|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Attendees of the Centralina Youth Services Summit take time to catch up on the different workshops that each attended. From left to right: Brenda McMillian, Marissa Jones and Sasha Howell. |
David Hollars, executive director of the Centralina Workforce Development Board welcomed all 150 attendees to the Youth Services Summit and introduced the lineup of speakers. |
Board Staff Brings Important Information to 2 Diverse Groups
In
September, Centralina Workforce Development Board Executive Director
David Hollars had the opportunity to present two
key issues and initiatives to two very diverse groups in the region.
Both presentations tied into the Board’s strategic planning
goals.
On Monday September 21, David presented “Developing the Workforce of the Future Begins NOW” to the North Carolina Smart Start Executive Directors Forum at their meeting held at the Rowan Business Alliance in Salisbury. Mary Ann Rasberry, Union Smart Start Executive Director and Centralina WDB member, requested that David make this important presentation to the Forum.
Over
75 Smart Start executive directors and staff members heard about
the importance of early childhood education to workforce development
and to economic development. David also outlined the Centralina
Workforce Development Board’s role as an advocate for early
childhood education funding in order to build a strong reliable
workforce. The Smart Start executive directors requested that the
presentation and a list of the 24 local workforce development boards
in North Carolina be added to the Smart Start website at www.smartstart-nc.org.
For more information about the Board’s advocacy role for early childhood education, please access the PowerPoint presentation at the Centralina Workforce Development Board’s website by clicking here.
Presenting
to a totally different group on Wednesday September 23, David Hollars
offered “How to Help Your Business Grow”
to the Union County Chamber of Commerce Manufacturers Forum
at their meeting at the Chamber of Commerce in Monroe. Dale Stoller,
Director of Operations for Goulston Technologies in Monroe (also
a former Incumbent Worker grant recipient), requested that David
present to the Forum.
Over 20 local employers heard about the success of the Incumbent Workforce Development Program offered by the Centralina WDB and how it has had a direct impact on businesses in Union County. David noted that since 2003, the Centralina WDB has awarded grants to 81 local businesses in the region for almost $2.2 million dollars in economic investment for training for 4,000 workers. He added that for Union County, a total of 15 grants have been made to Union County businesses for $492,157 to serve 1,073 local workers. David outlined the basic requirements for applying for the grants and how the Board will assist employers in completing the grant application.
For more information about the Board’s role in helping local businesses find success through the Incumbent Worker program, please access the PowerPoint presentation at the Centralina Workforce Development Board’s website by clicking here.
The Centralina Workforce Development Board and its staff members appreciate the opportunity to bring the Board’s goals, strategies, and advocacy positions to local groups so that we can make a difference and build a competitive workforce for the globally economy. To have the Board speak to your group or organization, contact David Hollars at (704) 348-2717 or at dhollars@centralina.org.
Expo Exposes Local Businesses to the Community
6th Annual Lincoln County Chamber of Commerce Business Expo
On Wednesday August 26, 2009 the Lincoln County Chamber of Commerce held their Sixth Annual Lincolnton-Lincoln Business Expo in Lincolnton. More than forty vendors were on display during the expo that helps highlight local businesses to the rest of the community. Vendors included local restaurants, community organizations, and government agencies.
Judi Morton, manager of the Lincoln County JobLink Career Center, and Mindy Solano, business relations representative for the NC Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services, shared a booth at the expo. Vocational Rehabilitation Services is just one of the several companies and organizations that partner with the Lincoln County JobLink Career Center. Together, the two agencies help connect job seekers and businesses in the community.
“We just want to let them know about the agencies that are available that assist folks with various needs,” Solano said. “In my case, it is people with disabilities and Judi is here to remind people that they can list their jobs.”
Lincoln
County Chamber of Commerce President Ken Kindley
said 700-800 people attended the expo at the James W. Warren Citizens
Center in downtown Lincolnton.
“We are thinking it was the most interesting and best attended we’ve done in six years,” he said. “We had a good layout and a lot of varied exhibitors. It was great for the new and existing businesses to showcase their products.”
Deana Lyon, Co-Owner of The Iron Station, served their apple spread, which has become the company’s staple product. The business kicked off immediately after they participated in the expo a few years ago.
“No one knew who we were,” Deana said. “We knew nobody here. We were in a strange town and knew nobody and opened a business. We came (to the expo) and that’s what started our business.”
For more information about the sixth annual Lincolnton-Lincoln Business Expo, please contact Ken Kindley at (704) 735-3096 or by email at kkindley@bellsouth.net.
What’s Up with Local Community Colleges?
Update on New Programs at Centralina WDB Area Community Colleges
During the economic downturn, every organization is working hard to help those that are unemployed or looking to be retrained. The local community colleges in the Centralina WDB region are no exception. Here are some recent new offerings and assistance available to help those looking to improve their skills.
