Mr. Transportation Secretary goes to Wayne County

Transportation and infrastructure are critical to a community’s viability. These two factors are critical elements at the cornerstone of decision making for expanding and relocating industries. It can be a shining beacon for a community or the black spot on an otherwise spotless image. As economic developers, we keep this at the forefront of our consideration and planning when reaching out to industries. It is always refreshing and exciting to hear about transportation and infrastructure improvements in our area.

The Wayne County Chamber of Commerce held a transportation forum today and the entire staff of the WCDA had the pleasure of attending. We were treated to three informative presentations from local, regional, and state representatives. The common theme in all three  presentations is that we can expect improvements in infrastructure in Eastern NC that will directly and positively impact transportation. The keynote speaker was the recently appointed Secretary of Transportation, Tony Tata.

Mr. Tata split his time between telling us about himself and the goals of the transportation department. What we learned about him was that he was an accomplished man with a great sense of humor. All jokes aside, he did get down to business explaining the governor’s initiatives and his roll in implemented and accomplishing them. Mr. Tata discussed several points but the one that had our ears perked up was the desire to leverage infrastructure to increase the value of economic competition. As Mr. Tata explained,

this means more projects which means more jobs.

There was another point made that was of particular interest. Mr. Tata talked about the desire to more fully utilize the ports and rails in North Carolina. He explained that manufacturers are using ports in Virginia and South Carolina. If we can equip our ports to handle the needs of our manufacturers, then we can help save them money. Money that can be reinvested into their businesses; money that can be used to create jobs. We all left feeling charged and excited for the progress slated for Eastern NC.

Economic Development in Wayne County NC

Secretary Tata addresses the crowd In Wayne County, North Caroina

2013
02/28
CATEGORY
About Wayne County
Business & Industry
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First Ever Certified WorkReady Community in NC

This morning the North Carolina’s Eastern Region recognized Wayne County as North Carolina’s first ever Certified WorkReady Community. This announcement is a feather in the cap of a community that has worked hard to provide a qualified workforce to the industries that relocate and expand here in Wayne County. Many organizations need recognition for this amazing accomplishment: Wayne Community College, The County of Wayne, Wayne County Public Schools, the Wayne County Development Alliance, Inc., and our industries. Without all of the aforementioned, it would have been impossible to reach this milestone.

One may ask, “what does this really mean?” and we would collectively reply, “It means that Wayne County has the workforce to support our existing industry as well as industries that relocate to our great county!” A lot of communities make this claim – trust us we hear it ALL THE TIME but Wayne County has certifiable proof that we have the workforce that industries need. Joanna Helms, President of the Wayne County Development Alliance has this to say,

The retention and recruitment of industry is extremely competitive, even more so today than in decades past. The communities that set themselves apart in the areas most important to the decision making process will win the day. Workforce is a huge deal in economic development and Wayne County gets that. To be formally recognized as a ‘Work Ready Community’ and the first in the state is going to keep Wayne County on the leading edge. It’s a recognition that we believe will result in more jobs and more investment for Wayne County.

This past October Wayne County surpassed 10,000 Career Readiness Certificates awarded. This number is by far more than any other county in the state. With the rising interest in workforce by industries, site selectors, legislators, and the like, Wayne County has positioned itself to rise to the top. We take workforce development very seriously and our numbers prove that.

Local leaders share the excitement of become a Certified WorkReady Community

Local leaders share the excitement of become a Certified WorkReady Community

2013
02/20
CATEGORY
About Wayne County
Business & Industry
Workforce
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Duke Energy Meet and Greet

Last Thursday, January 10th, the staff at the Wayne County Development Alliance had the distinct pleasure of meeting Duke Energy’s new State President of North Carolina, Mr. Brett Carter. Several people were in attendance and I believe that all can attest to Brett’s great personality and forthright candor. Brett’s presentation was relatively short but during his time he expressed not only his, but also Duke Energy’s dedication to economic development. Additionally, he discussed savings by the way of efficient operations that the company pledged over the next several years.

