gREENSBORO CHAMBER ANNUAL REPORT
2019
>>> A message from the team To the 1,300+ members and investors of the Greensboro Chamber of Commerce, we thank you for your support. We know a strong, connected business environment creates opportunities for all. With your unwavering commitment to our organization, we continue to grow a future bright with possibilities for our community. As we continue to bring you, our members and investors, together across sectors and perspectives, we know one thing: 2019 was a great year to live in Greensboro and to be a part of the Chamber. We visited Louisville, Kentucky, hosted our largest ever State of Our Community luncheon, helped more than 500 entrepreneurs with our programming, and hosted 107 fellows from 19 universities as part of Campus Greensboro. And that’s just the beginning! 2020 is going to be a year of changes and big things here at the Chamber. We hope you’ll join us!
The Greensboro Chamber Team
Annual Report 2019 | A message from the team
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>>> create quality jobs
Advocacy/legislative agenda
2019 Guilford County Legislative AGENDA First Launch Capital Fund: seeking a $2.5 million non-recurring grant for a 1:1 match to $2.5 million in
private investments and donations to support the innovative see-stage capital fund.
Megasite Development: Funding for both the $30 million relocation of the transmission line on the Greensboro-Randolph Megasite and increasing the NCDOT Aviation Grants to Commercial Service Airports. Eastern Triad Workforce Development Initiative: Request of $9 million through 2021 to continue the work of ETWDI which has successfully seen a 300% increase in youth and adult workers in apprenticeships and a 175% increase in participating businesses in 2019. Pilot Career Academies: Funding of $3 million through 2021 for industry-standard equipment, technology and daily, hands-on training for the 5 Career Academies in Guilford County.
The Greensboro Chamber along with Business High Point held the annual Raleigh Lunch on the Lawn in March 2019. However, our legislative agenda asks were stalled in 2019 because of budget discussions in the North Carolina General Assembly. At the end of 2019, a budget had not yet been signed into law.
Annual Report 2019 | Create Quality Jobs
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>>> create quality jobs
212
grow update
$3.5MM
NEW MINORITY BUSINESS REVENUE
NEW COMPANIES
helped to start or grow through programming at Launch Greensboro
5-Year Goal:
400 COMPANIES
5-Year Goal:
$10MM
$475.5MM IN NEW CAPITAL INVESTMENT 5-Year Goal:
$700MM
QUARTER 4 | YEAR 2 OF 5
2,154 NEW JOBS
5-Year Goal:
7,500 JOBS
$590,000 RAISED FOR NEW VENTURES through our
new seed fund, First Launch Capital Fund 5-Year Goal:
$2.5MM
286
chronically vacant positions filled and college talent retained through workforce initiatives
Featured Greensboro in 11 national or regional publications to help tell the story of our community Yearly Goal: 8-10 PUBLICATIONS
Annual Report 2019 | Grow Update
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>>> create quality jobs
Jobs update
Centric Brands Selects Downtown Greensboro The 109,000-square-foot Gateway Building on South Elm Street officially has an anchor tenant. Centric Brands is a New York City-based apparel firm that will bring 250 jobs to downtown Greensboro. Andy Zimmerman, owner and developer of Gateway Building, told Triad Business Journal that Centric Brands Inc. has signed a lease for approximately 50,000 square feet. “It’s a big deal for me, it’s a bit deal for the city, and it’s a big deal for Centric Brands,” Zimmerman said. “I think that they will also perhaps attract other apparel and textile brands. Other companies will want to locate here because of them and Kontoor and other textile and clothing companies in the area. I’m really excited to see Centric grow in Greensboro.” Centric has 250 jobs at this location and is growing.
Pactiv to Expand and Add 25 Jobs in Greensboro Pactiv, the world’s largest manufacturer and distributor of food packaging and food service products, is investing up to $13 million in new equipment, and adding 25 new jobs to their Greensboro facility on Radar Road. The company has 50+ plants throughout the United States as well as Canada and Mexico and employs over 12,000 people. Annual Report 2019 | Create Quality Jobs
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>>> create quality jobs
Jobs update
Fresh Market headquarters to remain in Greensboro The Fresh Market, a fresh-focused specialty food retailer, will invest $5.4 million to expand its headquarters operations in Greensboro, North Carolina. The project is expected to create 53 jobs. The company is consolidating its corporate headquarters operations from two separate buildings and expanding into one new, modern location in downtown Greensboro. “Greensboro has been our home for the past 37 years, and we are thrilled to be able to make a long-term commitment to staying in this community and be able to build on our vision,” said Larry Appel, President & CEO of The Fresh Market in a statement released by the company. “We are excited to be able to unite all of our headquarters team members in one building and provide them with as welcoming a place to work as it is for our guests to shop in our stores.”
