Centralina 2nd Annual Youth Services Summit a GREAT Success!

The Centralina Workforce Development Board hosted its second annual Youth Services Summit on Friday, September 19, 2008 at the Charles Mack Citizen Center in Mooresville. Nearly 70 people gathered for a full day of fun and interactive workshops. The theme of the Summit was “Turning Barriers in to Bridges”

The opening session was kicked off by the 2008 Governor’s Award for Excellence recipient Sherman Rankin introducing keynote speaker Adonis “Sporty” Jeralds. Sporty is an author and is part of the marketing and events staff at the Charlotte Bobcats Arena. Sporty encouraged attendees to become “champions”. As author of the book The Champion in You, Sporty challenged listeners to Choose fun, Have a Plan, realize Attitude determines altitude, take a look at the Man in the Mirror, Preparation, preparation, preparation, have Integrity, remember Others need your help, and Never give up. These eight ingredients will surely allow any individual to become a champion!

The morning workshops really energized the crowd. The sessions were led by: Eric Rowles and Erik Turner of “Leading to Change,” who sought to increase effective communication amongst adults and youth through their workshop entitled: Understanding the Millennials, Kwain Bryant of Empowerment Exchange who engaged his workshop audience in an in depth conversation on the impacts of poverty, addressing the hidden norms among individuals who live in a poverty situation, Lance Eubanks and Jay Lesemann of NCAPA Financial Literacy Council who led a workshop on Financial Literacy, and Angela Jeter, Center for Civic Engagement and Community Partnerships at Johnson C. Smith University provided information on Grant writing.

The highlight of the day was the luncheon session. Youth participants – Mandy Bradshaw and Melissa Marlow (I-CARE); Shayla Crawford and Levi McClam (Union County Community Action); Dexter Hinson (Resource Development Center); and Kelli Sheehan, Jamar Still, and Rashad Badger (Salisbury-Rowan Community Action Agency) from the region’s Workforce Investment Act (WIA) programs discussed the positives and negatives about WIA participation and also addressed some misconceptions about youth. The audience were both enlightened and enthralled by the youth’s honesty as well as their willingness to discuss what the WIA program has meant to them.

The afternoon workshop sessions covered Strategies for Job Satisfaction lead by Kwain Bryant and Managing Test Anxiety led by Rowan Cabarrus Community College Director of Counseling and Career Services Tori Torres.

As the day came to a close, Eric Rowles and Erik Turner held a closing session for the whole group that got them off of their feet and moving and dancing. The group learned about the importance of team work, not only in a work atmosphere but in their daily lives. David Hollars wrapped up the Summit and thanked all for coming.

The Centralina Workforce Development Board, Inc. and the Centralina Youth Council would like to thank all of the event’s wonderful sponsors for their contributions. Sponsors included Centralina Workforce Development Board, AFAB Promotions (Kings Mountain, NC), R.E.A.D. Inc., and Anderson Real Estate (Anson County). The Board and the Youth Council would personally like to thank all of the presenters for their time to help others reach our youth and to make their lives a little bit better. Lastly, the Board and the Council would like to thank everyone who attended the Summit. We hope that they learned something that they can take back to their jobs and to their lives to help the youth in the region, they are our future. To access the presentations made at the Youth Services Summit and to view the Summit photo gallery, please visit www.way2work.org. Want to get involved with the Centralina Youth Council? Contact Natasha Pender at (704) 348-2725 or npender@centralina.org.

Sporty Jeralds welcomed the crowd to the Youth Services Summit and got them revved up for the day.

David Hollars is molded into a leader at the conclusion of the Youth Services Summit.

Photo above article:  The Workforce Investment Act youth who served on the panel stated that they were happy they got a chance to have a voice at the conference.

Mark Sweeney Speaks to Rowan County About Its Potential

“Be Prepared.” That was the message for the professionals who attended the “Prepared Communities Win” session that was held on Tuesday September 9, 2008 at Catawba College. The event was sponsored by the Salisbury-Rowan Economic Development Commission, the Centralina Workforce Development Board, Catawba College, Rowan County Chamber of Commerce, Piedmont Natural Gas, Duke Energy and Salisbury-Rowan Available for Work.

Mark Sweeney of McCallum Sweeney Consulting and a nationally recognized site selection consultant, told Rowan County leaders Tuesday that the preparations they make now in things such as sites, teamwork, workforce, infrastructure, incentives and quality of life will pay off.

