Dole Thinks Biotech in Western NC

Dole Foods is floating the idea of using defunct textile mills in western North Carolina to create a biotechnology center, according to news reports.

The company, which had $5 billion in revenues in 2004 and is the largest producer and seller of fruit, vegetables and fresh flowers, has approached N.C. State, UNC, and Duke seeking support for the creation of a facility for biotech research as part of a reworking of former Pillowtex textile mills near Charlotte.

Pillowtex was formerly Cannon Mills, a long-time keystone in the state's textile economy, which went bankrupt in 2003 leaving some 4,000 people jobless.

According to a memo from UNC leaders and disclosed by the Salisbury Post newspaper Saturday, the vision of billionaire David Murdock, who bought Dole and took it private in 2003, is to form a "biopolis" -- a 21st century city -- on the site, according to a memo sent Friday to UNC's board of governors from system President Molly Broad.

The facility would seek a Dole-N.C. State collaboration on fruit and vegetable science, a nutrition institute in collaboration with UNC-Chapel Hill; an analytical lab, a fermentation facility, and a research center directed by Duke, as well as an incubator for startup companies and a science high school for girls, according to a report by the Associated Press.

It is clear that Dole will not be able to foot the entire bill for this, and neither will the universities. And, since the biotech center of North Carolina is some three hours east in the Research Triangle area, it is questionable whether this concept can take root.

However, with nearby Charlotte -- with its skyline of massive towers -- revitalized as a banking center, there is potential for investment capital.