Growth Continues in Lincoln County

Timken Company Announces Investment in Equipment

The Timken Company’s Lincoln County plant is continuing its almost annual growth in investment with the addition of $7.1 million in equipment at the Iron Station plant.

The company plans to refit an automotive-bearing manufacturing line in the plant. Timken employs more than 950 at the Lincoln County facility.

In exchange for the additional investment, Lincoln County commissioners have granted Timken $98,500 in incentives, which will be paid over five years.

Tom Anderson, county board chairman and Centralina Workforce Development Board consortium member, says the additional investment in the plan is a good indicator that Timken will continue to grow.

“Such decisions by our existing industries indicate great promise for the future of Timken employees in Lincoln County,” he said.

Please continue to look to the Centralina Workforce Development Board’s monthly E-Newsletter for updates on this exciting development. Can’t wait for the E-Newsletter each month to get your up to date information on businesses in the region? Check out our website at www.centralinaworks.com for daily updates!

The Timken Company’s Iron Station facility has been operating since 1979 and employs around 950 people.

Kooks Custom Headers Moves to Iredell County

Motorsports Industry Partner moves from New York City to be Closer to the Action

Kooks Custom Headers, a New-York based automotive parts manufacturer, announced its relocation to Iredell County. According to representatives from Kooks Custom Headers the company is planning to build a new 50,000 square-foot facility in the Statesville Business Park. The business will invest $4 million in the county and will create 55 new jobs over five years.

The company is the largest manufacturer of custom automotive exhaust systems on the East Coast. Its customers include many of the top racing teams, custom car shops and car enthusiasts.

Construction of the facility is scheduled to begin immediately, pending zoning and permitting approval, with manufacturing operations starting in late 2008 or early 2009. It will be the first new business to locate in the Statesville Business Park since 1995.

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

ATI Allvac Forging a Bright Future

$260 Million Plant in Monroe to Add Jobs and Expand Role in US Aircraft Industry

ATI Allvac will start production in June at a $260 million titanium alloy forging plant in Monroe. This new plant will allow the company to boost its presence in the aerospace industry and will also help it prepare to grow to 1,225 employees in Union County.The company will add 125 workers within a year at the new 400,000 square-foot plant in AeroPointe Industrial Centre. The plant is near the Charlotte-Monroe Executive Airport.

Allegheny Technologies, Inc. is ATI Allvac’s parent company, and they are investing $800 million in a play to meet rising demand for titanium and other alloys used in redesigned aircraft, which are expected to increase their titanium content by as much as five times the current levels.

“While Monroe’s core industries have been associated with aerospace for decades, ATI Allvac’s record commitment is the pinnacle of a five-year wave of investments that has solidified Monroe as the center for aerospace manufacturing within the Charlotte region,” says Chris Plate, director of Monroe Economic Development.

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

Carolinas HealthCare System Moves Services

Outpatient Services are Moving from CMC-NorthEast

Carolinas HealthCare System is planning on consolidating and relocating their outpatient rehabilitation services from Carolinas Medical Center-NorthEast hospital to a new medical office building on Copperfield Boulevard in Concord.

The proposed project, near the CMC-NorthEast Outpatient Imaging Center and the Gateway Ambulatory Surgery Center is slated to cost $13.7 million.

Carolinas HealthCare has submitted certificate-of-needs applications with the NC Division of Health Service Regulation on the projects. North Carolina’s certificate-of-need law prohibits health-care providers from acquiring, replacing or adding certain facilities and equipment without state approval. The law is intended to reduce unnecessary increases in health-care costs by eliminating duplication of medical facilities, services and equipment.

Carolinas HealthCare, the largest health-care system in the Carolinas and the third-largest public system in the nation. They are also active partner in the Competitive Workforce Alliance’s Allied Health Regional Skills Partnership.

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

A New Look With More Resources

Downtown Statesville Development Corporation Redesigns Website

The new website will give visitors easier access to events and real estate information. It will also have an online calendar of upcoming events and an updated list of downtown businesses.

