Randolph County Agricultural Center construction reaches late stages

The main sign is up as work continues in advance of the opening of the Randolph County Agricultural Center. (PJ Ward-Brown / Randolph Record)

ASHEBORO — The opening of the Randolph County Agricultural Center is a few months away.

Construction work is in the late stages on the 104 acres purchased by Randolph County in 2016.

“Folks are definitely getting more curious about what’s out there,” Taylor Wright, the agricultural center’s coordinator, said last week.

Wright said a fall completion should be in the works after initial projections had targeted an opening for this past January. The site is off U.S. 64 near East Salisbury Street.

“We don’t have anything more solidified than that,” Wright said of the timing.

The main facilities will be an education and resource center and, in the rear of the property, an events center and open-air arena.

The main building will house the Randolph County Cooperative Extension and the Randolph County Soil and Water offices. There’s also a conference room, two commercial kitchens and a food hub for local producers.

Wright said the events center encompasses 18,000 square feet. There’s space for seating fitting 540 chairs. There’s also a learning greenhouse.

Parking includes three paved lots in addition to a gravel area behind the open-air arena.

Wright said partnership opportunities are available, with naming rights for certain areas and advertising space. Donations are also sought.

“This facility is so unique and versatile,” Wright said. “It’s just not for agricultural purposes.”

Since a formal process began in 2016 and an agricultural center became part of the county’s strategic plan, it has been an on-and-off endeavor in modifying the vision and securing funding for the project.  Construction began in 2023.

“It has been a very long time coming,” Wright said.