It might be tomorrow or it maybe five years from now. But prepared communities win, Sweeney said, and attracting company investment and new jobs is more competitive than ever. Speaking at Catawba College as a guest of the Ketner School of Business and the Salisbury-Rowan Economic Development Commission, Sweeney gave specific examples of how communities elsewhere were able to land the big companies.

He also spoke on how Rowan County needed to leverage its regional assets, such as its proximity to bigger cities such as Charlotte and Greensboro.

“The regional thing has worked pretty well here,” said Sweeney.

Part of being prepared is having customer knowledge Sweeney said. The clients he works for are profit-driven, deadline-driven, have multiple location options and are “risk averse,” Sweeney said. Sweeney said when his own company narrows down a client’s search to a handful of “finalist communities,” it means the clients could go to any of the communities and operate successfully.

The final decision on which community it will be comes down to negotiations (maybe with incentives), risk analysis, cost modeling and other things. Again, a community has to be prepared. Executives of companies are passionate about their companies, Sweeney said, and they want to see that same passion from leaders about their communities.

Other points made by Sweeney include:

• Local government should add to state dollars for existing industry training. Also consider seeking donations from corporate sponsors who have a vested interest in economic development.
• Rule of thumb: 1 job for each million of investment.
• Workforce and economic development staff need ongoing training to stay on the “cutting edge.”
• Boards need visioning sessions to develop strategic plans, a minimum of every five years.

Sweeney's large audience included business professionals, EDC members, county commissioners, municipal mayors and council members and college faculty and students. Vail Carter, Centralina WDB Business Services Representative, participated in the event. For more information on the presentation by Mark Sweeney, please visit the Salisbury-Rowan Economic Development Commission website at www.rowanedc.com or contact Vail Carter at (704) 348-2710 or by email at vcarter@centralina.org.

Community Comes Together to Discuss $2 Million Grant

Anson County Citizens Outline Top Priorities for Golden LEAF Grant

Nearly 70 people came to the second in a series of public meetings on Wednesday September 3 at the Lockhart-Taylor Center in Wadesboro to determine what to do with the $2 million grant that the Golden LEAF Foundation will present to Anson County.

The audience had an opportunity to voice their general concerns to the event organizers, and then they voted on which “big ideas,” as Leslie Anderson described them, were most important. Anderson is a consultant with Leslie Anderson Consulting, Inc. and works with the Golden LEAF Foundation. She, along with Courtney Mills, a program officer at Golden LEAF, organized and coordinated the meeting.

The eight areas of concern were education, human resources, economic development, housing/homelessness, crime prevention/gang violence, animal welfare, quality of life and health or healthcare.

In the top tier were education and economic development. The second tier was human resources and quality of life.

Citizens had their own reactions to the meeting. “I think the meeting was very good actually,” Teresa Capers said. “People got a feel for what’s really ahead of us,” Loretta Cohen said.

The next meeting will be held on Wednesday October 8, 2008 at 1:00 pm at the Lockhart-Taylor Center. Attendees will work in small groups to discuss the concerns that have been voted on at the September meeting. The public is encouraged to attend.

The Golden LEAF Foundation is a nonprofit corporation that was created in 1999 to receive one-half of the funds coming to North Carolina from the master settlement agreement with cigarette manufacturers. For more information on the upcoming meetings or on the Golden LEAF Foundation’s grant for Anson County, please contact David Hollars at (704) 348-2717 or by email at dhollars@centralina.org.

It is that time of year again as workforce professionals across North Carolina gear up for the Workforce Development Partnership Conference 2008. This year conference titled North Carolina’s Talent Pipeline: Linking Workers to Business will be held October 22-24 at the Sheraton Four Seasons Hotel and Joseph S. Koury Convention Center in Greensboro. Several featured presenters have been highlighted. They include, Greg Newton, Eric Rowles, Bob Knight, John Metcalf and Mary Ann Lawrence. Also, many excellent featured workshops have been outlined. A few titles include, Engaging our Biggest Employers: Small Business, Balance, Grasshopper: Staying Sane While You Do More With Less, and PGT: Blueprint for Success Using WorkKeys & CRC.

