Business is about to pick up.

Within the next year, between 550 and 750 construction workers are expected to begin construction at three large business locations in Hertford County.

Hertford County Economic Development Director Bill Early said on Friday that the influx of workers would mean a big economy boost for many in the area.

&uot;All local businesses would potentially benefit from all the construction workers coming in.

They will be buying goods and using services, eating here and trying to find somewhere here or close by here to stay while they work,&uot; Early stated.

He added, &uot;Hotels and restaurants in particular are likely to have a big boost as a result of this.

There’s lots of good stuff happening in Hertford County right now.&uot;

Nucor, the nation’s largest steel producer, announced at the end of July that they would be expanding the Hertford County site to include a plate heat-treating facility, the first of its kind for the corporation.

The $110 million expansion, once completed, will bring about 30 permanent jobs at that location, in addition to the estimated 400 workers currently employed at Nucor – Hertford County.

Nucor COO John Ferriola told the Roanoke-Chowan News-Herald in a phone interview that Nucor would be training some employees at the current Hertford County site how to operate the equipment at the new facility.

Also on the horizon in Hertford County is the proposed expansion to Rivers Correctional Institute, which should add 200 additional permanent jobs after construction completion.

Another company, Decker Energy International, announced in March that it would be building a biomass conversion plant in Hertford County, initially employing 25-30 people.

According to Early, all three are scheduled to begin construction within the next 12 months, with construction periods ranging between 12 and 24 months.

During the construction period, Early says the area will experience an economy boom.

&uot;That’s a lot of people who will be coming here.

We need to be prepared for what is going to happen in the next 12 months so we can be ready,&uot; he stated.