Rapid progress being made on rehab of Whitepath Febtech building

The rehab work has been ongoing and progress has been steady at the Whitepath Fabtech building in Blue Ridge. The multi-layered rehabilitation project on the 36,000-square-foot facility has breathed new life into a building that has been idle for many years.

Mason Tractor has already filled much of the warehouse space with numerous racks of bright orange Kubota machines of various shapes and sizes, ready for assembly. The company has also set up an office in the corner of the facility, where it will oversee inventory for its growing business.

New security fencing, cameras and lighting have been added, surrounding the exterior. Other work on the building, including new flooring, ceilings and bathroom fixtures, is expected to be finished soon. The building, at 118 Industrial Blvd, was built in the 1930s and is less than a mile southwest of the Blue Ridge downtown district.

“We can accommodate at least two businesses in this space,” said Erick Youngberg, director of the Fannin County Development Authority (FCDA), which owns the property. “It is in a great location with excellent access. We have made a lot of progress on the building but, ultimately, we need to replace the entire roof.”

In an effort to make full use of the property, the FCDA has leased parking lot space to UPS.

Recently, two Fannin County Commissioners, Johnny Scearce and Glenn Patterson, visited the project, invited by Youngberg to see the ongoing progress. Both expressed their surprise by the rapid pace of work as well as the long-term potential of the property.

“It has been a long time since I have been in this building,” said Scearce. “It is good to see it back in use. There are lots of businesses that could make use of the office space. And in the future, there are many options for what could be done in the warehouse.”