Registration and preliminary agenda information can be found at the NC Workforce Development Training Center website at www.ncwdtc.com. So don’t delay and sign up today! And be sure to make your room reservations at the Sheraton Four Seasons as soon as possible at 1-800-242-6556 or www.sheratongreensboro.com. For more information about the NC Workforce Development Partnership Conference please contact Robbin Davis Broome, Conference Coordinator at (919) 329.5588 or rbroome@nccommerce.com.

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
470-A North Broad Street
Mooresville, NC 28115
Phone: 704-664-4225

Iredell County JobLink Career Center - Statesville
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.

Brazilian Firm to Invest $115 Million in Iredell County Providencia USA Inc. Chooses Statesville for Investment and Jobs Lured by more than $2.5 million in economic incentives, a Latin American-based company announced plans to build its first U.S. manufacturing plant in Statesville. Providencia USA Inc., a subsidiary of Companhia Providencia Industria e Comercio in Brazil, will invest at least $133 million during the next five years. The plant will employ 90 workers, who will earn an average salary of $41,835, excluding benefits. The average annual salary in Iredell County is $34,580. Construction is scheduled to begin immediately and will be completed in early 2009. "From an announced investment standpoint, this is the largest in the community since 1988," said Mike Smith, executive director of the Greater Statesville Development Corporation. Smith added that the company considered locations in two other states before choosing Statesville. "Providencia's decision to establish itself in North Carolina was based on the state's excellent quality of life, skilled workforce, pro-business environment and its location central to our target markets," said CEO Herminio V.S. de Freitas. The company plans to construct its manufacturing facility in the West Farm Industrial Park, where polypropylene pellets will be melted and formed into thin, lightweight nonwoven sheeting used in the production of personal hygiene items, medical and surgical supplies and other consumer goods. Providencia USA Inc. received a $2.5 million in incentives from Iredell County and a $56,000 grant from the One North Carolina Fund. The Centralina Workforce Development Board is proud to see our region attracting global competitors in their global economy. Please continue to look to the Centralina Workforce Development Board monthly E-Newsletter for more updates on this development! Hospital Plans New Patient Tower in Concord Carolinas Medical Center – NorthEast Announces New Expansion Carolinas Medical Center-NorthEast, in Concord, is planning a new eight-story patient tower that will renovate and replace older beds in the hospital. Hospital president Mark Nantz said the patient tower is necessary to meet the needs of a growing community. The new tower is projected to cost about $264 million and will open by 2013. Nantz said it would replace or renovate 218 beds in the main hospital building and the Mariam Cannon Hayes Family Center. About 66 of those beds are in older portions of the 71-year-old hospital, Nantz said. "We are drawing more people from Rowan County, Stanly and Montgomery counties," Nantz said. "People expect to be in a modern facility." CMC-NorthEast merged with Charlotte-based Carolinas HealthCare System in July 2007. As part of the merger agreement, Carolinas HealthCare System agreed to invest about $650 million in capital improvements. Please continue to look to the Centralina Workforce Development Board’s monthly E-Newsletter for current up to date information on this new development. Taking Recruitment to the Next Level Blum Inc. Expands Apprenticeship Program in Lincoln County Blum Inc. in Lincoln County is broadening its recruiting efforts to include a job prospect’s whole family. The cabinet hardware maker often faces skepticism from parents who’ve seen firsthand the fickle and sometimes dangerous nature of industrial jobs. So Blum now makes it a point to win over Mom and Dad while courting candidates for its workforce of the future. “Parents are afraid about manufacturing,” says Andreas Thurner, Blum apprenticeship Manager. Some parents fear their sons and daughters will be injured in a dirty, noisy manufacturing plant, says Tim Ballard, director of apprenticeship training and recruiting. Blum’s recruiting effort, which often includes plant tours, is part of an apprenticeship program that the Austria-based company has modeled after its European counterpart. This year, the Blum class of 2008 graduated three students and all have decided to take jobs at the 450,000 square-foot facility in Lincoln County. During its 14 years in the county, Blum has trained 100 apprentices, and 82% remained with the company. Another 17% decided to pursue additional schooling at Central Piedmont Community College (CPCC), which provides instruction for the program. The program is no small investment for Blum. The company spends $160,000 on each apprentice during a four year curriculum that includes 8,000 hours of training. It also operates a six-week summer internship program for high-school students to determine if Blum is right for them. Students are paid an hourly wage for the training and Blum pays the cost of the CPCC courses that are part of the program. When the training is complete, workers’ salaries start at $34,000 per year. Barry Matherly, executive director of the Lincoln Economic Development Association, cites the Blum program when meeting with prospects. It demonstrates the local availability of trained and qualified workers, he says. “Workforce is becoming the number one issues for companies coming into the area,” Matherly says. “The fact that it is based in Lincoln County is a source of pride for us.” The Centralina Workforce Development Board is a proud to see business in the region thinking outside of the box to reach the upcoming and current workforce. By doing this not only do they better their employees but they better the community and bring in other employers. The idea of getting young people (and their partners) to consider advanced manufacturing as a career path is an important element of the Board’s “Life Long Learning Campaign”. For more information on the Blum apprenticeship program, please contact Emily Clamp at (704) 348-2732 or by email at eclamp@centralina.org. Tasca Racing Finds New Home in Concord New ZMax Dragway Already Bringing New Businesses to Cabarrus County As the zMAX Dragway celebrated its inaugural race weekend in early September, one National Hot Rod Association team has already announced Concord as its new home. After spending its first year as a team on the road, Tasca Racing, a Motorcraft/Quick Lane-sponsored funny car team, recently broke ground in Concord on what will be its headquarters. The 10,000-square-foot race shop, at Stough Road and Raceway Drive, is expected to be completed in February 2009. Officials with the race team said the new $60 million drag racing facility was the major part of the team's decision to move to the area, in addition to Concord's centralized location for the team. "The drag strip was certainly the anchor to set up our headquarters here," said Bob Tasca III, owner and driver with Tasca Racing. "It's just an incredible platform to race on." He said that while many drag racing teams call Indianapolis home, he felt the North Carolina weather would suit year-long testing at the drag strip. "You can't race on a racetrack in (Indianapolis) in December," Tasca said. "This allows us testing into December." The shop will feature the newest in racing equipment, including blower and clutch dynamometers, as well as fuel flow benches and machine equipment. Tasca's total investment for the new facility is about $1 million, and including Tasca himself, the racing team has 12 employees. Please continue to look to the Centralina Workforce Development Board’s monthly E-Newsletter for current up to date information on this new development. September'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 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.

