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An industrial park in Aurora is making a slow tread toward reality, according to Mayor Clif Williams and Beaufort County Economic Development Director Brad Hufford. 

The industrial park has been a multi-year project, because the cost of labor and materials has continuously increased; therefore, more money needs to be invested in the project before construction can begin. 

Mayor Clif Williams explained that when initial plans to build an industrial park were made, the project would cost an estimated $1.2 million; however, since April of 2022, the cost has doubled. The town is actively seeking out investors and requesting more funding from organizations like Golden Leaf  who have pledged money. They hope to secure funding for their revised budget before a possible recession occurs or before inflation makes the project impossible to do, Williams said. 

Hufford shared with the Board of Beaufort County Commissioners during their planning retreat that the industrial park will be an estimated 30 acres and have space for a satellite location for Beaufort County Community College, an expanded fire and rescue department and space for contractors and vendors as well as new companies. 

An industrial park in Aurora would be the third park in Beaufort County. The other industrial parks are the 45-acre Washington-Beaufort County Industrial Park in Washington and the over 200-acre Beaufort County Industrial Site in Chocowinity.