What Might Your
“Do Next” Be In Difficult Times

Viewpoint from Centralina WDB Chair Bob VanGorden

Current Events
I doubt if anyone could have predicted in January of 2008 that we would be facing the multitude of difficulties we are facing today in our personal lives, as well as in our businesses. If we could have predicted these changes, what would we have done to been better prepared? I am sure that if we could change the outcome of our actions, or should I say lack of actions, over the last twelve to eighteen months we would. I believe it is more important now to focus on what actions we can execute effectively to improve outcomes in the future, rather than reflect on what might have been.

“Become a Shortcut”
I read an e-newsletter this week that included an article entitled “How to Become a Shortcut” by Scott Halford, author of the newly released book “Be A Shortcut”. Halford writes: “harsh, but true; if you’re not a shortcut to something or someone in business, you’re taking up too much space and you will be replaced.” To learn more about how you might become a Shortcut visit: http://beashortcut.com.

After reading the article and listening to a podcast on the subject, I realized that if this approach were executed properly, it could be beneficial to everyone. I believe that one of the secrets of the success of the people that work at our JobLink Career Centers is that they are “Shortcuts.” They have become and will continue to be “Shortcuts” for the unemployed who are looking for a new career, or the employer looking to fill an important position. My challenge to you as we work our way through this “game changing environment” is to think about how you can become a Shortcut for your employees or your customers. It may be the difference between success and failure in 2009. To visit one of our JobLink Career Centers, visit the Centralina WDB website.

Centralina JobLink Career Centers Rise to Meet Demand

Record Numbers of Individuals Being Assisted

The JobLink Career Centers in the Centralina WDB region have never been busier than they are right now. A good example of that is at the Iredell County JobLink Centers. Crowds have been arriving at the Iredell JobLink Career Centers and have made finding a chair hard and finding a job even harder.

With many employers laying off workers and other companies conducting temporary layoffs, the JobLink Career Centers are getting busier and busier.

The JobLink Career Centers in Mooresville and Statesville handled 6,702 people seeking unemployment assistance in November. A report released showed the unemployment rating for Iredell County jumped from 7 percent to 8.1 percent, the highest it has been since the 8.4 percent recorded in January 2002. Percentages aside, it’s the largest number of unemployed workers in the 18 years of statistics that the NC Employment Security Commission has available online.

JobLink Manager and Centralina Workforce Development Board member Jean Manall said she had to hire temporary workers to help with the caseload and the phone is still constantly ringing.

Some area employers are still sending job openings to the JobLink Career Center, but there aren’t many jobs to be had, Manall added. Bulletin boards once covered with employment postings are now practically bare.

Many of the people who come to the JobLink Career Center go there not only to file unemployment claims but also to use the Internet to conduct job searches and find assistance with resume writing. All of the JobLink Career Centers in the Centralina Workforce Development Board region offer classes to the public that can assist them in finding employment.

Greater Statesville Chamber of Commerce President and CEO David Bradley hopes to see big changes in the job market in 2009. Bradley said he doesn’t believe that the unemployment rate will go back down suddenly, but a little bit at a time.

“It’s going to be five hired here and ten here,” he said. “I think, generally, certainly we hope that there will be some new plants break ground. The vast number of newly hired people will be from existing industries.”

The Iredell JobLink Career Centers are not the only centers in the Centralina WDB region dealing with more individuals. All eight centers are trying to assist as many people as they can. To find out more about what your local JobLink Career Center offers or to be a volunteer, please click here. The Centralina Workforce Development Board is a proud partner with the JobLink Career Centers. For more information, please contact David Hollars at (704) 348-2717 or by e-mail at dhollars@centralina.org.

This JobLink customer, currently searching for a manufacturing job, fills out an application at the JobLink Career Center in Statesville.

2009: The Year of Allied Health

Allied Health Regional Skills Partnership Continues to Move Ahead

The Competitive Workforce Alliance Allied Health Regional Skills Partnership (RSP) has officially kicked off 2009. The Partnership held its first meeting of the new year on Thursday January 29, 2009 at the South Campus of Rowan-Cabarrus Community College in Concord.

This meeting brought the Partnership back together to discuss how it would be moving ahead with possible funding sources and the newly created implementation plan. The members of the Partnership held a great discussion on their future and heard updates from each of the committees. The Partnership also discussed changes that have occurred in the local economy over the past 3 months and how this has impacted everything from training seekers to career changers to billing/revenue streams for local medical center facilities.

A surprising update came from the Short-Term Priority committee which made an announcement that there might be additional funding options for their four priorities. Those priorities include hosting Allied Health Career Expos throughout the region, holding Allied Health Career Orientation Seminars, expansion of the Allied Health Communication Portal – via the website (www.agreatworkforce.com), and development and implementation of an Allied Health Employer Visitation program. These four short-term priorities will allow the Partnership to quickly inform the community about Allied Health and Allied Health careers.

The Partnership also discussed having more feedback from employers, including adding a feedback form or blog to the website (www.agreatworkforce.com). Members agreed that hearing more from employers in the region to find out what they need and what the Partnership can do to assist them would be extremely important.

