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Greensboro-Randolph megasite

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Public encouraged to express views on air quality

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LIBERTY — With such a major project involving the Greensboro-Randolph megasite, there are bound to be new topics that might create attention in the region.

One of them is air quality.

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Air Quality is seeking public comment on a draft air quality permit modification for the Toyota Battery Manufacturing facility.

“We want to solicit public comment before we make any decision,” said Shawn Taylor, a public information officer with the department. “We’re really hoping to hear from the people, both pro and con.”

A change of classification is requested. Public comments will be accepted until Nov. 3.

This requested change in classification might not be common to many residents, so Taylor said this serves as an information window for the public as well.

The facility is permitted by DAQ as a minor source to operate four hybrid-vehicle battery production lines. In July 2022, Toyota applied to DAQ to modify its air permit to add seven electric-vehicle battery production lines and supporting equipment. This proposed modification would reclassify the facility as a major source under Title V of the Clean Air Act.

Toyota proposes to use wet and dry scrubbers to control and collect dust and organic compounds used in the manufacturing process, which is needed to keep the facility clean enough for battery production. The facility would also be subject to federal emissions standards, recordkeeping requirements, and regular inspections.

The facility’s emissions must comply with state and federal health-based standards. Toyota is expected to remain a minor source of hazardous air pollutants. A review of the facility’s toxic air pollutants showed none would exceed the state’s Toxic Permitting Emission Rates.

The division will consider public comments before making a final decision on the proposed permit. Taylor said this is a general procedure regarding such a project, though this is in the latter stages of this process.

Engineers have drafted what they believe to be the most practical permit, Taylor said. The Toyota Battery Manufacturing plant is expected to be in operation in 2025.

Copies of the draft permit, draft permit review, permit application, and draft environmental justice report are available through the DAQ.

Comments or requests for a public hearing will be accepted through 5 p.m. Nov. 3. Comments can be emailed to [email protected] with “Toyota 22B” in the subject line. Voice mail comments can be left by calling (919) 707-8714. Comments can also be mailed to: NCDEQ Division of Air Quality, 1641 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1641.

Because of the Spanish-speaking population in the region, Taylor said that an effort has been made to produce as much information in bilingual formats.

Megasite truck traffic photo

NCDOT meeting draws big turnout in Liberty

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New road patterns are in place along U.S. 421 and Browns Meadow Road near Liberty. (PJ Brown-Ward/Randolph Record)

LIBERTY – There was considerable interest from Randolph County residents at a public meeting held by the North Carolina Department of Transportation to discuss potential changes based on the Greensboro-Randolph megasite.

There were 247 attendees signing in for last week’s session.

“That’s sizable,” said Harris Kay, a communications officer with NCDOT. “That’s what we want, people coming to ask questions.”

Liberty Town Hall was packed with members of the public at some points during the two-hour meeting.

There’s much curiosity about the traffic issue that largely focuses on a corridor of U.S. 421 in Randolph County. Changes are in the works “to accommodate the expected increase of traffic,” Kay said.

All this comes about because of the Toyota Battery Manufacturing operation that’s expected to begin operation in 2025 at the Greensboro-Randolph megasite.

According to NCDOT, the local road system won’t be able to handle the desired access to that area adequately. Construction has begun.

Naturally, residents and property owners want to further understand the impact.

“Most of the questions our group received were about how their property would be affected,” Kay said.

Residents who signed in for the meeting had the option of providing their email addresses. For those who did, NCDOT will email updates related to road construction and traffic in the Liberty area.

Kay said it was largely a courtesy meeting to show the public the status of progress, serving as a follow-up to past information sessions. About 10 representatives from NCDOT were on hand.

Officials with the Liberty Chamber of Commerce didn’t return calls related to NCDOT’s meeting as it pertains to the megasite.

U.S. 421 is an important north-south road for residents. It’s also a preferred route for many commuters to Greensboro. There will be heavy increased traffic during peak hours, so the capacity for more volume is desired.

The North Carolina Department of Transportation proposes to convert three at-grade intersections on U.S. 421 and make other improvements in Randolph County near the Guilford County line.

Under the proposals, the interchanges to be affected are at Colonial Trading Path and Shiloh Road, Julian Airport Road (State Road 2502) and Shiloh Road and Starmount Round (State Road 2407).

There will be closure of the at-grade intersection at Browns Meadow Road (State Road 2408).

Intersection realignments are set for Shiloh Road and Colonial Trading Path at U.S. 421, Old Red Cross Road (State Road 2403) and Shiloh Road, and Old Red Cross Road and Harold Meadow Road (State Road 2404).

The project timeline includes several likely upcoming developments during autumn. Those include an environmental study, right-of-way acquisitions, and the beginning of a construction phase.

NCDOT is accepting written comments via phone (512 580-8850 code: 3419), email ([email protected]) or NCDOT’s public input portal (ncdot.publicinput.com) through Sept. 13.

