The Hollingsworth Companies Industrial Market Insights: Q3 2025

Momentum is building across our SouthPoint industrial parks, with this quarter marked by new lease activity and multiple developments breaking ground.

In Mocksville, NC, both of our new single-tenant industrial buildings are fully leased. The two recent lease transactions further validate the strength of demand for Class A space in the SouthPoint North Carolina Business Park. These commitments reflect the continued appeal of well-located, high-quality space for manufacturing and distribution in this region.

In Cookeville, TN, we have two brand-new Class A industrial buildings (152K SF and 228K SF) now available in the Highlands Business Park. Located on I-40 between Nashville and Knoxville, Cookeville is home to Tennessee Tech, one of the state’s premier engineering and technical universities. The university is a workforce engine, with specialized programs in mechatronics, robotics, and advanced manufacturing. Tennessee Tech supports employers through tailored workforce development partnerships, industrial research collaboration, and hands-on training for in-demand skills. Companies locating in Cookeville gain direct access to this talent pipeline and benefit from a community that understands and supports industrial growth. Combined with the area’s strong infrastructure, ample power in the park with a nearby substation, and competitive market cost advantages for operations, Cookeville stands out as a strategic destination for manufacturers and growing companies needing move-in-ready industrial space.

Looking at the broader market, speculative construction starts across the Southeast have slowed, and absorption is catching up. Vacancy in Richmond, Virginia, stands at 3.5% (CBRE), Columbia, South Carolina holds at 5.7% (Colliers), and national absorption could hit 156M SF this year (NAIOP). Overall, the market is signaling toward a tighter, more competitive second half of 2025.

If your company is planning for growth in 2025 or 2026, now is the time to evaluate strategic locations. We’d love to connect.

“Joe Hollingsworth participated as one of our first equity investors. In addition, Joe Hollingsworth has served as a board member and leading advisor for strategic planning and direction.” — Scott Kelley, President and CEO, Service Center Metals