Over thirty members of the Partnership were in attendance and contributed to the event. The Partnership is made up of concerned individuals and organizations from across the 16 county Charlotte USA region, including private industry, K-12 schools, community college, economic developers, and workforce development.

To find out more about the Allied Health Regional Skills Partnership, please visit the Competitive Workforce Alliance website at www.agreatworkforce.com and click on the Allied Health tab at the top of the page. If you are an employer and would like to participate in the feedback process, please contact Donna North with The McLynn Group (RSP consultants) at (704) 931-4127. To get involved with the Allied Health RSP and the Competitive Workforce Alliance, please contact David Hollars at (704) 348-2717 or by e-mail at dhollars@centralina.org.
Luanne Bailey, Assistant Vice President of Workforce Planning and Development, Carolinas HealthCare System gives the Partnership an update on the Steering Committee.
 
David Hollars, Executive Director of the Centralina Workforce Development Board welcomes members of the Partnership to the first meeting of the year.

Lincoln County Plans $1.2 Million Airport Facility

Lincoln County broke ground in January for a new airport terminal that county officials believe will spur economic development. The $1.2 million facility will expand the airport’s space for pilot services, add a waiting room and upgrade computer connections. It measures 4,700 square-feet and will replace a 20-year-old building less than half that size.

A 2007 survey found that the Lincolnton-Lincoln County Regional Airport contributed $8.6 million to the county’s economy through fuel sales, pilot services, aircraft taxes and hangar rentals. The airport is off NC Highway 73 in the eastern part of the county.

Local officials believe manufacturers visiting their plants in Lincoln County will use the airport more frequently if the facilities are improved. United Parcel Service and Duke Energy Corporation already land at the field.
Please continue to look to the Centralina Workforce Development Board’s monthly E-Newsletter for current up to date information on this new development.

In the BLNC of an Eye!

NC Department of Commerce and Partners Launch New Business Support Network

This month, NC Department of Commerce announced the launch of Business Link North Carolina (BLNC). The BLNC, or “blink”, is a comprehensive business-support network designed offer North Carolina companies quick access to a wide range of information and resources available from statewide, state-supported agencies and organizations. A website, www.blnc.gov and a toll-free number, 800-228-8443, will link users to the resources.

“Tough economic times mean challenges for all businesses, whether they are fortune 500 companies or start-ups,” outgoing NC Commerce Secretary Jim Fain said. “North Carolina is committed to providing the help these companies need in today’s rapidly changing market, and Business Link North Carolina provides that support quickly and easily – in a blink.”

BLNC’s information-rich website catalogues for the first time all business services available from the partnering agencies and will provide a frequently updated reference. The site includes sections on critical topics such as business planning, financing and capital, licensing and permitting, international business and government contracting. The sections contain a brief topic overview and links to relevant sites in the BLNC network, as well as other resources as appropriate.

The BLNC organizations have long served North Carolina businesses well, Fain noted, but business people often are not aware of the services available. “Until now, there has been no central place to access the state’s wealth of resources. The BLNC website and toll-free number will provide that access,” Fain said.

NC Commerce, through its existing Business ServiCenter, will provide the toll-free number: (800) 228-8443, available Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern Time. Commerce’s business consultants will answer questions or refer callers to the participating agencies or other resources.

NC Commerce will maintain the site, based on information provided by participating state agencies and nonprofit organizations, and also will promote the BLNC brand and advertise the services portfolio.

In addition to Commerce, BLNC participants include: the Small Business Center Network of North Carolina’s Community Colleges; Employment Security Commission of North Carolina, NC Departments of Agriculture & Development Initiative; NC Institute of Minority Economic Development; NC Rural Economic Development Center; and the University of North Carolina System, including the Small Business and Technology Development Center and NC State University’s Industrial Extension Service.

The Centralina Workforce Development Board encourages all businesses to use the website and to call the toll-free number for information regarding the topics available. Please continue to look to the Centralina Workforce Development Board’s monthly E-Newsletter for current up to date information on this new development.

Charlotte USA Continues Primed for Major Development

Charlotte Regional Partnership Continues to Bring Partners Together Throughout the Region

Growth potential. Accessible infrastructure. Deep labor pool. Encouraging business climate. All of those attributes often are touted by economic developers when working with new potential clients or well-established ones.

For the Charlotte Regional Partnership, all of those attributes and more have propelled the organization to record marks in development.

“Over the last five to ten years, you’re seeing significant diversity of our business landscape,” Ronnie Bryant, president and CEO of the partnership stated. “We have been traditionally known as a very strong manufacturing and financial services center. Although those two industries are still very prominent here, we have begun to significantly diversify.”

Manufacturing and financial services account for a significant part of the region’s economy. Nearly 20 percent of the employment in the region is within those sectors. However, Bryant points out that the overall job growth enjoyed in the region would not have happened had Charlotte been wholly dependent up just two economic sectors.

During the most recent fiscal year, the partnership generated 126 new development projects, a single-year record.

“What you have here is a very integrated business environment,” Bryant said. “for us, that’s a competitive strength that we market because we have the services here to support all of our dominant industries. There is a very significant amount of connectivity between the different sectors and how the related between each other. The common thread is the support services that support those individual sectors.”

