Centralina WDB Helps Two More Business Get on the Road to Success!

Incumbent Worker Grants Approved for Davis Regional Medical Center and Performance Fibers Operations

The Centralina Workforce Development Board (WDB) is proud to recognize two local employers that have received Incumbent Workforce Development Program funding in the second round for 2007-2008. The Centralina Workforce Development Board approved these grants with funding provided by the NC Department of Commerce - Commission on Workforce Development. Each employer will receive the requested amount of funds to help upgrade the skills of their current workforce as listed below:

Davis Regional Medical Center located in Statesville (Iredell County) will utilize Incumbent Worker funds to offer leadership training to a group of 36 healthcare employees. The company expects to raise their patient satisfaction scores by providing Leadership and Team Development for these key employees. Mitchell Community College in conjunction with Cool Spring Center, Inc. will deliver a series of nine training sessions over a twelve month period. The sessions will cover topics such as change management, conflict resolution, management accountability and follow-through. The expected outcomes of the training include lower employee turnover, an increase in profits, and a more stable workforce. Davis Regional Medical Center will contribute an additional $13,322 in in-kind contributions to the training efforts. Davis Regional Medical Center will be receiving $22,716 in Incumbent Workforce Development Funds through a contract with the Centralina Workforce Development Board, based on the grant awarded March 1, 2008.

Performance Fibers Operations, Inc. located in Salisbury (Rowan County) and formerly known as INVISTA, is a major producer of polyester and has begun to implement a LEAN culture that will be enhanced with additional advanced manufacturing training. The company serves several market segments with products used in the production of radial tires, seatbelts, and fabric. Rowan-Cabarrus Community College will train 55 employees in LEAN Manufacturing Principles. This training will equip 37 employees with the skills needed to begin basic process improvement and make them more valuable members of project teams. Another goal of the company’s training plan is to certify 12 employees as Six Sigma Green Belt trainees. With the assistance of North Carolina State University’s Industrial Extension Service, trainees will complete 10 projects expected to generate up to $1 million dollars in savings. Performance Fibers Operations, Inc. will be receiving $27,715 in Incumbent Workforce Development funds through a contract with the Centralina Workforce Development Board, based on the grant awarded March 1, 2008.

Since July 1, 2007, a grand total of $149,036 in economic development investment for 6 area existing businesses has been made possible through the Incumbent Workforce Development Program. A total of 215 employees are scheduled to receive training. We thank the companies, the training providers, and the employees for their willingness to build a stronger workforce and business environment in our region. For the Centralina WDB, workforce development is economic development.

The Centralina Workforce Development Board is now accepting applications for the third round of Incumbent Worker training funds for 2007-2008. The deadline for submission of applications to Centralina is May 20, 2008. 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 revised guidelines and application please visit the Centralina Workforce Development Board’s website or contact Vail Carter, Centralina WDB Business Services Coordinator at 704.348.2710 or vcarter@centralina.org. Vail is also available to assist companies in the completion of the application.

A Second Meeting of the Minds for Allied Health

Competitive Workforce Alliance - Allied Health Regional Skills Partnership

The Competitive Workforce Alliance held the second meeting of the newly formed Allied Health Regional Skills Partnership on Thursday February 28, 2008 at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College in Concord. The purpose of the Regional Skills Partnership is to “provide a qualified healthcare workforce that meets the continuing and emerging needs of our region”.

The Partnership is a consortium comprised of employers, economic, education, workforce development and economic development professionals and training providers that will meet regularly to create strategies and programs that will continually assess, prioritize, and respond to the workforce training needs of employers in the allied health industry. This targeted, sectoral industry-specific approach to workforce and economic development will be led by a strategic partner known as a workforce intermediary that will bring industry experts together.

Representatives attending the meeting came together to decide on a Workforce Intermediary, which is an organization that would be accountable for producing the results required in the grant. The group chose to have the Centralina Workforce Development Board as the Workforce Intermediary since it is well-known and well-respected by the state, as well as being the fiscal agent for the grant and has the staff and facilities to support the establishment of the Partnership.

The Partnership also reviewed the outcomes of a survey that was completed after the first meeting that dealt with the top priority needs from the representatives in the Partnership. Employers listed that the aging workforce, faculty recruitment/educators and aging educators were their top priorities. Overall the Partnership agreed that the aging workforce, capacity to meet training needs, finding and replicating successful education and training models and career ladders were their top priorities.

Another meeting has been planned for April 10, 2008 from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College in Concord. If you are interested in attending this meeting, please contact Emily Clamp at (704) 348-2732 or by e-mail at eclamp@centralina.org. For more information on the Allied Health Regional Skills Partnership or the Competitive Workforce Alliance please visit the Centralina Workforce Development Board’s website at www.centralinaworks.com or please contact David Hollars at (704) 348-2717 or by e-mail at dhollars@centralina.org.

