful for this partnership and the success that it is sure to bring.”
On Monday, Sept. 16, the Harnett County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved the acquisition, advancing efforts to move the project forward.
“Harnett County’s investment in the Harnett 95 Industrial Center represents a pivotal moment, highlighting our leadership’s commitment to driving economic growth and attracting top-tier businesses to the area,” said Bill Morris, chairman of the Harnett County Board of Commissioners. “We are grateful for this opportunity to partner with Samet and help to bring their first industrial development to Harnett County, paving the way for future growth for our citizens and local economy.”
The Alliance has pledged to support the project using funds provided by the North Carolina General Assembly. The Alliance received a $24 million grant in 2023 to support economic development efforts in Johnston and Harnett counties by finishing two workforce development facilities in Dunn and Four Oaks and assembling potential industrial sites in the region.
“When the Alliance began three years ago, one of our goals was to forge strategic partnerships to make our region more competitive for quality job creation. This partnership with Samet Corporation, Harnett County, and the City of Dunn does just that,” added Reid Williams, president of the I-95/ I-40 Alliance. “This project, in conjunction with the new state-of-the-art biotech training center down the road will accelerate the positive momentum in our region and facilitate the creation of hundreds of good-paying jobs for the people who call this region home. We give special thanks to the abovementioned partners who made this happen.”
The city of Dunn is eagerly anticipating the growth and opportunities that Harnett 95 will bring to the county.
“The City of Dunn is excited about the opportunities that lie ahead with the development of this industrial park,” said Dunn Mayor William Elmore. “It’s wonderful to see our vision for this region becoming a reality, as this industrial park will positively impact the lives of many people in the surrounding areas. Our city has fostered strong regional partnerships with the State, Harnett County, Johnston County, and the I-95/I-40 Alliance Group. Additionally, the City of Dunn and our neighboring Town of Four Oaks are both currently constructing workforce training facilities to prepare workers for these newly created jobs in the future.”
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