LEE COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
Southern Base of the Research Triangle Region

NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, September 26, 2003


LEE COUNTY ECONOMIC LEADERS PURSUE
FEDEX DISTRIBUTION FACILITY FOR AIRPORT

SANFORD -- County economic leaders are pursuing a FedEx regional distribution 
center slated for North Carolina, hoping eventually to land the facility at the 
Sanford-Lee County Regional Airport.

Known best for being pioneers and innovators in the overnight delivery industry, 
FedEx is now a broader family of companies providing transportation, 
information, international trade support and supply chain services. The regional 
distribution center would be used to move packages around the world.

Though the project is currently slated for the Piedmont Triad Airport in 
Greensboro, strong opposition has sprung up -- thanks, in part, to dense 
residential development and heavy traffic near the proposed site. With court 
cases and countless other delays already facing FedEx leaders, members of the 
Lee County Economic Development Corp. have offered an alternative.

The preliminary proposal came in a letter sent recently to the FedEx chief 
executive officer by Dr. Donny Hunter, chairman of the local economic 
development group. After wishing the shipping company well in its proposed 
move to Greensboro, Hunter suggested Sanford might be a better option.

"If your plans do not work out or if you face unacceptable delays, we would like 
you to consider the opportunities and advantages of locating at the Sanford-Lee 
County Regional Airport," Hunter wrote. "Federal Express can enjoy all the 
benefits of a Triangle, North Carolina, location, without the residential 
objections expressed elsewhere."

According to economic development director Bob Heuts, FedEx looked at six 
locations for its new distribution facility and preferred Raleigh-Durham 
International. Though the Triangle was attractive, he said, the airport was 
not as enthusiastic about adding to congestion already there.

And now, with the Greensboro option on shaky ground, Heuts said Sanford could be 
the perfect place for FedEx to open.

"They haven't considered a general aviation airport before, but we offer plenty 
of advantages that may be enticing," Heuts said. "They want a location in North 
Carolina and prefer one close to college students who could become part of the 
FedEx work force. We provide all of that. Plus, we're in the Triangle, where the 
company wanted to operate in the first place."

Though the airport is not currently configured to meet the shipping giant's 
demands, the site was built with this kind of use in mind.

The 6,500-foot runway could easily be extended to 9,000 feet and land has 

already been designated for the second runway FedEx would need. Plenty of land 
also is available on the 705-acre tract for buildings that would be constructed 
before the projected opening in 2009.

Heuts and other local officials realize the bid may be a long shot. Then, again, 
you never know what will happen with such staunch opposition just up U.S. 421.

"Sanford would be a wonderful option for FedEx," Heuts said. "We have the 
facility they need. We have the location they wanted. And they could operate 
without the hassle of a larger airport and metropolitan area. Now, we just need 
to make our case."

The Lee County Economic Development Corp. is a nonprofit organization 
established to attract industry, enhance job opportunities and promote sound 
planning across Lee County. Funding is provided by the county, as well as the 
City of Sanford and Town of Broadway, the county's two municipalities.

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Press Contacts:

Bob Heuts, Director
Jane Haber, Administrative Assistant
Lee County Economic Development Corp.
919-774-8439 (phone)
919-775-5410 (fax)
info@lcedc.com

Media Web:    http://www.lcedc.com/media/
This release: http://www.lcedc.com/media/releases/nr092603.txt