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Moore County issued BDO Zone ‘A’ Rating for woody biomass

By Staff Report, posted Oct 7, 2026 on BizFayetteville.com

Logo courtesy of BDO Zone

Moore County Economic Development Partnership, Ecostrat and the BDO Zone Initiative are pleased to announce the issuance of a BDO Zone ‘A’ Rating for Moore County, North Carolina. The BDO Zone is rated for 925,000 bone-dry tons per year of low-risk woody biomass and spans a 75-mile drive radius from its central point in Robbins, North Carolina.

Moore County’s ‘A’ rating denotes high prospective viability of Feedstock Supply and Infrastructure and low expectations of default risk in the Zone. The region's forest base is sustainably managed, while roughly 87% of standing volume sits on privately owned forestland, supporting stable procurement. A well-established loblolly pine base underpins a strong pulpwood supply, and a diversified feedstock mix of pulpwood, forest residues and sawmill residues gives a new bio-project a sizable foundation. This strength is matched by a well-positioned anchor site — the Iron Horse Industrial Park, a 73-acre heavy-industrial parcel on NC 211 East in Aberdeen just 3.3 miles from US-1, with electric, natural gas, water, wastewater and short-line rail service already in place. I-95 corridor connectivity and integration with regional forestry operations and mill networks, coupled with the funded widening of NC Highway 211, position Moore County as a prime location for biobased industrial development.

Natalie Hawkins, president, Moore County Economic Development Partnership, stated in a press release, “We’re honored that Moore County is the first community in North Carolina to receive a BDO Zone Rating. Being first in the state is a distinction we don't take lightly, and it puts Moore County at the forefront of North Carolina’s growing bioeconomy. This rating confirms what we've long known: Moore County has the feedstock, the infrastructure, and the site readiness to support serious biobased investment. The Iron Horse Industrial Park is primed for development, and we see this rating as a strong signal to developers and investors evaluating low-risk, high-viability locations in the Sandhills region.”

Jordan Solomon, chairman of the BDO Zone Initiative, shared in a press release, “What stands out about Moore County is the depth and diversity of the supply; pulpwood, forest residues and sawmill residues all in play, backed by a forest base that's growing faster than it’s being harvested. Paired with a rail-served site on NC 211 and just several minutes from US-1, this is a compelling location for any developer’s next project.”

To see the full BDO Zone Rating for Moore County, North Carolina, click here or visit www.bdozone.org.

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