Greensboro Chamber of Commerce 2017 Annual Report

gREENSBORO CHAMBER ANNUAL REPORT

2017

>>> A message from the team We are a city of makers. Always looking forward to ways to continually improve our community while maintaining a deep respect for our past. A past that was built on entrepreneurship and innovation.

To the 1,100+ members and investors of the Greensboro Chamber of Commerce, we thank you for your support. More than 5,000 individuals in our community participated in our programming throughout 2017 and continue to make each year better than the last. We know a strong, connected business environment creates opportunities for all, and with your unwavering commitment to our organization, we will create a future bright with possibilities.

As we continue to bring our community together across sectors and perspectives, we know one thing: 2017 was a great year! We visited Columbus, Ohio, successfully lobbied for a new workforce development initiative to be piloted in the Eastern Triad, successfully launched 56 entrepreneurs into new companies, learned to reclaim our swagger, and so much more.

We cannot wait to see what 2018 has in store. We hope you’ll join us!

The Greensboro Chamber Team

>>> ADVOCACY

First meeting for the Eastern Triad Workforce Development Initiative after securing state funding in the 2017-2019 budget.

Legislative AGENDA EASTERN TRIAD WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE

Pilot program to create a unique, enhanced investment in workforce development. $3.2 million initial investment over first two years, with four to six follow-on years.

MEGASITE INFRASTRUCTURE

State activated and funded its Site Infrastructure Development Fund at the Department of Commerce to show the world that North Carolina is ready to win the extremely competitive races for transformational projects that seek megasite locations.

HIGH POINT MARKET

2016-17 amounts of $1,200,000 for transportation through NCDOT and $1,755,472 for marketing through NCDOC included in the 2017-19 budget as recurring funds.

EFFECTIVE WATER QUALITY MANAGEMENT

Proceeded with the two studies and comprehensive review of the State’s Nutrient Management Regulatory Framework as approved in Session Law 2016-94.

Raleigh Trip & Lunch on the Lawn

100+ attendees traveled to Raleigh with a legislative agenda focused on strategic investments to secure NC's global prominence in manufacturing.

Greensboro City Council Candidate FORUM

13 organizations across the community partnered to sponsor a public forum prior to the City Council election in November.

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>>> BUSINESS GROWTH

Deep Roots Market Ribbon Cutting, September 2017

UNCG and Allegacy Ribbon Cutting, December 2017

251

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34

1,132

CURREN T MEMBE RS

Ribbon Cutting s Stats are as of 12/31/2017

Top Left: 2017 CEO Roundtable at the Greensboro Swarm Fieldhouse Left: 2017 State of Our Community with Troy Knauss, Ursula Dudley Bottom: 2017 Annual Dinner with Eric Wiseman Annual Report 2017

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Member Jumpstart

Why become a Chamber Member? I asked myself this question as I was first starting my business here in Greensboro.

As a new business owner, I had so many start up expenses and it was difficult to justify another. But, I took a chance with the Chamber, because I wanted to be connected with my local community. The energy and excitement is contagious and spurs me on to be part of something bigger. My life is richer in relationships and business is growing due to the Chamber and the support they've given my infant company.�

-Tricia Goad owner & Managing Partner, Joysquad

2017 Small Business Award Winners

Annual Report 2017

2017 ATHENA Reception

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Minority Business Accelerator: The purpose of the Minority Business Accelerator is to focus on growing the local, ethnic, and minority-owned businesses and expanding the region’s minority entrepreneurial community. The vision for the program is to make Greensboro the nation’s #1 destination for minority entrepreneurs to design and enhance their business.

HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:

Groundbreaking for Core Technology Molding Corp’s expansion at Gateway University Research Park

• C2 Contractors LCC was awarded the Cone Health Renaissance Shops Timeshare Clinic project. Reyes Supply Company participated in the project providing lighting for the building.

• SRS, Inc., as part of their joint venture with Samet Corporation, was selected as contractors for the new research facility 3 at Gateway University Research Park, which will house Core Technology Molding Corporation, a portfolio company.

• Core Technology Molding Corporation will be the anchor tenant for a $12 million, 70,000 Sq. foot facility at the south campus of Gateway University Research Park opening in August, 2018.

Leadership Greensboro:

Leadership Greensboro in partnership with the Center for Creative Leadership, prepares and nurtures a diverse, broad-based group of citizens to assume responsible leadership roles throughout Greensboro for the purpose of strengthening and transforming our community.

• The 2017 Class had 44 graduates.

• Leadership awards were presented to: Mike Diamond, BB&T Rhonda Joyce, American National Bank & Trust Company Joel Mills, Advanced Home Care Doug Copeland, High Point Clinical Trials Center was awarded the Denise E. Maleska Leadership Service Award.