Employment Statistics
 Updated Monthly on this E-Newsletter

For more information on employment, click here

Lincoln County JobLink Career Center Job Fair is Right on Target with Help

Over 225 Job Seekers Get Assistance in Lincolnton

The Lincoln County JobLink Career Center’s 2008 Job Fair was held on Wednesday September 10, 2008 at the First Baptist Church in Lincolnton and both employers and job seekers seemed pleased with the event.

Judi Morton, manager of the Lincoln County JobLink Career Center said that the event appeared to be a success. “I think it went pretty well,” she stated.

According to Morton, more than 225 job seekers came to learn about job opportunities and, in some cases, fill out applications for employment.

“One of our employers ran out of applications,” she said. “One of our job seekers ran out of resumes.”

John Finger, business development manager for Bennett Hall, a staffing service, was pleased not only with the number of people who attended the job fair, but also with the quality of the applicants he talked to.

“I would say the turnout has been really good,” Finger said. “And it looks like there’s more of a mature seasoned job seeker coming through.”

For the job seekers, the event was a chance to look for employment at a time when the job market is less than stellar.

Zachary Dellinger of Lincolnton said he’s had trouble finding work. However, Dellinger said he did find a few prospects at the job fair.

This isn’t the only success the Lincoln County JobLink Career Center has had lately. The JobLink Career Center recently achieved a Level III JobLink status by the State. This is the highest level of recognition for outstanding service and partnering that a JobLink Career Center can receive.

The Centralina Workforce Development Board and the Lincoln County JobLink Career Center would like to thank everyone who helped in putting together the event, including Erma Deen Hoyle, director of Lincoln County Parks and Recreation; Susan Eurey of Barrett Business Services; Clarice Whitte of Personnel Specialists in Hickory; Nora McIntyre of Goodwill Job Connection and Cristina Arlow of the Lincoln County Literacy Council. For more information on the Job Fair or to learn how the Lincoln County JobLink Career Center helps employers and career seekers everyday, please contact Judi Morton at (704) 735-8035 or visit www.lincolnjoblink.com.

Job seekers and employers mingle at the Lincoln County JobLink Career Center’s 2008 Lincoln County Job Fair, held September 10 at First Baptist Church.