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Toyota adds to plans for megasite

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LIBERTY – Toyota announced an additional investment of $2.5 billion in its newest North American facility, Toyota Battery Manufacturing North Carolina at the Greensboro-Randolph megasite.

Last week’s announcement means added capacity to support battery electric vehicle battery production and adds 350 jobs, bringing the total employment to approximately 2,100.

Scheduled to begin production in 2025, the facility will produce batteries for hybrid electric vehicles and battery electric vehicles. Construction has begun.

Last year, Toyota Motor Corporation announced a global investment of approximately $70 billion for electrification efforts. Last week, as part of this aspirational goal, TMC announced a future battery production commitment of up to $5.6 billion, which includes the new North Carolina investment.

“This marks another significant milestone for our company,” said Norm Bafunno, senior vice president, Unit Manufacturing and Engineering at Toyota Motor North America. “This plant will serve a central role in Toyota’s leadership toward a fully electrified future and will help us meet our goal of carbon neutrality in our vehicles and global operations by 2035.”

In 2021, Toyota, in partnership with Toyota Tsusho, announced the new Liberty location with an initial investment of $1.29 billion for battery production and the creation of 1,750 new jobs. Now, the company’s total investment is $3.8 billion.

“This is an exciting time for Toyota, the region and the many North Carolinians we will soon employ,” said Sean Suggs, TBMNC president. “This incremental investment reflects our continued commitment to ensuring jobs and future economic growth for the Triad region.”

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Liberty eateries feed on megasite boost

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LIBERTY — There’s more traffic and business in and around Liberty, and that should mean more dollars spent in the small Randolph County town.

This development isn’t unexpected with activity associated with the Greensboro-Randolph megasite.

“I’m actually really thankful,” said Susan Aydelette, owner of Hurricane Jane’s restaurant on South Greensboro Street. “I really think it’s going to be a blessing for everyone. I know it may not look like it right now, but you have to have patience. Some people are complaining. Eventually, everything will be settled down.”

Toyota is building its first U.S. battery plant for electric vehicles, with close to 2,000 workers expected to be in place within a few years. Construction has been taking place on the $1.2 billion plant, with concrete poured last month to mark another spot on the megasite’s timeline.

So nearby Liberty is bound to become busier.

“I feel like we’ve grown a little bit with our business,” said Nicole Perkins, a waitress at Y’all Come Back Café on South Fayetteville Street. “But it’s nothing we can’t handle yet. You’ve got the workers coming in. It’s always nice to have the business.”

The Greensboro-Randolph megasite consists of about 1,800 acres, so new infrastructure will be required to support the volume of traffic and people in the coming years.

Recently, commuters in the area have reported higher counts of orange construction signs informing drivers of some new traffic patterns. Much of those have been on U.S. 421 and surrounding areas.

Atef Youness, who has owned Maria’s Famous Subs and Pizza on South Greensboro Street since 2002, said it’s a relatively moderate increase, more noticeable on some days.

“It is getting some business every once in a while, and we’re expecting it’s going to be more,” Youness said. “I believe when people come to start (to actually work at the plant), it’s going to be more.”

Still, Youness said he intends to send his restaurant’s menus to the work site, which is about 4 miles away, to lure new customers.

Kidd’s Drive-In on South Greensboro Street has been a family-run business for 55 years.

“It’s hard for me to say,” Jerry Kidd said about the impact. “I hear more about it than I actually see. There’s an influx of some new people, but I’m not sure how many are actually from the megasite.”

Still, Kidd said he knows there are workers hauling rock and other construction-related activities that are bound to become factors. It’s just a matter of how soon widespread changes are evident.

“We’ve been fortunate. Business has been pretty good even through the pandemic,” Kidd said.

Aydelette said she noticed an uptick in megasite-related business a couple of months ago for Hurricane Jane’s, which is about a 10-minute drive away. She said she thinks it’s good for Liberty and also figures some of the extra money spent on area businesses is gravitating toward Julian as well.

“We are seeing some of the people,” Aydelette said. “Sometimes they come for lunch, and sometimes they come for a drink or for dinner.”

Maria’s Famous Subs and Pizza is open from 10:30 a.m.-10:30 p.m. daily except for being closed Tuesdays. Youness said he’ll consider opening Tuesdays as well if business increases if he can hire enough staff.

According to DriveNC.gov (a site run by the North Carolina Department of Transportation), Browns Meadow Road near U.S. 421 north of Liberty will be closed in both directions through the end of the year. DriveNC.gov also reports that congestion due to construction traffic associated with the megasite is expected to last through the end of August.

There is roadwork and wetlands mitigation, along with the development of right-of-ways in some locations.

The North Carolina Department of Transportation announced that blasting at the construction site began in March. This is part of the first phase for the megasite, with the North Carolina General Assembly appropriating $135 million for NCDOT to work on-site grading, building roads and highway interchanges, and other improvements.

With all this going on, there are various points of view. Perkins said she realizes traffic volume is changing.

“Some are upset. Some are happy,” she said. “I’m sure in a year, or so, it’s going to get crazy.”