The first quarter of 2025 brought a wave of development activity to the Nash and Edgecombe county towns of Rocky Mount, Tarboro, Nashville, and Spring Hope. From downtown revitalization projects and new industrial investments to residential housing initiatives, local officials and developers announced and advanced numerous projects. Below is a comprehensive roundup of major commercial real estate developments, economic development announcements, and residential projects in these communities during January–March 2025.

Rocky Mount: Downtown Revitalization and Major Investments

Downtown Mixed-Use Projects: Rocky Mount’s historic downtown is undergoing significant revitalization. Notably, the City Council approved the redevelopment of the Epstein Building on Northeast Main Street into a vibrant mixed-use complex.

This project will convert an 8,791 sq. ft. historic building into four ground-floor commercial spaces with five market-rate apartments above. Local developers Krishna Battula and Anuja Yerra are spearheading the Epstein Building project with an estimated investment of $1.26 million. It joins a slate of downtown initiatives aimed at bringing new life to long-vacant storefronts. In total, city officials have cited a dozen downtown projects in progress – collectively adding over 100 new homes and business spaces and representing around $30 million in investment – marking a transformative comeback for the central city core.

Healthcare Expansion:

In the commercial sector, one of Rocky Mount’s largest construction projects is unfolding at UNC Health Nash. In February 2025 the Nash UNC Healthcare board moved forward with the next phase of a new seven-story inpatient tower on its hospital campus. Site preparations and construction ramped up in Q1 2025, with the hospital announcing traffic flow changes as crews began work. The tower will feature 150 private patient rooms and modernized clinical spaces (replacing aging infrastructure) to enhance care delivery. Work is expected to continue into 2026, pending final approval from the Local Government Commission later in 2025. This major public/private investment in healthcare not only represents a modernization of Nash County’s medical facilities but also a significant construction project employing local contractors.

Industrial & Economic Initiatives:

On the economic development front, Rocky Mount positioned itself for future growth by acquiring strategic land. On January 13, 2025, the City Council approved purchasing 12.56 acres at the interchange of I-95 and US Highway 64 – a prime location for commercial/industrial development – for $1.507 million. The city structured the deal with payments in FY2025 and FY2026, viewing the tract as a catalyst for attracting new business at the high-traffic interstate crossroads. City leaders dubbed the site acquisition (code-named “WINNR”) a proactive step to create shovel-ready property for prospective employers.

Tarboro: Logistics Hub Expansion and New Housing Development

Amazon’s Last-Mile Facility: Tarboro scored a headline-grabbing win in Q1 2025 with Amazon’s expansion into Edgecombe County. In January, county records revealed that Amazon.com Inc. purchased 77.4 acres in the Tarboro Commerce Center industrial park for $512,000. The Seattle-based e-commerce giant is establishing a “last-mile” distribution center on the site – one of several new North Carolina facilities Amazon announced to speed deliveries.

Next, in a major logistics infrastructure move, the North Carolina Railroad Company (NCRR) purchased 150 acres adjacent to the CSX Intermodal terminal. The land will support the development of an expanded logistics park aimed at attracting rail-served industrial tenants and companies leveraging intermodal freight connectivity. NCRR officials noted that the proximity to CCX creates one of the most strategic freight logistics sites in eastern North Carolina, ideally positioned to drive future industrial job creation.

Amazon’s Last-Mile Facility: Tarboro scored a headline-grabbing win in Q1 2025 with Amazon’s expansion into Edgecombe County. In January, county records revealed that Amazon.com Inc. purchased 77.4 acres in the Tarboro Commerce Center industrial park for $512,000. The Seattle-based e-commerce giant is establishing a “last-mile” distribution center on the site – one of several new North Carolina facilities Amazon announced to speed deliveries. The Tarboro facility will serve as the final sorting hub before packages go out for local delivery, boosting Amazon’s logistics efficiency in eastern NC. Local officials heralded the move: “The Town of Tarboro is excited for the opportunities Amazon will bring… We’re proud to support a business-friendly climate,” said Tarboro Town Manager Troy Lewis.