Systems Sunlight chooses Greensboro for first US assembly and distribution center Sunlight Batteries USA, an industrial battery manufacturer and member of the Greek multinational Group Olympia, is investing $6.5 million to establish an assembly and distribution center in Greensboro. The center will create up to 50 jobs in Phase I. Headquartered in Greece, Systems Sunlight, the parent company of Sunlight Batteries USA, has been specializing in energy storage and industrial batteries manufacturing since 1991. Sunlight operates three state-of-the-art production facilities in Greece and Italy, and exports to more than 100 countries in all continents. The company plans to assemble and distribute lead and lithium batteries at the Greensboro facility. Annual Report 2019 | Create Quality Jobs
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>>> growing our own
Membership & ribbon cuttings
Amethyst Consulting
KaylenVo Beauty
159
New Membe rs
207
1,312
CURREN T MEMBE RS
signat ure events
Top Left: Good Health Greensboro Left: Wheels 4 Hope Bottom: Proehlific Park Annual Report 2019 | Growing Our Own
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>>> growing our own
Minority business accelerator
LEFT Core Technology Molding Corporation, an MBA company, worked with HAECO Cabin Solutions to showcase a new prototype in April at the Aircraft Interiors Expo in Hamburg, Germany. RIGHT MBA participant Antonio Wallace, owner and CEO of GP Supply Company, received the Community Impact Award for outstanding achievement as a MBE supplier during Greensboro Minority Enterprise Development Week in September.
2019 Highlights >>> The Minority Business Accelerator intentionally establishes relationships between majority and minority owned businesses. The MBA program fosters the growth of local, ethnic minority-owned businesses to expand the region’s minority entrepreneurial business sector. >>> In 2019, the Minority Business Accelerator program continued to forge new relationships. The program yielded revenues in excess of $2.0 M, contributing to a five-year goal of generating $10M in revenues for MBA portfolio companies. >>> In May, the Chamber hosted the Triangle/Triad chapter of Carolinas-Virginia Minority Supplier Diversity Council, with one of the MBA Portfolio companies being highlighted on the agenda. Currently, ten Goal Setter organizations and ten Portfolio companies participate in the MBA.
Being a part of the MBA program has helped my company grow. The program is vital to economic development in Guilford County because if you do business with local companies your money stays local. Gross income stays local, property taxes stay local, and our employees’ taxes and spend stay local. Bottom line… the MBA program is vital to economic growth in Guilford County and positively impacts workforce development.”
-Karl Robinson | President, R&R Transportation
Annual Report 2019 | Growing Our Own
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>>> growing our own
Networking and events
Coffee and Conversation is a monthly networking and educational program designed to highlight important initiatives within our community. In 2019, we gathered at the historic Carolina Theatre to learn about topics such as the city's arts master plan (Creative Greensboro), PlanIt GSO, and an update on Downtown Greensboro, Incorporated’s downtown masterplan. We collaborated with the UNC Greensboro Bryan School of Business & Economics on an education series focused on critical issues facing small businesses. A survey was conducted with small business members to identify and design targeted sessions on Cybersecurity, Data Analytics, Sales, and Generations in the Workplace.
Annual Report 2019 | Growing Our Own
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>>> Starting our own
522
entrepreneurs
Launch greensboro statistics
1,456 Community members
82%
in ongoing programs are M/WBE
LaunchLab TestimonialS: To have a program like this available to all without prejudice, speaks volumes to the City’s desire to continue to make this an exceptional community to live, and thrive in. It has made me proud to call Greensboro home.”
- Fabian Sparrow, Marketing by SMS
Launch Lab helped us get all 3 of our businesses on track and more organized. Having a wellness center with 20 practitioners to oversee and a juice bar cafe to manage every day was a lot to handle. Launch Lab took us step by step through each business phase and allowed us to become better than ever. We've hired 7 more employees and have opportunities to expand thanks to them! The unlimited feedback and advice they give is invaluable. It is one of Greensboro's best resources for small businesses.”
- Sonder Mind and Body and The Well Cafe and Juice Bar
Annual Report 2019 | Starting Our Own
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LaunchLab
59 companies/ 61 individuals | 83% M/WBE
101: 5-week accelerator program providing basic business knowledge in a cohort model to very early stage companies. GROWTH: 12-week accelerator program for startup companies and founders looking to grow their businesses to sustainability. Paired with mentors. Culminates in Demo Day Event.