“It’s a work in progress,” said DSDC director Marin Tomlin. “I think everything happens on the internet now and you have to have a good product.”

Once completed, the new website will have residential and commercial property listings for downtown. One of the new features soon to be added to the newly designed site will be for potential and current business owners and will give them information on the tax district’s regulations, how to set up utilities and trash pickup and parking availability.

You should cruise on over to the new website at www.downtownstatesvillenc.org and let them know what you think of the new resources and the new look!

New Facility = Even Greater Success

Lincoln Economic Development Association Opens New Location

The Lincoln Economic Development Association (LEDA) held a ribbon cutting ceremony to open their new office building on Thursday May 15, 2008.

Lincoln County and City of Lincolnton officials joined LEDA board members, staff manufacturing executives and others at their new 4,500 square-foot building located at 502 East Main Street in downtown Lincolnton.

The occasion marked the first time the organization has had a permanent headquarters. LEDA has moved more than four times in 12 years.

“We’ve really been limited on the bricks and mortar, but that’s going to change today,” chairman of LEDA, Pete Acker said.

Barry Matherly, LEDA’s executive director since 1999, said that the more than $900,000 investment will have a practical purpose in enticing more business to the area and remaining competitive in the region.

The building will be subdivided into three sections and will feature a mix of high technology and bare essentials with decorum, including prints and paintings by local artists.

A larger celebration is planned for the new facility on Thursday June 12, 2008 from 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm to RSVP please contact Ken Phillips at (704) 732-1511.

Officials cut the ribbon at the new LEDA building at 502 East Main Street in Lincolnton. Cutting the ribbon were (left to right): Pete Acker, chairman for LEDA; Tom Anderson, chairman of the Lincoln County commissioners; Lincolnton Mayor David Black, and Micah Lee, First Charter Lincoln County executive.

PreGel Plans Grand Opening

New $15 Million Facility to Open in Concord

With executives having moved in mid-May, a mid-July grand opening is tentatively scheduled for the North American headquarters of international gelato company PreGel.

Ingredients for the all-natural, fruit-based dessert will be manufactured at the estimated $15 million site at Concord’s International Business Park.

The production phase of PreGel’s Concord location will open in the next four months. And another phase will include a patio where visitors and business guests can eat gelato and drink coffee as in a European setting.

“I would like to offer visitors the feeling of being in Italy,” Marco Casol president and CEO of PreGel AMERICA, said. “To inspire people, to get them excited.”

A mid-July grand opening is being planned for the facility. Please stay tuned to the Centralina Workforce Development Board monthly E-Newsletter for more updates on this exciting development!

May'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 Fiber Composites in New London, NC. Deborah Whitley of Fiber Composites completed and submitted the survey. We thank Deborah for helping us with our continuous improvement feedback process! For more information about Fiber Composites please visit their website at www.fibercomposites.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.

Teens from Salisbury-Rowan Community Action Agency Build their Leadership Skills

Teens enrolled in the Workforce Investment Act youth GED program at Salisbury-Rowan Community Action Agency are growing and developing their leadership skills.

The teens volunteered, along with Sgt. J.J. Wilkerson, a Salisbury Police Department gang investigator, to help scrub spray-painted graffiti off buildings. The police department provided the cleaning supplies and the youth program provided the volunteers.

The GED program is designed so that young people graduate or earn their GEDs and retain employment through adult mentoring, counseling, internships, leadership development and so on. Almond Miller, an employment counselor with the agency, stated that the opportunity to work Sgt. Wilkerson was a chance for the teens to get some good advice on career choices.

According to Miller the teen volunteers have donated their time to the American Red Cross, Habitat for Humanity of Rowan County and Rowan Helping Ministries as well.

“Sometimes you have to be of service to get service in order to be a service leader. That’s what we are trying to do – build them up to be leaders,” Miller said.

The Centralina Workforce Development Board and Youth Council are strong partners with the Salisbury-Rowan Community Action Agency and are proud to see youth in the community assisting with community growth. Developing leaders today leads to strong communities tomorrow. For more information on the Workforce Investment Act youth GED program please contact Joann Diggs at the Salisbury-Rowan Community Action Agency at (704) 633-6633.

