According to economic development staff, the property, formerly known internally as “the old Harper farm,” now insists on being referred to by its full name, Millhaven Advanced Manufacturing Certified Development Campus.
“It used to just be a field,” said Economic Development Director Allison Pierce. “A good field. Plenty of acreage. Nice road frontage. But ever since the certification ceremony, there’s been a change.”
The site received its designation last month following an extensive review of environmental conditions, utilities, transportation access, geotechnical characteristics and other development factors.
Within hours, staff members noticed the property behaving differently.
“It started with the signage,” Pierce said. “We had a basic ‘Industrial Property Available’ sign out there for years. Suddenly that wasn’t good enough.”
The sign has since been replaced by a 14-foot monument featuring brushed aluminum lettering, landscaping and the certification program’s official seal.
Nearby properties have taken notice.
“Ever since it got certified, it barely acknowledges us,” said a 92-acre site located two miles south. “We used to be on the same property flyer.”
The 92-acre site requested anonymity because it currently has no completed wetlands delineation.
Others described similar behavior.
A 54,000-square-foot vacant manufacturing building said the certified site recently refused to appear beside it in a regional property presentation unless the certified property was shown first.
“It said buildings and greenfield sites were really different product categories now,” the building recalled. “We literally shared a brochure last year.”
Economic development officials initially dismissed the tension as normal competition among properties.
But concerns grew after the certified site reportedly began describing itself as “de-risked.”
“That’s pretty much all it talks about now,” said a nearby 140-acre tract. “Utilities confirmed. Environmental completed. Geotech complete. Wetlands identified. We get it.”
The neighboring tract paused.
“I have sewer too.”
According to staff, certification has dramatically altered the site’s social circle.
The property now spends most of its time with engineers, utility representatives and site consultants.
It has also begun following several national location advisory firms on LinkedIn.
Last week, it reportedly unfollowed three residential developers.
Pierce admitted the site has earned some confidence.
“There was a tremendous amount of work involved,” she said. “We completed environmental studies, utility assessments, boundary surveys, archaeological reviews, transportation analysis and soil testing.”
But even she believes the attention may be going to the property’s head.
During a recent prospect visit, the site allegedly asked staff to point out that its due diligence package contained “more than 600 pages.”
“It wanted the consultant to know,” Pierce said.
The consultant had not asked.
The site has also become increasingly particular about photography.
Older aerial images showing hay bales are no longer permitted in marketing materials.
“It says those photos don’t represent where it is professionally anymore,” said Communications Manager Lindsey Shaw.
A new drone shoot is scheduled for next month.
The property has requested sunrise lighting.
Relations with other sites reached a low point Tuesday when staff members overheard the certified property referring to an uncertified tract as “raw land.”
“That hurt,” said the tract, which has been in the community’s property database since 2012. “Technically, yes, I’m raw land. But you don’t have to say it like that.”
The tract later pointed out that the certified site itself was agricultural property until approximately 23 days ago.
The certified site declined to respond directly, instead directing questions to its due diligence portal.
Local officials say they are trying to keep the situation from affecting the broader property portfolio.
“We need every site,” said County Commission Chair Thomas Avery. “Not every prospect needs 187 acres. Not every company needs certification. Different properties serve different projects.”
The certified site reportedly responded by asking whether Avery had seen its utility capacity letter.
Despite the growing tension, other properties acknowledged that certification has brought attention to Millhaven.
Since receiving the designation, the site has appeared in two statewide presentations, three consultant emails and a social media post featuring the phrase “ready for investment.”
“That’s great for everybody,” said the 92-acre property. “I’m happy for it.”
After a brief pause, the property added:
“I just wish it would stop calling itself ‘investment-grade.’”
Officials say the certified site is now being marketed for advanced manufacturing, automotive suppliers, aerospace projects and other large-scale industrial users.
It has also requested that any future site tours include bottled water rather than the cooler previously carried in the back of Pierce’s SUV.
At press time, the certified site was seen overlooking several neighboring properties while quietly updating its LinkedIn headline to Premier Shovel-Ready Industrial Opportunity | Fully Vetted | 187 Acres | Utilities Confirmed.