Mitchell
Community College and the Iredell-Statesville
Community Technology Institute are offering classes to
help people better equip themselves for the job market.
The upcoming classes will cater to jobseekers looking to better market themselves and people looking to learn basic computer skills.
Classes include Computer Skills for Employment; Internet and the Job Search; The Competitive Edge: Developing Computer Skills to Position Yourself for Success in Today’s Job Market; Career Readiness Certification; and JobsNow.
During a two-month period last summer, 384 students took classes. This summer, 578 students utilized the employability lab, basic computer skills and internet and the job search.
For more information about these courses and more available at Mitchell Community College, please contact Suzanne Wallace at (704) 878-3235 or visit their website at www.mitchellcc.edu.
Rowan-Cabarrus
Community College’s Small Business Center will
offer the FastTrac New Venture entrepreneurship
program at no cost to help displaced workers plan and start their
own small businesses.
Course topics include identifying and reaching a target market, setting financial goals, planning a product or service, building and effective team and more. The program is known for its hands-on activities that help participants focus on their particular business ideas.
For more information about the entrepreneurship program at RCCC, please contact Barbara Hall, director of the Small Business Center at hallb@rowancabarrus.edu or (704) 216-3534.
The Centralina Workforce Development Board is a proud partner with all of the community colleges in the region and encourages you to find out what your local community college can offer you. These are just a few examples of what our community colleges are doing to assist during this downturn. For more information on your local community college, please contact Emily Clamp at (704) 348-2732 or by e-mail at eclamp@centralina.org.
|
Local Company Invests $2.5 Million in the CommunityPremiere Fibers to Add 20 NewJobs in Anson CountyGovernor Bev Perdue announced Tuesday September 29, 2009 that UFS Holdings-Premiere Fibers, Inc., a national manufacturer of yarn products made from synthetic fiber, will expand in Anson County. The company plans to invest $2.5 million and create 20 jobs during the next three years at its Premiere Fibers plant in Ansonville. The announcement was made possible in part by a $50,200 grant from the One North Carolina Fund. “North Carolina remains attractive to national manufacturing firms, thanks to our skilled workforce, superb quality of life and business-friendly policies,” Perdue said. “Companies like UFS Holdings are succeeding through the investment and jobs they bring to our state.”
Premiere Fibers plans to convert an existing yarn spinning line at its Ansonville facility to produce high-performance fabrics for the military. Salaries for the 20 new positions will vary by job function, but the overall average wage will be $24,204 a year, not including benefits. “We are very thankful to receive the One NC Fund grant. We will be working hard to retool Premiere Fibers to preserve and create jobs in Anson County with cutting-edge technology,” said company president John Amirtharaj. “We have an efficient operation in Anson County with a dedicated workforce. The desire to preserve this workforce and to create more jobs made the decision to reinvest in Premiere possible along with the support we are getting from North Carolina and Anson County, who are both interested in our success.” The One North Carolina Fund provides financial assistance through local governments to attract business projects that will stimulate economic activity and create new jobs in the state. Through the use of the One North Carolina Fund, more than 40,000 jobs and $6.5 billion in investment have been created since 2001. All of these grants require at least 100 percent local matches. “During these tough economic times, we must continue to make the investments that will create jobs for this region and for North Carolina,” said Senator Bill Purcell. “North Carolina continues to be a great state for businesses to locate and expand because of our tremendous workforce and Anson County welcomes these new jobs,” said Rep. Pryor Gibson.
Other partners who helped make this announcement possible
include the N.C. Department of Commerce and the Anson County
Economic Development Commission. For more information about Premiere Fibers Inc., please visit www.premierefibers.com. Resumes may be sent to: jcauble@Premierefibers.com.
Local Company Expands OperationsHOF Textiles Plans a $1.5 Million Investment in Lincoln County
A subsidiary of German-based Textilegruppe Hof, HOF Textiles produces and manufactures nonwovens for automotive brands such as Ford, Chrysler, General Motors, Toyota, Honda, Hyundia, BMW and Mercedes. HOF Textiles often makes the automotive engine compartment liners for these brands. Starting in February, HOF Textiles will begin manufacturing another nonwoven that will “supply a new class of nonwovens for highly demanding applications, such as wheel housing liners and nonwovens in high temperature applications,” said HOF Textiles president Dr. Lothar Hackler. “This will substitute products that are currently
being imported from our parent company in Germany and will
allow more products to be produced locally here in Lincolnton,”
he added. HOF Textiles opened its Lincolnton plant 17 years ago. It currently has 65-70 employees, but expects to add 16 jobs consisting of production operators, maintenance and quality lab personnel, with the expansion. The $1.5 million will go towards the purchase and installation of new equipment. No major construction is expected with the expansion. Lincoln County Commissioners Chairman Alex Patton was pleased to see HOF Textiles growing. “We are honored to have them here in Lincoln County and look forward to hearing more great things from this company,” he stated. “It is encouraging to hear jobs being added in light of our current economic situation.” Please continue to look to the Centralina Workforce Development Board’s monthly E-Newsletter for updates on this exciting development in our region!