The company has made significant investments in Eastern North Carolina in an effort to reduce the environmental footprint of it’s operations. This is evident at the Lee Energy Complex in Wayne County where a $900 million investment will generate a 60-percent reduction in carbon emissions, a 95-percent reduction in nitrogen oxides, and an almost 100-percent reduction in mercury and sulfur dioxide.

Please join us in welcoming Mr. Brett Carter to Eastern NC! He’s originally from Pittsburgh but has all the makings of a southern gentleman ~ he’s going to fit in just fine down here!

DEM+G

From L to R

Joe Daughtery, County Commissioner, District 6; Grey Morgan, Board Chairman, WDCA;

Brett Carter, State President NC, Duke Energy; Joanna Helms, President, WCDA

2013
01/16
CATEGORY
About Wayne County
Business & Industry
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Career Readiness is HUGE in Wayne County

Career Readiness is HUGE in Wayne County

Every quarter the Wayne County Development Alliance generates a report on the amount of Career Readiness Certificates awarded in the Eastern Region. Additionally, the WCDA looks at the total number of CRCs awarded in the state. Below are some striking facts:

  • Wayne County has the highest numbers of CRCs awarded in the state at 10,690
  • Almost 20% of Wayne County’s workforce is Career Readiness Certified
  • 29% of the CRCs awarded in the Eastern Region are in Wayne County
  • 7% of the CRCs awarded in the state are in Wayne County

While all of this is certainly impressive, the most impressive fact is that Wayne County looks like it will be the first ever WorkReady Certified community in the entire state of North Carolina. With workforce being the #1 driver of site selection for industries, Wayne County is poised to be a MAJOR player in recruitment of new industries and expansion of existing industries in the coming years. This has come about because of the hard work and dedication of our partners in workforce development. Thank you to all of them and to Wayne County resident for seeing the value in Career Readiness Certification. It’s WHY WAYNE WORKS!

2013
01/09
CATEGORY
Business & Industry
Workforce
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ACX Locates New Facility In Wayne County

The Wayne County Development Alliance, Inc. and Governor Bev Perdue announced on Friday, January 4th, that ACX Pacific Northwest, Inc. will locate a new facility in Wayne County.  The company plans to create 38 jobs and invest $4.7 million over the next three years in Goldsboro.  ACX plans to renovate and lease the former 158,400 square foot Carolina Tobacco Warehouse located on Jeffreys Lane.

ACX Pacific Northwest, founded in 1978, is headquartered in Bakersfield, Calif. The company is a leading supplier of long-fiber forage and roughage products including alfalfa hay, timothy hay, Sudangrass, oat hay and grass hay. Its products are sold to the dairy, beef, horse, camel, goat and animal feed industries located in Asia and the Middle East.  ACX plans to purchase hay products, such as Bermuda grass, directly from North Carolina farmers.

The project was made possible in part by a $60,000 grant from the One North Carolina Fund. The One North Carolina Fund grant requires a 100% local match by a unit of local government. The County of Wayne is considering a $60,000 match to fulfill the requirement, pending the scheduling of a public hearing to address the issue.

Joanna Helms, President of the Wayne County Development Alliance stated, “This was a fast paced project and the company made a fairly quick, yet thoughtful decision.  The consideration by the County of Wayne regarding the One NC grant and the cooperative efforts by the City of Goldsboro concerning the building renovations were the tipping points to get this project located here.”

Grey Morgan, Chairman of the Wayne County Development Alliance stated, “ACX is a sound addition to our industrial community.  In addition to the 38 direct new jobs, there will be multiple indirect jobs created for bailing crews, farm laborers, trucking personnel and more. In this continued tough economy, the Development Alliance is grateful ACX chose Wayne County in which to locate their first East Coast operation.”

