Buildings are going up. A 4.53-mile ride and handling course is under construction. A dream seems to be coming true in the heart of Northampton County.

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The North Carolina Center for Automotive Research is slowly taking shape. But that’s the idea — build slowly, independently and permanently.

The automotive product research, testing and development center has become a reality on 620-acres just off Interstate 95.

This past week the Northampton Chamber of Commerce and the Roanoke Valley Chamber of Commerce toured the new facility and received a first-hand briefing from Northampton County Economic Development Director Gary Brown.

Phase one of NCCAR is just under way funded with nearly $18 million in state money and $1.8 million from Northampton County. More will be needed in the future.

Thus far the construction includes a security kiosk, 2.1 miles of the ride and handling track and the two-story, 28,000-square-foot Operations Engineering and Garage Facility, which has six individual garages, two conference rooms and engineering suites.

And even with the trouble in the automotive industry, its backers and builders say with time and hard work, NCCAR could provide the catalyst to bring thousands of jobs to the Roanoke Valley.

They are keeping a careful eye on every development and are cautiously optimistic.

We applaud and support the effort. Northampton County has worked long and hard to make NCCAR a dream.

We believe NCCAR and the hopes Lafayette Gatling brings to The Roanoke Rapids Theatre could be a remarkable boosts to our Valley’s economy.

This won’t happen overnight but with a focused effort, a little luck, a dose of prayer and a community effort, we believe it will happen.