Another crucial piece of that support mechanism is workforce development. Bryant hailed the cooperative nature that’s a hallmark of the Charlotte Regional Partnership. Annually, leadership officials from workforce development agencies located throughout the region gather for a workforce development summit to brainstorm and create strategies that will benefit all entities involved.

“Without a doubt, the quality and quantity of our workforce is very important to the decision-making process within a company when evaluating a community to invest in,” Bryant said. “I really think Charlotte maybe ahead of the curve as compared to other parts of the country. We’ve really bought into and understand the concept of workforce collaboration and bringing together the resources of the workforce development boards as well as our economic development organizing and ensuring a collaborative process.”

Also included in that collaborative process are the 10 community colleges that operate in the region, educational operations that often provide the most critical piece of development in the growth of a productive workforce.

“We ensure that the community colleges in the region understand the types of skill sets that will be needed for the types of jobs that we’re recruiting to the area,” Bryant said.

Bringing organizations together for once voice for the region is just one of the many things that the Charlotte Regional Partnership does for the region. With a strong voice from workforce development – through the Competitive Workforce Alliance - and economic development and community colleges the workforce in the region will continue to be a strong attention grabber for established businesses as well as new businesses. For more information about the Charlotte Regional Partnership please visit their website at www.charlotteusa.com. To find out how you can get involved in the region’s activities, please contact David Hollars at (704) 348-2717 or dhollars@centralina.org or visit the Competitive Workforce Alliance’s website at www.agreatworkforce.com.

County Rolls Out Fresh Look on Site

Lincoln County Updates Website for Easier Access

Lincoln County has rolled out a revamped website that is updated for the first time in more than a decade. The $35,000 project took nearly two years to complete and features a significant retooling of the government site that offers a new look, feel and several functions not available before.

“A website like this represents your county to the world…this becomes their front door for anyone who visits it essentially, so it is important,” said Dante Patterson, chief information officer for the county’s Department of Technology.

The old site provided a lot of information, but it was static, outdated and tricky to navigate, Patterson added.

From the moment people enter the new site, they are greeted with a new color scheme and lay-out, drop-down menus to maximize space and, most of all, more maneuverability. Instead of clicking on three or four links to access information, Patterson said it can now be reached in a click or two.

In addition to making information easier to navigate, an emphasis was put on reaching out to the public and receiving input, such as complaints and service requests. For the first time, residents will be able to receive email notices for everything from meeting notices and project bids, to job postings and calendar items.

Service requests and electronic documents are also posted on the homepage, as well as ways to contact government officials, view news releases and emergency alerts. Four categories at the top of the homepage – labeled residents, visitors, business and governments – offer a wide variety of information through drop-down menus.

Patterson said the public should notice a dramatic change soon since the switch, but it is just the beginning.

“It’s a good starting point, but we are going to be continually adding new services and additions to it over time,” he said.

To preview the site please visit www.lincolncounty.org and be sure to leave them feedback about the changes and updates they have made!

Local Bank Receives High Rank in Lending

Community Bank of Rowan Lands High Honor with Small Business Lending

During fiscal year 2008, Community Bank of Rowan ranked second among community banks in North Carolina in US Small Business Administration lending.

“This is a tremendous achievement for Community Bank of Rowan,” said Bruce Jones, president and chief executive officer. “When we first opened the bank in 2006, our promise was to serve small businesses, professionals, entrepreneurs and families.”

Community Bank issued 12 Small Business Administration (SBA) loans totaling $3.1 million during fiscal year 2008, which ended in September.

Heidi Whitesell, Community Bank of Rowan’s SBA specialist and Centralina Workforce Development Board member, said the bank offers the SBA’s prestigious Preferred Lender Program, meaning the bank can grant the fastest approvals in the country on SBA guaranteed loans for business clients who qualify.

Whitesell said entrepreneurs and small businesses can use SBA loans for the following purposes:

  • To start or acquire a business
  • To purchase or renovate real estate
  • To purchase or upgrade equipment
  • To obtain working capital
  • To manage day-to-day case flow and purchases

The Centralina Workforce Development Board is proud to have a great community bank in the region that encourages small business lending! For more information on Small Business Administration loans through the Community Bank of Rowan, please contact Heidi Whitesell at (704) 639-0730.

January's Business Survey Prize Winner is…

Each month, the Centralina Workforce Development Board holds a drawing from Business Surveys that area businesses have completed and posted on our website.

Centralina is pleased to announce that the winner of this month’s drawing is the Beane Swaringen & Company, PLLC in Albemarle, NC. Cindy Beane of the Beane Swaringen & Company, PLLC completed and submitted the survey. We thank Cindy for helping us with our continuous improvement feedback process! For more information about Beane Swaringen & Company, please visit their website www.beaneswaringen.com.

If you haven't completed the survey, you can do so now by going to our website. It only takes a couple of minutes and by completing the survey, it will guarantee your entry into our next drawing.

For more information on the Centralina Workforce Development Employer Survey and the business services available through the Board and our local JobLink Career Centers, please contact Vail Carter at (704) 348-2710 or by email at vcarter@centralina.org.

A Bad Hire is Worse
Than You Think

According to the Harvard Business Review, 80 percent of turnover is caused by bad hiring decisions. These are costly mistakes.

