ARCHDALE – Several vacant buildings in Archdale that have continued to experience “more activity” since December could be a sign of new jobs to come in 2010, according to a Randolph County economic developer.

Bonnie Renfro, president of the Randolph County Economic Development Corp., told the Archdale City Council last week she is hopeful many of her clients will soon make decisions on whether they will purchase or lease buildings that have been vacant for some time in Archdale. She highlighted several buildings currently on the market in Archdale.

The former Rose Furniture Warehouse, located in the Archdale Industrial Park, has been getting “the greatest share of business and attention,” Renfro said. She said the warehouse is the building the EDC sends prospects to the most “because it meets the specifications that they have identified.”

The former Bryant Electric Building, located on Balfour Drive, also has been receiving activity from clients, Renfro said. She said the building was originally built by Duke Power as a regional office before Bryant Electric used it.

“It would attract an office client rather than an industrial client,” she said.

Renfro also said buildings on Swathmore Avenue, Eden Terrace and Navajo Drive have been receiving traffic. “We have seen as much activity on that building as any building in Randolph County in the last quarter of the year,” Renfro said of the Navajo Drive building.

Renfro said many of the companies looking at Archdale buildings include those in furnishings, plastics manufacturing and companies that do specialized packaging and distribution.

“There are a couple of folks we are still working with that ... I would say have the greatest promise,” she said, noting their decisions could come “sooner than later.”

dignasiak@hpe.com | 888-3657