The project’s timeline accelerated quickly – walls began rising on the new distribution center by early spring, according to local reports, with an opening likely in late 2025. Amazon’s arrival at the Commerce Center (which already houses Hitachi Astemo and other manufacturers) solidifies Tarboro’s role as a regional logistics hub.

It also follows on the heels of another megaproject in Edgecombe County: in August 2024, Natron Energy announced a $1.4 billion battery manufacturing plant at the nearby Kingsboro site between Tarboro and Rocky Mount. While Natron’s 1,062-job “Battery Belt” factory was announced prior to Q1 2025, its development carried into 2025 with site work expected to begin during the year. Together, the Amazon and Natron projects signal a major influx of investment and jobs in the Tarboro area, leveraging available industrial sites that had been primed for such opportunities.

Residential Growth in Tarboro:

Tarboro leaders also moved to address housing needs in early 2025. In March, the Town Council approved a Special Use Permit for Fieldstone Square Apartments, a notable new residential development on the north side of town. Solstice Partners LLC, a Cary-based developer specializing in workforce housing, will build 60 apartment units on a 6.2-acre vacant tract off Barlow Road. The project – located adjacent to the Walmart Supercenter and other services – will consist of eight buildings with a mix of 1-, 2-, and 3-bedroom apartments and amenities like a community center, playground, and picnic areas. Fieldstone Square aims to provide affordable, modern housing for families and workers in Tarboro. The developer plans to break ground by mid-2025 (Q2) now that permits are approved.

In addition to this new construction, Tarboro saw reinvestment in existing properties for housing. `Hykal Properties, LLC received approvals in Q1 for a second multi-family project: the adaptive reuse of three large former office/clinic buildings at 3003–3007 North Main Street into apartments. This project repurposes about 10 acres of underutilized institutional property (in the Clinic Drive/Halifax Court area) into multi-family residential use.

With the Special Use Permit granted by the town in April, Hykal Properties intends to renovate the structures in phases beginning in 2025, creating much-needed apartments while preserving the buildings. Town officials noted this was the second major multi-family initiative in recent months – reflecting Tarboro’s growing demand for housing as new jobs come in. By facilitating both brand-new apartments and conversions of older buildings, Tarboro is working to expand its housing stock on multiple fronts.

Public-Private Investments: Tarboro’s development news in Q1 wasn’t limited to private companies. The town itself and the Carolinas Gateway Partnership (the regional economic development agency) actively supported these growth trends. For example, the Tarboro Commerce Center land sold to Amazon was town-owned, indicating coordinated recruitment. And while celebrating Amazon’s arrival, local leaders also touted Tarboro’s readiness: the industrial park still has remaining acreage and recent infrastructure upgrades (such as improved highway access via US 64) to accommodate future tenants. Meanwhile, small business growth continues downtown with local entrepreneurs renovating storefronts (a new café and a boutique opened on Main Street during the quarter, adding to Tarboro’s downtown revitalization momentum). As 2025 progresses, Tarboro’s mix of big industrial wins and quality-of-life projects (like housing) position the town for a surge in both economic activity and population.

Nashville: Commercial and Residential Projects

Housing Developments: On the residential front, Nashville is experiencing steady growth and took steps in Q1 2025 to enable new housing projects. The Nashville Planning Board met on February 25, 2025, and advanced proposals that will add both multifamily and single-family homes. One key item was a conditional rezoning request for an 11-acre tract on Southside Drive from agricultural (A-1) to residential (RCZD) to permit a new multifamily housing development.