Buying Local = A Strong CommunityThe Buy Local Initiative Rolls Out in StatesvilleThe Downtown Statesville Development Corporation (DSDC) is encouraging Statesville residents to spend $50 a month in locally owned businesses to spur the Buy Local initiative. Using the framework from the “3/50 Project, Saving the Bricks and Mortars our Nation is Build On,” the DSDC is trying to point more consumers toward the historic business district. The grass-roots project encourages consumers to spend $50 a month at three independently owned businesses. Downtown Statesville Development Corporation Executive Director Marin Tomlin learned about the project through another Main Street program in North Carolina. Tomlin said if half the employed U.S. population committed $50 to three locally owned businesses, the purchases could generate more than $42.6 billion in revenue. “I think it’s a great concept,” Tomlin said. “The independent businesses are the backbone. Once it starts catching people’s attention, it’s going to grow and grow.”
According to the 3/50 Project’s website, “for every $100 spent in independently owned stores, $68 of it returns to the community through taxes, payroll and other expenditures. If you spend that in a national chain, only $43 stays here.” The Centralina Workforce Development Board is happy to see local businesses thrive and survive in the current economy. Stay tuned to the Centralina WDB e-newsletter and website for more information. |
UFS,
or Universal Fiber Systems, is headquartered in Virginia.
The company also has facilities in China and Thailand, in
addition to the Premiere Fibers Inc. plant in Ansonville.
The plant produces synthetic continuous filament for diverse
uses in the military, industrial, technical, apparel, hosiery,
upholstery and other markets.
North
Carolina continues to have a top-ranked business climate.
Through Gov. Perdue’s JobsNOW initiative, the state
will work aggressively to create jobs, train and retrain
our workforce, and lay the foundation for a strong and sustainable
economic future.
HOF
Textiles
The
concept is ideal for downtown because it is where most of
the independent, locally owned businesses are located. Tomlin
said the program is going to make a difference in the downtown
community if every resident participates, and will help
business owners prosper in these economically trying times.
If
you were to take a guess on which Greater Statesville business
has nearly doubled its staff in the last four months, it
is unlikely you would come up with a company in the truck
tire retread business. After all, with the transportation
sector struggling, shouldn’t the demand for truck
tires be down as well?
A
$5 million cost savings seems like a fairly easy sell, especially
in these difficult budgetary times, but Hunt acknowledges
that there are many challenges. One of the challenges being
that many of the school systems already have a current provider.
However, despite the challenges Snider Tire has been successful
in placing its tires with several school systems already.
M.
Conley Co
In
August, M. Conley Co. added a showroom to display the products,
including hand-sanitizing and paper towel dispensers and
floor care and packaging equipment. Employees can also give
demonstrations of the products. Plans to create an audiovisual
room for webinars on new products and build a literature
room are in the works.Doug Howard, account manager for the M. Conley Company, demonstrates a 3M-matic case sealer machine at the distribution center in Lincolnton. |
Warehouse Project Adds to Mix in Monroe’s Downtown
Local Organization Plans a Mix of Shops and Homes for the Community
A Gastonia-based developer plans a $5 million rejuvenation of a Monroe warehouse that planners hope will jump-start a downtown makeover. Nathan Kirby, managing member of Downtown Pioneers, plans a mix of shops and homes in the 50,000-square-foot building on North Hayne Street in Union County.
There’s also room in the three-story building for restaurants and for what Kirby hopes will be a martini lounge and a sports bar.
The idea is to add more residential and entertainment options to create a live-work-play environment in downtown Monroe, he says. “This is the catalyst that will kick-start the redevelopment of downtown.”
Kirby says he has commitments from all but one of the street-level businesses. He declines to name the possible tenants.
The
upper levels will contain 26 apartments ranging up to 1,400
square feet. Those units will have upscale finishes, including
stainless steel appliances and premium countertops.
The project will be called the Monroe Hardware Warehouse because that’s exactly what it once was. The building was the next-door distribution center for Monroe Hardware, which has since moved to the city’s suburbs.
Monroe officials have high expectations for the redevelopment. “We’re hoping it spurs other interest and projects,” says Brian Borne, downtown director and assistant city manager.
Plans call for construction to begin this month, with the first tenants moving in by fall 2010.
The Monroe building, constructed in 1924, will create a showplace for historic renovation, Kirby says. It contains 11-inch by 16-inch wooden beams that will be exposed and maple floors that will be refinished. “The building is perfect for a mixed use,” he says.