The US Department of Labor calculates that it costs one-third of a new hire’s annual salary to replace him. These figures include money spent on recruitment, selection and training plus costs due to decreased productivity as other employees fill in to take up the slack.

But these numbers don’t reflect the intangible damages an existing employee can have such as lost customers and low employee morale across the rest of the organization. And, turnover costs climb even higher as you move up the organization: mid- and upper-level managers can cost twice their annual salary to replace.

For more information on the Review, please contact Emily Clamp at (704) 348-2732 or by email at eclamp@centralina.org.

 

There's a JobLink Near You!

For more information on Centralina region JobLink Career Centers, click here.

Commitment to workforce excellence

 

  

Employment Statistics
 Updated Monthly on this E-Newsletter

December 2008
(Source: NC Employment Security Commission)
County
Unemployment Rate
Persons Employed
Anson
12.6%
9,529
Cabarrus
8.5%
74,746
Iredell
9.2%
75,366
Lincoln
10.4%
36,323
Rowan
9.3%
66,253
Stanly
9.5%
28,241
Union
8.1%
82,529
Centralina WDB Region
9.1%
372,987
State of NC
8.5%
4,148,975

For more information on employment, click here

The Centralina Workforce Development Board is in YOUR Community!

During the month of January 2009, the Centralina Workforce Development Board has been actively involved with events, seminars, training sessions, and other meetings all designed to help build a better workforce for our region. Beyond our involvement with the Allied Health Regional Skills Partnership and the Creating Success events detailed in this e-newsletter, here are some the activities of the Board members and WDB staff for January:

Centralina Workforce Development Board meeting - held on Tuesday January 13 at the Cabarrus Regional Chamber of Commerce in Kannapolis. Ken and Rocky Carpenter with Southern Fabricators in Polkton (Anson County) made a great presentation on the outcomes of their Incumbent Workforce Training Program contract with the Centralina WDB and how the training contributed to the company winning a national award from Komatsu for their Lean Manufacturing improvements. Board Chair Bob VanGorden outlined the steps needed to revise the Board’s vision plan for the next two years, including a focus on specific industry sectors. David Hollars provided a summary of the work currently underway with the State of the Workforce study. Vail Carter offered an update on SHARE network implementation and Incumbent Worker applications.

Centralina WDB Youth Council meeting – held Thursday January 15 at the Boys & Girls Club in Concord. Chaired by WDB member Carol Johnson, this meeting featured presenters from Rowan-Salisbury and Cabarrus County Schools discussing the Graduation Project for all 2010 graduating high school seniors. Plans for the 3rd annual NC Youth Summit and the 3rd annual Centralina WDB Youth Services Summit were also presented. Natasha Pender, Centralina WDB Program Associate and Emily Clamp, Centralina WDB Program Assistant provided staff support at this meeting.

Centralina WDB Community Relations Committee meeting – held on Friday January 30 at the Iredell County JobLink Career Center in Mooresville. Chaired by Tom Ramseur (Stanly County Chamber of Commerce), this committee is focusing its work on a key WDB goal –
Promoting Regional Partnerships and Collaboration Through Local Action.

Competitive Workforce Alliance Allied Health Regional Skills Partnership Steering Committee meeting – held on Friday January 16 at Charlotte AHEC offices. Centralina WDB Executive Director David Hollars participated in this meeting which included healthcare providers, community college and private trainers, and workforce professionals.

Charlotte Regional Workforce Development Partnership meeting - held on Wednesday January 14 at Central Piedmont CC – Harris Conference Center. Vail Carter, Centralina WDB Business Services Representative participated in this quarterly meeting of community college and workforce professionals which focused on the energy sector.

Monroe Economic Development Commission meeting - held on Thursday January 8 in Monroe. Centralina WDB Executive Director David Hollars attended this meeting and provided participants with valuable local labor market information as well as updates on activities with the Union County JobLink Career Center and its partners

Workforce Business Development and Assistance – provided by Vail Carter, Centralina WDB Business Services Representative for the following area companies:

  • Guilstan Carpet (Turnersburg) – Iredell County – Rapid Response team visit with David Hollars, JobLink, and NC Commerce officials (120 employees impacted) – January 6
  • Carter Furniture (Salisbury) – Rowan County – Employee orientation session with JobLink partners (83 employees impacted) – January 8
  • deBotech Incorporated (Mooresville) – Iredell County - Incumbent Worker application - January 12
  • Advanced Machine & Fabrication, Inc.(Denver) – Lincoln County – Incumbent Worker application – January 12
  • Calico Industries (Denver) – Lincoln County – Incumbent Worker/training interest – January 12
  • International Automotive Components (Albemarle) – Stanly County - Incumbent Worker/training interest – January 27
  • Rowan Regional Medical Center (Salisbury) – Rowan County – Business services/training request – January 28
  • Davis Regional Medical Center (Statesville) – Iredell County – Incumbent Worker grant follow-up – January 30

These are only a few examples of how your Centralina Workforce Development Board is actively involved with our partners in our counties every month. To find out more about getting involved with the Centralina Workforce Development Board, please contact David Hollars at (704) 348-2717 or by e-mail at dhollars@centralina.org or visit our website at www.centralinaworks.com. The Centralina Workforce Development – The Competitive Force in Our Global Economy.

