Economic Development Year in Review 2025

COUNTY

SEPTEMBER 2025

OCTOBER 2025

DECEMBER 2025

Regional Partnership Secures $860 Million Distribution Center A collaboration between the Greensboro Chamber of Commerce, the City of Burlington, and Guilford County sparked one of the region’s most significant economic development wins: Ahold Delhaize’s $860-million Food Lion distribution center in eastern Guilford County. While not a Greensboro project, this transformational project is the largest industrial investment in Burlington’s history. It reflects years of coordinated planning, infrastructure investment, and regional partnership. Food Lion’s Netherlands-based parent company plans to begin construction in 2026, with operations expected to start in 2029. The facility will initially employ 120 workers, with long-term plans to grow to approximately 500 jobs by 2033.

Hoffman & Hoffman Announces Expansion in Greensboro Hoffman & Hoffman, a prominent leader in HVAC, plumbing, and pumping equipment solutions, will consolidate its existing Greensboro area facilities at Triad Center Drive. Founded in 1947, the employee owned company operates primarily in the Southeast and employs over 350 people in Greensboro. The expansion will add 131 jobs with a $13,500,000 investment. The Hoffman Companies operate as manufacturers’ representatives, and sell commercial HVAC and hydronics pumping equipment and filtration systems. They also service and maintain HVAC systems. The average annual wage for the new full-time positions will be approximately $77,137. The Greensboro City Council authorized an incentive of $1,500 per created job.

Lenovo’s Operation Expands at the Whitsett Facility Lenovo will expand its operations in southeastern Guilford County by investing $77 million and adding at least 420 new jobs with an average annual wage of $66,770 at its facility near Whitsett. While not a Greensboro project, it enhances the site’s manufacturing capabilities to better serve U.S. customers. Lenovo employs about 380 people at Rock Creek, where it performs product fulfillment, light manufacturing, server assembly, testing, packaging, and rack solution integration.

TOYOTA PLANT STARTS PRODUCTION AND DRAWS SUPPLIERS TO THE REGION Toyota’s battery manufacturing facility in Liberty, NC, started production in 2025, marking a significant milestone for the Triad economy. The largest industrial investment in state history, the $14-billion project

is expected to support approximately 5,100 jobs by the early 2030s. After four years of planning and construction, production ramped up and the first battery modules shipped in June. The plant’s impact extends well beyond its footprint, catalyzing a growing ecosystem of suppliers and vendors across the region and providing new opportunities for existing companies. Several major supplier investments were announced. Fujihatsu &

Toyotsu Battery Components North Carolina, LLC, plans to invest $60 million and create 133 jobs to manufacture aluminum battery cell cases and covers. Green Metals Inc. is investing nearly $20 million and adding 47 jobs in Greensboro to process battery-related manufacturing waste.