Kirby says he’s so sure the project will work that he rejected the offer of an incentive grant from the city of Monroe. Instead, he’s agreed to take a $1.2 million loan from the city. “We prefer that tax dollars be put back in use,” he says.
The loan, along with state and federal tax breaks for the historic project and cash from equity partners, will hold down financing costs. That will allow the project to run relatively high vacancies initially and still create a cash flow, Kirby says.
Inexpensive financing also means the recession won’t delay project, he says. Plus, materials and labor prices are low now.
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 the Performance Fibers in Salisbury, NC (Rowan County). Pat Stellute of Performance Fibers completed and submitted the survey. We thank Pat for helping us with our continuous improvement feedback process! For more information about Performance Fiber, please visit their website at www.performancefibers.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
| August
2009 (Source: NC Employment Security Commission) |
||
| County | Unemployment
Rate |
Persons
Employed |
| Anson | 15.1% |
8,936 |
| Cabarrus | 11.4% |
73,952 |
| Iredell | 12.4% |
71,128 |
| Lincoln | 13.7% |
34,357 |
| Rowan | 13.2% |
61,534 |
| Stanly | 12.2% |
26,935 |
| Union | 10.3% |
82,414 |
| Centralina WDB Region | 12.0% |
359,256 |
| State of NC | 10.7% |
4,055,583 |
For more information on employment, click here
The Centralina Workforce Development Board is in YOUR Community!
During the month of September 2009, the Centralina Workforce Development Board has been actively involved with events, seminars, training sessions, and other meetings all designed to help build a better workforce for our region. Beyond our involvement with the Youth Services Summit, Smart Start Executive Directors Forum, and Union County Manufacturers Forum detailed in this e-newsletter, here are some the activities of the Board members and WDB staff for September.
Centralina WDB Workforce Readiness Committee meeting – held on Friday September 11 at Union Smart Start in Monroe. Committee members received updates on the Work Certified and Career Readiness project and the Valuing Education Initiative of the state. Committee members also developed items for incorporating mini strategic planning sessions into the regular Board meetings.
Competitive Workforce Alliance Allied Health Regional Skills Partnership Steering Committee meeting – held on Monday September 21 at Presbyterian Hospital/Novant Health offices. Centralina WDB staff members David Hollars and Emily Clamp participated in this meeting which included healthcare providers, community college and private trainers, and workforce professionals. Committee plans were presented.
Cabarrus Re-Entry Initiative Strategy meeting – held on Thursday September 3 in Concord. Centralina WDB Chairman Bob VanGorden and WDB Executive Director David Hollars participated in this meeting with Pastor Aaron Wells (Higher Level Missions) and Alex Rankin to discuss ways to continue to fund the workforce services offered to men and women returning to Cabarrus County and the region after incarceration.
Rowan Biz-Ed Connect meeting - held on Friday September 4 at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College in Salisbury. David Hollars, Centralina WDB Executive Director participated in this meeting which included a presentation from Rowan-Cabarrus Community College on the JobsNOW 12 in 6 programs.
Governor’s NC Career Ready Commission meeting – held on Tuesday September 8 at NC Biotech Center in Raleigh. David Hollars, Centralina WDB Executive Director, was appointed by NC Governor Beverly Perdue to serve on this Commission chaired by State Superintendent June Atkinson to develop recommendations on workforce, entrepreneurial, and public schools issues facing North Carolina. Final recommendations will go the Governor and the General Assembly.
Future Forward Workforce meeting – held on Thursday September 17 at the University Hilton. Centralina WDB chair Bob VanGorden met with Rick Smyre and Norma Owen to begin development of a strategy for the Centralina WDB region.
Green 101 Seminar – held on Tuesday September 1 at the Hickory Metro Convention Center. Vail Carter, Centralina WDB Business Services Representative, attended this meeting along with area JobLink managers and partner representatives. The seminar was developed by the NC Workforce Development Training Center.
Charlotte Regional Economic & Workforce Recovery Initiative Team meeting – held on Wednesday September 16 at CPCC Harris Campus. This group is implementing plans and strategies to address the current and anticipated layoffs from the financial service sector businesses in the Charlotte region, as requested by Governor Beverly Perdue. Vail Carter, Centralina WDB Business Services Representative participated in this meeting and provided an update on specific solutions for the faith-based/community-based connections.
National Emergency Grant (NEG) Monitoring Review – held on Wednesday September 23 through Friday September 25. The review was conducted by Winston Tompoe and David Raphael (US Department of Labor – Employment & Training Administration Atlanta office) of the $1.25 million grant the Centralina WDB received for assisting former transportation industry workers, primarily former Freightliner employees. Rowan JobLink manager Debbie Davis, ESC Regional Representative Linda Burton, and Centralina WDB staff members David Hollars and Patricia White provided staff support for the reviewer. The USDOL team visited the Rowan County JobLink Career Center in Salisbury on Thursday September 24 to review participant files and talk with NEG staff members.