2013
01/07
CATEGORY
Business & Industry
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Balfour Beatty Rail Inc. Expands In Goldsboro

The Wayne County Development Alliance and Governor Bev Perdue announced today that Balfour Beatty Rail, Inc. is expanding its operations in Goldsboro, Wayne County, NC. This expansion will lead to the creation of 29 new jobs and a $1 million investment in Wayne County. Balfour Beatty Rail currently employs more than 50 people at its Goldsboro facility. Salaries will vary by job function, but the average salary for the new positions will be $43,000, plus benefits which exceeds the average annual wage of $31,512 in Wayne County. The expansion will be funded in part by a $60,000 grant from the One North Carolina Fund. The One North Carolina Fund grant does require a 100% local match by a unit of local government. The County of Wayne and the City of Goldsboro are each considering a $30,000 match to fulfill the requirement pending public hearings which will be scheduled by the County of Wayne and the City of Goldsboro.

Balfour Beatty Rail’s expansion addresses the growing demand for mass transit construction opportunities around the U.S. These include systems such as the Charlotte Light Rail System and the recently awarded Charlotte Street Car System. Balfour Beatty Rail will need additional resources in the form of project engineers, project managers, document control, CAD and manufacturing personnel to support this demand. The current expansion will support Balfour Beatty’s Traction Power Group which was acquired in 2010. Balfour Beatty Rail provides design, engineering, construction and maintenance services for public and private railroad markets. Headquartered in Atlanta, it is part of Balfour Beatty plc, a global engineering, construction, services and investment organization specializing in large infrastructure and building programs. Balfour Beatty Rail’s Traction Power Group manufactures electrical components for the public transit industry, including light rail and streetcars.

Mike Haney, VP/Existing Industry Specialist with the Wayne County Development Alliance, stated, “We have watched Balfour Beatty grow their operations in Goldsboro for some time now. Balfour Beatty’s commitment to Wayne County is a testament to the relationship that exists between their leadership, the Development Alliance, the City of Goldsboro, and the County of Wayne. We value them not only because of what they do but because of who they are.”

Chuck Allen, Board member of the Wayne County Development Alliance and Goldsboro City Council member stated, “Transportation and infrastructure are very important to the success of industry in Wayne County. To have an industry that provides support to the transportation sector like Balfour Beatty is a big deal for Wayne County. The City of Goldsboro welcomed the opportunity to partner in this project to help existing industry. And the new jobs created by this existing industry add to the Development Alliance’s strategic plan of overall job creation.”

2013
01/04
CATEGORY
Business & Industry
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10,000 strong and growing

Image

An available workforce is what we as economic developers call a critical component in attracting and retaining industries. One thing that we all learn as early economic developers is there are some things that we can control and have an active hand in bringing into existence. These include such things as infrastructure, incentives, real estate, etc… Unfortunately, workforce is NOT one of the things we can simply draw into existence. It takes a very proactive, hands-on approach to ensure that an area has the workforce to support growth. Such is the case in Wayne County.

This month Wayne County reached a HUGE milestone with its 10,000th Career Readiness Certificate awarded. Needless to say we are all very excited about this. This milestone is a testament to the dedication and commitment of everyone involved in Wayne County’s WORKS initiative that was started back in 2006. After 6 years, our lazer intense focus remains and pushes us all towards providing the qualified workforce needed to support the growth of our industries in Wayne County.

To put this into perspective:

  • 18% of labor force in Wayne County is Career Readiness Certified!
  • Wayne County holds 7% of all of the CRCs awarded in the state! 
  • Wayne County holds 29% of all of the CRCs awarded in the Eastern Region!
  • Our closest counterpart has 6,815 CRCs awarded!

 

Congratulations to everyone that has worked so hard to keep this program moving at a bullet train’s pace and thank you to all of the industries that have not only supported this initiative but adopted it as a criteria for qualifying new hires! Together, we didn’t just put the cart before the horse, we put the horse in the cart and pushed it uphill past all of our counterparts. It’s WHY WAYNE WORKS!

2012
10/30
CATEGORY
Uncategorized
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