Wilmington, NC and surrounding area
County business park to get first infrastructure, new name | WilmingtonBiz (Wilmingtonbiz)
Summary: New Hanover County has approved a $6.5 million contract for the first infrastructure at the Holly Shelter Business Park, which will be renamed the I-40 Coastal Commerce Park. The 300-acre master-planned industrial park is expected to eventually support over 2 million square feet of industrial space. The initial phase includes roadways, water and sewer lines, and traffic improvements, with construction taking about 18 months. This marks the first major step in developing a site aimed at attracting and retaining businesses in the region.
Why it matters: This development signals a strategic push to expand industrial capacity in the Wilmington area, leveraging I-40 access and coastal location to attract logistics and manufacturing tenants. For a region balancing tourism growth with economic diversification, this park could reshape the local employment base and infrastructure demands.
Context: New Hanover County has seen success with its Blue Clay Business Park, and this new park represents a similar public-private model to prepare speculative industrial sites. The county is investing in backbone infrastructure to reduce barriers for developers and companies looking to expand in the region.
"New Hanover County’s Holly Shelter Business Park is set to get its first infrastructure and a new name in the coming months. The New Hanover County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a." — WILMINGTONBIZ
Commentary: The renaming to I-40 Coastal Commerce Park is a smart branding move that signals the site’s logistical advantages, but the real test will be whether the county can attract tenants in a cooling industrial market. The 18-month infrastructure timeline means the park won’t be ready for building permits until late 2027, so near-term economic impact is limited. Still, for Wilmington’s industrial sector, this is the most concrete signal of expansion capacity since Blue Clay Park filled up.
Date: July 13, 2026 08:00 PM ET
URL: https://www.wilmingtonbiz.com/government/2026/07/14/county_business_park_to_get_first_infrastructure_new_name/27670
AI Sentiment Score: Negative (50%)
AI Credibility Score: 10.0/10 — High
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