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2nd Annual Centralina Youth Council Youth Summit

The Centralina Workforce Development Board’s Youth Council is happy to announce that the 2nd Annual Youth Services Summit “Turning Barriers into Bridges” will be held on Friday September 19, 2008 at the Charles Mack Citizen Center in Mooresville. The Summit will be held from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM.

The keynote speaker for the event is Adonis “Sporty” Jeralds who is the author of “The Champion in You.” Featured workshops include understanding millennial youth culture, music/video literacy and many more!

Last year the Summit had a great turnout and this year’s is guaranteed to be even bigger and better!  Be sure to add this save the date to your calendar so you don’t miss this great event!

For more information on the 2nd Annual Youth Services Summit please contact Natasha Pender at (704) 348-2725 or by email at npender@centralina.org.

Communities in Schools Celebrates Graduating Youth

Communities in Schools of Cabarrus County recognized seven graduating high school seniors who have overcome tremendous odds.

Many of the students overcame not one, but multiple obstacles. The seven youth honored this year include, Sandra Martinez, Molly Hilton, Brendan Pop, Debra Morris, Melissa Pratt, Charlotte Nance, and Xavier Johnson.

Some of the obstacles that the youth overcame include learning English, suffering from physical and mental illnesses, behavioral issues, and problems at home.

The Cabarrus County chapter of Communities in Schools began in 1992 to help students stay in school and has always honored students who achieved their goals.

The organization is a United Way Agency and has served more than 13,000 students in some capacity by collaborating with more than 60 service groups in the past year. The group also organizes tutoring and mentor programs and distributes school supplies to needy students.

The Centralina Workforce Development Board and the Centralina Youth Council are proud partners with Communities in Schools of Cabarrus County. The Board and the Youth Council are excited to see so many youth in the region overcome obstacles to achieve their dreams. These youth are true leaders and will accomplish many things in our communities. For more information on the Communities in Schools Program please visit their website at http://www.cisnc.org.

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New Project Calls for More Mentors, Are You Ready to Answer the Call?

Do you know what the North Carolina Graduation Project is? You should!

Beginning with the class of 2010, students who wish to graduate from a North Carolina public high school must complete a graduation project. The North Carolina Graduation Project includes four components: a research paper, a product, a portfolio and an oral presentation.

State Superintendent June Atkinson stated, “This process will involve students, schools, parents and communities…[and] is an opportunity for students to spend extended time delving into a topic for which they have a particular interest and passion.”

So, how does this affect you? One aspect of the project is to connect each student with a mentor who can advise them as they research their paper and create a related project. Not everyone is in a position to connect with a student personally or meet face-to-face, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get involved!

If you are interested in being a mentor for a youth in your community please contact Centralina Workforce Development Board Program Associate, Natasha Pender and she can connect you to a local school. Being a mentor is one of the most important things you can do as a professional to help shape the future of the youth in our community as well as the future of business. For more information please contact Natasha Pender at (704) 348-2725 or by e-mail at npender@centralina.org.

Salisbury High School Gets Math and Science Academy

Great news for Salisbury High School. The school will be getting a math and science academy for free!

The goal of the academy, which at least for the first year will be funding by a private donor, is to draw rising seventh, eighth, and ninth-graders from all over the county to a two-week pre-academy program this summer.

The seventh and eighth-graders will return to their middle schools for the regular curriculum after the summer break. However, the ninth-graders will enter Salisbury High with a rigorous schedule of math and science courses.

There will be qualifications for students to enroll in which some include maintain a 4.0 grade point average and must score at least 1250 on the SAT. Students must also intend to major in math or science in college. Catawba College has donated funds for scholarships for the top five graduates that graduate with the first class of the academy.

Please continue to look to the Centralina Workforce Development Board for monthly updates on this exciting new development in our region. For more information on the math and science academy at Salisbury High School, please contact Dr. Windsor Eagle at (704) 636-1221.