SMITHFIELD - Despite some opposition from neighbors, the Town Council rezoned two pieces of land last week, paving the way for them to become industrial sites.

Smithfield and Selma are working together to get three empty tracts recognized by the N.C. Department of Commerce as certified industrial sites. The designation would make the sites attractive to companies looking to expand and could bring jobs to the area.

"It's an opportunity to do some things that would make our area more attractive," said Chris Johnson, head of the Downtown Smithfield Development Corp. and an organizer of the effort.

Two of the sites are in Smithfield's planning jurisdiction. One is at the southeast corner of U.S. 70 and Buffalo Road. The other is at the corner of Brogden Road and Old Dupree Road, just east of Interstate 95.

Both sites border residential areas, but only the Brogden Road rezoning drew opposition from neighbors.

Barney Guin lives on Old Dupree Road across from the site, and he told councilmen he opposed rezoning because he was worried about the effect on his property value.

He added that an industry would make his neighborhood more urban. "We'll all get squeezed into the city even though we don't want to," Guin said. "I can't start over again, and I can't afford no more taxes."

The planning board sided with Guin and his neighbors and advised against rezoning. But Johnson said that was because no one was at the board meeting to speak in favor of the project.

Town Manager Eric Williams said the certification process would benefit neighboring property owners. Tests of soil and other aspects of the land will give neighbors useful information, he said. If the state doesn't certify the sites, they'll revert to residential zoning.

Smithfield and Selma are splitting the $35,000 cost of certifying the sites. The third site under consideration is next to the Sysco distribution center in Selma.

The sites were chosen because they're near major highways and have access to water, sewer and other infrastructure.

Johnson, the downtown group leader, said he's optimistic that the three sites will be certified. "I see no reason why it shouldn't be certified," he said. "Having a large piece of property that close to the interstate is very attractive to development."