Grant Can Help Philip Morris Workers Bring Their Skills-UP!

R3 Center Receives $40,000 Grant

As reported in the February Centralina Workforce Development Board’s monthly E-Newsletter, Rowan-Cabarrus Community College R3 Center has received a $40,000 Project Skill-UP Grant from the N.C. Tobacco Trust Fund Commission to provide career assistance to local tobacco workers and businesses adversely impacted by changes in the tobacco industry; namely Philip Morris, which announced last year the relocation of its Concord operations to Richmond, Virginia.

The N.C. General Assembly created the commission in 2000 to help those affected by declining tobacco production. The college will use the grant to identify individuals and businesses in Cabarrus and Rowan counties affected by the shift in production.

The R3 Center will be the hosting site for Project Skill-UP at their location at 164 Dale Earnhardt Blvd in Kannapolis.

While other community colleges will use the grant to seek out potential clients, the R3 Center will target its money toward short-term training programs for employees and their families, said Keri Allman-Young, R3 Center director.

The Centralina Workforce Development Board is a strong partner with Rowan-Cabarrus Community College and the R3 Center. The Board is excited that the Center has such an innovative grant coming in to assist dislocated workers in the region. For more information about the Project Skill-UP Grant please contact Barbara Meidl at (704) 216-7212.

Help Your Business Dreams Get REAL

South Piedmont Community College offers the REAL Course for Businesses

South Piedmont Community College (SPCC) is now offering an in-depth study of how to operate a business on a daily basis called the REAL course at their Continuing Education Center.

The course is a program of NC REAL Enterprises, a nonprofit organization that partners with high schools, post-secondary institutions and other organizations in undertaking various entrepreneurial ventures.

“Upon successful completion of the course, a student should know how to start and operate their own business,” Vince Holloman, the director of SPCC’s Small Business Center stated.

The program will take students through all aspects of entrepreneurship, including the writing of a business plan. Topics of the course include: the realities of self-employment, self-assessment, personal finances and budgeting, community and industry analysis, new product development, market and financial feasibility, small business marketing, personnel and customer service, legal structure and taxes, cash flow and break-even analysis, among many more things.

“This is not just for start-ups. Existing business owners can also learn strategies that can help grow their business and make it more profitable. Past REAL graduates have had better than 85% success,” Holloman stated.

The REAL course is offered at least twice a year in Monroe and Wadesboro. For more information please contact Vince Holloman at (704) 290-5222. The Centralina Workforce Development Board believes that education is important to local area businesses as well as to budding entrepreneurs. With continuing business education and new businesses blossoming in the region our workforce will continue to be sought after and desired. For more information on the Centralina Workforce Development Board’s business services, please contact Vail Carter at (704) 348-2710 or by email at vcarter@centralina.org.

Iredell County’s Population to Jump in the Coming Years

Demographic Study Estimates Population Will Increase by 26.6%

According to a recent demographic study Iredell County’s population is expected to jump 26.6 % in the next eight years.

Consultants from real estate market analysis firm Warrant & Associates presented Iredell County Commissioners with a demographic study that predicts Iredell County’s population will increase by 15,691 households in the next eight years, causing the population to climb from 149,877 to 189,818.

That equals an average of about 1,800 households and 4,600 people per year for the next eight years. The escalation would give Iredell a 26.6% population growth rate, which is more than double the 12.7 rate forecast for North Carolina.

Iredell County Planning and Development Director Ron Smith said the southern end of the county still has a lot of open land space for growth.

Frank Warren, president of Warrant & Associates said the expected growth in the West Iredell High School attendance area, particularly the Concord and Bethany townships, surprised them while conducting the study. The population there is expected to increase by a little more than 4,000 people in the next eight years.

Please continue to look to the Centralina Workforce Development Board’s monthly E-Newsletter for updates on this developing story.

Let Us Know

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 www.centralinaworks.com. We thank you in advance for your feedback and your assistance in our rebranding process!

There's a JobLink Near You!

Anson County JobLink Career Center
116 West Wade Street
Wadesboro, NC 28170
Phone: 704-694-6551

Cabarrus County JobLink Career Center
2275 Kannapolis Highway
Concord, NC 28027
Phone: 704-786-3183

Iredell County JobLink Career Center - Mooresville Center
470-A North Broad Street
Mooresville, NC 28115
Phone: 704-664-4225

Iredell County JobLink Career Center - Statesville Center
1907 Newton Drive
Statesville, NC 28677
Phone: 704-878-4241

Lincoln County JobLink Career Center
529 North Aspen Street
Lincolnton, NC 28092
Phone: 704-735-8035

Rowan County JobLink Career Center
1904 South Main Street
Salisbury, NC 28144
Phone: 704-639-7529

Stanly County JobLink Career Center
2215 US Highway 52 North
Albemarle, NC 28001
Phone: 704-982-2183

Union County JobLink Career Center
1125 Skyway Drive
Monroe, NC 28110
Phone: 704-283-7541

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

A Great State and a Great Region

Site Selection Magazine Names Statesville-Mooresville One of the Top Rural Areas

The State of North Carolina has placed first in the nation in Site Selection magazine’s annual ranking of states with small metropolitan areas having the most new and expanded corporate facilities.