LaunchCamp TECH 7 companies | 8 individuals | 75% M/WBE An intense 2-day program built specifically to engage and educate digital entrepreneurs. CREATIVE 10 companies | 10 individuals | 90% M/WBE Concentrated 2-day business-building workshop to support artists and makers.
TBD An evening event for newbies and experts alike to brainstorm ideas, opportunities and questions. Come for pizza, drinks, whiteboards, new ideas, new friends, and new collaborations.
IdeaLaunch
12 entrepreneurs | 83% M/WBE
Monthly opportunity to pitch to a local audience of business and community leaders and receive immediate feedback. Average of 36 members/month in 2019. Average membership length of 16 months. 50 day passes. 4,773 square feet of collaborative workspace in an urban environment for entrepreneurs, students, and industry to work together.
Capital Connects
204 attendees. 16 presenting companies.
A signature showcase event, running for over 17 years, Capital Connects provides opportunities for investors and entrepreneurs/businesses seeking capital to connect. Startups presenting at this signature event have raised almost $10 million from local investors.
Reverse Pitch
2 companies. 4 technologies presented.
Our newest event connecting entrepreneurs with internal corporate challenges and intellectual property from our universities – opening the door for creative entrepreneurs to solve that corporate challenge or license the university technology and build a new business. Annual Report 2019 | Starting Our Own
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Launch Lab has changed my business and changed my life. I was with the program for 19 weeks and my business has transformed. I realized that I had a good base, but there was so much more work to be done. I met two great cohorts of people and my network has grown. The support of other local small businesses that I've connected with through Launch Greensboro is helping me to scale and have an impact on the community.�
-Dr. Renita Webb, Dr. Renita L. Webb
First Launch Capital Fund is a $2.5 million North Carolina Piedmont Triad-based
traditional seed-stage venture fund, investing in entrepreneurs and small businesses to expand the culture of innovation in our 12-counties. The fund is focused on capital appreciation, economic development and job creation focus through funding Triad-based companies with high-growth and future-funding potential at their earliest stages.
Investments: Crew Pay. CrewPay, Inc. manages and streamlines the payment of 1099 Contractors. CrewPay provides a business owner with a paper-free process with a compliance tool that allows the owner to save time and worry. Testimonial: I absolutely LOVED the LaunchLab Growth program! As a new entrepreneur, I learned things that would have taken me years to learn, in only three short months! The program allowed me to meet other incredible entrepreneurs and learn from them as well. We are so lucky to have a program like this in Greensboro and I would highly recommend it to any business looking to take their growth to the next level!
- Mae Novak, YAY Brands! Annual Report 2019 | Starting Our Own
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>>> Starting our own
Annual Report 2019 | Starting Our Own
2019 LAUNCHLAB 101 & GROWTH SERIES
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>>> Talent & workforce
Work
> Academies of Louisville > Louisville Entrepreneurship Center > Live in Lou recruitment and retainment campaign
intercity visit: louisville, ky
> Summerworks Jobs Program > Opportunity Zones > 55,000 degrees
Every other year one hundred business and civic leaders travel to a committee chosen city to learn best practices around issues facing our community. Leaders have an opportunity to grow strong relationships with their local contemporaries while also learning how to make an impact on our community. This year the trip focused on Talent and Skills Development. Sessions included innovative public schools, engaging and retaining young professionals, and urban infill, development and identity.
play
> Muhammad Ali Center > Churchill Downs/Kentucky Derby Museum
Annual Report 2019 | Talent & Workforce
> Frazier History Museum and Bourbon Exhibits > Whiskey Row
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>>> Talent & workforce
Leadership greensboro
We were happy to present well-deserved awards to three outstanding alumni:
Michelle Kennedy
Leadership Greensboro Service Medal
Jamie Cosson
Leadership Greensboro Service Medal
Dr. Manuel Dudley
Leadership Greensboro Connector Medal
Chad Oakley
Denise E. Maleska Leadership Impact Award
Class Happenings: The 2019 Class of 43 leaders graduated on May 8, 2019, and they’ve been actively engaged Day Chairs for the 2020 Class since then. We hosted 2 information sessions in the spring as we began the 2020 Class recruitment; 39 prospective participants attended over the 2 sessions. In August, LG welcomed the 2020 Class of 46 new leaders widely diverse in thought, skill, and identity. The class is the fourth to experience superior leadership development content through our continued partnership with the Center for Creative Leadership. Alumni Engagement: We excitedly launched the Leadership Greensboro Alumni Association in January and the first Alumni Council in March. The Association offered 4 special events this year including a Key Leaders Lunch in April. 59 alumni and supporters dedicated their time to 3 excellent nonprofit organizations during our 2nd annual Alumni Summer of Service. Grant Award: The program won a $5,500 grant from the P&G Fund of The Greater Cincinnati Foundation. Program Evaluation: In a continued effort to provide superior leadership development programming, the Leadership Greensboro program chose to partner with evaluator, Catherine Goetz in the Educational Research Methods program at UNC Greensboro to complete a formal program evaluation. We hope to assess our program’s impact on the individual and the community.
