9 minute read
Municipalities introduction
Population: 4,434 Incorporated: 1889
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Mayor: Charles Seaford
China Grove's downtown farmers market is held on the grounds of what may be the town’s bestknown landmark, the historic China Grove Roller Mill which draws visitors from around the area. Now operated by the Historical Society of South Rowan as a museum, the mill used to grind corn and wheat into meal and flour. 333 North Main Street
The annual July 4 parade and fireworks cap a celebration that stretches over several days. It’s the largest Independence Day celebration in North Carolina and always draws crowds. 100 North Main Street Faith, NC 28041 (704) 279-7500
The town turns out for annual celebrations in autumn (Heritage Day in October) and winter (the Cleveland Christmas Parade). 302 East Main Street Cleveland, NC 27013 (704) 278-4777 www.clevelandnc.org Population: 2,984 Incorporated: 1901
Mayor: Brittany Barnhardt
Granite Quarry’s best-known landmark the Old Stone House, built in 1766 was restored in the 20th century and now maintained as a museum, it’s the oldest structure in Rowan County. 143 North Salisbury Avenue
Landis is also unique in the 21st century energy economy: it has owned and operated its own electrical system since 1917. The town supplies power to residents and businesses in town and around southern Rowan County. 312 South Main Street Landis, NC 28088 (704) 857-2411 www.townoflandis.com
Rockwell’s featured attractions include the Historic Rockwell Museum, now in its 16th year. Housed in the town’s historic Post O ice building, the museum collection was donated and is curated by local citizens. 202 East Main Street Rockwell, NC 28138 (704) 279-2180 www.rockwellnc.gov Population: 35,540 Incorporated: 1753
Mayor: Karen Alexander
Salisbury boasts a growing arts community, four colleges and a diverse group of business professionals. Visitors enjoy touring historic destinations, beautiful homes and a wide range of businesses in a flourishing downtown. 217 South Main Street, Salisbury, NC 28144 (704) 638-5270 www.salisburync.gov
Population: 3,308 Incorporated: 1905
Mayor: Jonathan D. Williams
We are Rowan’s Original Gateway and have a long history of moving people and commerce through the region via the Yadkin River, railways, and highways. We’re ideally situated in the Piedmont, less than one hour to the Charlotte and Triad metros, about two hours to the Appalachian mountains and the Triangle, and four hours to the Carolina coast. 460 South SalisburyAvenue Spencer, NC 28159 (704) 633-2231 www.ci.spencer.nc.us
The Town of East Spencer is a family oriented community that is filled with a history of the Southern Railway. Its original name was “Southern City” because of the significance of railway in the creation and development of the town. 105 South Long Street East Spencer, NC 28039 (704) 636-7111 www.townofeastspencer.org
A community that welcomes new people, new ideas and new businesses. A place where there is a balance between work, family, and social living. 401 Laureate Way Kannapolis, NC 28081 (704) 920-4300 www.kannapolisnc.gov
Move your business forward in the Town of Spencer
Find out more at spencernc.gov or call 704-633-2231. 460 S Salisbury Avenue, Spencer, NC 28159
Talent Attraction Plan Launched
By Brad Dountz
Rowan County has much to o er to those who come here for work or a nice vacation. The county has gone out of its way to make sure people are aware of all the positive things in the community. It also succeeds in getting employees to come to Rowan County for work by collaborating with businesses here to see how the worker population can continue to grow. "We're working really hard on this talent attraction program with the Rowan Economic Development Council and linking up all the employers with the available jobs they have, so somebody can really see all the amenities of the community, but then actually see 'OK, whose got jobs available?' and if they have that skillset and can kind of plug in there," Elaine Spalding, President of the Rowan County Chamber of Commerce, said.
Spalding says the Chamber and the Rowan EDC broadly targets young professionals under 40 and "boomerangs" or people who used to live in the area and have now returned. The more specific demographics they
see Launched, pg. 35
The Hall House as it is known is located at 226 South Jackson Street, Salisbury, NC. The Dr. Josephus House was built in 1820 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. PHOTO PROVIDED BY ROWAN COUNTY TOURISM
Another great family desitination is Patterson Farm Market & Tours, Inc.. Located at 10390 Caldwell Rd., Mount Ulla, NC 28125, o ers pick-your-own strawberries and pumpkins, educational field trips, seasonal events, a petting zoo and more. PHOTO PROVIDED BY ROWAN COUNTY TOURISM
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704-210-8138
from Launched, pg. 33
look for is people with manufacturing expertise, logistics experts, and military experience due to the VA hospital located in Salisbury.
Rowan County is also committed to training people for the jobs that become available. For more information on the Talent Attraction Plan, please visit: https://yourrowan.com/ talent-attraction-hub/
"We're working with the K-12 schools on their career and technical education programs. We're working with RCCC and Catawba and Livingstone on all of the di erent programs that we can to make sure folks who want to work, but may need a little bit more skillset get that," Spalding said.
Most importantly, the county is working directly with busi-
Launched, cont'd to pg. 36
nesses to see what can be done to keep employees working for them. They recently hosted a Disney institute program where the best practices from several Fortune 500 companies were shared with employers, HR professionals, and business owners "to retain your best and brightest employees and then how to attract the right fit people for your company," according to Spalding.
Spalding believes business owners need to adapt better with the times when hiring employees. "Maybe changing some of their policies if they're really going to attract young professionals. You can't say no tattoos, no piercings. You need to be accepting of a very diverse population and you need to change maybe some of your corporate culture to be more accepting of very diverse population," Spalding said. "Everybody's having to change and I know a lot of times people don't like change in particular. We've got a lot of businesses that I have been around for 100 years."
Rod Crider, President and CEO of the Rowan Economic Development Council, thinks that COVID made people think over what they wanted to do for living and Rowan County has made sure to adapt to these employment changes. "We saw a record number of people of new businesses being formed during that time. I think that communities are going to have to stay focused on that and assisting people who want to start their own business who want to be entrepreneurs and providing structure and resources and assets for them to use to assist them in their ability to run a successful business," Crider said. ✦
The North Carolina Transportation Museum in Spencer, N.C. PHOTO PROVIDED BY JON C. LAKEY OF SALISBURY POST
Happy New 1810 W Innes St, Salisbury 704.633.7115 | www.windsorgalleryjewelers.com
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Imperial Walk-in Coolers was started in Portland in 1970 by Al Zell to serve the commercial refrigeration industry by manufacturing the insulated panels used to build walk-in coolers and freezers. In 2012, Imperial Manufacturing of Portland, OR, acquired W.A. Brown & Son of Salisbury, NC, a 100-year-old walk-in cooler manufacturer, to form Imperial Brown. In a four-year period, the North Carolina plant grew from 40 employees to 130, with a $15 million increase in revenue. 209 Long Meadow Dr, Salisbury, NC 28147 imperialbrown.com • (704) 636-5131