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 second application round for funding will close on Tuesday January 20, 2009, with one more round to follow. 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 the Centralina 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 January 20, 2009. So don’t delay, submit your application today!

Building a Support Network for Small Business Growth

Stanly Community College’s Small Business Center Receives Grant

Stanly Community College’s

This comprehensive BioNetwork initiative focuses on a statewide plan that connects North Carolina community colleges together to offer specialized training and development for an exceptional workforce in the biotechnology, pharmaceutical and life sciences industries.

“The development of biotechnology holds much promise for the region and our county. This grant, through the SBC, will allow us to help out local small business owners get involved in biotechnology as it develops as an economic force in the region,” said SCC President Dr. Michael Taylor.

The BioNetwork Charlotte Region consists of eight community colleges covering 12 counties: Alexander, Anson, Cabarrus, Catawba, Cleveland, Gaston, Iredell, Lincoln, Mecklenburg, Rowan, Stanly and Union will work in a collaborative effort on Phase III of the original BioNetwork initiative.

Phase III project goals concentrate on the college’s Small Business Centers helping business owners capitalize on the emerging biotechnology industry through product development, providing supplementary goods and services, and training needed in the market.

The Centralina Workforce Development Board is a proud partner in the efforts to make our region the premier BioBusiness Hub for the NC BioNetwork. More information about the BioNetwork project can be found at the Charlotte Regional BioBusiness Service Hub website at www.biobusinesshub.net and at the North Carolina Community College System Bionetwork website at www.ncbionetwork.org. For more information about the project as it relates to Stanly Community College, please contact Kathy Almond at (704) 991-0182 or visit their website at www.stanly.edu.

Local Community College Receives Accreditation

Mitchell Community College Receives Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Accreditation

Mitchell Community College (MCC) officials have completed an arduous, three-year evaluation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). As a result, MCC has been reaccredited by SACS for the next 10 years.

“I’m delighted because it’s an important step for the institution,” Mitchell Community College President Douglas Eason said.

Mitchell Community College was required to meet 75 core requirements, comprehensive standards and federal requirements to earn the distinction. SACS is the accrediting body for all colleges and universities in the Southeast.

The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools accreditation means the college is meeting the highest standards for its students and the community. Community colleges are held to the same standards as colleges and universities under SACS. Seeking reaccreditation is a two-prong process.

The first part consists of Compliance Certification, in which the college must demonstrate and show evidence it has met all requirements. The second portion of the process is the Quality Enhancement Plan.

Mitchell Community College chose Developmental Math as its topic because 65% of its students need math remediation. The college’s Quality Enhancement Plan looked at The Art of Contextualizing Math 060. In this class, students are given hands-on activities to make the concepts of mathematics real.

With the SACS accreditation, Mitchell can continue to receive federal funds, including student financial aid. It also ensures that MCC students can transfer their credits toward degrees at other colleges.

The Centralina Workforce Development Board is a strong partner with Mitchell Community College and would like to congratulate the college on their reaccreditation. We encourage you to visit their website at www.mitchellcc.edu. For more information on the Centralina Workforce Development Board, please contact David Hollars at (704) 348-2717 or by email at dhollars@centralina.org.

Reaching Out to Dropouts

South Piedmont Community College Receives $40,000 Grant

South Piedmont Community College (SPCC) has been awarded a $40,000 two-year grant by the Office of Vocational and Adult Education.

The grant will be used to increase the number of high school dropouts between the ages of 18 and 24 who enroll in post-secondary education, including GED and adult high school programs. Payments of $20,000 per year will be made to SPCC.

Planned activities for the grant include community outreach and recruitment, mentoring and supplemental scholarships. Participants will have the opportunity to earn their Career Readiness Certification.

South Piedmont Community College is one of five North Carolina community colleges that will be working on the initiative in conjunction with the NC Community College. For more information on the “Ready for College” grant please contact Makena Stewart at (704) 290-5812 or Linda Kappauf at (704) 290-5215 or visit www.spcc.edu.

Please stay tuned to the Centralina E-Newsletter for updates on this exciting development!

NC Research Campus Update

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

New Firm Joins Research Campus
A New Mexico-based biomedical research organization will open an office at the NC Research Campus in Kannapolis.

Lovelace Respiratory Research Institute targets the prevention, treatment and cure of respiratory disease.

