What about Concord plantation?
In June, Philip Morris Company announced that it will leave its Concord plantation and move to Richmond, Va., plantation.
Also, they will offer the job for all 2,500 employees if they agree to move to a new location.
Owners confirmed that they plan to sell the territory. Time passed, and nothing is still clear.
Concord plantation constitutes 2,100 acres of industrial-zoned land in Cabarrus County. Till now the future of this land and of its workers is unknown.
It was bought by Philip Morris in 2006 for $1.1 billion.
John Cox, CEO of the Cabarrus Economic Development Corp., affirmed they already get some proposes to acquire the land.
“We’re having conversations with potential candidates that we ordinarily would not have due to our potential inventory (of development-ready land),” Cox said. “But we haven’t been able to bring a bona fide prospect to Philip Morris.”
Although, representatives at Philip Morris said there are no details as to how or when the property will be sold.
Brendan McCormick, senior director of corporate communications for Philip Morris, said even company did plan to sell the land; they would continue to produce tobacco products till 2010.
Concord plantation has always played an important role for the city. Every year, the Concord plant contributes $6 million to local taxes.
This sum was used for the city, but if Philip Morris closes the plant, the city will meet a deficiency of funds.
Although, city administration is optimistic and hopes the city will be developed industrially, Concord City Manager Brian Hiatt says.
“We are looking for job creation,” Hiatt added.
By the end of the 2007, it is planned to move some cigarette production equipment from Concord to Richmond.
“However, no plant employees will be moved at that time”, McCormick said.
