THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, November 4, 1995 TAG: 9511040293
SECTION: BUSINESS PAGE: D1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY KAREN JOLLY DAVIS, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CAPE CHARLES LENGTH: Medium: 54 lines
Northampton County moved one step closer Friday to building an industrial park for ecologically sensitive businesses.
The county Board of Supervisors announced the signing of an agreement with Houston-based Brown & Root Inc. to buy 130 acres in Cape Charles for initial development of the eco-park.
Charles Bell, chairman of the county Board of Supervisors, said the purchase price could not be disclosed because negotiations are still under way. ``Further details will be forthcoming,'' he said.
However, Tom Harris - the county administrator - said the purchase will not be a burden to taxpayers.
However, county officials declined to disclose a purchase price.
``The land purchase and initial improvements are being funded through our general revenue and reserve funds,'' he said. ``Therefore, (they) will require no incurred debt or increased taxes for Northampton residents.''
Brown & Root has large holdings near Cape Charles and plans to develop a large retirement and recreational community.
The Port of Cape Charles Sustainable Technologies Industrial Park was chosen last year by the President's Council on Sustainable Development as a national prototype to showcase resource-efficient and pollution-free industrial processes, companies and products.
A master plan for the park was developed in April. Citizens and architects collaborated with state, local and federal officials to visualize a project that would revitalize the Town of Cape Charles while providing working space for sustainable industries.
More than $1 million was pledged by state, local and federal agencies at that time to build roads in the park, and bring in utilities. In August, Atlantis Energy Systems of Switzerland, a world leader in the manufacture of architecturally integrated solar panels, announced that it would locate its U.S. manufacturing plant in the eco-park.
``A world-class corporate tenant has already committed,'' said Bell. ``We have an exemplary master plan, and we have funding for construction. This will be America's prototype industrial park as we enter the 21st century, and its initial phase is projected to create more than 900 jobs.''
Earlier this week, two new commerce parks in Hampton Roads were announced in Newport News and Suffolk.
At the Bridgeway Commerce Park in Suffolk, 313 acres will be sold for $40,000 to $70,000 to developers and companies. In northern Newport News near Fort Eustis, six industrial buildings are planned at the new Deer Run Commerce Center. by CNB