Ferdinand Rouse, Director, Henderson-Vance County Economic Development Commission

In an interview with Invest:, Ferdinand Rouse, director of the Henderson-Vance County Economic Development Commission, discussed recent business recruitment, infrastructure investments and the county’s strategy for expanding its inventory of development-ready sites. Rouse also highlighted the region’s proximity to the Research Triangle, access to workers across the North Carolina-Virginia border, and opportunities in manufacturing and life sciences. “Time to market is the most important thing now for a lot of companies,” Rouse said.

What key milestones has the Henderson-Vance County Economic Development Commission experienced over the past year?

The Henderson-Vance County Economic Development Commission recently recruited Syntec Precision Technology, a medical device manufacturer relocating from China to Vance County. Winning an international life sciences project of that kind says a great deal about the county’s growing competitiveness.

We also competed for and secured grants from the Golden LEAF Foundation and the North Carolina Railroad Company to conduct site studies and identify new development sites. The recruitment of Syntec and those two grants are the three biggest developments from the past year, and each one strengthens our ability to compete for the next project.

How is the current macroeconomic environment affecting economic development and existing businesses in Vance County?

The broader environment has affected us in two ways. Some companies have been expediting their decisions about whether to locate in North Carolina and Vance County because they want to get ahead of tariffs and other changes in the current climate.

We have seen that reflected in some of the requests for proposals we receive from the state. We work with the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina, which distributes requests for proposals and information about companies interested in locating in the state. We submit sites that match the criteria, and we have seen that activity increase as companies try to move before new restrictions take effect.

On the other side, developing new property and new sites has become more costly. Construction and labor costs have increased, along with fuel prices and other costs influenced by geopolitical events.

Some of our existing companies have also been affected by tariffs. One exporter that manufactures cords faced higher costs for a raw material used in its wiring. That created challenges for the company, and we stepped in immediately to connect the business with additional resources available at the regional, state, and federal levels. We introduced options such as foreign-trade zones that can help companies navigate those pressures. When our existing businesses face headwinds, we make sure they are not facing them alone.

What trends in manufacturing and distribution could create new opportunities for the county?

Many companies are prioritizing existing buildings of 50,000 square feet or more, ideally with additional acreage that allows them to expand.

Other companies want to pursue entirely new construction and are seeking large tracts of land, often ranging from 100 to 300 acres or more. The market has become divided between companies that want large existing facilities with expansion space and companies that need substantial greenfield sites.

Companies also want to move quickly so they can get ahead of possible regulatory changes at the macro level. Time to market is the most important thing now for a lot of companies. They want to identify a site and complete the process as quickly as possible.

That makes due diligence extremely important. The grants we received from the North Carolina Railroad Company are helping us complete due diligence on several sites. Having that work finished means a company can move on a Vance County site with confidence and speed, which is exactly what time-to-market-driven projects demand.

What workforce needs are employers raising most often, and how can the region strengthen its talent pipeline?

For many of our industries, the primary need is having people available and ready to work. Many of our manufacturers train on the job and can teach employees how to use their equipment and machinery. That means companies locating here can ramp up hiring quickly, drawing from a labor pool of people who are curious, willing to learn, and reliable.

We also have a strategic goal of attracting more life sciences companies because of our proximity to Raleigh, Durham, and Research Triangle Park. We are working to create an environment that can attract graduates from NC State University, Duke University, and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and encourage them to live in Vance County or elsewhere in the surrounding region.

That effort includes focusing on affordable housing and ensuring that Vance-Granville Community College, Kittrell Job Corps Center, and our other partners are meeting the needs of current employers. Vance-Granville is also developing an advanced manufacturing facility in Granville County. We want to champion projects like that because they strengthen the region.

The goal is to create a training pipeline for students coming from local high schools, as well as adults who want to build new skills or advance their careers.

What investments are needed to strengthen Vance County as a destination for manufacturers and other employers?

We need to continue investing in infrastructure. Road improvements are underway on local routes in Vance County and the city of Henderson. We are also expanding the Kerr Lake Regional Water System to a capacity of 20 million gallons per day, which will open new opportunities for employers that have larger water requirements.

There are also important investments related to electricity. Some power and transmission lines are being upgraded, and we need to continue expanding fiber throughout the county.

Fiber access is particularly important around our natural assets, including Kerr Lake. Better connectivity in those areas would allow people to enjoy the quality of life around the lake while still being able to work remotely. Those road, water, electrical, and broadband improvements are central to ensuring that Vance County and the surrounding region remain competitive.

What are your top priorities for the next three to five years?

Our biggest priority is increasing the county’s available inventory. We currently have several greenfield sites and existing buildings, and demand is strong for facilities of 50,000 square feet or more, so we are moving aggressively to grow that pipeline.

I am personally focused on building a strong pipeline of those properties for companies looking to expand within the county or enter the market. That means identifying existing buildings, getting them to market as quickly as possible, and developing new sites that can be added to our inventory.

We also need to identify larger tracts of land, including properties of 200, 300, or 400 acres. Securing control of those sites and adding them to our product pipeline will be a major priority over the next three to five years.

I also make sure Vance County has a seat at the table as Duke Energy, the North Carolina Department of Transportation, and other partners discuss roadway, rail, and electrical infrastructure improvements. Being in those conversations early is essential as we continue to develop new sites for existing companies and future employers.

What should prospective investors and businesses understand about Vance County’s competitive position?

Vance County is a proven location for business, with several large industries already operating and growing here. We sit directly on the I-85 corridor, only about 30 to 40 minutes from Durham, so companies can remain close to larger markets and Research Triangle Park.

There is significant opportunity to access the broader region without facing all of the costs associated with locating directly in those larger markets. We also draw workers from southern Virginia because the county sits near the state line.

That gives employers access to talent from both Virginia and North Carolina while maintaining proximity to Research Triangle Park. Combined with assets such as Kerr Lake, that creates a compelling mix of workforce access, regional connectivity, affordability, and quality of life. For companies that need to move quickly and control costs without giving up access to the Triangle, Vance County is hard to beat.