Henderson County, North Carolina is located in the western part of the state, placing it in the heart of the Eastern U.S. and providing multiple geographic and logistical advantages, along with an ideal climate. Combine our easy access to markets and growing conditions with existing farm, packing, processing and distribution operations and you can see why Henderson County is the perfect fit as an East Coast Agribusiness Hub.
Location, Location, Location... Our Numbers Add Up!
Accessibility
40% of US Population within 1 day truck haul (10 hrs - single driver)
0-200 miles (Asheville, Charlotte, Greensboro, Greenville, Columbia, Atlanta, Chattanooga, Knoxville, Kingsport, London, Roanoke)
200-400 miles (Raleigh, Wilmington, Charleston, Savannah, Jacksonville, Montgomery, Birmingham, Nashville, Louisville, Cincinnati, Richmond)
400-600 miles (Orlando, Tampa, Mobile, Jackson, Memphis, St. Louis, Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, Columbus, Cleveland, Toledo, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington)
75% of US Population within 1 day tandem haul (20 hrs - 2 drivers)
Eastern Half of US
1200 mile range (All cities east of Minneapolis, Wichita, San Antonio)
Interstate Highways – 8 major arteries within 3 hours
I-26 0 miles (Hendersonville, NC)
I-40 18 miles (Asheville, NC)
I-85 44 miles (Greenville, SC)
I-81 96 miles (Kingsport, TN)
I-77 100 miles (Charlotte, NC)
I-20 130 miles (Columbia, SC)
I-75 135 miles (Knoxville, TN)
I-75 185 miles (Atlanta, GA)
I-95 200 miles (Florence, SC)
Airports – 4 convenient options
Asheville Regional (AVL) In County
Greenville/Spartanburg (GSP) 44 miles
Charlotte Douglas Int’l (CLT) 96 miles
Atlanta Hartsfield Int’l (ATL) 194 miles
Ports – 5 sites within 300 miles (3 Deep Water, 2 Inland)
Inland Port Greer 54 miles
Inland Port of SC 226 miles
Port of Charleston 244 miles
Port of Savannah 285 miles
NC State Ports Authority 306 miles
Distribution Centers - 30 Retailer Warehouses & 16 Grocers/Food Service within 3 hours
Retail Grocers
Aldi – Salisbury, NC; Jefferson, GA
Bi-Lo – Mauldin, SC
Costco – Atlanta, GA
Dollar General – Atlanta, GA
Food Lion – Salisbury, NC
Harris Teeter – Indian Trail (Charlotte), NC; Greensboro, NC
Ingles – Black Mountain, NC
Kroger – Atlanta, GA
Lidl – Mebane, NC; Covington, GA (opens soon)
MDI – Hickory, NC
Publix – Atlanta, GA; Greensboro, NC (opens soon)
Walmart – Mebane, NC; Pageland, SC; Monroe, GA
Whole Foods/Amazon – Braselton, GA
Food Service
Cheney Brothers – Statesville, NC
Sysco/Fresh Point – Charlotte, NC; Greenville, SC; Atlanta, GA; Knoxville, TN
US Foods – Charlotte, NC; Fort Mill, SC; Lexington, SC; Atlanta, GA; Norcross, GA; Alcoa, TN
Local Packing/Processing/Storage/Distribution Facilities 39
Apple Packinghouses - 10
Produce Packinghouses - 7
Warehouse (storage only) - 6
Cider Producers (Hard & Sweet) - 10
Wineries - 4
(Federally Designated AVA – “Crest of the Blue Ridge Henderson County”)
Dairies - 2
Infrastructure
Ready access to water, sewer, natural gas, ultra-high speed internet
Long-time established agricultural production and packing operations
Ag Supply & Farm Equipment Dealers 14
Multiple Service Providers (Construction Companies, Greenhouse Mfg., Banks, Professional Services, etc.)
Grower Associations
Ideal Growing Climate
Average Temperature – Low 41°F High 73° F High
Average elevation – 2200 feet above sea level
Annual Precipitation - 56.4 inches
Fertile Soils suitable for most horticultural crops
Cool nights in summer; high amount of clear, sun lit days in winter
Existing Farms and Major Commodities
Farms - 455
Land in Farms - 41,099 acres
Greenhouse - 10 ranges (Plants and Produce) (#2 in NC)
Apples (#1 in NC, #7 in U.S.)
Tomatoes (#1 in NC)
Sweet Corn (#1 in NC)
Others:
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- Peppers
- Cucumbers
- Squash
- Lettuce
- Grapes
- Blackberries
- Ornamentals
- Mushrooms
- Sod
- Dairy
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Education & Research (14 four-year universities within a 70 mile radius)
Universities/Community Colleges with Ag-related Programs
Blue Ridge Community College (in County)
Wingate University (in County)
NC State University
NC A&T University
Appalachian State University
Clemson University
University of Georgia
University of Tennessee
Research & Development
Mountain Horticultural Crops Research Station (in County)
NCSU Cooperative Extension Service (in County)
North Carolina Food Innovation Lab (NCFIL)
Agriculture & Business Friendly
Agribusiness is NC’s #1 industry
Over 20% of County economy is ag-related
“Right to Farm” state
Hands-On assistance from economic developers and local government (ongoing)
Zoning exemptions for Agriculture, making development easier and less expense
Business Friendly
NC Corporate Tax Rate is Lowest in US
Ranked #1 by Forbes as the Best State For Business
County Ad Valorum Tax Rate – Lower 75th percentile in NC
Present Use Value – Tax deferment for qualifying ag property
Incentives – Local and State
Voluntary Ag Districts - protected from nuisance suits by neighbors
Soil & Water Conservation District
Cost Share Programs for Good Management Practice projects
Quality of Life
Small Town atmosphere in close proximity to large metropolitan areas
Low Crime Rate
Restaurants and Shopping
Medical Facilities
Recreation (National & State Forests, Hunting, Fishing, Hiking, Biking, Kayaking, Shopping
Sports and Fitness Centers, including leagues
Arts, Music, NC State Theater, Museums, Festivals, Concerts, Cultural Events, Wineries)
Are you Ready to Talk Agribusiness?
To learn more about locating your agri-business here or working with our local producers, packagers, or distributors, contact Mark Williams here. Learn more about AgHC.