Spotlight On: Jeff McKay, Director, Scotland County Economic Development Corporation
Key points:
- • Scotland County is rebuilding through a more diversified industrial base.
- • Transportation infrastructure and available land strengthen its investment appeal.
- • Regional partnerships and workforce development are central to long-term growth.
October 2026 — In an interview with Invest:, Jeff McKay, director of the Scotland County Economic Development Corporation, discussed the county’s industrial recovery, infrastructure advantages, and efforts to attract new investment. Positioned along the I-74 corridor, the county offers access to major markets, rail service, an expanding regional airport, and available industrial land. McKay emphasized the partnerships supporting that growth, noting, “The sincerity of everybody here to pitch in and make something work is really our secret sauce,” he said.
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How has Scotland County’s economy evolved, and what industries are driving its recovery?
Scotland County is a relatively rural community in southeastern North Carolina, and areas like ours were hit extremely hard following NAFTA and the decline of the tobacco industry. Before NAFTA, Scotland County had what amounted to a negative unemployment rate because we had such a strong industrial base. Companies such as Abbott Laboratories, JP Stevens, Fieldcrest, and Golf Pride operated here.
Many of those industries eventually left, and the county was left with a shell of its former economy. We are now rebuilding and taking advantage of the infrastructure that remains from that era. We have developed a more diversified industrial base that includes agribusiness, automotive components, glass manufacturing, and the timber industry.
Corteva Agriscience has operations here, and our automotive sector includes FCC and Cummins-Meritor. We also recently welcomed Bailey Manufacturing, which produces automotive components for BMW. Pilkington operates a major glass manufacturing facility in the county, producing high-end architectural glass used in projects around the world. We also sit within a strong wood basket, with highly competitive timber companies supplying materials for construction.
We are getting our feet back under us, and we have a strong story to tell.
What infrastructure advantages make the county competitive for new investment?
One of our brightest assets is the Southeast Regional Airport, formerly known as Laurinburg-Maxton Airport. We are building a new terminal that is expected to be completed in November. The airport is also adding 18 T-hangars, while two new corporate hangars are under construction.
The airport has a 6,800-foot primary runway and a 3,500-foot secondary runway. It is surrounded by a roughly 3,000-acre industrial park. The airport authority also owns and operates its water and industrial sewer infrastructure, serving the industrial park and several surrounding businesses.
Our location is another major advantage. Scotland County sits along the I-74 corridor, approximately two hours from Charlotte, Wilmington, and Raleigh. We can connect with I-95 about 25 miles to the east and I-73 about 25 miles to the west. We also have east-west rail service through CSX and a locally owned short-line railroad.
Companies examining sites here often see our location as highly favorable for distribution. We offer accessible interstate, rail, and aviation infrastructure, along with available land that can support industrial development.
Which investments and projects are strengthening Scotland County’s competitiveness?
We are receiving considerable interest from companies, including international businesses exploring opportunities to bring production back to the United States. Our proximity to the Port of Wilmington and Charlotte Douglas International Airport, combined with our transportation, water, sewer, and aviation infrastructure, gives us a compelling package.
The Southeast Regional Airport offers more capacity than a typical local airport. We are seeing interest from drone manufacturers and having promising discussions with companies in the aviation industry. The size of the airport and the industrial park surrounding it create opportunities that many rural communities cannot offer.
Healthcare is another competitive advantage. Scotland Health Care System provides a level of rural healthcare that many communities of our size do not have. The system has completed a state-of-the-art surgical center and a new endoscopy center, while an expanded cancer center is under development.
When you combine infrastructure, available land, healthcare, and access to markets such as Charlotte, Raleigh-Durham, Columbia, and Charleston, companies can find significant value here. We are also only about 25 to 30 miles from the Pinehurst and Southern Pines area. Businesses and employees can access strong regional amenities while benefiting from a reasonable cost structure.
How is the county addressing workforce availability and talent development?
Workforce is a major concern for employers across the country. Scotland County has a population of approximately 34,000, and the loss of manufacturing jobs created a significant outmigration of younger residents. We lost many of the positions that historically encouraged people to remain in the community.
However, Scotland County has always relied on a regional workforce. During our industrial peak, local employers imported workers from surrounding counties because the county itself did not have enough people to fill every available position.
Within about 45 miles, we can draw from a substantial labor pool. Cumberland County and the Fayetteville and Fort Bragg area offer many retired military personnel with valuable technical skills. Moore County has also grown significantly since COVID, and we can reach workers in the Florence, South Carolina, area.
We have historically had a large number of people commute into Scotland County each day. We can continue attracting those workers by offering companies superior sites and infrastructure.
Our longer-term goal is also to encourage more people to live here. Scotland County has attractive residential neighborhoods, additional housing development underway, and an affordable cost of living. People can purchase a home at a reasonable price while remaining within driving distance of the beach and larger metropolitan areas.
How do partnerships contribute to the county’s economic development strategy?
Scotland County is a close-knit community. I worked in several urban areas during my previous career, and returning here has reminded me how willing people are to collaborate. The sincerity of everybody here to pitch in and make something work is really our secret sauce.
We have strong partnerships with the Southeast Regional Airport Authority, the Scotland County Area Chamber of Commerce, the city of Laurinburg, Scotland County, and regional organizations such as North Carolina’s Southeast.
We try to build trust, delegate responsibilities, and use resources efficiently. Each partner has specialized capabilities and supports the others. I have been in this role for about a year, and as a one-person economic development office, I cannot handle every task alone. The chamber, for example, is helping establish and manage our website and assists with existing-industry outreach.
Those partnerships allow us to accomplish more than any organization could independently. They also demonstrate to prospective companies that the community is prepared to work together to support investment.
What are the county’s economic development priorities over the next five years?
The purpose of economic development is to improve residents’ quality of life and help people achieve greater economic prosperity. Industrial recruitment is part of that mission, but education and workforce preparation are equally important.
Like many communities, our K-12 education system experienced significant disruption following the pandemic. The Scotland County Area Chamber of Commerce has established the GROW program, which brings together the education system, local government, and industry. The goal is to make education more relevant to the opportunities available in the community.
We need students to move through the education system with the confidence and skills necessary to compete. That includes stronger communication and mathematics skills, as well as greater exposure to different career pathways.
Industry internships can play an important role. Students may participate in an internship and discover that a particular field is not right for them, but they will still gain experience and knowledge they can apply elsewhere. We want young people to understand the opportunities available, prepare them to succeed, and show them that the community cares enough to encourage them to stay.
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