ECONOMIC TRENDS

TRENDS

TO WATCH

Many regional employers across a variety of sectors are having trouble finding labor. Meanwhile, others saw an influx of tourists this season because of pent-up demand for tourism on top of a new music and arts venue downtown. COVID mandates, however, are starting to come back to the forefront of discussions as new rules roll out.

BY CHRISTINA HALEY

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LABOR SHORTAGE

It’s a job-seekers market, but some employers are just not seeing a rush of people to fill much-needed positions across the region, said Erin Easton, business engagement manager with the Cape Fear Workforce Development Board.

“It’s really running the gamut across all industries – manufacturing; health care is starting to reach out to us more about finding candidates,” Easton said. “And of course, the hospitality industry (continues) to have a hard time finding enough workers.”

Job fairs have been hosted this year for employers to seek quality candidates, including some put on through the Cape Fear Workforce Development Board.

This summer, the city of Wilmington hosted its own job fair – the first in 10 years – to fill several empty positions, including those in public safety. And Novant Health and NHRMC also hosted job fairs looking for hundreds of qualified candidates.

Many employers in the region are also offering a referral bonus for new staffers, and businesses are adjusting applicant requirements.

Easton said, “The good thing, is that we’re seeing your employers are rethinking the exact skill set they need for someone to start, especially in an entry-level position.”

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MANUFACTURING FOCUS

While labor shortages also remain a concern for some area manufacturers, a group of about 30 companies has come together under the Cape Fear Manufacturing Partnership to provide collaborative support and help build the talent pipeline in the region.

The group is working to address key issues of concern for area manufacturers. Those participating companies – including HSM Machine Works, Mojotone, GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy, Pacon Manufacturing, Polyhose and Acme Smoked Fish – started meeting this year.

“No short-term fixes yet, but they’re very forward-thinking and understanding that we need to have a pipeline for the future,” said Erin Easton, who helped organize the group.

The group’s main goal is to elevate industry perception of manufacturing and develop a workforce that views manufacturing as a viable career, Mojotone CEO Michael McWhorter said.

The partnership is working on talking with the area’s colleges and getting into K-12 schools to help develop more interest.

“I think for other manufacturers coming into our area, to know that this exists, just to have a pool of people that you could collaborate with … I think that’s invaluable,” McWhorter said. “I’ve been here since 2005, and I’ve never really had these many resources.”

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BACK ON STAGE

National entertainment company Live Nation is making an impact with recent shows at both the 900-seat Greenfield Lake Amphitheater and the new 7,200-person Live Oak Bank Pavilion, which opened in Riverfront Park this summer.

“My perspective is to have one of those iconic venues, any city would die for. But to have two of them, one on the lake and one on the Cape Fear River … is a dream come true,” Wilmington Mayor Bill Saffo said. “People love outdoor music, and it is resonating throughout the entire area.”

The downtown venue attracted acts such as Widespread Panic, Miranda Lambert and Train this summer.

Incoming acts are helping to fill hotels, restaurants, bars and bottle shops in surrounding neighborhoods. Tourism officials said it’s bringing more demand to the entire region.

“I think it’s only going to get better,” Saffo said. “I think that Live Nation knows this market very well.”

The effects of the COVID-19 delta variant, however, remain to be seen on ticket sales. Starting Oct. 4, Live Nation Entertainment will start requiring proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test at shows at all of its U.S. venues, including the Wilmington sites it manages.

VACCINES IN THE WORKPLACE

COVID-related mandates such as those, in the health care and government sectors, could become more commonplace for private employers.

Gov. Roy Cooper announced in late July that employees of state cabinet agencies who were not vaccinated were required to wear face coverings and be tested at least once a week. The move for state employees took effect this month after cases of COVID increased across the state.

Meanwhile, the governor recommended that private employers also consider similar measures.

Health care systems Novant Health and Atrium Health are requiring vaccinations for their workers. The Sept. 15 mandate for Novant includes employees at New Hanover Regional Medical Center and Novant Brunswick Medical Center. It’s also required at their clinics and outpatient facilities.

New Hanover County officials required county employees to report their vaccination status by Sept. 1, with those not vaccinated undergoing weekly COVID testing and new hires being required to be fully vaccinated – allowing for medical and religious exemptions.

Rules for countywide indoor face coverings in public places including businesses and offices went into effect in August.

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IMPROVEMENTS BY SEA, BY FLIGHT

The Wilmington International Airport (ILM) and the Port of Wilmington are changing their landscapes in separate capital projects.

This year, N.C. Ports will finish the Port of Wilmington’s South Gate project and its truck lanes. That project is expected to wrap up and be operational by October. The port’s container operations building was completed in early August, at which time its new terminal operating system also went live.

The projects are part of N.C. Ports’ more than $221 million capital improvement plan, which has previously brought several upgrades including turning basin expansions, new cranes and a new refrigerated container yard over the years.

At ILM, work continues on the third phase of a $61 million airport terminal expansion and renovation project. The final piece to the threephase project is the largest portion of the work and covers adding space for the terminal, concessions and retail. Previous phases have upgraded space as well as added new ticket counters and TSA check lanes.

Between phases two and three of the work, ILM added 78,000 square feet. The project is on track to be completed by the end of 2022.