Statesville-Mooresville in Iredell County earned second place for top rural areas, called “micropolitan” areas and defined by the magazine as those with a population between 10,000 and 50,000. The area earned the ranking out of the nation’s 674 rural areas, with 21 projects recruited in 2007. The Lexington-Thomasville area in Davidson County received the top ranking.

“The latest Site Selection ranking proves that it is not just the large cities that benefit from North Carolina’s investments in education, workforce development and the state’s top-ranked business climate,” Governor Mike Easley stated. “As industries recognize they can find the 21st century training programs and qualified workers they need in all communities across the entire state, we gain jobs and effectively compete to lead in the global economy.”

The magazine, calling the first and second place micropolitan wins “highly unusual,” said those rankings speak to the broader region’s attractiveness to expanding companies and the state’s efforts to keep its business climate competitive.

Site Selection publisher Conway Data Inc.’s rankings are based on states with the most new and expanded corporate facilities. To qualify, a project must include a capital investment of at least $1 million, create 50 or more jobs or involve new floor space of at least 20,000 square feet.

The Centralina Workforce Development Board is proud to have outstanding rural micropolitan areas in the region. It is the determination and the hard work of everyone in the workforce that continues to bring attention to our region. For more information on the Centralina Workforce Development Board please contact David Hollars at (704) 348-2717 or by email at dhollars@centralina.org.

$10.6 Million Expansion and 128 More Jobs

International Automotive Components Group North America Inc. Expands in Stanly County

Michigan-based International Automotive Components Group North America Inc., the largest manufacturer in Stanly County, will spend $10.6 million in an expansion that will add 128 jobs at its auto parts plant, bringing the total employment to more than 600.

The company expects the expansion will take place over the next three years. Average annual pay for the jobs is $28,000, above the county’s median wage of $27,509.

International Automotive Components Group North America Inc. will receive a $280,000 grant from the One North Carolina Fund, Governor Mike Easley’s jobs-building incentive program.

The company makes interior and exterior trim parts, carpets and insulation parts for automobiles.

The Centralina Workforce Development Board is proud to see a business in the region continue to expand. It is the great workforce in the Centralina region that allows our businesses to continue to grow and drive more business to the area. Helping local businesses flourish is just one of the priorities for the Centralina Workforce Development Board, want to know our others? Just visit us online at www.centralinaworks.com.

Company Broadens Product Portfolio in Salisbury and the World

Performance Fibers Purchases INVISTA’s North America Plants

Performance Fibers, a Richmond Virginia based company, has announced that it has completed its acquisition of INVISTA’s North America tire cord and polyester industrial filament businesses, including four plants in the U.S. and Mexico that manufacture industrial polyester, Nylon-6 and tire cord fabric.

The purchase includes the INVISTA plant in Salisbury, as well as those in Shelby, Winnsboro, South Carolina and parts of the company’s Queretaro, Mexico site.

With the new additions Performance Fibers increases its global operations to 12 plants in North America, Asia and Europe. The company has an estimated $1 billion in sales and approximately 4,000 employees worldwide.

The company’s fibers, fabrics and sewing threads are used in a wide range of industries including energy, environment, architectural design, transportation, safety and security, and specialty segments for such uses as reinforcement of tires, belting and hoses, geotextiles, technical fabrics and offshore mooring ropes.

Please continue to look to the Centralina Workforce Development Board’s monthly E-Newsletter for updates on this developing story.


Kannapolis Approved for a Freestanding Emergency Room

Emergency Room Expected to be Completed by 2009

Good news for Kannapolis! The state has approved Carolinas Medical Center-NorthEast’s certificate of need application for a freestanding emergency department in Kannapolis.

Hospital officials hope to complete the $17.2 million facility, to be located at Interstate 85 and Lane Street, by October 1, 2009. The concept of a freestanding emergency department if still relatively new in North Carolina.

“We are very excited about getting this facility open and providing even more access for emergency care to the people of Kannapolis,” Alan Taylor, vice president of public information for Carolinas Medical Center stated.

The proposed 23,973 square-foot emergency department would include treatment rooms, two observation beds, a CT scanner, ultrasound and radiology and laboratory services. It would operate as an outpatient department of CMC-NorthEast, located a few miles away in Concord.

Please continue to look to the Centralina Workforce Development Board’s monthly E-Newsletter for updates on this developing story.

Communication is the Key!

Salisbury-Rowan Economic Development Commission Sets Priorities

Members of the Salisbury-Rowan Economic Development Commission held a half-day retreat at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College on Wednesday March 5, 2008 to lay out their top priorities for the county.

