Greensboro-Randolph megasite

07 Dec

Spivey riled up to return as Ramseur’s mayor

Bob SuttonNews2023 elections, drinking water, Greensboro-Randolph megasite, Hampton Spivey, Ramseur, Toyota

RAMSEUR – Hampton Spivey is coming back to the mayor’s post in Ramseur and it’s not likely to be a quiet return. The former mayor is mostly concerned with the available drinking water for town residents and making sure the town is fiscally responsible. “Water is the whole reason I ran,” Spivey said. “Just about every issue I’m involved with involves drinking water. If you don’t have clean drinking water, you don’t have anything.” Spivey, 79, won November’s election, ousting incumbent Vicki Caudle. The vote count was 97 to 66. Spivey was mayor from 1995-2010, filling terms that were both…

13 Oct

Public encouraged to express views on air quality

Bob SuttonNewsGreensboro-Randolph megasite, North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality, Toyota

LIBERTY — With such a major project involving the Greensboro-Randolph megasite, there are bound to be new topics that might create attention in the region. One of them is air quality. The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Air Quality is seeking public comment on a draft air quality permit modification for the Toyota Battery Manufacturing facility. “We want to solicit public comment before we make any decision,” said Shawn Taylor, a public information officer with the department. “We’re really hoping to hear from the people, both pro and con.” A change of classification is requested. Public comments will…

08 Sep

NCDOT meeting draws big turnout in Liberty

Bob SuttonNewsGreensboro-Randolph megasite, Liberty, North Carolina DOT, Toyota

New road patterns are in place along U.S. 421 and Browns Meadow Road near Liberty. (PJ Brown-Ward/Randolph Record) LIBERTY – There was considerable interest from Randolph County residents at a public meeting held by the North Carolina Department of Transportation to discuss potential changes based on the Greensboro-Randolph megasite. There were 247 attendees signing in for last week’s session. “That’s sizable,” said Harris Kay, a communications officer with NCDOT. “That’s what we want, people coming to ask questions.” Liberty Town Hall was packed with members of the public at some points during the two-hour meeting. There’s much curiosity about the…

05 Sep

Toyota adds to plans for megasite

Randolph RecordBusiness, NewsGreensboro-Randolph megasite, Liberty, Toyota

LIBERTY – Toyota announced an additional investment of $2.5 billion in its newest North American facility, Toyota Battery Manufacturing North Carolina at the Greensboro-Randolph megasite. Last week’s announcement means added capacity to support battery electric vehicle battery production and adds 350 jobs, bringing the total employment to approximately 2,100. Scheduled to begin production in 2025, the facility will produce batteries for hybrid electric vehicles and battery electric vehicles. Construction has begun. Last year, Toyota Motor Corporation announced a global investment of approximately $70 billion for electrification efforts. Last week, as part of this aspirational goal, TMC announced a future battery production…

20 Jul

Liberty eateries feed on megasite boost

Bob SuttonBusiness, NewsGreensboro-Randolph megasite, Liberty

LIBERTY — There’s more traffic and business in and around Liberty, and that should mean more dollars spent in the small Randolph County town. This development isn’t unexpected with activity associated with the Greensboro-Randolph megasite. “I’m actually really thankful,” said Susan Aydelette, owner of Hurricane Jane’s restaurant on South Greensboro Street. “I really think it’s going to be a blessing for everyone. I know it may not look like it right now, but you have to have patience. Some people are complaining. Eventually, everything will be settled down.” Toyota is building its first U.S. battery plant for electric vehicles, with…