Moore County EDP shares Quarterly Progress Report highlighting economic development activities in Moore County – Greater Fayetteville Business Journal

MCEDP Quarterly Report: Aligning Economic Growth with Sustainable Development Goals

Promoting Decent Work and Economic Growth (SDG 8)

For the quarter ending September 30, 2025, the Moore County Economic Development Partnership (MCEDP) focused on initiatives directly supporting sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all.

• Project Management and Job Creation: MCEDP is currently managing 20 active projects. These initiatives represent the potential creation of over 665 new jobs and more than $62.5 million in capital investment, contributing directly to local economic vitality.
• Business Retention & Expansion: Direct support was provided to ten local businesses. Following 10 industry visits, three companies are now considering sizable expansions, which will further stimulate local employment and economic diversification.
• Entrepreneurship and Innovation: Planning was undertaken for the 2025 Sandhills Entrepreneur Summit. A $5,000 ENGAGE grant from NC IDEA was secured to support the event, which is designed to foster innovation and support small-scale enterprises within the community.

Fostering Industry, Innovation, and Sustainable Infrastructure (SDG 9 & 11)

Efforts were concentrated on building resilient infrastructure, promoting inclusive and sustainable industrialization, and making local communities more sustainable.

• Sustainable Industrial Development: Progress was made on the Iron Horse Industrial Park in Aberdeen. This included exploring alternative, cost-effective options for the park’s access road to ensure sustainable and financially viable infrastructure development.
• Environmental Remediation and Urban Regeneration: Key steps were taken to promote the safe and sustainable use of land.
  1. A $100,000 EPA grant was secured from the Central Pines Council of Governments to fund a Phase 2 Environmental Site Assessment for the Iron Horse Industrial Park.
  2. MCEDP facilitated access for the Town of Robbins to $40,000 of the same EPA grant to conduct environmental assessments on the former Milliken site, paving the way for the revitalization of a brownfield site into a productive community asset.
• Regional Connectivity: Support continued for the initiative to restore commercial air service to Moore County Airport. This critical infrastructure project aims to enhance regional and national connectivity, making Moore County a more resilient and accessible community.

Strengthening Partnerships for the Goals (SDG 17)

MCEDP leveraged its position as a public-private partnership to strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development at a local level.

• Public-Private Collaboration: Fundraising efforts continued with local business leaders to secure the $3 million Minimum Revenue Guarantee required for a two-year air service contract, demonstrating a strong partnership between public interests and private enterprise.
• Stakeholder Engagement: The Moore 100 Meetup was hosted on September 2, bringing together over 40 members and guests. This event strengthened networks and fostered collaboration among key community stakeholders committed to local development.
• Inter-Agency Cooperation: Successful collaboration with the Central Pines Council of Governments resulted in securing EPA grant funding for two separate environmental assessment projects, showcasing effective multi-stakeholder partnerships for achieving sustainable outcomes.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the MCEDP Report

1. Relevant Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth – The article’s central theme is economic development, job creation, and support for local businesses, which directly aligns with promoting sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all. The MCEDP’s mission to “increase economic prosperity… through the creation of quality jobs and capital investment” is the essence of SDG 8.
• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure – The report details efforts to build and improve local infrastructure to support economic activity. This includes developing an industrial park and restoring commercial air service, which are key components of building resilient infrastructure and fostering industrialization.
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities – The article touches on making communities more sustainable through responsible land use and planning. By securing EPA grants for environmental assessments of an industrial park and an old mill site, the MCEDP is working to redevelop potentially contaminated land (brownfields), a key aspect of sustainable urban and regional planning.

2. Specific SDG Targets

1. Under SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth):
   • Target 8.3: Promote development-oriented policies that support productive activities, decent job creation, entrepreneurship, creativity and innovation.
     
     Explanation: The entire scope of the MCEDP’s work, from assisting 10 local businesses with expansion plans to organizing the “2025 Sandhills Entrepreneur Summit,” directly supports this target by fostering a policy and activity environment conducive to business growth and entrepreneurship.
   • Target 8.5: By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men…
     
     Explanation: The report explicitly states that MCEDP is managing active projects that “represent more than 665 new jobs,” which is a direct contribution to achieving higher levels of employment in Moore County.
2. Under SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure):
   • Target 9.1: Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure… to support economic development and human well-being.
     
     Explanation: The article highlights two major infrastructure projects: exploring options for an “access road to the Iron Horse Industrial Park” and supporting efforts to “restore commercial air service to Moore County Airport.” Both initiatives are aimed at improving infrastructure to bolster economic development.
3. Under SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities):
   • Target 11.a: Support positive economic, social and environmental links between urban, peri-urban and rural areas by strengthening national and regional development planning.
     
     Explanation: As a public-private partnership serving all of Moore County, the MCEDP embodies regional development planning. Its work in securing EPA grants for environmental site assessments on the “Iron Horse Industrial Park” and the “old Milliken site” demonstrates a commitment to creating positive environmental and economic links by making land safer and more viable for development.

3. Indicators for Measuring Progress

• Annual growth rate of real GDP per employed person (Implied): The creation of “665 new jobs” and “$62.5 million in investment” are direct inputs that can be used to measure economic growth and productivity in the region.
• Number of new jobs created: The article explicitly states “more than 665 new jobs” are represented by the active projects.
• Total capital investment: The report mentions “more than $62.5 million in investment” across various sectors.
• Number of businesses supported: The article notes assistance was provided to “ten (10) local businesses.”
• Investment in infrastructure projects: The article implies significant investment through the fundraising for a “$3 million Minimum Revenue Guarantee” for the airport service.
• Proportion of the population that has convenient access to public transport (Implied): The effort to “restore commercial air service” is an indicator of improving access to regional and national transportation networks.
• Amount of financial resources allocated to the remediation of contaminated sites: The article specifies the securing of a “$100,000 EPA grant” for the Iron Horse Industrial Park and “$40,000 of the same EPA grant” for the old Milliken site.

Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: bizfayetteville.com