The members stated that their top priority had to be communications. This includes their municipal and county funding partners, schools, the Rowan County Chamber of Commerce, the North Carolina Research Campus, the Rowan Jobs Initiative and existing industries.

Development board members stated that they were encouraged by all the contacts made by recently hired Executive Director and former Centralina Workforce Development Board member, Robert VanGeons and how much he had tried to involve county and municipal leaders in development board members themselves.

Other top priorities mentioned were having board members becoming active in industrial recruitment, and having the development agency seeking more engagement from its funding partners.

Please continue to look to the Centralina Workforce Development Board’s monthly E-newsletter and its website (www.centralinaworks.com) for up to date information on this exciting new development in the region.

March'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 Alcoa – Badin Works in Badin, NC. Lanita Coley of Alcoa – Badin Works completed and submitted the survey. We thank Lanita for helping us with our continuous improvement feedback process! For more information about Alcoa – Badin Works please visit www.alcoa.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.

 

Employment Statistics
 Updated Monthly on this E-Newsletter

January 2008
(Source: NC Employment Security Commission)
County
Unemployment Rate
Persons Employed
Anson
7.5%
9,898
Cabarrus
4.9%
77,638
Iredell
5.1%
77,450
Lincoln
5.7%
38,527
Rowan
6.3%
67,463
Stanly
5.1%
29,691
Union
4.6%
85,721

For more information on employment, click here

Increasing Cooperation – Building Better Communities

Centralina Workforce Development Board Awarded $9,000 Community Network Grant

The Centralina Workforce Development Board has been awarded a $9,000 Community Network Grant from Performance Excellence Partners, Inc. of Huntington Beach, California, a U.S. Department of Labor contractor.

The funding will be provided to help promote collaboration, cooperation, and increased mutual understanding between faith-based and community organizations and the JobLink Career Centers.

The Centralina Workforce Development Board plans to facilitate two regional events that will result in new strategies to meet business’ need for work-ready and competent employees by adequately preparing struggling individuals. The events will bring leaders and staff from six Workforce Development Boards, which include the Centralina Workforce Development Board, Pee Dee Region Workforce Development Board, Gaston Workforce Development Board, Regional Partnership Workforce Development Board, High Country Workforce Development Board and Northwest Piedmont Workforce Development Board, and the JobLink Career Centers, together with leaders from new faith-based and community organizations. This grant will also help to strengthen the collaboration process started last year with the implementation of the SHARE network in our region

The Centralina Workforce Development Board will act as the lead organization to host the events during the summer of 2008. Several speakers representing business, workforce development, and education will share their views of how we are progressing in this knowledge-based economy, followed by an intense Visioning Session to outline specific strategies for involving faith-based and community organizations with this effort.

The Centralina Workforce Development Board is delighted to receive the grant and is looking forward to getting things started! For more information on the Community Network Grant, please contact Vail Carter at (704) 348-2710 or by e-mail at vcarter@centralina.org.

Career Readiness Certification Commercial Inspires Union County Woman to Achieve her Dreams

Teresa Ross of Monroe was watching a local television station in early March 2008 and saw the commercial for the North Carolina Career Readiness Certification (CRC) Program at South Piedmont Community College (SPCC). Teresa had been working at her current job for seven years and was seeking a new challenge. She was looking for a career change that would provide opportunities for personal and professional growth.

“With the job market as competitive as it is, I saw the Career Readiness Certification Programs as a chance to prove what’s on my resume. I know that I have the skills that I say I have on my resume but with the Career Readiness Certificate I will have proof of what I can do!” stated Teresa.

The CRC is based on the ACT WorkKeys system, a nationally recognized, EEOC-compliant industry-driven system of job profiling, assessment and instructional support. The CRC promotes skills and career development for individuals and confirms to employers that job applicants possess basic workplace skills.

“I’m excited that the CRC will serve as a tool for me to show potential employers that I really can do what I say I can do,” stated Teresa.

Everyone in the region can benefit from the Career Readiness Certification. It is now available in all seven counties served by the Centralina Workforce Development Board. Now you can challenge yourself just like Teresa did! Make a change in your life and find that career you’ve always wanted! Let the CRC help!

For more information on the Career Readiness Certification in your county please find your nearest JobLink Career Center by clicking here. If you would like to see the inspiring Career Readiness Certification commercial that was sponsored by the Centralina Workforce Development Board and motivated Teresa please click here. If you have further questions please contact Emily Clamp at (704) 348-2732 or by email at eclamp@centralina.org. To find out more about the Centralina Workforce Development Board please contact David Hollars at (704) 348-2717 or by email at dhollars@centralina.org.

Early to College, Early to Career Success

Rowan County Names Early College Program Principal

Cindy Misenheimer, West Rowan Middle School Principal, has been named the first principal for the Rowan County Early College, which will allow up to 100 ninth graders to start earning college credit at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College (RCCC). Early College is a joint venture of the Rowan-Salisbury School System and RCCC.