Creating Success through Hope, Opportunities, and Jobs

Stanly Community College, Centralina Workforce Development Board and Partners Team up to Offer Community Assistance

On Wednesday, February 18, 2009 a seminar will be offered in Stanly County to instill hope and opportunity for people seeking jobs or for those wanting to upgrade their current skill level in the job market.

Stanly Community College, Centralina Workforce Development Board, Stanly County JobLink Career Center/ESC, Stanly County Department of Social Services, Vocational Rehabilitation, Stanly County Chamber of Commerce, Stanly County Economic Development Commission, Bank of Stanly, First Bank, and many other partners will offer a series of informational sessions to advise participants of services and opportunities available. Participants will gain a better understanding of the current job market and what may be needed to survive in it as they hear information from business and industry representatives, various agencies, and educational providers.

Participants will hear speakers from the health care environment, business and industry, customer service, financial, and government agencies concerning employment outlooks and availability, educational skills required in today’s job market, potential wages and benefits, and much more. In addition to the speakers, participants will have the opportunity to view displays that showcase services to help them become successful in today’s job market.

The Creating Success seminar will be an exciting event that will give participants vision and options for their future. This type of collaboration is the first of its kind in Stanly County and all are encouraged to attend. The Centralina Workforce Development Board is proud to be a sponsor and presenter at this event.

The seminar will be held at the Stanly Commons Conference Room in Albemarle from 9:00 a.m. until Noon on Wednesday February 18, 2009. There is no cost for the seminar. Advance registration is not required but is suggested. For more information, contact Stanly Community College at (704) 991-0257, or visit their website at www.stanly.edu.

New Program, New Opportunities

Rowan-Cabarrus Community College Offers Training to Help Residents Save Energy and Reduce Expenses

Rowan-Cabarrus Community College (RCCC) is training North Carolina agencies to help low-income residents save energy and reduce expenses.

The NC Division of Health and Human Services Office of Economic Opportunity is working with RCCC to provide the training for the state’s Weatherization Assistance Program. The program conducts home energy audits and diagnostic testing to determine levels of carbon monoxide, as well as recommend health, safety and heating-air conditioning efficiency improvements. Heating and air conditioning systems which are inoperable, inefficient or pose a health threat are repaired or replaced by the program.

Joe Christie, head of RCCC’s air conditioning, heating and refrigeration program, said the partnership not only bodes well for the college but also is rewarding to help agencies provide assistance to families in need.

For more information on this great program, please contact Jeff Lowrance at (704) 216-3467 or by e-mail at lowrancej@rowancabarrus.edu.

Centralina WDB Member Sworn-In as Representative

Justin Burr becomes the 67th District Representative to the NC House

Congratulations goes to Centralina Workforce Development Board member Justin Burr from Stanly County!

Burr was administered the oath of office by Superior Court Judge Kevin Bridges to become the 67th District Representative to the North Carolina House.
After he was sworn in Burr thanked his family and friends for their support during the campaign, and then spoke to the task at hand.

“There’s a challenging year ahead for sure, but we’ll get through it,” Burr said. “It’s a real honor to be your representative and I think we can have our voice heard in Raleigh.”

Burr has served on the Centralina Workforce Development Board since June 2007 and has been an active member. He is also a bail enforcement agent at Burr Bail Bonds, a licensed real estate broker, and a surety agent for Accredited Property & Causality Company. He is married to Lindsey Burr and they reside in Stanly County.

Burr and his fellow lawmakers began their work when the 2009 session convened on January 28, 2009.

The Centralina Workforce Development Board congratulates Justin on his great opportunity to do great things for not only Stanly County but for our region. The Board wishes Justin well on his challenges in the future. The Centralina Workforce Development Board is made up of strong leaders; think you have what it takes to be a leader on our Board. For more information on the Centralina Workforce Development Board, please contact David Hollars at (704) 348-2717 or by email at dhollars@centralina.org.
With his wife, Lindsey, holding The Bible, Justin Burr is sworn-in as the District 67 representative of the N.C. House by Superior Court Judge Kevin Bridges.

Statewide Recognition for Innovation

Stanly Early College High School Receives Lighthouse School Award

Congratulations to Stanly Early College High School (SECHS) which has been selected to receive a 2009 Lighthouse School Award, presented by North Carolina Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (NCASCD).

The Lighthouse Award is presented annually to five schools that have furthered student achievement in innovative and creative ways and have nurtured a positive and supportive school and community climate.

“This year we received many nominations, so the selection process was highly exciting, but quite tedious because so many superb schools were nominated,” Dr. Frances F. Jones, executive director of NCASCD said.

The plaque and a check for $500 to Stanly Early College High School will be presented at the North Carolina Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development Annual Conference, to be held at the Carolina Hotel in Pinehurst. The award presentation will be made on Thursday February 12, 2009 at 8:30 a.m. in the Calloway-Oakley Ballroom of the Carolina Hotel Conference Center.

North Carolina Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, a diverse community of educators, advocating excellence in curriculum, teaching and learning for all learners, is the state’s most visible association in promoting quality curriculum and instruction.