Cabarrus County JobLink Employer Appreciation Luncheon – held on Friday September 25 at the Cabarrus County JobLink Career Center in Concord. David Hollars, Centralina WDB Executive Director attended this event.
Workforce Investment Act/Workforce Plus training session – held on Thursday September 24 at Mitchell Community College in Mooresville. Centralina WDB Operations Manager Patricia White conducted the training session for Centralina WDB service providers for WIA Adult and Dislocated Worker activities.
Workforce Business Development and Assistance – provided by Vail Carter, Centralina WDB Business Services Representative for the following area companies and organizations:
• Incumbent Worker grant assistance visits - Deal’s
Auto Glass (Kannapolis – Cabarrus County) – September
11 and 17
• Incumbent Worker Contract Monitoring (mid-term visit) at
deBotech (Mooresville – Iredell County) – September
14
• Incumbent Worker Contract Monitoring (end of contract visit)
at PGT Industries (Salisbury – Rowan County) – September
15
• Incumbent Worker Contract Monitoring (mid-term visit) at
Pinnacle Corrugated (Landis – Rowan County) – September
17
• Incumbent Worker grant assistance visit - Fibreworks Composites
(Mooresville– Iredell County) – September 18
• Incumbent Worker Contract – technical assistance visit
at Carolina Beer & Beverage (Mooresville– Iredell County)
– September 16
• Attended Charlotte Business Roundtable at Central Piedmont
Community College – September 10
• Attended NC Center for Non-Profits meeting at Embassy Suites
in Concord – September 18
• Met with Moira Quinn of Center City Partners and Maria Hanlin
of Mecklenburg Ministries to discuss feasibility of faith-based
event for Job Support Groups in the region – September 22
• Participated in Economic Development Forum hosted by University
of North Carolina at Charlotte – September 22
• Attended Rowan-Cabarrus Community College Business Roundtable
at NC Research Campus in Kannapolis – September 30
These are only a few examples of how your Centralina Workforce Development Board is actively involved with our partners in our counties every month. To find out more about getting involved with the Centralina Workforce Development Board, please contact David Hollars at (704) 348-2717 or by e-mail at dhollars@centralina.org or visit our website at www.centralinaworks.com. The Centralina Workforce Development – The Competitive Force in Our Global Economy.
Union County Ranked Among Best in US for Job Growth
Union County ranked 10th in a recent CNN Money list for job growth since 2000. With a 57.5 percent job growth rate, Union County was highlighted as an up and comer.
The CNN study used census data with the help of Onboard Informatics (data projection company) to rank counties nationwide. It factored home prices, good schools, job growth, weather, crime, activities when naming the best places to live and work.
Here is what CNN Money said:
“For
area called Union, there is a division between the eastern and western
parts of the county. Situated just 4 miles from the city limits
of Charlotte, the west side is densely populated with residential
housing, chain restaurants, and big-box stores, while the east is
mostly rural with abundant available land. But that’s about
to change. A 5,000 acre business industrial park in east Union is
already in the works and grants are available to companies that
commit to bring jobs to the county. While a large portion of residents
still commute to Charlotte for work, 83,000 are employed within
Union, mostly in manufacturing. Top employers include Tyson Farms
and metal manufacturer ATI Allvac”.
The Centralina WDB is proud to be working with a Top 10 county like Union. We are grateful to work with outstanding local economic development organizations such as Monroe Economic Development Commission, Union County Partners for Progress, and the Union County Chamber of Commerce. These organizations along with the Union County JobLink Career Center and its partner agencies help to make job growth successful in Union County.
To view the full results of the CNN Money survey, click here.
Career Seekers Are Still Going Full Throttle!
Dontcheckup.com Helping Career Seekers in the Racing Industry
DontCheckUp.com
was co-created by Don Gemmell earlier this year
to help families in the motorsports industry affected by the decline
in job growth. The website helped to connect job seekers in the
field with great skills to businesses that are looking for qualified
individuals. The website’s name refers to the racing term
about braking.
At the beginning of the year, the website’s organizers held several workshops to point people in the right direction to find insurance and equip them with job-seeking skills.
Now, plans are being set in motion for a survey to see who still needs help and who has found work, Gemmell said. The list will be passed onto the race shops.
A
lot of the people who went through the layoffs are about to lose
their unemployment benefits, Gemmell said. Some have taken jobs
for far less than they made in the racing industry.
Others, like Angie Isenhour, were lucky enough to find a job right when she needed it the most at Turner, a newcomer to the truck series racing. She likes the thought of being a part of a start-up team. Right now, she is helping collect resumes to help the owners to staff their race shop next to the Mooresville Dragstrip in Iredell County.
Not everyone has found employment yet and so the creators of the website are now concentrating all efforts into helping those that are still looking.