A pair of open houses held earlier concerning Rowan County Early College attracted hundreds of parents and students interested in having rising ninth graders participate in the inaugural program this fall.

Starting this coming August, high school students can work toward a high school diploma and two years of tuition-free college credit through the program. Students take all their classes at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College’s Salisbury campus.

The Early College program is designed for first generation college students, students who would not have considered college as an option, students who were hampered by the expense of college, and students who are looking for an alternative to traditional high school.

To be selected, students must display an eagerness to accept rigorous coursework, an enthusiasm for new and different approaches to learning and the ability to form and grow productive relationships with teachers, other students and the community.

There are already 42 early college high schools in operation in North Carolina and plans are to have up to 100 with at least one in each of the state’s school systems.

The Centralina Workforce Development Board is proud to have another Early College program in the region. The Board believes that preparing the youth of today for the workforce of tomorrow builds not only a brighter future for them but also for the region. Please stay tuned to the Centralina Workforce Development Board’s monthly E-Newsletter for more information on this exciting development.

A Brighter Future Awaits!

Opportunity House Opens to Serve Career Seekers and the Homeless in Cabarrus County

On Monday March 3, 2008 a daytime resource center for homeless and jobless residents in Cabarrus and southern Rowan counties opened at 2216 Kannapolis Highway.

The Opportunity House, as previously reported on in the Centralina Workforce Development Board monthly E-Newsletter, is a partnership between midway United Methodist Church of Kannapolis and Cooperative Christian Ministry in Concord. The house will host programs for those who are actively engaged in activities that will improve their employability and self-sufficiency.

Cooperative Christian Ministry will provide the anchor program, including case management, referrals, training and other resources. Several other agencies will also be involved.

The Cabarrus County JobLink Career Center, which is located across the street from the house, will support job seekers with training and referrals and provide an “Interview Clothing Closet” for people who lack clothing appropriate for the interview process. The JobLink Career Center will also provide computers to support The Opportunity House computer lab.

The Cabarrus Literacy Council will provide certified literacy tutors on location for basic reading and reading comprehension training. LifeBuilder Ministries will provide support and instruction for basic computer skills training and Internet training.

Please continue to look to the Centralina Workforce Development Board’s monthly E-Newsletter for updates on this exciting development! For more information on the programs at The Opportunity House please contact Cooperative Christian Ministry at (704) 786-4709 extension 16.

A New Look for a Familiar Resource

ESC Labor Market Information Division Redesigns Homepage

The Labor Market Information (LMI) Division homepage of the Employment Security Commission (ESC) website recently rolled out its new look. The LMI page has been reorganized to make it easier to find the desired type of labor market data.

New changes include a new data access tool called D4, Demand Driven Data Delivery System. It allows the visitor to select the geography for which data is needed and then it will display the most current labor force, industry, occupational wage and business closings data found in five Bureau of Labor Statistics programs. An added feature allows the displayed data to be downloaded and printed in an attractive report format.

The redesigned home page features new sections that more accurately reflect the type of data found in the LMI data links. Links are now organized by: Workforce, Industry and Occupational Information. The Information Access Tools are grouped into one section. A new section, Publications, Research & Reports, lists all LMI publications, including LMI Quick Facts for each Workforce Development Board area. And now for the first time there is a large variety of North Carolina maps depicting population density, industry concentrations and other data relevant to a specific geographic area are available.

A new feature that will be coming to the site in the near future is the Area Labor Analysis (ALA), which will create specialized reports based on a chosen radius of miles from a point of origin. The report will include: job applicants registered with ESC displayed by occupation, experience level and educational attainment, workforce commuting patterns, and industry employment and wages for industries located in the chosen area. This report, currently produced upon request, is particularly useful for economic development and planning and in drawing potential employers to a given area of the state.

Please be sure to check out the new Labor Market Information homepage at www.ncesc.com, which can also be access through the Centralina WDB website at www.centralinaworks.com/website/links.asp. Comments or suggestions on the new look? Please direct them all to the LMI Communications Unit at (919) 733-2936 or email them to judy.long@ncmail.net.

NC Research Campus Update

Find Out the Latest from One of the Most Happening Places in Our Region

Equipment to Begin Arriving in Spring, Researchers in Summer
The grand opening of the Core Research Laboratory is scheduled for April 2008. However, the scientific equipment will still be moving in to the 311,000 square-foot building through the summer. Campus officials stated that the plan is to start moving in the equipment into the lab in the spring so that it will be ready for researchers that will begin arriving in the summer of 2008.

The 950-mHz Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectrometer, the crown jewel in the core lab’s equipment array, will be installed in the basement of the Laboratory in April. There is a 15 foot hole in the side of the building that will be boarded up after it is installed.

