Asheville – The terms green and sustainable are seldom terms used when talking about an industrial park. We know we need them for manufacturing and commerce, but it is heartbreaking to see a beautiful piece of land leveled for industry. When it comes to the Ferncliff Industrial Park in Mills River, NC, though, these terms are synonymous. NC Secretary of Commerce Tony Copeland called it “America’s Most Beautiful Industrial Park.”
A First In America
Ferncliff claims to be the first successful green industrial park in the U.S. Through innovative thinking, the owners have created what they hope will be a model for communities and developers across the country on a proven way to develop sustainable jobs as well as preserving natural beauty, culture, and character.
Making Way For Green Progress
Ferncliff, a 262-acre industrial park located between the Asheville Regional Airport and the French Broad River, was originally part of the Rugby Grange farm, which the owner’s family established in 1868.
As the Asheville airport and I-26 were built, it altered the property. While the Fitzpatrick family had loved this land and its beautiful Green House for many generations, they realized that the property could ultimately be annexed for development and they would have no say over what happened to it. They decided to preserve the land by creating a green industrial park, providing good, clean, sustainable jobs, while maintaining the beauty of the land. The beloved Green House was carefully deconstructed, and 90% of its materials were used in the owner’s new houses near Hendersonville.
Many Were Skeptical
Many people the Fitzpatrick family needed to deal with were skeptical. Roger Snyder, the mayor of Mills River, said, “Being from Mills River, having a farming background, we were not into this green mentality. Vaughan [Fitzpatrick] wanted a world-class industrial park. He wanted it green.” Andrew Tate, President of the Henderson County Partners for Economic Development, said, “I’d never heard of a concept like that, and certainly the fact that it wasn’t proven would certainly make one skeptical.”
Bill Lapsley, a civil engineer in Henderson County for nearly 40 years, said it was a new idea to him as well, but hoped it would attract some good industries. “The first major prospect that we had was an industry that we did not know their name at the time, but the owner was a very environmentally sensitive man, and it was a family-owned business,” said Lapsley. “They were looking for a site that was environmentally attractive, wooded, with lots of water, wildlife, and natural features. That company turned out to be Sierra Nevada Brewing Company.
Sierra Nevada
Brian Grossman, Vice President and CTO of Sierra Nevada, said they fell in love with the site, “There’s something about the spot that just drew us all in.” Sierra Nevada now has about 215 acres, and of that they have developed 26 to 28 acres. In addition to the 400,000-square-foot brewery, capable of 750,000 barrels of beer a year, you’ll see donkeys, sheep, beehives, chickens, and an orchard. They have two sets of trails, one for guests and one for employees. Grossman said, “It’s a little slice of heaven that you get here. Our guests average over 2 hours, so when they come they stay, sort of awestruck about what we’ve created here.
Ferncliff is Making An Impact
Sierra Nevada and another Ferncliff company, Linamar, are the top taxpayers in Mills River, with FedEx right behind. They are making a big impact in Henderson County. Ferncliff employs 1,502 people at the site. Supply chain purchases support another 465 jobs in Henderson County, while local spending by households supports an added 301 jobs in the county.
All of the companies have to be LEED certified. Janel Rowbotham, General Manager of Linamar, shared, “We’re one of just a handful of foundries that is LEED certified. We are one of the technology leaders when it comes to sustainability, so it gives us an advantage over some of our competitors because we’re LEED certified.”
It’s Not Just Industry
Riveter is a playground for adventurers, boasting a full-service rock climbing gym, outdoor dirt jump lines, tap room, fitness studio, infrared-heated yoga studio, retail shop, community workspaces, youth programs, special events, and outdoor seating with epic views of the Blue Ridge. See https://tribpapers.com/archive/2024/06/business/the-riveter-trains-for-outdoor-adventure/62111/
Tate Becomes A Believer
Andrew Tate said, “The Ferncliff model can absolutely be replicated. The concept of matching a park’s tenants and neighbors with the assets, values, and culture of a community is something that reflects sustainability as an environmental feature but also from the staying power of the jobs and the taxable investment.”
To learn more about Ferncliff and the businesses there, go to https://ferncliffindustrialpark.net/