Moore County Economic Development Partnership (MCEDP) recently released their Quarterly Progress Report highlighting their activities and initiatives for the quarter ended March 31, 2026. 

“This quarter, MCEDP focused on two significant grants awarded to us: one to support small businesses across Moore County, and the other to position the County for recruiting biobased industry investment,” said Natalie Hawkins, MCEDP president, in a press release. “These grants, totaling $100,000, reflect MCEDP’s commitment to expanding opportunity and fostering sustainable economic growth throughout the County.” 

Highlighted activities and successes this third quarter of MCEDP’s fiscal year included:

Project Activity & Business Recruitment 

• As of March 31, MCEDP received 109 business leads this fiscal year. This quarter, MCEDP worked 29 active projects, an increase of 5 active projects from last quarter. These projects span multiple industry sectors and represent more than 1,225 new jobs and over $595.5 million in capital investment. Notably, 69% of these business leads were direct inquiries from project companies.
• In February, MCEDP was awarded a $75,000 Rural Business Development Grant from the U.S Department of Agriculture to obtain a Biofuel Development Opportunity (BDO) Rating to support efforts to recruit biomass-based businesses to Moore County. MCEDP is working with Ecostrat, a leading biomass development and supply chain assessment firm, to obtain the rating and initiate a global marketing campaign to attract biobased investment.

Community Development 

• MCEDP continued to support efforts to restore commercial air service to Moore County Airport. In March, Moore County community and business leaders gathered at Pinehurst Resort to kick off "Fly Local” - a campaign to rally community support and raise funds for daily air service to/from Washington Dulles International Airport on a major airline, with a target start date of Spring 2027. To date, more than $1.7 million has been pledged toward the $3 million minimum revenue guarantee required by the airline. 

Supporting Moore County’s Small Business Community

• In January, MCEDP launched the Moore County Small Business Impact Grant Program, funded by a $25,000 grant from the Duke Energy Foundation. Eligible retail, restaurant and service-based businesses with a storefront presence in Moore County could apply for grants ranging from $500 to $5,000 to use toward strategic business improvements. Out of 44 applications requesting a total of $193,000, six award recipients were selected. 

Product Development 

• In addition to ongoing efforts to prepare the Iron Horse Industrial Park in Aberdeen for development, this quarter, MCEDP identified two (2) properties to evaluate as potential industrial or business park sites: a 107-acre site near Pinebluff and a 324-acre site near Vass. The owner of the Pinebluff property expressed a willingness to sell, and the site was selected for Duke Energy’s Site Readiness Program. Consultants will conduct a comprehensive evaluation, including a site visit, to determine the property’s viability for industrial development. 

Economic Health Dashboard 

• A comparison of the quarter ended Sept. 30, 2025, to the same quarter of the prior year revealed a net increase of 2,664 jobs in Moore County; and a $3,224 increase in average annual wages across all industry sectors, from $52,416 to $55,640 per year. The current unemployment rate is 3.4% (February 2026). 

Upcoming Meetings 

MCEDP is hosting several meetings, all of which offer excellent relationship-building opportunities.  

• Moore Entrepreneurs Meetup – May 13, 5:30 p.m. at Moore County Chamber of Commerce, Southern Pines (open to Moore County’s entrepreneurs & small business owners) 
• Moore 100 Members Meeting – June 11, 4:00 p.m. at Pinehurst Resort Clubhouse (open to Moore 100 members) For more information about these meetings, email info@moorecountyedp.org.

The full Quarterly Progress Report for the quarter ended March 31, 2026, can be viewed on the MCEDP website at www.moorecountyedp.org.