June 2022 Activity Report

June Activity Report

2022

Program Focus Areas Existing Business Activity ̴ Business Recruitment ̴ Real Estate Development Project

Averages Project Averages

Project Activity Stats

Active and Missed 43 Missed Projects Over Last 12 Months

47 JOBS

JOBS 368

45

SQUARE FEET THOUSAND SQUARE FEET 219K

15 ACRES

ACRES 62

$2.5 INVESTMENT

MILLION INVESTMENT $323M

5

1

June 2022

Retention & Expansion

Existing Business Current and YTD Total

3

Activity Since July 1, 2021

UNIQUE VISITS

72

4

FOLLOW UP VISITS

60 Total Visits YTD: 132 Visit Goal: 100

Program Stats

15

PARTNER MEETINGS

163

5

REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT

In June 2022, The Leonard G. Herring Family Foundation announced the funding of a comprehensive childcare study for Wilkes County and the organization of a taskforce to guide its progress. The study will document existing services and resources, then recommend steps to create an innovative childcare ecosystem in Wilkes County, NC to enhance the labor force participation and create a healthy environment for families. The study will also identify the roles that community stakeholders could play in order to expand access and affordability for quality care.

“Improving access, quality, and affordability of childcare in Wilkes County is both a social and economic imperative,” said Craig DeLucia, CEO of the Herring Family Foundation... By estimating projected growth, the study will be able to determine what needs will arise for the community in terms of population, childcare and workforce in addition to the gaps that already exist. It will also research innovative childcare systems that could provide widespread benefit to both citizens and local employers.

LeeAnn Nixon, Wilkes EDC President, was named to lead the Childcare Taskforce. Nixon stated, “...we express our gratitude to The Leonard G. Herring Family Foundation for recognizing an important need. Investing in this critical component will lead to a better quality of life and vibrant economy. As we focus on how we can strengthen quality care for our children we are investing in their young lives. Also, we are ensuring caregivers have affordable and sufficient options that lead to successful careers. The Taskforce welcomes the opportunity to seek best practices and encourage positive outcomes that will strengthen Wilkes County.”

To view Taskforce members, read the entire Press Release, subscribe for updates or learn more about the study- visit Info.WilkesEDC.com/ChildcareStudy.

May Unemployment Rate

3.8%

Up from 3.5% in April

Regional May Rate is 3.5%. State May Rate is 3.4%.

61

22

SOLUTIONS PROVIDED

248

July Unemployment Rate

Wilkes EDC Names New Board Chairman, Vice Chair and 2 Additional Board Members At the May 2022 Wilkes Economic Development Corporation Board of Directors meeting, several changes were made for the upcoming year. This year Wilkes EDC began accepting applications for new members of the board. Several highly qualified Wilkes County residents submitted applications for election to serve. Wilkes EDC thanks each applicant for their interest in furthering economic development in Wilkes County. The EDC also welcomes two newly elected members who will serve 3 years beginning in July. Newly appointed were Amy Blair (Blair Properties) and Joe Johnston (Johnston Casuals). After graciously serving 2 years as Board Chairman, Brett Cothren (Oakwoods Properties LLC & Blue Ridge Real Estate LLC) will continue to serve as the Past Chairman. Moving to the role of Board Chairman is Dale Isom (Spectrum Hospitality LLC), who has acted for the past 2 years as Vice Chairman. Terry Bumgarner (Bumgarner Services), will serve as Vice Chair. Visit WilkesEDC.com for a complete list of board members.

Wilkes Commercial Business Center Update Building footers have been completed and preparations are being made at the future site of the WCBC. To be completed next is the 6”reinforced concrete slab in preparation for delivery of the metal building itself, expected in August 2022.

The building will be 31,703 SF that contains both warehouse and office space. Subscribe to updates by visiting the WCBC site updates on the EDC webpage. For details or information on pre-leasing incentives, please contact LeeAnn Nixon by emailing LNixon@WilkesEDC.com.

Sewing Industry Workforce Development Meeting On June 22nd Wilkes Community College (WCC) Workforce Development and Community Education, in partnership with Wilkes EDC, hosted a Sewing Industry ‘Lunch & Learn’ meeting for local business representatives. The meeting was to allow Wilkes County sewing operations the chance to speak openly about their workforce needs and what steps could be taken to strengthen their recruitment efforts. Each local sewing business was represented, most of which all face the same issues with talent retention and entry-level skills. Chris Robinson and Ricky Roten of WCC led the discussion of training strategies, and made suggestions of skill-specific sewing training courses that will be designed to help incoming talent learn.

Participants will be able to learn how to use equipment that is on site at their upcoming job. Workforce Development and Community Education is responsible for responding to changing workforce industry needs by providing services tailored to the region. Contact their department for more information on their courses in various technical fields. This meeting was planned as a result of gaps identified during the Wilkes Workforce Summit. Wilkes EDC continues to collaborate with local Resource Partners to identify and overcome obstacles affecting workforce in Wilkes County. If you are interested in participating in Industry Cluster meetings, email LNixon@WilkesEDC.com