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NORTHERN VIRGINIA DAILY Article date: December 06, 2000 EDA looks at materials for Avtex redevelopment "Now we’re ready to go into what I’d call mass production." Angus Macdonald vice president of system design and development for Am-cor.com By Ashley May A fledgling manufacturer of prefabricated steel and cement construction materials gave such an assuring presentation Friday to the Front Royal-Warren County Economic Development Authority that members began to ponder if the materials would be suitable for the redevelopment of the Avtex Superfund site. Angus Macdonald, vice president of system design and development for Am-cor.com, showed the board a building block of steel mesh, coated with specially prepared cement, a material that Macdonald says is hurricane, flood, fire and earthquake resistant, rustproof, nontoxic and environmentally friendly. Because it uses less steel but a higher ratio of surface contact area of steel to cement, his patented material is also stronger, lighter and lasts longer that any traditional building material, he says. Macdonald hopes to relocated his growing business to the Virginia Inland Port near Front Royal, and expand his business, which already markets his product overseas, he said. "Now we’re ready to go into what I’d call mass production,"he said. Impressed, the board members encouraged Macdonald to continue with his proposal, the first step of which was passed on Wednesday night when the Warren County Planning Commission voted to approve the advertisement of a public hearing for a zoning amendment. According to county Administrator Douglas P. Stanley, the county requires that the company seek an amendment to the county’s industrial zoning ordinance to include the "manufacture, production, fabrication, processing, assembling, testing, packing, storing and distribution of construction materials." Macdonald said that Am-cor hopes to relocate to the Inland Port facility in March to take advantage of foreign trading opportunities and a relatively traffic-free area. The proposed 21,600 square foot facility would be built out of the steel and cement material and is planned as "the flagship for future national and international Am-cor.com Franchise Operations while being the headquarters for the corporate staff," a letter by Am-cor President Donald A. Stevens says. Am-cor hopes to share railroad access with Roanoke Cement, which probably will become a supplier, Macdonald said. EDA Executive Director Stephen A. Heavener said that "synergies" could develop if the relocation becomes reality that could provide "green" materials for the redevelopment of the Avtex site. A public hearing will be held on the zoning amendment Jan. 10, a requirement before the board can vote on the change and include it in the county ordinance, Stanley said. Also at Friday’s EDA meeting:
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