The applicant, Carolina Statewide Developers, intends to build much-needed affordable apartments on the site, aligning with Nashville’s comprehensive plan goal of increasing high-density housing options. Planning Board members noted the project’s minimal traffic impact (no formal traffic study was required) and recommended approval, emphasizing that it addresses a “pressing need for affordable housing” in the community. A public hearing before the Town Council was scheduled for March 2025 to finalize the rezoning, which would pave the way for the developer to submit detailed site plans. In addition to multifamily units, Nashville is seeing expansion of its single-family neighborhoods. In the same meeting, the Planning Board reviewed plans for a new subdivision (including drainage and connectivity considerations) and found the design consistent with the town’s Future Land Use Map. By the end of Q1, the town had issued permits for dozens of new homes (town officials reported 65 residential units were in permitting recently, signaling robust growth.

Commercial Activity: The Nashville Junction, a public-private partnership aimed at revitalizing the former Nashville Building Supply Co. site at 723 South Barnes Street, has announced six new tenants. This mixed-use development is set to include retail, restaurants, and various businesses, adding vibrancy to the town's commercial offerings .

Nash County Economic Development completed a 40,000 sq ft Shell Building at the Nashville Business Center in Q1. The county is currently negotiating a contract with a prospective industrial user and anticipates announcing a deal later in 2025. Construction will soon begin on the 50,000 sq ft Shell Building III at the Middlesex Corporate Centre, continuing the county’s strategy of proactively building speculative space to attract employers. Last on the economic development front, in a major private sector expansion, Crump Naturals is investing $85 million to expand its pet food manufacturing facility in Nashville. This expansion comes less than four years after Crump first opened its facility, signaling strong market performance and a major local jobs boost .

Healthcare Expansion: UNC Health Nash is expanding its footprint with new clinics under development in Nashville and Middlesex, aiming to enhance access to primary care and urgent care services in these growing communities.

Commercial Zoning and Infrastructure: Nashville is also preparing for more commercial activity. The Planning Board in February considered a general rezoning (RZ-202502) to change a parcel along Oak Level Road from residential-agricultural to business (B-1). The site in question sits adjacent to a new fire station under construction and had been earmarked for low-density housing on the future land use plan. However, the property owner requested B-1 zoning to pursue a commercial use. After some debate about spot zoning and consistency with the comprehensive plan, the Board voted to recommend the business rezoning, reasoning that it “opens opportunities for commercial growth” along a key corridor despite diverging from the original land use designation. This decision reflects a broader vision to stimulate economic development on Oak Level Road, a growing edge of town. Town leaders acknowledged that as Nashville grows, certain areas may shift from purely residential to mixed or commercial use to serve the population. The Oak Level Road site could potentially attract a neighborhood retail center or other business, given its proximity to both the fire station and existing homes. Nashville is clearly balancing residential expansion with commercial planning: ensuring that new neighborhoods have services nearby and that the town’s tax base grows. With improved utilities and transportation (Nashville is conveniently near US 64 and I-95), the town is well-positioned to welcome new businesses. In sum, Nashville’s Q1 2025 developments underscore a community on the rise, blending its small-town charm with forward-looking growth strategies.

Spring Hope: Downtown Restoration and Economic Initiatives

Historic Depot Restoration: The small town of Spring Hope (western Nash County) may be the smallest of these communities, but it too saw noteworthy development progress in early 2025, especially in downtown revitalization. Spring Hope’s signature project is the restoration of its historic railroad depot on West Railroad Street. With the help of two grants from the NC Department of Commerce, the town is transforming the long-vacant 1890s-era train depot into a multi-use event center and community gathering space.

An $800,000 Rural Transformation Grant awarded in 2023 is funding structural restorations and interior upfit of the depot building, while a second grant of $537,500 (received in 2024) will finance the design and construction of a multi-use outdoor platform/stage adjacent to the depot. Both the depot rehab and the new platform are moving forward together, with construction underway by Q1 2025 and an anticipated opening later in 2025. Once completed, the depot event center will provide a venue for farmers’ markets, performances, and community events, capitalizing on Spring Hope’s downtown charm and festival culture (the town is famous for its annual Pumpkin Festival). The adaptive reuse of the depot not only preserves a piece of the town’s history but is expected to spur spin-off investment on Main Street by attracting visitors and foot traffic.