“Workers
just have to keep in contact and network with the right people,”
North Carolina Motorsports Association Executive Director Andy
Papathanassiou stated. “A lot of the hiring decisions
in the racing industry are made without a resume.”
The Centralina Workforce Development Board’s Executive Director David Hollars served on the Motorsports Employment Task Force with Humpy Wheeler to help form the website. The Board believes in the mission and vision of the website and encourages all career seekers and businesses in the industry to visit the site! For more information on www.dontcheckup.com, please contact David Hollars at (704) 348-2717 or by e-mail at dhollars@centralina.org.
Perseverance is Rewarded for Community
City of Kannapolis Receives Economic Excellence Award
Congratulations
go out to the City
of Kannapolis! The federal government recently recognized
Kannapolis for not giving up after the demise of its main industry.
Kannapolis was one of seven cities in the nation to receive a 2009
Excellence in Economic Development Award for Excellence in Economic
Diversification Strategies.
Mayor Bob Misenheimer said he was honored to accept the framed certificate on behalf of the city.
“I don’t think many people realize how prestigious this award is,” Misenheimer said.
The
award recognizes the city’s commitment to research-based,
market-driven economic development in helping improve the local
economy.
The city’s entry highlighted its transformation from a former mill town to a research community, and detailed its effort to revitalize the downtown area after the largest employer shut down and more than 4,500 residents were out of work.
“The demise of Pillowtex was a pretty dramatic time for us,” Misenheimer said.
Even before David Murdock, billionaire owner of Dole Food Co., bought the shuttered textile mill and created the NC Research Campus, city leaders were working to revitalize Kannapolis, Misenheimer said.
A business park, water and sewer improvements and a bold economic development strategy were underway when Murdock offered to partner with the city on the $1.5 billion research campus, said John Cox, president of the Cabarrus Regional Partnership. “They were already, on their own, doing the best they could to repair that economy,” Cox said.
The Centralina Workforce Development Board is a proud partner with the City of Kannapolis and congratulates them on an achievement well earned for the whole community!
NC Research Campus Update
Find Out What’s the Latest with this World Renowned Biotech Development
Research Campus Launches Website for Strawberry Growers
An agriculture program at the NC Research Campus has launched a
new website for the state’s strawberry growers.
The NC State University Program for Value-Added & Alternative Agriculture in Kannapolis developed the Strawberry Growers Information Portal with a grant from the NC Tobacco Trust Fund Commission.
The informational portal brings together on one website all the resources pertaining to business management and production of strawberries in North Carolina. New growers will find resources specific to start-up, while new and experienced growers will recognize the convenience of the climate links.
You can learn more about the site by clicking here.
Research Campus Conducts its First Human Trials
More than 40 men asked to be enrolled in a 10-week study in collaboration
with the UNC Nutrition Research
Institute at the NC
Research Campus.
The study should determine whether exercise has a long-term affect on metabolism.
“It’s the first major human trial at the NCRC,” Dr. David Neiman, director of the Appalachian State University Human Performance Lab in Kannapolis. “We are very proud of that and very hopeful that this will advance science.
The men enrolled will take turns living for four nonconsecutive days in a metabolic chamber at the Research Campus. The metabolic chamber, one of 11 in the country, looks like a tiny hotel room and measures metabolism over 24 hours to within 40 calories. The subject will eat, sleep and exercise in the chamber.
Finance Experts Back $30M Bond to Help Research Campus
Issuing a $30 million bond to a single lender to help continue
projects on the North Carolina Research Campus and to build the
new Cabarrus Health Alliance facility in Kannapolis will save the
city and the county about $600,000, finance experts told Kannapolis
City Council members recently.
"To cuff a number, if you did a $30 million public Tax Increment Financing bond, that distribution cost would be about 2 percent or $600,000," said Walter Goldsmith with First Southwest Company, a financial advisory and investment banking firm. "When we originally structured it, there were not banks willing to do this. But it is no doubt very attractive right now."
Kannapolis had planned to issue public TIF bonds to help pay for the proposed 60,000-square-foot, $15 million Cabarrus Health Alliance facility, but the TIF bond market collapsed in late 2008 and early 2009. Now the city council has decided to pursue a TIF bond arrangement that would make BB&T the sole investor for $30 million. Goldsmith said he expects the interest rate to be about 5.75 percent.
Under the proposed plan, Kannapolis would own the health alliance building, which would be collateral for the BB&T loan.
Brent Jeffcoat, a bond lawyer with McGuire Woods law firm in Charlotte, is also working with the council on the bond issuance. Jeffcoat told the council the city will benefit from continuing its momentum on the North Carolina Research Campus.
"If we keep this moving forward, it will help when the economy turns," he said. "People will say, 'It's a good project; it's even weathered this financial storm.'"
