Let’s start out with Richard Barron’s N&R front-pager on Randolph County officials possibly backing off the the proposed megasite in light of Gov. Pat McCrory’s plan to privatize the Department of Commerce:

The commerce department helped Randolph County initiate the project.

But if it goes private, it’s unclear what that means for Randolph County. Without state support, Randolph County officials are certain they can’t move forward in what is estimated to be a $40 million to $50 million process.

Alan Ferguson, a Greensboro lawyer who lives next to the site and leads the property owners who have said they will never sell, said he’s talked to Randolph County officials who are taking a second look.
“I’ve spoken to public officials who have told me that they do have concerns about the project,” Ferguson said.

Note in the comments that UNCG economics professor Andrew Brod suggests “an enterprising business reporter tackle precisely what the Republicans’ privatization proposal for state-level economic-development activities would mean at the local level.”

Turns out the Winston-Salem Journal’s Richard Craver is that enterprising business reporter. Craver takes a look at the challenges the Piedmont Triad Partnership could face with the shift in focus. Turns out the only thing PTP is sure about is they’re not getting any money from the state the next fiscal year—- which is bad news, at least for them.