Annual Report 2019 | Talent & Workforce
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>>> Talent & workforce
Other Voices
Randy Abbott, National Volunteer Coordinator, S.A.F.E. Project 2019 Change Agent Awards
Antonia Monk Richburg, VP, Senior Program Officer, Cone Health Foundation Jack Register, CEO & Clinician, Jack Register & Associates, PLLC Mark C. Hale, Head of School, Greensboro Day School
2019 Highlights >>> Other Voices graduated its 26th class in May. The 25 new OV Alumni hailed from 13 businesses; 2 educational institutions; 6 from government and 4 from nonprofits. >>> OV Alumni engaged in several programs/events during the year, including OV Night at the Ball park & HotTopics: A Community Conversation from Past, Present & Future
Excellence. Rare. Unique. Inspirational. Authentic....that’s just a few ways to describe Other Voices. It’s like no other program you will ever experience. A journey that will stretch your views and passion around every aspect of diversity and inclusion. The conclusion of your experience will definitely change you. Making you a better you!”
- Iris Austin | HR Director, Talent & Competence Development, Volvo
Annual Report 2019 | Talent & Workforce
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>>> Talent & workforce
Action Greensboro: Campus Greensboro
Campus Greensboro strives to help local college students envision a future working and living in Greensboro. Through the Fellows Program and other efforts, our mission is to better prepare our local talent to fit industry needs, motivate students to explore all that the city has to offer, and help students discover career options post-graduation.
107 fellows
51
InterNship sites (employers)
19
Universities represented
After completing the Fellows Program: 88% of Fellows indicated they are interested in staying in Greensboro post-graduation 91% of Fellows reported that they built relationships with key leaders in the community 77% of Fellows stated that they understand the leading industries in Greensboro 97% of Fellows had a summer experience that they believe will help them toward their career/professional goals
Annual Report 2019 | Talent & Workforce
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>>> Talent & workforce
Action Greensboro: synerg
“After graduating from Carolina, I moved to DC for a few years only to find myself yearning for a sense of belonging. Greensboro is the community that kept calling me home, it is the city that continues to give. synerG has helped me find that sense of purpose and impact with a mission that I fully support. I truly enjoy sharing all the reasons why I love living, working and playing in Greensboro in an effort to attract and retain other young professionals!”
- Hilda Tajalli TANGER OUTLETS | synerG Council Member
2019 was an exciting year for synerG Young Professionals as several new initiatives were added to its scope of work. synerG launched the Placemaking Committee which focuses on strengthening the connection between people and the places they share through unique public projects such as the “Bottleground” crosswalk in Downtown Greensboro. synerG was also proud to partner with the Guilford Nonprofit Consortium to offer a nonprofit board service training to young professionals in an effort to cultivate young leadership. synerG also launched a new website this year! Continuing its long-standing programs, in 2019 synerG presented another well-attended Lead Your City summit, Making Connections networking event, Wellness Series, Young Professional Educators Academy, On Taps and numerous Lunch & Learns.
Annual Report 2019 | Talent & Workforce
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>>> Talent & workforce
Action Greensboro: talent together
In an effort to better understand the needs and desires of the local workforce, Action Greensboro commissioned the Generation Greensboro survey. Over 2500 respondents provided their input on personal and professional motivators in making Greensboro home. Respondents overwhelming described Greensboro as a family-friendly community a great place to put down roots. To better connect with our local workforce, Action Greensboro developed a talent toolkit to be used as a community resource guide for local employers looking to better engage and support their employees in Greensboro and hosted a series of lunch and learns to train local HR professionals. Lunch and learn topics included Family Friendly Workplace Practices, Multi-Generational Team Building, Workplace Wellness Programs, Reverse Mentoring and Internship Program Consulting. Through this effort, the Talent Together initiative engaged over 250 local business and civic leaders.
