VALDESE, N.C. — An old hosiery mill built in the early 1900s is being transformed Wednesday night in the town of Valdese.
When it is finished, town leaders hope more than 100 people will work in the building.
Eyewitness News spent the day in Valdese to learn more about the project and the economic impact on other businesses in the area.
Eyewitness News has seen some of the changes made to the old Waldensian Mill in Valdese.
Town leaders said the state hopes to have 100 Departments of Corrections administrative jobs at the site later this year.
The developer let us climb the stairs to the second floor inside the old hosiery mill.
Valdese has negotiated a lease with the department of corrections, which is considering moving three regional offices into the building.
Downstairs Beverly Carlton works at another business in the plant.
Carlton showed the changes already made on the first floor of the old plant.
"This building was gutted. There was nothing in here. It totally looked like a manufacturing plant. Once it was finished this is the result," said Carlton.
Just down the street businesses like this hair salon are excited to hear jobs may be coming back to an area hard hit by the economic downturn four years ago.
"The economy has hit all of us because if you don't have money you're not going to get your hair done as often and they let the feet and nails go so that ought to be good for us too," said Becky Turner from the Totally Clips Family Salon.
When it is finished, town leaders say the Department of Corrections hopes to fill this area of the building with its regional offices and a training center. On their way to work, those state employees will have to drive right past this Valdese service center.
"Maybe that will be mechanical business for us with their vehicles and who knows maybe this little town can really flourish," said Rachel Whisnant of the Valdese Service Center.
When Eyewitness News talked with the mayor this afternoon he told us the town will pay roughly $8,00 to help pave this old lot here.
He said the extra parking is needed for all the jobs coming here.
WSOC