Castle & Cooke president Lynne Scott Safrit stated that a technician with Bruker BioSpin will spend a year at the core lab, calibrating the NMR and making sure everything runs smoothly.

Murdock Endows Research Campus Faculty Positions
David Murdock has endowed three new faculty positions with a $2 million gift to N.C. State University. The three new positions will be based at the NC Research Campus in Kannapolis. His gift is being matched by a $1 million gift from the North Carolina Distinguished Professors Endowment Trust Fund.

The total gift of $3 million will create the Murdock Professorships. The positions should be filled in the 2008-2009 fiscal year.

N.C. State is one of six UNC system institutions at the research campus. It will share a 100,000 square-foot building on the campus in downtown Kannapolis with Murdock’s Dole Research Institute. The N.C. State building is expected to be completed and opened by August 1, 2008.

Duke Offices are Opening in Kannapolis
Duke University officials are moving into Kannapolis as the MURDOCK Study begins its initial stages.

The offices, in what used to be the Dress Barn in Cannon Village, will serve as the temporary home of the study until the Duke building is constructed on the North Carolina Research Campus. The offices should be open for business in April.

“We’ve already had people call the offices, interested in the study,” Ashley Dunham, community health project leader stated.

The MURDOCK Study will be conducted in phases, called horizons, and will be made up of projects with specific goals to meet. The first horizon should last between one to two years and within five years the researchers hope to have a solid foundation of new discoveries to base the longitudinal study and possibly clinical trials for new treatments on.

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.

Boys & Girls Club of Concord Pancake Day Fundraiser

The Centralina Workforce Development Board Youth Council met on March 20, 2008 at the Boys & Girls Club of Concord. The location was the same, but this time there was a little extra incentive for Youth Council members and guests to come out.

The Boys & Girls Club held its Annual Pancake Day fundraiser. Youth Council members and guests were treated to a Pancake breakfast, courtesy of the Centralina Workforce Development Board, that was truly out of this world! The fundraiser began at 5:30 am and lasted until 7:30pm.

Volunteers and Club staff came out to serve several hundred supporters a breakfast of pancakes, sausage, and drinks. More than 5,000 customers attending the event and Valerie Melton, Centralina Youth Council Member and Executive Director of the Boys & Girls Club stated that she expects the club will make at least $20,000 from this year’s fundraiser.

Centralina WDB Operations Manager Patricia White couldn’t believe the community response to the fundraiser. “It is great how members of the community come out and support the fundraiser; it’s good to see so many people coming out to help out the youth.”

The Youth Council meeting was just as satisfying as the breakfast. Admissions Specialist Tihida Simmons talked to the group about the programs and admissions requirements for the Cabarrus College of Health Sciences. This is part of the Board’s efforts to expose more youth service providers and their clients to the many different and rewarding careers in the Allied Health field.

The group received valuable information on Health Occupations to go along with a hearty breakfast… a truly FULL-filling day. For more information on the Centralina WDB Youth Council, please contact Natasha Pender at (704) 348-2725 or by e-mail at npender@centralina.org.

* * * * * * *

Anson County Schools Receives $18,000 in Donations from Wadesboro Rotary Club

The Wadesboro Rotary Club recently donated more than $18,000 to Anson County Schools. Rotary Club representatives George Truman and Dr. Don Altieri (also a Centralina Workforce Development Board member) presented two checks to Superintendent Greg Firn that totaled more than $18,000.

The funds donated will help buy 20 laptops for the Progress Energy Cyber Center, located at the Rotary Science Center and Planetarium. Progress Energy provided $12,000 toward the project. The difference was made up by the Anson Rotary Club and other local donations.

Dr. Altieri stated that another $1,500 will go to the creation of a mobile science lab. The lab is being designed and constructed using an enclosed aluminum trailer, purchased specially for this project.

The mobile lab can be used to transport equipment and materials to schools throughout the county.

The Centralina Workforce Development Board and the Centralina Youth Council are proud to be partners with Anson County Schools and are excited to see schools and community organizations, as well as local businesses embracing technology to reach the future workforce of tomorrow. The Board and Youth Council are strong partners with all of the public school systems in the region. For more information on the Centralina WDB Youth Council, please contact Natasha Pender at (704) 348-2725 or by e-mail at npender@centralina.org.

* * * * * * *

Rowan County Youth Show Off Their Construction Skills

Seven Rowan County teens were in Las Vegas recently participating in the International Construction Challenge.

Students from Carson High, East Rowan and South Rowan high schools qualified for the international competition by winning a regional event in Georgia in January.

At the Challenge students participated in a number of competitions, where they did things like build miniature bridges and roads, then used remote-control cars to haul sand and gravel to a finish line.

There were 51 teams from 18 states competing. Members of winning teams claimed scholarship money and other prizes. One of Rowan County’s Participants, J.R. Poole, won one of the challenge’s top prizes – a $5,000 scholarship.