Other Voices:

Greensboro recognizes the important role that diversity plays in the business community and our everyday lives. Other Voices is an eight-month program that examines many forms of diversity and oppression affecting our community.

Participants build their insight and understanding of the roots of prejudice.

• The 2017 Class had 22 graduates.

• Annual Change Agent awards were presented to: Barry Davis, Greensboro Day School Ann Marie Dooley, McKinney Immigration Law. Annual Report 2017

Other Voices Graduation Page 6

INTERCItY VISIT May 10-11, 2017 Columbus, Ohio Focus Areas: • Alleviating Poverty • City Branding • Entrepreneurship • Talent and Skills Development • University Engagement

Although we started our trip with the longest networking event in Chamber history, much was learned in Columbus.

From seeing how to alleviate poverty through entrepreneurship at Hot Chicken Takeover to lessons in Talent and Skills Development at the Honda Plant in Marysville, OH, we learned that one initiative can address several community challenges and yield successful impact.

It was an amazing trip filled with great information and the opportunity to meet and talk with folks who I didn’t know very well. I can’t wait for the next trip!”

-Mark Hale, Greensboro Day School

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Construction was completed along Bragg Street between Eugene and IN Martin TAKE PART DOWNTOWN GREENWAY EVENTS. LutherVisit King Jr. www.downtowngreenway.org for listings.

Boulevard. Innovative • fitness classes stormwater treatment • ribbon cuttings • groundbreakings • biking events gardens complement • and much more!

• running/walking events the greenway trail that extends this southern section to 1 mile.

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Construction was completed along North Eugene Street between Smith and Fisher and along Fisher between Eugene and Greene.

This section features an improved intersection at Eugene and Battleground, innovative stormwater treatment gardens, and LoFi Park in addition to the trail and site furnishings.

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Completed Sections Future Sections Public Art Cornerstones Connecting Trails & Greenways Parking

Under Construction:

This 2nd annual 2018/2019 event was hosted on Sunday, May 7. Over 125 kids received free bike helmets and safety training, and over 70 bikes wereTrails, donated to To learn about all Greensboro visit: www.greensborotrails.org the Warnersville Recreation Center!

www.downtowngreenway.org

Railroad Corridor The design for the 1mile railroad corridor along the western side was completed. This final section will include enhancement of the College Branch stream and connection to the Atlantic & Yadkin Greenway.

Annual Report 2017

Run 4 the greenway October 28th marked the 8th annual event that featured a 1.25mile run and doggie jog, 4-mile race, and a party with live music, food and beer, and costumed children and adults.

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Spark Grant recipients Action Greensboro and Downtown Greensboro, Inc. officially collaborated on the Spark Grant project in 2017. Spark Grants are aimed to support unexpected, fun and exciting projects in downtown Greensboro with an effort to create buzz and community involvement.

A total of five grants were awarded in 2017, including Bounce House Gallery, Moving Canvas, Where the Crosswalk Begins, Church Street Underpass Mural Project and Urban Affairs Street Art Documentary Fest/Opening Reception.

Made in Greensboro

Made in Greensboro celebrates those makers — the entrepreneurs, the artists, the community builders, the next generation of leaders.

2017 SUCCESSES: • Made in Greensboro celebrated hitting its 100th maker profile!

• Officially partnered with the City of Greensboro.

• Partnered with UNC-Greensboro to celebrate their 125th anniversary with banners on downtown parking decks.

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Planit Greensboro

Action Greensboro partnered with the City of Greensboro Planning Department on public engagement of their Comprehensive Plan, Connections 2025, through a speaker series titled “PlanIt Greensboro.” To inform Greensboro residents about a growing demand for diversified housing – fourplexes, bungalow courts, mansion apartments, live-work units – Dan Parolek, a nationally known leader in Missing Middle housing presented to the city in October.

In November, Geoff Anderson, CEO of Smart Growth America, presented to local developers, nonprofit and civic leaders. Anderson presented trends from cutting edge housing, the impact of public art in communities, walkability and social equity in planning.

synerG

Through developing the Young Professional Ecosystem group and partnering on a multitude of projects with community organizations, synerG showed that collaboration is key to making an impact in Greensboro. synerG launched a new Adulting 101 series, an official programming partnership with the Greensboro Jaycees, and created a new YP Educators Academy, a focused training and retention effort for Guilford County School Educators.

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On Tap NetworkiNG events attended by 1,150 people collaborati ve networking and leadership events with local YP groups First Friday on the Block events attended by 4,000 people lunch and learns attended by 350 people YPs ATTENDED lead your city summit YPs educated on nonprofit board leadership accepted into inaugural yp educators academy

Annual Report 2017

Through synerG programs and community partnerships, synerG is leading the way for young professionals in Greensboro and ensuring they have a seat at the decision-making table. To direct and support this work, the council developed an Advocacy Agenda which supports downtown development, creation of an advisory YP Commission for the city, and being an active community voice.

