August 2021 Activity Report

August Activity Report 2021 Program Focus Areas Existing Business Activity ̴ Business Recruitment ̴ Real Estate Development Project

Averages Project Averages Active and Missed

Project Activity Stats Active Projects

Projects Added

38 Missed Projects Over Last 12 Months

63 JOBS

JOBS 207

54

SQUARE FEET

1

24

Site Visits

0

2 Projects Moved to Inactive | 3 Announced Projects 3 Missed Opportunities (1 Active for 5 Months) Due to lack of: Available Buildings, Workforce and Housing

New

Missed Project Opportunities 12 Month Project Type and Main Reason for Missing

THOUSAND SQUARE FEET 181

16.5 ACRES

ACRES 50

$4.3

Projects by Location

INVESTMENT

MILLION INVESTMENT $88.3M

Projects by Source

Projects by Type

August 2021

Retention & Expansion

Existing Business Current and YTD Total

6

Activity Since July 1, 2021

UNIQUE VISITS

22

4

FOLLOW UP VISITS

4 Total Visits YTD: 26

Program Stats

9

PARTNER MEETINGS

15

2

REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT

Three New Projects Announced in Wilkes at Annual Meeting On Friday August 20, 2021 the EDC hosted its Annual Meeting Luncheon at the Stone Family Center for the Performing Arts in North Wilkesboro. At that meeting the EDC Team announced 3 separate projects in our county, for both new and existing businesses. These 3 Projects make for a $1.7 Million Investment, and the creation or retention of 54 Total Jobs.

Rossman Apiaries, expanded into a building that provides larger warehouse space to increase their inventory. Rossman relocated from 318 Ninth Street to 102 Chestnut Street, Suite 103 in North Wilkesboro.

Owned by Candy Treadway, offers an array of beekeeping supplies to local enthusiast and out of state clients.

The Block, a family fun center is opening soon in North Wilkesboro offering a trampoline park, ninja warrior course, roller skating rink, birthday party rooms concession area, and later a glow-in-the-dark putt-putt course. Located at 101 Sixth Street, formerly known as Town Square, The Block is owned by Mick and Aynsley Zulpo who hope to appeal to both local families and those from surrounding areas by fulfilling an important need amenity that improves quality of life.

Shamron Manufacturing , a Troy, NY based medical garment sewing operation, acquired Wilkesboro based Hinson & Hale Technologies’ building, assets and workforce talent. Owner Ronnye Shamam has worked closely with Hinson & Hale since 2015, making for a seamless transition that secure the future of our workforce.

Read More About Announced Projects in the 2020-21 Annual Report.

July Unemployment Rate

4.5%

Down from 4.9% in June

Regional July Rate is 4.1%. State July Rate is 4.4%.

10

25 SOLUTIONS PROVIDED

50

July Unemployment Rate

Retention

August 2021

& Expansion

Wilkes EDC Releases 2020-21 Annual Report A year of immense local growth, project activity and business expansion in Wilkes County provided for a very impressive and in-depth Annual Report from the Wilkes Economic Development Corporation. Board Chairman, Brett Cothren’s opening letter sets the stage for listing the diligent efforts of the EDC to support citizens and companies in our county. “We had 7 Projects Announced consisting of 172 jobs and $18 million investment for our county, awarded a total of 105 business recovery grants along with 17 marketing grants for our local businesses affected by COVID-19, in partnership with local Realtors, funded a much needed housing study for our county, awarded 8 entrepreneurial grants from our annual (program), and secured a $1.5 million Golden LEAF grant and $1.5 million match from Wilkes County for our planned Wilkes Commercial Business Center in our LEAPForward initiative just to name a few.” Cothren goes on to detail a surge in building permits despite the pandemic, the proposed updates to the North Wilkesboro Speedway and thanks the EDC Staff and Board Members for their continuing commitment to growth in Wilkes.

The report starts off with listing detailed Project Activity for July 2020- June 2021 for both Announced Projects and Missed Opportunities. Each project announcement is listed in detail and includes the total number of Jobs and Investment for all 7 Projects. The 2021 Entrepreneurial Grant Program winners are also listed in the report, as well as their plans for using the funding. Final statistics for the COVID-19 Recovery Program are included, as well as EDC-led Marketing Initiatives. Notable Activity, Local and State Businesses Statistics, Area Growth and Outdoor Economy are all covered in the 20-page report. The 2020-21 Annual Report is available in print, as well as in an interactive flipbook on the EDC website. A video of this year’s Annual Meeting is also online for anyone who was unable to attend, but would like to view.

July Unemployment Rate

Wilkes EDC welcomes you to be part of our mission by engaging in conversation with us, attending our monthly meetings or share our information online with other businesses. Contact our office today for more information.

Retention

August 2021

& Expansion

WilCoNGE Networking Meetings Resume The mission of Wilkes County Next Generations Entrepreneurs is to help spark growth and creative business ideas in the county. The group meets to bring together forward thinkers, entrepreneurs, valuable resources, and also people within the community who are curious and want to listen to the ideas shared.

WilCoNGE meetings are held on the last Wednesday of each month from 5pm7pm. Meetings are hosted by TwoBoros Brewery in Wilkesboro and open to everyone.

To get involved, follow the group on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/WilCoNextGenEntrepreneurs .

Website viewers can access a variety of business tools and resources, as well as watch video interviews of local entrepreneurs who have successfully launched or expanded a business in Wilkes County.

JELD-WEN Growth Featured in Business NC Magazine JELD-WEN Holdings, Inc continues to leave its mark in the business world of North Carolina. In an article of Business NC magazine readers learn about the Charlotte-based company’s continued success. “The company now has more than 540 NC employees, including about 330 at the Charlotte headquarters and more than 210 at a door plant in North Wilkesboro. In addition to the new Statesville plant, it plans to add up to 20 jobs in North Wilkesboro by next summer.” Spokesman Joe LaMuraglia says, “We’re committed to this state, and we’re committed to being a good corporate partner.” Read full article here.

Roses Express Store Coming to Midtown Plaza The Wilkes Journal-Patriot recently published a story about the ‘new, but familiar’ store coming back to Wilkes. “North Wilkesboro had a Roses discount store for decades before it moved to the Wilkes Mall in Wilkesboro in 1984, and closed a few years later. Now, Roses is returning to North Wilkesboro by occupying the former Lowes Foods supermarket at Midtown Plaza (owned by Cam Finley). Roses signage went up this month and renovations of the former supermarket facility are underway. Roses was founded and is still based in Henderson, but was purchased by Variety Wholesalers in 1997. There are about 175 Roses stores, primarily in southeastern states.” Read full article here.

July Unemployment Rate Ju