Funding for the students to make the trip to Las Vegas was provided by Power Curbers, a Salisbury company that makes concrete curbs.

The Centralina Workforce Development Board and the Centralina Youth Council are proud to see employers in the region connecting with youth to help build careers and a steady productive workforce. Preparing the youth for the jobs of tomorrow is top priority for the Centralina Youth Council. For more information the Centralina Workforce Development Board Youth Council, please contact Natasha Pender at (704) 348-2725 or by e-mail at npender@centralina.org.

* * * * * * *

Union County Student Named President of North Carolina Association of Student Councils

Congratulations are order for Union County! After six years of involvement with student councils, Thomas Hill, a junior at the Central Academy of Technology and Arts (CATA) in Monroe will serve as president of the North Carolina Association of Student Councils (NCASC) during his senior year.

Since Hill will be president of the NCASC the Central Academy of Technology and Arts will be the president school, meaning next year’s state convention will be in Monroe. The three-day convention will involve 500-600 students from all over the state, bringing business and publicity to the town.

“Generally, when people think of this part of the state, they think of Charlotte,” Ted Gehring, CATA student council advisor stated. He added that next year’s convention will give people a chance to see what Monroe has to offer.

The Centralina Workforce Development Board is a proud partner with Union County Public Schools and is proud to have the president of the NCASC in our region! It is the great school systems in the Centralina WDB region that coach our youth to be outstanding individuals and continues to bring more businesses to the area.

* * * * * * *

Technology Funding Will Help Ensure Broadband Internet Access in All Classrooms

Local school systems will benefit from $8 million in technology funding to be distributed across the state as a result of the North Carolina School Connectivity Initiative, which seeks to ensure broadband Internet access in all classrooms.

The school systems that will receive the funding are: Rowan-Salisbury Schools ($199,000), Cabarrus County Schools ($155,191), Stanly County Schools ($60,978) and Kannapolis City Schools ($21,307).

“With school technology dollars being as tight as they are, any additional funding is welcome,” said Phil Hardin, executive director for technology at Rowan-Salisbury Schools. “Hopefully, this will free up funds we were using to pay for Internet connectivity to upgrade technology we do have.”

Lieutenant Governor Beverly Perdue, who announced the fund distribution, said in a statement that the initiative helps level the playing field by allowing students access to technology regardless of where they live.

The Centralina Workforce Development Board and the Centralina Youth Council are proud partners with all of these great school systems, as well as with all the school systems in the region and can’t wait to see the results from this grant. Please continue to look to the Centralina Workforce Development Board monthly E-Newsletter for updates on this exciting development!


 

  

What's Happening in the Region?

Comings, Goings, Kudos…

We are all deeply saddened by the death on March 24 of Larry Crandell, Anson County Department of Social Services Director. Larry was a fixture at the monthly JobLink Management Team meetings. His sharp wit and intellect will be sorely missing. The Centralina Workforce Development Board and the Anson County JobLink Career Center Management Team and staff offer our thoughts and prayers to Larry’s family.

 
  • Martha Sue Hall, Albemarle City Council member was recently appointed to the North Carolina Child Fatality Task Force by Representative Joe Hackney, speaker of the NC House of Representatives. The task force was created in 1991 to study the causes of death in childhood and to develop a system of review for deaths. Congratulations Martha Sue!
 
  • Dr. W. Craig Turner has been selected as Catawba College’s new President. Dr. Turner is currently the head of Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene, Texas. Dr. Turner is taking the position after current President Dr. Robert Knott retires after six years of service. Welcome to the region Dr. Turner!
     
  • Craig Meadows, Monroe city manager was recently inducted into the Gallery of Distinguished Graduates at Gardner-Webb University in Boiling Springs. The gallery honors alumni who are making positive contributions in their careers and communities. Congratulations Craig!
 
  • Adrianne Baughns-Wallace is the new director of United Family Services in Cabarrus County. Baughns-Wallace has a bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of the State of New York and a master’s in management from Cambridge College. We are looking forward to working with you Adrianne!
     
  • Melanie O’Connell Underwood has formed the Melanie O’Connell Underwood Economic Development Consulting firm. O’Connell Underwood states that she already has clients including the Lincoln Economic Development Corporation.
 
  • D. Dontae Latson has been named director of the Union County Department of Social Services. He is replacing Roy Young, who retired at the end of February. Latson comes from the Carolinas HealthCare System. We welcome Mr. Latson to Union County.
     
  • Benham Real Estate Group in Concord has been honored with a U.S. Chamber of Commerce Blue Ribbon Small Business Award. The company also won the 2007 “Small Business of the Year” Award from the Cabarrus Regional Chamber of Commerce, who nominated the company for the national award. The Blue Ribbon Small Business Award was given in recognition of the company’s dedication to excellence in several categories.

  • Barium Springs Home for Children and Counseling Center for Iredell have merged. The Counseling Center will eventually dissolve and be absorbed by Barium Springs, thus allowing them to provide additional services and be a more activity partner in the community.

