N&R reports the N.C. Railroad Co. has agreed to buy 875 acres in Randolph County that could “virtually wrap up the land-buying phase” of the Greensboro-Randolph megasite:

The railroad said Tuesday that it will spend about $13 million to buy the land within the 1,450-acre site in Randolph County to help complete what local and regional leaders believe is the Triad’s best shot at landing a car manufacturer or other advanced industry.

Until Tuesday, Randolph County was the only owner of land designated for the megasite. Most of the remaining property was controlled by an organization called the Greensboro-Randolph Megasite Foundation, which had options to purchase that could expire.

This is enough for former Gboro Mayor and president of the Greensboro-Randolph Megasite Foundation Jim Melvin to proclaim the announcement to be “a big victory day for us” and the megasite’s “gonna happen.” Still a lot of moving parts, though.