Downtown Development Efforts: In tandem with the depot project, Spring Hope’s Downtown Development Board has been active in planning and promotion. The town formally adopted a Community Economic Development Assessment Plan (CEDAP) in May 2024, and by early 2025 it began implementing strategies from that plan. Public input was key in shaping priorities, which include beautification, support for small businesses, and marketing Spring Hope as a quaint, historic day-trip destination. During Q1 2025, the Downtown Development Board launched a survey to gather feedback from local business owners on how to improve the business climate. They also coordinated closely with the NC Main Street & Rural Planning Center (Spring Hope is a designated NC Small Town Main Street community). These efforts are yielding results: two local entrepreneurs are renovating vacant storefronts on Main Street (one for a bakery and another for an antique shop), with openings expected by summer. Additionally, infrastructure upgrades are in the works. In late 2024 the town secured funding for a railroad platform project to complement the depot – essentially creating a new public space for outdoor events and potential farmers market days. By Q1 2025, engineering and architectural design for this platform were underway (the town advertised for design services early in the year. Both the restored depot and the new platform are slated to debut in time for the Fall 2025 festival season, signaling a revitalized downtown.

Cultivating “Smart Growth”: While Spring Hope did not announce large private commercial investments like its larger neighbors, it has laid important groundwork for sustainable growth. Town leaders in Q1 encouraged citizen involvement in shaping the future; for example, they opened applications for a new “Smart Growth” steering committee to guide zoning and land use updates as new development interest emerges (Want to help Spring Hope plan for smart growth? Apply ... - Facebook). They are also focusing on basic infrastructure – such as upgrading water/sewer capacity – to ensure the town can accommodate new businesses or housing in coming years. With a population of around 1,300, Spring Hope sees incremental development (perhaps a few new homes or a small business at a time), but the emphasis on downtown revitalization and quality of life is a deliberate economic development strategy. By preserving its historic assets and planning proactively, Spring Hope aims to attract visitors and entrepreneurs, setting the stage for future commercial and residential projects. As Mayor Kyle Pritchard noted in a January 2025 release, “our investment in downtown is an investment in the future of Spring Hope – a future where our small town prospers while retaining its unique character.”

Rocky Mount Industrial Village

A New Era of Economic Growth on the Horizon

A major new development is taking shape in Rocky Mount, and it's poised to make a lasting impact on the region's economy. Dean Taitz, a founder at the Ruddell Group, recently shared details about the Rocky Mount Industrial Village—an ambitious 55-acre industrial park slated to break ground in the coming months.

Located at the intersection of Thomas A. Betts Parkway and Peele Road, the industrial village is strategically positioned with direct access to major transportation routes. This prime location is a key component of the project’s appeal, making it an ideal destination for light commercial and light manufacturing businesses looking to expand or relocate.

Taitz envisions the Industrial Village as a hub for sustainable economic growth in the Twin Counties. “This isn’t just about building warehouses,” he explains. “It’s about attracting the right kind of businesses that will create quality jobs and foster long-term prosperity for the area.”

And the numbers are promising. Once fully developed, the Rocky Mount Industrial Village is expected to generate nearly 300 new jobs and over $43 million in total economic output. Taitz also noted significant infrastructure improvements in the pipeline, including vital water and sewer upgrades set to begin in March 2025—essential groundwork for supporting future tenants.

As the project moves from concept to reality, the Rocky Mount Industrial Village stands out as more than just another business park. It’s a bold step forward in reimagining how Eastern North Carolina can attract industry, support workforce growth, and build a stronger, more resilient local economy.

Nashville Junction Open for Leasing

Nashville Junction, a mixed-use development in the heart of Nashville, has achieved its Certificate of Occupancy and is now leasing suites. With 20,000 square feet of space for retail, dining, and businesses, the owner is actively seeking an anchor restaurant tenant to enhance the center’s appeal. Nashville Junction is poised to become a community hub, combining convenience with charm.