APPOMATTOX (WSLS 10) - A developer says it may soon have a tenant to fill part of the vacant space in the Thomasville Furniture Factory in Appomattox.
The building was supposed to be the home of the *Lindenburg Corporation* -- a Chinese company that defaulted on a planned 100 million dollar investment there last year.
There's currently 15 thousand square feet of office space not being used, but the new tenant could soon change that.
Town Councilor Steven Conner walked through the halls of the vacant factory Monday that was supposed to have a tenant a year ago.
Now, he says new development plans finally have him hopeful for the future.
"We had a pie in the sky scenario that didn't work out. This is a more real, physical based development," said Conner.
Conner says part of his confidence comes from a company already itching to move in.
"We have a medical interest, which is a primary care group that wants to bring a level of increased care that would do very well in this rural community," said George Aznovarian, with developer Latitude 37 Appomattox, LLC.
If Council approves the Planned Unit Development (PUD) this month, Conner says the future could be bright.
"Once they realize that there's going to be something here and not a pie in the sky then it will bring the other people," said Conner.
Aznovarian says those "other people" could move into the old factory building.
"It has a great, solid core to what we believe could bring back several hundred jobs," said Aznovarian.
Aznovarian and Conner are also hoping for construction of new buildings in the next 10 years and an extension of the entrance road.
"The majority of the retail and residential will all be new buildings. The commercial and industrial will be in the old Thomasville Furniture factory," said Conner.
Conner says the jobs those new companies would bring wouldn't replace Thomasville, but it would certainly be a start.
"The days of industry and 15 hundred jobs in one pop are gone... this is a way for the Town of Appomattox, Appomattox County, Appomattox as a whole to get jobs," said Conner.
People here in Appomattox will get a chance to voice their opinions on the new planned unit development before the town council votes.
That will all happen on September 27th.