The Centralina Workforce Development Board is proud to see one of its partners being recognized for their achievements with youth in our region. Groundbreaking techniques and the desire to think outside of the box is what keeps this region one of the best! Please look to the Centralina Workforce Development Board’s monthly E-Newsletter for an updated on the awards ceremony. For more information on Stanly Early College High School, please contact Curtis Parker at (704) 991-0128 or by e-mail at curtis_parker@scs.k12.nc.us.

NC Research Campus Update

Find Out What’s the Latest With This World Renowned New Development

Appalachian State and PepsiCo Possibly Teaming Up
Appalachian State University sees a potential partnership with PepsiCo Inc. in its future at the NC Research Campus in Kannapolis. The university, which will open a human-performance lab on the campus next month, has worked with PepsiCo for more than a decade to improve Gatorade by adding ingredients to help protect athletes, says David Nieman, director of the Appalachian State lab.

He declines to reveal details about the school’s possible involvement with PepsiCo in Kannapolis, but adds, “We are definitely involved in negotiations for the next level of collaboration."

One possibility for collaboration between PepsiCo and Appalachian State would involve the additive Quercetin. Neiman says Appalachian State has been researching the effects of Quercetin, a plant molecule, for about four years. Quercetin has been found to reduce the illness rates of athletes after heavy exertion.

Please continue to look to the Centralina E-Newsletter for updates about this exciting development.

Renowned Scientist Coming to NC Research Campus
Dr. Sangita Sharma, a leading nutrition expert with projects underway across the globe, has joined the UNC Nutrition Research Institute at the NC Research Campus.

Dr. Sharma looks at what might cause cancer, heart disease and diabetes in different ethnic groups, then introduces programs within the communities to cut their risk of disease. Dr. Sharma pioneered ways to measure the nutritional intake of previously unstudied populations in some of the most remote regions on earth.

She has also brought a dozen staff members from across the globe to Kannapolis for five days of collaboration. Dr. Tony Brunetti and Lindsay Beck had just spent a month living in total darkness in the Canadian Arctic, working with several small communities to improve their health through diet and exercise.

Dr. Brunetti and Beck serve as program managers for healthy Foods North, Sharma’s effort to increase physical activity, encourage the use of traditional foods and teach people how to shop for health store-bought foods in the Northwest Territories. The American Diabetes Association funds Healthy Foods North.

Locals Finding Jobs at the Research Campus
Thanks to the MURDOCK Study at the NC Research Campus already many locals are finding job opportunities at the campus. Duke University is looking for clinical trials assistants to help with the Study that kicked off in January.

Campus founder and Dole Food Co. owner David Murdock started the study, called the Measurement to Understand Reclassification of Disease of Cabarrus/Kannapolis, with a $35 million gift to Duke in 2007. The long-term medical research project will use genetic tools to better understand chronic diseases like arthritis and obesity.

Duke, which already had a staff of four working in Kannapolis, recently hired six additional employees to help with enrolling 50,000 Kannapolis and Cabarrus County residents in the registry for the study. They have four years to complete the task of data entry.

Please stay tuned to the Centralina Workforce Development Board’s monthly E-Newsletter for more developments on these exciting stories. For more information on what is going on at the NC Research Campus please visit the Centralina Workforce Development Board’s website at www.centralinaworks.com.

Centralina Workforce Development Board Has Training Money to Help Your Business!

Incumbent Worker Funds Now Available

Want a great way to help upgrade the skills of your current workforce and prepare for the future? The Centralina Workforce Development Board can help. The Board is currently accepting applications from local businesses for Incumbent Workforce Development training.

The Incumbent Workforce Development training is designed to upgrade employees' skills and increase companies' competitiveness in the global marketplace.

The third and final application round for funding will close on Tuesday May 19, 2009. The maximum amount of funds available per business is $25,000. Since the grants are competitive, local businesses are encouraged to submit their applications as soon as possible.

The Centralina WDB looks forward to working with new local businesses to submit applications, as well as, past companies who want to resubmit from previous periods. For more information and to review the NEW Incumbent Worker guidelines and application, please visit theCentralina WDB website or contact Vail Carter, Centralina WDB Business Services Coordinator at (704) 348-2710.

Please contact Vail prior to submitting your application to the Board. Vail is available to assist your company in completing the application and getting it to the Board for review prior to Tuesday May 19, 2009. So don’t delay, submit your application today!

Tell Us More

Every month the Centralina Workforce Development Board works hard trying to bring you the most up to date and innovative stories from around the region. We try to incorporate information that can be beneficial to both businesses and job seekers, as well as promote the accomplishments that are being done throughout the Centralina region The Centralina Workforce Development Board is currently undergoing a rebranding process and we need your help!

We want to know what you think of the monthly E-Newsletter. We want to know if the articles are informative and if they are relevant to you and your organization. We’d like to know what you’d like to see more of in the newsletter, as well as what you’d like to see less of. We are looking to improve so that we can give back to you the most cutting-edge and informative newsletter out there.

Please send any comments about the monthly E-Newsletter to Emily Clamp at eclamp@centralina.org. If you are new to the newsletter and would like to see our previous issues please visit them at the Centralina WDB website. We thank you in advance for your feedback and your assistance in our rebranding process!

Sharon Allen Welcomed As New Member

During the Centralina WDB Youth Council meeting held on January 15, 2009, Youth Council members approved the application of Ms. Sharon Allen of Union County to join the Youth Council.

