For approximately two decades it has sat as a silent reminder of better times from the past. Today the Industrial Development Authority of Halifax County (IDA) takes steps to make it a beacon for the future.

The former Daystrom Furniture Plant on Greens Folly Road began operation in the 1960’s and in its heyday employed over 1,000 workers cranking out chrome plated furniture for the world. At a small “launching” ceremony a group of officials from around the county gathered to christen the relic as the Green View Advanced Manufacturing Center.

“It is our hope that today we begin a new chapter for Halifax County, looking forward to bringing manufacturing jobs back to this area that has such a strong tradition of manufacturing. It is exciting to think of this building coming back to life and seeing people going to work here every day,” said IDA Executive Director Mike Sexton.

Green View Advanced Manufacturing Center sits on approximately 34 acres and is serviced by all utilities and is serviced by rail according to IDA Development Director Patsy Vaughan. The site contains four buildings that have about 430,000 square feet with the largest containing about 320,000 square feet. “Building 1 is ideally constructed to develop as a launching pad for small to mid-sized manufacturing operations. We hope that we can place manufacturers in the building and as they grow, spin them out to stand alone locations elsewhere in the County,” Vaughan said.

The building is currently being prepared for tenants by local firms J.E. Burton Construction and McDannald Construction. According to Vaughan, when the work is complete, the IDA will have “vanilla boxes” much like those in a shopping center, which will be marketed to prospective clients. The new tenants will have a blank canvas with a new, more energy efficient roof in which they can design and up-fit their new manufacturing space. Vaughan stated that the remaining buildings are more suitable for warehousing/distribution operations.

The work is being funded by a grant from the Virginia Tobacco Commission and the Halifax County Board of Supervisors.