The Richmond County Board of Adjustments approved Vulcan Materials Company’s plan to develop the North Site Extension at its Rockingham Quarry by a 7-0 vote on Tuesday. The project will bring an additional $100 million investment to Richmond County over the next several decades.
“The North Site Extension will enable us to continue to invest in the County, support the existing workforce and create up to 10 new full-time annual construction jobs,” said Matthew Medlin, the Rockingham Quarry Plant Manager.
For more than 50 years, Rockingham Quarry has served as an important economic engine for Richmond County, currently paying more than $5.1 million in annual wages and benefits and supporting additional local jobs. Vulcan has spent more than $3.15 million with businesses and organizations in the county since 2014.
In January 2020, Vulcan started a dialogue with community leaders about future plans for Rockingham Quarry, including the North Site Extension. Last September, Richmond County rezoned the 218-acre property as part of a county-wide initiative. In November, Vulcan shared conceptual plans with neighbors and the public, then completed and submitted its application with the County in December.
The approved Special Use Permit outlines the details and requirements for the eventual use of the property, which will require additional state permitting. Today the company anticipates mining activity would likely begin on the North Site Extension no sooner than two to four years from now.
Vulcan will continue to meet or exceed state and federal environmental, safety and public health requirements and regulations, which safeguard its employees, neighbors, the community and environment. In addition to these long-standing commitments and regulatory requirements, the company has agreed to set aside additional buffer area, extend seismic monitoring of the site and outfit mobile equipment with low-sound safety back-up alarms.
“We remain committed to conducting business in a way that is mutually responsive to the community, our operations and the County,” Medlin said. “We encourage anyone interested in learning more about Rockingham Quarry to visit VulcanRockinghamQuarry.com or call our community line at (980) 296-1919 to sign up to receive future updates.”
Since 1969, Rockingham Quarry has produced construction aggregates that help grow and sustain the community while forming the building blocks for the region’s roads, bridges, homes, hospitals, schools, office buildings and places of worship. The Rockingham Quarry, which currently employs 70 workers, is one of 22 facilities Vulcan operates in North Carolina.