Ms. Allen is the Executive Director of Connecting Futures, Inc. Sharon has been a past presenter at a Youth Council meeting, speaking about her King’s Daughters mentoring program.

Sharon brings to the Youth Council a genuine passion for serving youth. Her Connecting Futures, Inc organization has been in existence since 2007. During that time she has waged partnerships with community organizations and also the school system to provide qualified mentors for young ladies. Sharon is the proud mother of two daughters whom she adopted in 2006.

The Centralina Youth Council and the Centralina Workforce Development Board welcome Sharon to the Council and look forward to working with her and all of our youth in the region. The Centralina Youth Council is always looking for strong leaders in the community to join the Council, if you are interested in joining, please contact Natasha Pender at (704) 348-2725 or by e-mail at npender@centralina.org.

Centralina Youth Council members stand with new Council member Sharon Allen. In order from left: Carol Johnson, Marion Kinley, Sharon Allen, Linda Smith, Carolyn White and Natasha Pender.

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North Carolina Youth Summit Dates Announced

The NC Youth Summit Planning Committee is preparing to host the third annual NC Youth Summit on Friday, April 17th and Saturday, April 18th at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Greensboro, NC.

The main purpose of the summit is to convene youth across the state to share best practices, determine commonalities, identify critical youth issues, and to come together as “one” to evaluate how to address youth issues within local communities. Workshops conducted are geared toward youth ages 16-21. The young adults will be able to share information from the summit with their peers, Youth Advisory Councils/Youth Councils, and local Workforce Development Boards. Youth will leave the summit empowered to make a difference within their local communities and to act as “One Voice” to address the youth issues in their region.

Natasha Pender is representing the Centralina WDB region on the NC Youth Summit Planning Committee.

Please continue to look to the Centralina Workforce Development Board’s monthly E-Newsletter for updates on this great event for the youth in our region. If you have questions about the NC Youth Summit, please contact Natasha Pender at (704) 348-2725 or by e-mail at npender@centralina.org.

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College Foundation of North Carolina Opens
Registration for FAFSA Day

The College Foundation of North Carolina has opened registration for the Saturday February 21, 2009 Free Application for Student Aid Day (FAFSA). On that day, college financial aid officers and other financial aid specialists will assist students in the completion and the electronic submission of their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) forms. The program is open to individuals who plan to attend college in the 2009-10 academic year.

There are several locations in the Centralina WDB region, these locations include:

To find other locations in the state, please click here. Please remember to register for the event.
FAFSA Day is a service for high school seniors and their families, and others who will be in college during the 2009-10 academic year. The College Foundation of North Carolina offers many free services on their site and through 866-866-CFNC, the CFNC toll-free phone number, to help North Carolinians in middle and high school plan and prepare for college.


 

  

What's Happening in the Region?

Comings, Goings, Kudos…

  • Steve Eaton has been named the new Executive Director of the Partnership for Children of Lincoln and Gaston Counties. Eaton assumed his position on December 22, 2008. He was previously the Executive Director of the Alexander County Partnership for Children in Taylorsville.
 
  • Jennifer Gullette has been named the new Executive Director of the United Way of Stanly County. She replaces Janet Sistare, who recently took a job at Stanly Community College. Gullette has over 15 years of strategic communications experience and is a senior public relations professional.
     
  • Clyde Higgs, Vice President for business development for Castle & Cooke North Carolina has been appointed to the Rowan-Cabarrus Community College board of trustees. Higgs will complete a term left vacant when Glenn Ketner Jr. resigned from the Board in September after 14 years of service.
 
  • Harry Stillerman is the new Director of Development and College Relations at Mitchell Community College in Iredell County. Stillerman was previously the community campaign chairman for the United Way of Iredell County.
     
  • Dale Carroll has been picked to be the next Assistant Secretary of Commerce by Governor Beverly Purdue. Carroll comes from Advantage West and is a native of Goldsboro and plans to move to Raleigh but expects to maintain his home in Arden.
  
  • Moses Carey Jr. of Chapel Hill has been named Chairman of the NC Employment Security Commission by Governor Beverly Perdue. Carey directed a health disparities program at NC Central University in Durham.
     
  • Ann Benfield is the new Executive Director of the Cabarrus County Partnership for Children. Benfield replaces Anne Laukaitis who recently retired in December 2008. Benfield began her position on Monday January 5, 2009.

  • Nicole Arnold has been named project manager for the Salisbury-Rowan Economic Development Commission.

  • Mike Hunsuck from the Cabarrus County JobLink Career Center has been named the Cabarrus Regional Chamber of Commerce’s Ambassador of the year. This is the second year in a row that Mike has received this honor.

  • The Department of Social Services in Lincoln County has opened a new office in Lowesville. The satellite office is located at Hill’s Chapel United Methodist Church. It is the first social service office in the county to be established outside of Lincolnton.

  • South Piedmont Community College is the first community college in North Carolina to teach an internationalized pathophysiology course. Pathophysiology classes study world diseased and how they alter the normal functions and physiology of the body.

