Work should begin at the upcoming Kyocera SGS Tech Hub site at the Cyber Park within the next three months, said Danville’s director of economic development.
Telly Tucker told the Danville-Pittsylvania Regional Industrial Facility Authority board Monday that he expects “to see dirt moving” at the site following a due diligence period — for property analysis — that could take up to 90 days.
The RIFA board approved proposed improvements to the site during its meeting Monday at Danville Regional Airport. The approval came with conditions that zoning issues and an entrance that is too close to the road be addressed.
The site is located on Slayton Avenue just above the Regional Center for Advanced Technology & Training. Ten acres of the 70-acre site is earmarked for Kyocera, which gives them space to expand, Tucker said.
Kyocera SGS Tech Hub LLC — which announced in September it was bringing 35 jobs and $9.5 million in investment to the Dan River Region — plans to open its facility in the Cyber Park in early 2018.
The company has been operating its office on the campus of the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research until it opens next year. The company produces solid carbide rotary tools.
Danville and Pittsylvania County — which jointly own the Cyber Park under the Danville-Pittsylvania Regional Industrial Facility Authority — competed against localities in Ohio and South Carolina for the project.
The arrival of Kyocera SGS Tech Hub LLC will include construction of a new 28,000-square-foot facility in the park by 2018. The average annual salary for the positions will be $65,000, Alan Pearce, CEO of Kyocera SGS Tech Hub LLC, said in September.
Kyocera SGS Tech Hub LLC is a subsidiary of Kyocera SGS Precision Tools Inc., which is owned by Kyocera Corp. in Kyoto, Japan. KSPT is known for its solid carbide high-performance end mills, drills, stainless steel medical tools and PVD coatings.
The company supplies Rolls Royce and serves three main markets: aerospace, airplane companies and medical products.
RIFA will give the property to the Industrial Development Authority, which will build the structure and sell it to Kyocera, said RIFA Attorney Michael Guanzon.
Blair Construction Inc. in Gretna will construct the building for $4.5 million.
In another matter, RIFA also voted to assign former city engineer Kent Shelton as project monitor for the phase I grading pads project at the RIFA-owned Berry Hill industrial mega park in southwestern Pittsylvania County.
The cost for Shelton’s services will be covered by an in-kind service contribution by Danville. The hourly rate will be $38 — $23,712 for the duration of the project, plus travel expenses.
Tucker said county and city staff talked with Dewberry — which oversees projects at the park — about the need for a different set of eyes to report back to staff and the city.
“He is the guy for the job,” said Pittsylvania County Economic Development Director Matt Rowe.
Shelton has been retained by the city as an independent contractor for engineering services.
Officials believe grading of a 133-acre site at Berry Hill mega park will be a “game-changer” that will make the 3,500-acre park more competitive, officials said.
The RIFA board voted Feb. 24 to approve a resolution accepting a $3.77 million bid from Haymes Brothers Inc. in Chatham for the project.
Crane reports for the Danville Register & Bee.
John Crane reports for the Danville Register & Bee. Contact him at jcrane@registerbee.com or (434) 791-7987.