Annual Report 2019 | Talent & Workforce
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>>> Telling our story
Action Greensboro: downtown greenway
2019 was an incredibly productive year for the Downtown Greenway with 2 new sections of the trail completed with 1 ½ miles now open, a 1 ½ mile section under construction, completion of the design of the final mile, acquisition of the railroad corridor, and many programs and activities that engaged the public in meaningful ways.
January 21, 2019 Ribbon Cutting of Downtown Greenway
between MLK Jr Drive and Gate City Boulevard including dedication of artist VanDorn Hinnant’s Monument to Dignity and Respect in the Ole Asheboro neighborhood.
LEFT VF Announcement: Steve Rendall, David Parrish, Mayor Nancy Vaughan, Dabney Sanders, Trip Brown, Susan Schwartz, Cecelia Thompson RIGHT Ribbon Cutting in Ole
Asheboro: Darlene McClinton, Marikay Abuzuaiter, Yvonne Johnson, Vandorn Hinnant, Sharon Hightower, Nancy Vaughan and Goldie Wells
April 2019 Murrow Boulevard goes under construction.
This 1 ½ mile section will complete the eastern side and connect the northern section of the Downtown Greenway. Completion expected October 2020.
May 23, 2019 Announcement of VF Corporation’s legacy gift of $1.5 million to support the Downtown Greenway.
September 14, 2019 10th annual Run 4 the Greenway held at LoFi Park and the Deep Roots
Market parking lot. A big thank you to all of our 150 volunteers, 300 runners/walkers, 500 party participants, and our sponsors who made this a big success.
November 8, 2019 The City of Greensboro's agreement with Norfolk Southern to purchase the
rights to install the Greenway along the NS Railway Atlantic & Yadkin Railroad corridor from Markland to Spring Garden Street to allow for the construction of the final mile of the Downtown Greenway and the connection of the 2 miles of the Atlantic & Yadkin Greenway.
Throughout the year, the community has come together for free fitness classes, volunteer
workdays, pop up classes on elderberries and craft beer brewing, public meetings, and golf cart tours.
Annual Report 2019 | Create Quality Jobs
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>>> Telling our story
Annual Report 2019 | Telling Our Story
Action Greensboro: downtown greenway
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>>> Telling our story
Action Greensboro: Made in Greensboro
In 2019, Made in Greensboro highlighted 11 different artists, book authors, professors, actors and entrepreneurs. • Established a new partnership with VanderVeen Photographers who also celebrated opening their new studio in July. • The City of Greensboro and eBay announced a new partnership – the Retail Revival Program with 75 Greensboro businesses including past Made in Greensboro features, Hops+Nuts and Nailah’s Shea. • 1808 Magazine featured Made in Greensboro in their February issue – Made in Greensboro: The Gate City Through A New Lens. • Reconsidered Goods expanded their office to add on an event space. • Kris Fuller was featured in ChefsFeed. • Made in Greensboro partnered with UNCG during the National Folk Festival to sponsor “Spartan Way” and highlight UNCG alum that have been featured on Made in Greensboro. • Maker, Sam Rouse Furniture Design, featured in Seasons Magazine NC • Collaborated with NC A&T and UNCG on a banner campaign highlighting alum from each University.
Annual Report 2019 | Telling Our Story
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>>> Telling our story
Greensboro life
Throughout 2018 while meeting with GROW investors and other key stakeholders in our community, the same problem came up in conversation. There was not a comprehensive resource about the area to send to potential employees – something that showcased what it is like to live, work, and play in Greensboro. Out of those conversations, Greensboro.Life was born. After close to nine months of research, focus groups, and development, the full site, Greensboro.Life was launched at the Chamber’s State of Our Community luncheon on August 29th. The site itself focuses on ten aspects of life in Greensboro: work, life, arts & entertainment, food, drink, education, kids & families, outdoors, sports, and transportation.
As of December 2019, 37% of views on the site come from Greensboro. The largest percentage of views outside the Triad come from Charlotte (11%), Raleigh (6%), and New York City (5%).
Annual Report 2019 | Telling Our Story
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CI RCL E OF C HA M P I ON S
ACTIO N G RE ENS BORO FOUNDATIONS Joseph M. Bryan Foundation of Greater Greensboro The Cemala Foundation Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro Cone Health Foundation Phillips Foundation Tannenbaum-Sternberger Foundation
G REENSBO RO C HAMBER OF COM MERC E 111 W. February One Place | Greensboro, NC 27401 336.387.8300 greensboro.org Annual Report 2019 | Create Quality Jobs
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