ROSE HILL, Va. — The shell building in Rose Hill’s Constitutional Oaks Industrial Park has finally been completed, and is ready for an industry to move into it. Local dignitaries and politicians gathered yesterday to celebrate the 30,000 square feet expansion — on top of the already 30,000 sq. ft. building — that was completed to entice bigger industry to the location.

Lee County Board of Supervisors Chairman Carl Bailey introduced a series of speakers who were instrumental in getting the shell building project completed. He said that the economic development of Lee County through the industrial park would go hand-in-hand with the success that the Wilderness Road State Park saw last year.

“We’re here to celebrate a milestone, both in the economic development progress of Lee County and the vision that shepherded this project,” began Rick Richardson, Director of Communications and Promotions for the Virginia Economic Development Partnership.

While spirits were high, Richardson addressed what many were probably thinking.

“Some of you may question an investment of this magnitude in the face of what appears to be a recession of historic proportions,” said Richardson. “We believe however that the Constitutional Oaks shell building will prove opportunistic.”

He said that 70 percent of all the inquiries the Virginia Economic Development Partnership received from corporate prospects are looking for existing buildings. And he said that there are only three shell buildings for sale in Virginia at this time — the next nearest one from Rose Hill being in Pulaski County.

Virginia’s first district delegate Terry Kilgore had a similar outlook.

“This puts us in the game,” said Kilgore, who represents Lee County in the Virginia House of Delegates. “And that’s what it is all about — making sure we have some product out there that we’ll be able to offer prospects that would like to locate in our area.” Kilgore said that, because of the economic downturn, it is more important than ever to get ahead of the competition. Kilgore said he had heard from economic advisors in Richmond, Va. that the economy will likely look up later this year.

Project Manager for the Tennessee Valley Authority Economic Development Tommy Olterman said that the building would be marketed nationally and internationally.

Jonathan Belcher, Executive Director for the Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority, said that the building was built with modern business needs in mind, like the extra high ceiling. But he said everyone would have to be “patient” and the building wouldn’t have “overnight success.”

However, Tim Long, Executive Director for the Lee County Industrial Development Authority — who’s been at the forefront of the shell building project — said that there have been six prospective businesses inquire about the building. “One per week,” said Long. He said that on Tuesday, the Tennessee Valley Authority inquired about the building.

Bailey said that he was excited the building would be marketed worldwide. He cited a study that said approximately 3,500 people leave Lee Co. daily to work in other states, like Kentucky and Tennessee. Bailey, who represents the western end of Lee Co., said that if industry moves into this building, it would keep people working in the county, without them having to drive out-of-state. “This is going to [have] a great impact on this community,” said Bailey.

Stephen Woodward is a Staff Writer for the Daily News. He may be contacted at swoodward@middlesborodailynews.com.