Belgium Furniture Company Considering High Point for U.S. Manufacturing Operations

Three Triad cities are collaborating to promote economic development in the region. Economic development agencies from Winston-Salem, Greensboro and High Point are working together to market the Triad in the United States and globally.

For the past three years, Winston-Salem Business Inc., the Greensboro Economic Development Alliance and the High Point Economic Development Corporation have created a marketing brochure to help attract businesses and jobs to the region.

This Community Profile 2013-2014 gives an economic overview of the three cities, as well as Forsyth and Guilford Counties.

“We highlight our highway infrastructure, our airport and what that provides and how close we are to the ports. We also highlight our higher education institutions," said Loren Hill, president of the High Point Economic Development Corporation.

Hill added, "We then have quotes from seven different business leaders whose companies are located in our cities. It's a great testament as to why High Point, Greensboro and Winston-Salem would be a good place for other companies to do business as well,” says Loren Hill, president of the High Point Economic Development Corporation.

The brochure is also available online in Chinese, Spanish, French, Korean and German.

Often times the three agencies work together when a client visits the region. Hill said the collaborative partnership is paying off. One company that is expressing interest in the Triad is a Belgium-based furniture company called BuzziSpace.

Last week, the High Point Economic Development Authority announced the company is considering a site in the south end of High Point for its U.S. manufacturing operations.

“BuzziSpace is considering opening up a 113 job furniture manufacturing facility. We have lots of workers who are skilled in that area, so that makes a lot of sense. But what makes the project even more interesting is that the company is considering a 100 year-old mill originally known as the Pickett Cotton Mill for its new facility. The mill has been empty for several years.”

Local public hearings will be held to consider authorizing performance-based financial incentives for the project.

• The High Point City Council will consider authorizing up to $162,000 at a public hearing on Monday, Sept. 16, 2013, at 5:30 p.m. at the High Point Municipal Building, 211 S. Hamilton St., High Point.
• The Guilford County Board of Commissioners will consider authorizing up to $113,000 at its public hearing on Sept. 19, 2013, at 5:30 p.m. at the Old County Courthouse, 301 W. Market St., Greensboro.

The State of North Carolina is also considering participating in the project.