Please stay tuned to the Centralina Workforce Development Board’s monthly E-Newsletter for more developments on these exciting stories. For more information on what is going on at the NC Research Campus please visit the Centralina Workforce Development Board’s website at www.centralinaworks.com.
Centralina Workforce Development Board Has Training Money to Help Your Business!
Find Out How We Can Help You Succeed
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 Wednesday January 20, 2010, with one other 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.
Preparing in advance for your grant submission is always best. Two training workshops are being offered for businesses interested in applying for the upcoming Incumbent Workforce Development Program grants.
The first session will be held at Mitchell Community College’s Mooresville Center, room 122 on Thursday, December 10 from 9:30 AM until Noon and the second workshop will be held at the Centralina Workforce Development Board 4th floor conference room, 1300 Baxter Street in Charlotte on Friday, December 11 from 9:30 AM until Noon.
Training providers are also welcome to attend these sessions to learn tips on submitting a competitive application. If you are interested in attending please contact Vail Carter, Business Services Coordinator at the Centralina Workforce Development Board (704) 348-2710 or vcarter@centralina.org to register and get directions.
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 January 20, 2010. So don’t delay, submit your application today.
There's a JobLink Near You!Anson County JobLink Career Center Stanly County JobLink Career Center For more information on Centralina region JobLink Career Centers, click here. Commitment to workforce excellence |
|
Successful Youth Can Reach their Dreams!Centralina WDB Workforce Investment Act Youth
These students along with others have excelled by beating obstacles set before them each day. For these young people many trails, tribulations and temptations were overcome by them. However, these individuals realized that education is the root to success in life and they continue to beat all odds set before them! The Centralina Workforce Development Board and the Centralina Youth Council are proud of all of the youth that work hard and stay focus so that they can reach their dreams. The Board and the Council commends all of their WIA service providers on a job well done. For more information on the Centralina Youth Council, please contact Natasha Pender at 704.348.2725 or by e-mail at npender@centralina.org. * * * * * * *
Upcoming Centralina WDB Youth Council MeetingYou are coordinately invited to attend the upcoming Centralina WDB Youth Council meeting on Thursday October 22, 2009 at 10:00 AM at the Boys and Girls Club in Concord. This meeting will feature a presentation from Nancy Tom who is a member of the training staff at Leading to Change, Inc. She will be discussing youth and technology and how to connect the two. Nancy was one of the featured speakers at this year’s Centralina Youth Services Summit and you can find her presentation from the Summit on the Way2Work website at www.way2work.org.
If you weren’t able to make it to the Summit don’t miss this great chance to hear from one of the featured speakers! If you did hear her presentation at the Summit then you know you don’t want to miss another chance to hear her speak! If you are interested in attending the upcoming Centralina Youth Council meeting please contact Natasha Pender at (704) 348-2725 or by email at npender@centralina.org. * * * * * * * Centralina Youth Spotlight!Meet One of Centralina’s Brightest StarsMelissa Marlow enrolled in the Centralina Workforce Development Board sponsored Workforce Investment Act (WIA) Youth program at I-CARE, Inc. in Statesville (Iredell County). With no income, no home and no transportation her future was appeared to be anything but bright. With encouragement from her youth development specialist and other caring adults on I-CARE’s staff, Melissa felt empowered to take control of her own destiny.
Melissa earned her first work experience as a receptionist with the Statesville Red Cross. After weeks of satisfactory performance on the job, her responsibilities quickly increased, and she eventually began coordinating blood drives across Iredell County. Melissa’s leadership has led to her having the opportunity to speak at the Centralina Workforce Development Board Youth Council’s Second Annual Youth Services Summit. As a panelist at the Summit, Melissa freely discussed many of the barriers facing today’s youth as they relate to education, employability and stability. Melissa remains very active in the WIA program serving as a peer tutor in the GED classes and participating in all leadership and service activities as she can. Thanks to the WIA program, Melissa was able to take part in a limited internship position with a local pharmacy. Even after facing a second stint of homelessness, moving from shelter to shelter, Melissa has remained focused on her goals. She is a go-getter who has blossomed since becoming a participant in the WIA program. She is preparing to take the ACT in the near future, after which she will apply for admission to Wingate University. Melissa is pursuing a career in healthcare. The Centralina Workforce Development Board and the Centralina Youth Council applaud Melissa for all of her reached goals and the ones yet accomplished. The Board and the Council are proud of all of the youth it serves that aim high and are successful in their dreams! For more information about the Centralina Youth Council please contact Natasha Pender at (704) 348-2725 or by email at npender@centralina.org.
* * * * * * *
21st Century Learners = 21st Century Skilled WorkersKannapolis City Schools Snags $2.5 Million Tech Grant
“I’m jumping for joy because it’s a dream come true,” said Brenda McCombs, Kannapolis City Schools technology director. Most of the grant will be used to buy all A.L. Brown High School students laptops for a one-to-one initiative. The school’s campus will also have wireless internet access. For the first semester, students at Brown will use the laptops only at school. Depending on behavior, students might be able to take their laptops home during the second semester of school, McCombs said.
