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Comparison of Lee, Harnett, and Moore industrial sites offers insight on where to live, grow, and work.

_{The 1872 Railroad House is the oldest house in Sanford and was a home for the first railroad depot agent of the Raleigh and Augusta Airline Railroad and is now a museum next to Old Steam Locomotive #12. Photo by Sandhills News.}

Lee, Harnett and Moore counties offer build-ready industrial sites with varying levels of infrastructure, zoning, and economic incentives to attract industries. One county is primed for industry and the two quieter counties offer more rural and suburban living.

This comparison suggests the most outfitted county for immense industrial growth while showing why so many multifamily developments have popped up, which is a popular conversation.

Lee County offers a variety of properties, from sprawling mega sites to smaller, well-placed parcels in Central Carolina Enterprise Park and near the Raleigh Executive Jetport. These sites are set up for industrial and logistics use, with reliable infrastructure like water, sewer, easy highway access via U.S. Highway 1 and U.S. Route 421, and rail services provided by CSX and Norfolk Southern.

On top of that, the county offers a full range of incentives, including state and local grants, industrial bonds, and federal programs like Opportunity Zone and HUBZone designations. To support businesses further, workforce training programs are available through Central Carolina Community College’s CCWorks initiative.

Harnett County has several standout industrial sites, including the 139-acre Mid-Atlantic Industrial Park near Interstate 95 and the 65-acre Harnett 95 Industrial Center. A key highlight is the Edgerton Industrial Park, which recently secured a $547,885 Golden LEAF grant to prepare 24.7 acres for development. These sites are zoned for industrial use and benefit from ongoing infrastructure improvements, such as upgrades to Interstate 95, better regional water and sewer systems, and expansions at the Harnett Regional Jetport. Duke Energy is also evaluating the readiness of these locations. Although specific incentive packages are not fully detailed online, Harnett County EDC works to connect businesses with state and local support and is part of the Interstate 95/Interstate 40 Crossroads of America Economic Development Alliance.

Moore County has a few industrial options, like Iron Horse Industrial Park and a commercial building on North Carolina Highway 5 in Aberdeen. Businesses in the area can take advantage of regional roads, local airports, and rail connections. While specific incentive programs are not listed online, the Moore County Economic Development Partnership helps businesses find state and local support and works on improving infrastructure with public agencies.

Lee County shines with strong incentives and workforce training programs, Harnett County is growing with large, ready-to-build sites and public investments, and Moore County offers smaller, flexible options backed by local business support.

Lee—Sanford Area Growth Alliance is a public-private partnership and merger of the Lee County Economic Development Corporation. (919) 774-8439

Harnett—Site tours, utility specs, and incentive details are available through the Harnett County EDC at (910) 893-7524.

Moore—Contact Moore County Economic Development Partnership at (910) 246-0311.

Helpful Link: NC Property Public Property Records Search

June 23, 2025

Stephanie Sellers

Moore Sources

Lee Sources

Harnett Sources