• Centralina Workforce Development Board meeting
Tuesday April 8, 2008 – 4:30 PM
Mitchell Community College – Statesville

• Centralina WDB Executive Planning Committee meeting
Tuesday April 22, 2008 – 12:00 PM
Carolina Carpet Care and Restoration – Concord

• Centralina WDB Community Relations Committee meeting
Thursday April 24, 2008 – 12:30 PM
Conference Call

• Understanding Lawful Employment: Immigrant and Citizen
Wednesday April 2, 2008 - 8:30 am - 10:00 am (Breakfast Provided)
Stanly Regional Medical Center - Family & Education Center
Sponsored by: Stanly County JobLink Career Center, Stanly Community College Business Center
Call 704.991.0257 to register
Deadline to Register: Friday March 28, 2008 by 5:00 pm

• Anson County JobLink Career Fair
Thursday April 3, 2008, 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
South Piedmont Community College - Lockhart-Taylor Center in Wadesboro
Free for Employers
Contact: Kristy Phifer 704.272.5460

• Tools for Trade
Thursdays, April 3 - May 22, 2008, 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Rowan-Cabarrus Community College Business and Technology Center in Concord
Registration fee: $75.00
To register: Dan Holt at 704.333.4886

• Managing the Performance of Others
Mondays April 7 & 28, 2008, 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Rowan-Cabarrus Community College - Cabarrus Business and Technology Center - Concord - Room 9281
Registration: $55.00
Materials Fee: $250.00
Contact: Alesia Burris 704.216.7213 or burrisa@rowancabarrus.edu

• Effective Customer Service
Tuesday April 15, 2008, 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Workforce Development Training Center - Raleigh
Fee: $50.00
Contact: 919.329.5588 or www.ncwdtc.com

• Cabarrus County JobLink Level III Celebration
Thursday April 17, 2008, 3:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Cabarrus JobLink Career Center – Concord
RSVP: Carolyn Mays 704.786.3183 or by email at Carolyn.mays@ncmail.net

• Starting a Small Business
Mondays April 21 - May 12, 2008 , 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Rowan-Cabarrus Community College - Cabarrus Business and Technology Center - Concord - Room 3679
Registration: $55.00
Text: $17.25
Contact: Alesia Burris 704.216.7213 or burrisa@rowancabarrus.edu

• Embracing Transition
Thursday April 10, 2008, 9:30 AM – 12:00 PM (morning session) 4:00 PM – 6:30 PM (evening session)
South Piedmont Community College – Old Charlotte Hwy. Conference Center
Information: For 11th & 12th Grade Students with Disabilities
Contact: Emily Clamp at 704.348.2732 or by email at eclamp@centralina.org

• Youth!
2008 Summer Camp (for incoming 4th - 6th graders)
Rotary Planetarium & Science Center - Anson County
June 23-27, 2008 - Physical Science Camp = Xtreme Machine Week 8:00 am - 12:00 pm
July 21 - 25, 2008 - Life & Earth Science Camp = Water Wise Week 8:00 am - 12:00 pm
July 28 - August 1, 2008 - Astronomy Camp = X-files Week 8:00 am - 12:00 pm
Cost: $100.00 per student
Registration Deadline - May 16, 2008
Contact: Holly Walters 704.694.7016 or walters.holly@anson.k12.nc.us

• Junior Achievement is looking for volunteers and sponsors in Cabarrus & Rowan Counties:
Opportunities:
-Volunteer
-Sponsor a class or child
-Help lead the success of Junior Achievement in Cabarrus County
Contact: Stacey Richards, Junior Achievement District Manager
704.563.4858 or srichards@jacarolinas.org

NC Workforce Development Training Center Training Announcements

Writing Effective Case Notes
Tuesday April 29, 2008 (two half day sessions)
Time: 8:30 AM – 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM – 4:30 PM
Location: The Workforce Development Training Center - Raleigh
Fee: $35.00
Contact: email Martha Barefoot at mbarefoot@nccommerce.com

Job Seekers…Who Happen to Have a Criminal Record
Wednesday May 14, 2008
Time: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Location: Pitt Community College - Greenville
Fee: $45.00
Contact: email Martha Barefoot at mbarefoot@nccommerce.com

For more information about these and other training offerings or to register for training, please visit: www.ncwdtc.com
 

Visit our website at www.centralinaworks.com to learn more about the Centralina WDB
To send a comment about our E-Newsletter, click here.
To learn more about the Centralina Council of Governments please visit www.centralina.org
CentralinaWORKS is a publication of the Centralina Workforce Development Board. If you do not wish to receive this E-Newsletter in the future, please send a return e-mail and type "REMOVE" in the Subject Line and you will be removed from our distribution list. The CWDB does not share its distribution list with other organizations. Please feel free to share this E-Newsletter with co-workers and other business associates.