Orange County NC Website
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Proara_ Overvlevl <br />Program Objectives / Purpose <br />The purpose of North Carolina's certified Sites Program is to provide a statewide inventory <br />of industrial sites that have undergone a rigorous pre - qualification process to ensure they meet <br />a consistent set of standards. t providing detailed <br />A certified site reduces the risks ass <br />price anldavva availability, utilities, b <br />utili es, acces, environmental <br />information about a site including <br />concerns, and potential site development costs. <br />s intent to certify from the Steering Committee, participate in a site <br />Each site certified as part of the North Carolina Certified Sites Program must receive <br />approval of the community th e Technical visit by members <br />and accurate documentation on of each program element program mentand receive final <br />provide complete <br />approval by the Steering committee. <br />The entire certification process will ultimately be entirely online as part of the state's <br />Buildings and Sites Database and all it certification companies d information will be available on the <br />internet for immediate access by Prospective <br />Program History and Successes <br />North Carolina's Certified Sites Program began in 2001 in response to the rapidly <br />changing pace of economic development and the need to have more sites immediately ready <br />for development. e tedt :S Since e of the more first than 95asites in 50 <br />counties, totaling g almost 25,000 <br />14 <br />sites w <br />acres, have earned the Certified Sites designation. <br />Starting in 2008, the program's criteria and certification process were revised to <br />incorporate suggested changes from <br />der at up lof state, and local economictdevelope s, ied site <br />Sweeney Consulting, <br />along with utility providers and engineering consulting firm allies. This was undertaken because <br />it was recognize keep up wiNh he more than 15 states and other economic development ' should be <br />revisited lead. any o the e <br />organizations similar r stingentdetailed <br />ave launched snub subsequently to he NC program have <br />programs that <br />requirements, leaving the current NC program weaker and therefore less revered when <br />compared with other states. <br />d s economic development <br />In addition rincertification ommt was a l rocs for recertification was also <br />professionals to as assist in p ess. p <br />developed. The revamped program launched in 2009; and all sites previously designate as <br />Certified Sites are required to meet the new program criteria. <br />7 NC Department of Commerce — Certified Sites Program <br />