Kannapolis Intermediate School will use the $508,000 of the grant it will receive for additional laptop labs and to upgrade technology. The school system said this award will allow the regular technology budget to be used for the five elementary schools, so all students and staff will benefit from it. This is the second IMPACT grant Kannapolis City Schools has received. Last year, the school system received a $1.6 million grant. The Centralina Workforce Development Board and the Centralina Youth Council are proud partners with Kannapolis City Schools and believes that equipping our youth with technology is equipping our future workforce with job ready skills. For more information on this grant or on the Centralina Youth Council please contact Natasha Pender at (704) 348-2725 or by email at npender@centralina.org. |
Melonie
Hight came to the WIA Out-of-School Youth program
full of anger and desperation for something new to happen
in her life. She did not want to fully adjust to the business
concepts of the world. Her dreams became a reality when
she began the WIA program on September 11, 2008. Melonie
was very determined to finish in six months. She earned
her (GED) General Education Development Diploma in May 2009,
seven months after enrolling. Melonie continues to think
in an optimistic manner. This fall, Melonie began her freshman
year at Livingstone College majoring in criminal justice.
Her long-term goal is develop a strong career as a probation
officer and continue her education with a master’s
degree in Criminal Justice. 
Portia
King began the WIA program as an in-school participant
in February 2006. She is a bright and energetic individual
who has an awesome personality. In 2006, her goal was to
complete school followed by post secondary education. Several
negative incidents led to Portia dropping out of high school.
WIA staff encouraged her to attend the WIA GED program.
Portia has succeeded in her short-term goal by completing
her basic studies requirements. In August 2008, she received
a (GED) General Education Development Diploma. Eagerly she
enrolled at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College, pursuing a
career in Medical Office Administration. Upon graduation,
Portia plans to continue her education and obtain a Bachelor’s
degree in the medical field. Congratulations
Portia!
Kristina
Stout, a 16 year old young mother of one daughter
was a 2007 dropout from North Rowan High School. Although
being a young parenting mother is not an easy task, Kristina
continues to handle the situation by balancing school and
parenthood. Kristina started the WIA program in December
2007 and within five months, Ms. Stout proudly walked across
the stage to accept her (GED) General Education Development
Diploma in May 2008. Kristina states her determination is
derived from her daughter and she is motivated to complete
a degree in Medical Office Administration at Rowan- Cabarrus
Community College in January 2010. Congratulations
Kristina!
Kannapolis
City Schools
Kannapolis
Middle School will receive more than $488,000 of the grant
to buy laptops for students and add other technology in
the school.|
What's Happening in the Region?Comings, Goings, Kudos…
|
||||||||||||||||||
|
• Centralina Workforce Development
Board meeting • Centralina WDB Executive Planning
Committee Meeting • Centralina WDB Youth Council Meeting • Competitive Workforce Alliance
Allied Health Regional Skills Partnership meeting • Stanly County Chamber of Commerce
– 7th Annual Business Expo • Vocational Rehabilitation Employer
Appreciation Events • Cannon YMCA Job Search Workshop • Career Bridge – College/Career
Night • NC Workforce Development Partnership
Conference 2009
The North Carolina Workforce Development Training Center Training
offers many great training sessions for every workforce development
professional. The Center can even do online trainings for you
and your colleagues. Some of the great training sessions include:
Keeping Your Cool (When Others are HOT!), Assessment: The Foundation
of Case Management, Delivering Excellent Customer Service, and
Youth Services: A Variety of Topics. These are just some of the
great training sessions they can put together for your team. So
give them a call and see what they can do for you! Contact Robin
Broome at (919) 306-1819 or visit their website for more information
at www.ncwdtc.com. |
||||||||||||||||||
Randall
Darnell has been named the new manager of the
Employment Security Commission/JobLink Career
Center main office in Charlotte. Darnell was
previously the manager of the Union County JobLink Career
Center. We will miss Randall but we wish him the best
in his new position. 
Dr.
Russell Sharples has retired from Stanly
Community College after 32 years of service
to take the position as interim vice president for student
services at Pfeiffer University. 
Rodney
M. Townley will join Rowan-Cabarrus
Community College as its new vice president
of academic programs. Townley comes to RCCC from Central
Piedmont Community College where he is dean of science,
technology, engineering, math, geomatics and sustainability
and the Futures Institute. 
•
Greta Lint has been named interim leader
for the Statesville Convention and Visitors Bureau.
As the interim project leader, Lint will split her work
time between the Visitors Center on East Broad Street and
her home in Asheboro. She will stay on until the new director
is hired and then train that person. 
|
Visit
our website at www.centralinaworks.com
to learn more about the Centralina WDB |
|
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. |