  • The Charlotte Regional Partnership will honor David Murdock with its 2009 Jerry Awards. The awards recognize contributions to the Charlotte region by individuals and organizations from the private and public sectors. Murdock has led the creation of the NC Research Campus in Kannapolis. The Partnership will host its annual Jerry Awards luncheon on May 28th at the Charlotte Convention Center.

  • Longtime NC Department of Commerce – Division of Workforce Development Field Services Section Director Warren Perry will be retiring effective February 1, 2009. We wish Warren all the best!

  • Welcome two new workforce development board directors – Angela Karchmer with the Gaston Workforce Development Board (also a Competitive Workforce Alliance member) and Wendy Jewett with the Northeast Workforce Development Board.

  • Keith Crisco has been named as the North Carolina Secretary of Commerce by Governor Beverly Perdue. Crisco is a Stanly County native (Aquadale) and Pfeiffer graduate and will be responsible for organizing the Department of Commerce to promote the state and to increase awareness of economic development statewide.

  • The Mooresville-South Iredell Chamber of Commerce received the North Carolina Motorsports Association Economic Development Award! Karen Shore, MSI Chamber President and CEO accepted the award on behalf of the chamber at the 2009 NC-Motorsports Industry Awards on January 26th at the NCMA Banquet in Concord, North Carolina. NCMA Economic Development Award Criteria: This Award recognizes municipal organizations which build wealth, facilitate job growth and expand investment in Motorsports.
 

• Centralina Workforce Development Board meeting
Tuesday February 10, 2009 – 4:30 PM
Cabarrus Regional Chamber of Commerce – Kannapolis

• Centralina WDB JobLink Career Center Managers meeting
Tuesday February 10, 2009 – 3:00 PM
Cabarrus Regional Chamber of Commerce – Kannapolis

• Centralina WDB Community Relations Committee meeting
Friday January 30, 2009 – 9:00 AM
JobLink Career Center – Mooresville

• Centralina WDB Business Performance Committee meeting
Thursday February 5, 2009 – 2:30 PM
WA Brown & Son, Inc. – Salisbury

• Centralina WDB Workforce Readiness Committee meeting
Friday February 6, 2009 – 11:30 AM
Union Smart Start - Monroe

• The Hand that Rocks the Cradle: Infant and Toddler Feeding and Care for Healthy Growth
Tuesday February 3, 2009 – 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
David H. Murdock Core Laboratory Building – NC Research Campus – Kannapolis
Register: Lisa Canada 704.250.5012 or by email at lisa_canada@unc.edu

• Booth Camp – Learning Trade Show Basics
Wednesday February 4, 2009 – 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Mitchell Community College – Mooresville Campus Room 108
Fee: $15.00
Reservation: 704-664-3898 – Mooresville-South Iredell Chamber of Commerce

• Great Wolf Job Fair
Thursday February 5, 2009 – 8:00 PM
Friday February 6, 2009 – 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Saturday February 7, 2009 – 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Location: Lowe’s Motor Speedway - Concord
Contact: concordrightfit@greatwolf.com

• Fat and Thin: How Metabolism Works
Tuesday February 10, 2009 – 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
David H. Murdock Core Laboratory Building – NC Research Campus – Kannapolis
Register: Lisa Canada 704.250.5012 or by email at lisa_canada@unc.edu

• 72nd Annual Meeting of the Stanly County Chamber of Commerce
Thursday February 12, 2009 – 6:00 PM
Location: Stanly Regional Medical Center
Contact: 704.982.8116 or email lhudson@stanlychamber.org or register online at www.uncnri.org

• Can a Healthy Diet Help You Fight the Flue? The Role of Nutrition in the Response to Infectious Disease
Tuesday February 17, 2009 – 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
David H. Murdock Core Laboratory Building – NC Research Campus – Kannapolis
Register: Lisa Canada 704.250.5012 or by email at lisa_canada@unc.edu or register online at www.uncnri.org

• Creating Success – Hope – Opportunity - Jobs
Wednesday February 18, 2009 – 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Location: Stanly Commons Conference Room
Contact: 704.991.0257

• The World is Fat: The Foods, Trends, Policies, and Products that are Fattening the Human Race
Tuesday February 24, 2009 – 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
David H. Murdock Core Laboratory Building – NC Research Campus – Kannapolis
Register: Lisa Canada 704.250.5012 or by email at lisa_canada@unc.edu or register online at www.uncnri.org

NC Workforce Development Training Center Training Announcements

Career Development Facilitator
Wednesday February 11 and Thursday February 12, 2009
Cost: $525
Location: Workforce Development Training Center – Raleigh
Time: 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Contact: Robin Broome at (919) 306-1819

The North Carolina Workforce Development Training Center Training offers many great training sessions for every workforce development professional. The Center can even do online trainings for you and your colleagues. Some of the great training sessions include: Keeping Your Cool (When Others are HOT!), Assessment: The Foundation of Case Management, Delivering Excellent Customer Service, and Youth Services: A Variety of Topics. These are just some of the great training sessions they can put together for your team. So give them a call and see what they can do for you! Contact Robbin Broome at (919) 306-1819 or visit their website for more information at www.ncwdtc.com.
 

Visit our website at www.centralinaworks.com to learn more about the Centralina WDB
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To learn more about the Centralina Council of Governments please visit www.centralina.org
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