Union County is moving forward with constructing an exciting new facility aimed at boosting the local agricultural economy and expanding opportunities for local entrepreneurs. The Union County Food Innovation Center, formerly known as the Building Agricultural Resources and Nutrition project or "BARN," will serve as a hub for food production, distribution and business development. County leaders celebrated the groundbreaking for the facility with community partners and stakeholders on March 31, 2026.

Planned to be a 25,000-square-foot facility, the center on Julia May Baker Road in Wingate is expected to take approximately 18 months to complete and will be used for commercial development of new food products and commercial catering only. The official opening is expected in the summer of 2027. Once completed, it will provide a commercial kitchen and professional workspace for licensed businesses and entrepreneurs who are not yet positioned to invest in a brick-and-mortar facility. County officials describe the project as a one-of-a-kind initiative that sets Union County apart.

"The Board of County Commissioners has supported this project from the start," said Chairman Brian Helms. "By combining agricultural resources with economic development strategies, we are confident this center will create long-term benefits for our small businesses and consumers."

This new center is a result of coordinated partnerships with Wingate University, the Town of Wingate and N.C. Cooperative Extension - Union County Center. "These collaborative partnerships have been essential in bringing the vision to life and ensuring that the project will be sustainable," said Deputy County Manager Patrick Niland.

N.C. Cooperative Extension will regularly use the new center to support local farmers and food producers.

"The Food Innovation Center represents the continued growth, development, and evolution of agriculture in Union County," said Andrew Baucom, Director of N.C. Cooperative Extension - Union County Center. "This new facility will be the first of its kind in North Carolina, a space that provides access and opportunity for both the agricultural producer and the business entrepreneur."

It is anticipated that the Center will enhance food distribution networks and also serve as a catalyst for innovation and job creation. As construction progresses, the Union County Food Innovation Center is expected to become a highlight of the county's agricultural landscape.

View images from the groundbreaking: