Paul Jordan

Assists with environmental concerns for site selection, permitting, and industrial operations. Provides permitting information and assistance, compliance assistance, and general assistance on all environmental issues and concerns.

N.C. Department of Commerce Environmental Consultant Paul Jordan is a native of Roanoke, Va. After graduating from Virginia Tech with a degree in engineering, Jordan came to North Carolina to work for the N.C. Department of Transportation and spent most of his time in highway and bridge construction in Thomasville. He later was transferred to Raleigh to work in bridge design and maintenance. Because of this experience, Jordan was hired by ElectriCities to represent the N.C. Eastern Power Agency in the construction and operations of coal and nuclear power plants in which they had an ownership interest. Part of these responsibilities was the disposal of coal and nuclear waste. This experience led to Jordan's employment as a staff engineer for the N.C. Low Level Radioactive Waste Management Authority, and then as director of engineering for the Hazardous Waste Management Commission. Jordan's responsibilities included selection of a suitable site, selection of the technology and oversight of the facility design.

"In 1990 when the project ended, the Business/Industry Development Division in the Department of Commerce saw my extensive knowledge of industrial sites and working relationships with all levels of DENR as an asset and asked me to help recruit industries. I've been here ever since," explained Jordan.

As a non-regulatory link to the environmental regulations, Jordan's position is unique. Because of his past experiences, he can help companies, industrial developers, site selection consultants, and real estate brokers with selection of a suitable site, not only considering environmental factors, but also construction related factors and demographic issues.

"I also assist companies with environmental permitting questions, concerns and issues, both for companies wishing to locate in North Carolina and those that are already here. In addition, I also assist the Commerce Finance Center with meeting the environmental review requirements of the rules governing our incentive programs. Consequently, I am involved in almost every single project that considers North Carolina, both large and small," said Jordan.

The engineer in Jordan enjoys working with his hands during his free time. "I've always been around construction and built, as well as flipped, houses as a sideline at one time. Consequently, much of my free time is spent remodeling my house. I can honestly say that I have something in common with Thomas Jefferson, because his house was never finished either," explained Jordan.

"However, my compassion is for old cars, and I restore them in my shop, which was also one of my remodeling projects. Finally, when the frustrations of these activities and life in general become too much to bear, you will find me on some country back road on my motorcycle," said Jordan.