The institute will locate its Center for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research at the campus in October 2008. The center seeks to improve human health through research on the risk, cost and progression of respiratory and related diseases, as well as comparative analysis on the risk, cost and effectiveness of pharmaceutical treatments for those ailments.

Of special note, Dr. Christopher Blanchette, who directs the Lovelace Center for Pharmacoeonomics and Outcomes Research grew up in Rockwell and is 1997 graduate of East Rowan High School. He credits Eugene Sloop’s chemistry and physics classes at East Rowan for inspiring his interest in the sciences and “for providing a common-sense approach to the subjects”.

MURDOCK Study Lecture Series Kicks Off at the Campus
The MURDOCK Study lecture series have begun this month at the Core Research Laboratory. Duke University has begun its six-week informational lecture series about the study.

Titled “MURDOCK Study Learning Laboratory,” the seminar series will bring the researchers from the Durham-based university to talk to Kannapolis and Cabarrus residents about the study and how they can be a part of it.

The study will look at human disease, such as heart disease, osteoporosis, diabetes and hepatitis-C, on the genetic level to discover individual differences in the way disease interacts with the human body.

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.

Youth Speak about the Success of the Rowan County Early College Program Rowan Salisbury Biz-Ed Connect held its most recent meeting at the Rowan Cabarrus Community College – North Campus on Friday September 5, 2008. The featured speaker was Cindy Misenheimer who is the Principal of the Early College Program at Rowan-Salisbury Schools. Mrs. Misenheimer is a lifelong educator, currently working on her Graduate Degree at Gardner-Webb University. Cindy stated that the Rowan Early College is a tuition free program that focuses its recruitment on low socio-economic, first generation college students. Students and parents are required to go through an application process that includes face to face interviews. Participation in the program is capped at 400. Students earn enough credits to complete an Associate’s Degree and High School diploma simultaneously. Students in the Early College program take all classes, from 9th to 12th grade at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College. Early College student Chloe Hopper talked to the group about her experience in the program. She stated that she initially was not even considering college but she now plans to attend UNC – Wilmington and major in Psychology. “The program is a lot of hard work,” Chloe stated. She devotes a minimum of 2 hours to homework each night as well as 3 to 4 hours on the weekends. Chole stated that she enjoys the challenge and loves the friends she has made in the program. Chloe added that the “students in the programs all share a common goal, are all rather mature and therefore get along very well in and out of the classroom.” For more information on the Early College Program in Rowan County, please contact Kelly Feimster of Rowan-Salisbury Schools at 704-639-3013. For more information on other Early College programs in the Centralina WDB region, please contact Natasha Pender at (704) 348-2725 or by email at npender@centralina.org. Chloe Hopper spoke to the Rowan Salisbury Biz-Ed Connect members about her experience in the Early College Program at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College. * * * * * * * I-Care, Inc. Holds Workshop That Helps Troubled Youth I-Care Inc. in Statesville (Centralina WDB Workorce Investment Act (WIA) Youth service provider for Iredell and Lincoln counties) recently started holding a class every Friday dubbed “Fridays 4 U.” The class is a small part of the larger WIA program that equips youth participants with tools to apply themselves academically and in the workforce. The program elements include tutoring and study skills training; alternative secondary school; summer employment opportunities; paid and unpaid work experience, occupational skill straining; leadership development; supportive services; guidance and counseling; adult mentoring and follow up services. Part of the Fridays 4 U program includes getting participants to write their goals down on paper; the goals should be something that they would like to attain in the next six months. “If you don’t write it down, you won’t attain it,” Monique Phoenix, Youth Development Specialist with I-Care states. Many of the youth’s goals range from receiving a GED, finding a place to live, starting and completing courses of their choice, gain employment and take any additional classes at Mitchell Community College (MCC). Londell Seabrook-Dukes, 18, is a participant in the program. He is adamant about providing a better life for his child. He is determined not to let his baby have the same childhood he did while growing up in the Bronx in New York City. Londell received his GED and is ready to start college and wants to begin MCC in the spring semester and major in Computer Technology and Business. He has also turned his attention to looking for a job. He credits I-Care for being able to help him take a more positive direction. “This is a great opportunity,” he said. “I moved up and I am doing a lot of stuff that I wasn’t doing before.” Monique Phoenix leads the program every Friday and states that each week they focus on something new, be it leadership development, goal achievement, or stress management. For more information on the program, please