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Union County, NC — On March 31, 2026, the CPL team joined local officials, economic development leaders, and community stakeholders to celebrate the anticipated groundbreaking of the Union County Food Innovation Hub, a transformative initiative designed to support the county’s unique blend of agricultural heritage and growing urban-suburban economy.

The project represents a collaborative effort between Union County, Wingate University, the Town of Wingate, the N.C. Cooperative Extension’s Union County Center and other local partners, all united by a shared mission to foster innovation, entrepreneurship, and sustainable food systems across the region.


A rendering of a modern facility with open spaces and flexible community areas. Agricultural fields and nearby townscape hint at the balance of urban and rural character.

Planned on a site that bridges Union County’s agricultural roots with its expanding suburban landscape, the new Hub will provide state-of-the-art facilities for food production, testing, and innovation. Designed by CPL’s Community & Culture Practice team, the Hub will include collaborative workspace for startups and established agri-businesses, classrooms and labs for educational programming, flexible event spaces for community engagement, and demonstration kitchens that showcase sustainable practices.

The facility will also host workshops, public programs, and special events, strengthening connections between urban and rural communities while advancing the region’s agricultural economy.


This Food Innovation Center is an exciting endeavor as a first of its kind project,” said CPL Community & Culture National Practice Leader, Rachel Nilson, “Bringing together the rich agricultural community in Union County, supporting small and growing businesses, and spurring future food innovation. It’s been incredibly rewarding to work with the many community, economic, governmental, and university partners involved in this project and bring their vision to life.”

Providing Architectural and Interior Design services CPL is working in partnership with Edifice, Vision Builders, Timmons Group, and local stakeholders to deliver a facility that balances functionality, sustainability, and community impact.

Construction is expected to be completed in the summer of 2027.

About the Author: CPL

Founded in 1975, CPL is a 500+ person multi-disciplined architecture, engineering and planning firm offering inspiring design services and enriching communities in 25 cities across 8 states. CPL specializes in the Community, Healthcare, Higher Education, Infrastructure, K-12 Education and Placemaking market sectors – providing architectural, interior design, civil engineering, buildings and structural engineering, planning, landscape architecture and 3D/virtual design services to a host of public and private clients.