regional roundup

closing. Representatives from Haywood Community College, Southwestern Commission, and Land of Sky workforce development will be on hand to provide information about available resources and steps to be taken to implement the North Carolina Department of Commerce Rapid Response/Support for Workers Program. David Francis, Community & Economic Development Director stated “the unfortunate closure of Evergreen has left all us a little shaken and 1,100 employees devastated, but there is a team of dedicated folks at every level of government, community colleges, and chambers of commerce to help the employees of Evergreen to get back on their feet. In the coming days and weeks, this group will be able to assist, educate and to help find employment for the employees of Evergreen.”

Source: Haywood County Administration

Henderson County Manufacturing Company Brings Jobs, Investment to Fletcher

FLETCHER - Global RFID inlays and tags manufacturer, Tageos, will create 64 new jobs in Henderson County, Governor Roy Cooper announced. The company will invest $19.25 million to establish its North American headquarters in the Town of Fletcher. Headquartered in Montpellier, France, Tageos is an innovative designer and manufacturer of high-tech RFID, or radio-frequency identification, inlays and tags. The tech company has an extensive product portfolio that enables its customers to identify, authenticate, track and trace, and complement their offerings in a wide range of applications. With a strong commitment to sustainable practices and operations, Tageos’ expansion to the United States will include a 50,000-square-foot manufacturing and distribution center that will produce up to five billion units annually for various applications.

Source: Governor Roy Cooper at NC.gov

Jackson County

Local Business Receives Grant for Improvements

DILLSBORO - The NC Rural Infrastructure Authority authorized an $80,000 grant under the state’s Economic Infrastructure program that will support the completion of water system improvements to provide enhanced fire protection water flow and pressure to serve The Jarrett House/ Mount Beulah Hotel, an adjoining restaurant, and the Town of Dillsboro. The company plans to create eight jobs with an investment of $966,370.

Source: NC Department of Commerce

Polk County

Food Truck Takes Over Kitchen at Local Vineyard

MILL SPRING - Relish Food Truck has taken over the kitchen at Parker Binns Vineyard. After years of serving their customers out of a food truck at Lake Lure, the owners, Eric and Schorr Taylor, have outgrown the small space. With a degree from Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts, Eric Taylor creates a food menu including unique twists on traditional menu items like curried shrimp ceviche tacos. Now at Parker Binns Winery, they offer a menu combining simple ingredients for a unique culinary experience as well as a snack menu including classics like a charcuterie board and a white-wine gouda cheese tub to pair with the wines offered at the vineyard.

Rutherford County

New Initiative Offers Opportunities for Residents, Visitors

RUTHERFORDTON - Since breaking ground on the Forest City Data Center in 2010, Meta has invested in projects and partnerships that support the long-term vitality of our community. Alongside our friends at the Town of Forest City and Rutherford BARN, Forest

City Data Center marks the launch of a new initiative: Park Square Depot. Park Square Depot was developed as a multipurpose space, offering a year-round variety of recreational and educational opportunities to residents and visitors alike. It will also serve as the new home for the Rutherford County Farmers Market and feature increased space for local small businesses and a commercial-grade community kitchen for demonstrations and trainings.

Source: Forest City Data Center

Rutherford County Isothermal Community College Breaks Ground on New Facility

SPINDALE - Officials broke ground on a new 13,068-square-foot covered instructional riding arena which will be part of the Isothermal Agribusiness Center on Oakland Road. It will support the college’s Animal-Assisted Interactions program, which teaches students how to use horses and other animals to provide therapy for people including veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder and those with developmental disabilities.

Source: Isothermal Community College

Watauga County Partnership Improves Electronic Services for Retail Industry

BOONE - United Natural Foods, Inc. and ECRS, a Certified Evergreen™ transaction and retail solutions provider, announced an agreement allowing ECRS to assist new and existing CATAPULT® retail users in taking advantage of the UNFI Professional Services suite from digital coupons and third-party delivery services to more affordable electronic payments. The agreement provides for a direct and formal working relationship and empowers UNFI field associates through ECRS retail automation technology training.

Source: ECRS

Investment Platform Connects Local Communities to Investors

Invest Appalachia, a regional social investment platform, has secured $19 million of new investment in the first close of the Invest Appalachia Fund. The IA Fund will provide capital to community economic development projects including small businesses, real estate, housing, nonprofit enterprises, and community infrastructure. This launch follows six years of collaborative stakeholder design and creates new community controlled resources and permanent infrastructure for Central Appalachia. In an underinvested region with a history of economic exploitation, IA is connecting local communities to national investors through a cutting-edge impact investment model.

Source: Invest Appalachia

Accessible Appalachia Wins Grant to Promote Economic Diversity

Galvanized by the belief that the beauty and richness of Appalachian wilderness should be accessible to all, a network of regional leaders has launched a new social media campaign aimed at building awareness of highly accessible outdoor destinations for people with disabilities. The initiative was born as a result of the team’s participation last year in the Appalachian Regional Commission’s Leadership Institute. The cohort of 10 regional leaders and activists was challenged to create an actionable plan to promote regional economic diversity and help their communities thrive. The grassroots group competed for and won a small grant from the Howard H. Baker Center for Public Policy, a partner in the ARC Leadership Institute, to fuel the Accessible Appalachia project.

Source: Accessible Appalachia

Foothills Regional Commission Requests Feedback Before Updating 5-Year Economic Development Plan

Foothills Regional Commission is the lead organization designated by the U.S. Economic Development Administration to facilitate economic development planning and assistance in Cleveland , McDowell , Polk , and Rutherford Counties and their municipalities. The key planning tool used in this effort is the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy, and 2023 marks the time to update this five-year economic development plan for the region. The Foothills Regional Commission is requesting participation in the development of the 2023 CEDS report. The Commission encourages feedback and insight about the region by participating in this 10-minute survey. The CEDS survey will remain open until April 30th, 2023.

Source: Polk County Local Government