contact Monique Phoenix at (704) 872-8141. To learn how the Centralina Youth Council can provide ideas and assistance on starting groundbreaking programs for youth in your community, please contact Natasha Pender at (704) 348-2725 or by email at npender@centralina.org. * * * * * * * Boys and Girls Club of the Piedmont Receives $100,000 Grant The Boys and Girls Club of the Piedmont (BGCP) has reason to celebrate! The Belk Foundation has announced a four-year grant totaling $100,000 to the Club, to help fund the development and construction of a new Club Facility in south Statesville. A $25,000 check from The Belk Foundation for the first year’s installment of the grant was recently presented to John S. Steele, president of the Board of Directors of the Boys and Girls Club of the Piedmont. “The Belk Foundation is pleased to announce this grant to support this much-needed facility that will enable the Boys & Girls Club of the Piedmont to provide its programs and services to deserving young people in the Statesville area,” said Paul Wyche, trustee of The Belk Foundation. “This summer, one of our program locations was at Signal Hill Mall next to our Belk store in Statesville,” said Rudy Davis, interim chief professional office of the BGCP and Centralina Youth Council Member. “We appreciate the extraordinary contribution from The Belk Foundation. It will help the youth of our community reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens.” The Centralina Workforce Development Board and the Centralina Youth Council are strong supporters of the Boys and Girls Club of the Piedmont and can’t wait to see the future success from this grant. For more information on the Boys and Girls Club of the Piedmont, please contact Natasha Pender at (704) 348-2725 or by e-mail at npender@centralina.org or visit www.way2work.org. * * * * * * * Students in Training Moves to Facility in Cabarrus County Students in Training (SIT), a Salisbury nonprofit organization that teaches students to refurbish donated computers for people in need, is expanding to Cabarrus County. The agency donated fixe computers to Cooperative Christian Ministry’s (CCM) Opportunity House this week and leaders hope to establish a base in Cabarrus. SIT officials recently contacted CCM executive director Ed Hosack and are now looking for a place to begin branching out. “We are looking forward to pursuing a mutual interest in opening up a chapter,” Bill Lawry, SIT executive director stated. “We are both anxious to do it.” As mentioned in last month’s edition of the Centralina E-Newsletter, the 12-year-old agency also recycles “e-waste,” develops websites and raises money by selling materials it can’t work with on eBay. Last year, SIT gave away more than 400 computers and kept more than 40 tons of potentially hazardous materials out of landfills and out of the drinking water supply. About 60 students, ranging from middle grades to the community college level currently participate in the program. Hosack said he is the most excited about SIT’s potential to spark an interest in learning among young people while helping the community care for its environment and hopes that it can come to Cabarrus. “This is too good of an opportunity,” Hosack said. “We need to find the right place to begin this sort of program.” The Centralina Workforce Development Board and the Centralina Youth Council are strong partners with Students in Training and the Cooperative Christian Ministry and are happy to see the partners working together to cross county lines to improve the lives of the community and the workforce. For more information on SIT program please visit their website at www.sitorg.org. Interested students should visit the site at 112B South Main Street in Salisbury or call 704-637-8915. * * * * * * * Stanly Middle College Program Going Strong Students at South Stanly High School have taken advantage of a program which gives them credits for both high school and college courses. Stanly County School of Business Technology at South Stanly High School Middle College gives students the opportunity to work toward a degree completion while attending high school. The program is in its second year with students taking the opportunity to be taught by community college instructors while they work toward a certificate from Stanly Community College (SCC). The first semester is an introduction course into business and economics. Students were able to learn about the economy and keep up with the stock market during the semester. In the second semester, students were able to work with Albemarle Downtown Development Corporation (ADDC), constructing surveys and placing their data in graphs before submitting their findings to the corporation. In the current semester, seniors are learning about accounting by doing spreadsheets and income sheets with Tammi McIlwaine, program head for accounting and business administration at SCC. Next on the list will be internships for the youth. The program is open to all students in the county who wish to take this track and graduate with a business administration certificate upon completion of the program. The Centralina Workforce Development Board and the Centralina Youth Council are proud partners with both Stanly County Public Schools and Stanly Community College and are happy to see partners working together to reach the youth and to prepare them for the workforce. For more information on the Middle College program, please contact Natasha Pender at (704) 348-2725 or by e-mail at npender@centralina.org or visit www.way2work.org.

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