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Morehead-Cain

This summer, a group of five Morehead-Cain scholars from UNC-Chapel Hill partnered with Action Greensboro and synerG Young Professionals to research how Greensboro can best attract and retain young professionals. The scholars worked in the city for eight weeks and their experience culminated in a presentation to a group of over sixty local leaders.

Throughout the summer, the group set out to answer the question: “How can Greensboro promote prosperity and community for young professionals looking to live in a midsize city?�

Opportunity Greensboro Fellows Program: Class Two

Throughout the summer, Fellows gained industry experience through paid internships with 30 different local companies, enhanced their professionalism in the workplace, updated their LinkedIn profiles, improved their professional brands, and explored our city as young professionals.

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Top 4 aspects of the Fellows Program that were extremely impactful: Internship | Leonard Kaplan Leadership Institute | Mentorship program | Cohort model

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>>> ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Fuji Foods expanding

Jan. 2017 -- Fuji Foods USA, a Browns Summit-based producer of flavors and seasonings, is renovating a 77,000-sq. ft. foot building with plans to expand the facility. Last year, Fuji Foods bought the space, which is near its existing 40,000-sq. ft. building at 6206 Corporate Park Drive.

EcoLab / Kay Chemical continues to expand

March 2017 -- Ecolab celebrated the completion of its 36,000-sq. ft. business office expansion for its Kay Chemical division at 8300 Capital Drive in Greensboro. This was the company’s fourth expansion at this facility since 1987. Kay is the leading global supplier of cleaning and sanitizing products and services.

Pratt Display to add 300 employees, continues growth in contract packing

March 2017 -- Pratt Industries’ display division, which is opening a 360,000-sq. ft. facility at Rock Creek Center in Whitsett, plans to add 300 employees. The company is the 5th largest corrugated producer in the U.S. The facility will house a full-service, stand-alone fulfillment operation which will provide primary packaging and national distribution for its consumer products clients.

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ABCO Automation adds new facility

April 2017 -- ABCO announced plans to expand to an 83,000-sq. ft. industrial building in Browns Summit. The machining company manufactures industrial automation materials and has experienced a significant uptick in orders, prompting the expansion.

Coca-Cola Bottling Co. expands with $4 million investment May 2017 -- Coca-Cola Bottling Co. announced plans to expand its presence with the opening of a new 135,300-sq. ft. facility at McConnell Center. Coca-Cola plans to invest at least $4 million and add 15-20 jobs to its existing 230 employees, which will double their footprint in Greensboro.

Greensboro-High Point has state's largest project (and three of the Top 15)

July 2017 -- Greensboro-High Point claimed the state’s largest job-creation announcement over the last year, according to the July 2017 edition of Business North Carolina. Guilford County, also landed three of the state’s Top 15 projects.

High Point, Greensboro, and Winston-Salem submit bid for Amazon HQ2

Oct. 2017 -- For Amazon’s HQ2 project to open a second corporate headquarters, four economic development groups worked together to craft a comprehensive, aggressive proposal for the region. Working closely together were the High Point Economic Development Corporation, Greensboro Chamber of Commerce, Winston-Salem Business, and the Piedmont Triad Partnership.

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>>> Entrepreneurship

1600

entrep reneur s

54%

in ongoing programs are M/WBE LaunchLab TestimonialS: The most helpful experience was having the critique and criticism exchange with other entrepreneurs as that helped make us better.

The experience helped me fine tune the HaystackCRM message and connect with other creative people.�

- Keir DaviS, HAYSTACK CRM Launch Greensboro has helped take Freeman Capital to the next level, whether it is by challenging our business model, assisting with research, or helping to raise capital. We are further along and closer to success thanks to Lou Anne and the team at Launch Greensboro.�

- Calvin Williams, Jr., Freeman Capital Annual Report 2017

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LaunchLab 56 companies/ 66 individuals 61% M/WBE 101 5-week accelerator program/model providing basic knowledge to very early stage companies.

GROWTH 11-week accelerator program for startup companies and founders looking to grow their businesses and become sustainable. Paired with mentors. Culminates in Demo Day Event.

LaunchCamp TECH 30 companies/ 37 individuals 68% M/WBE Intense 3-Day program built specifically to engage and educate digital entrepreneurs.

CREATIVE 19 companies/ 21 individuals 62% M/WBE Concentrated business-building workshop to support artists & makers.

IdeaLaunch 37 entrepreneurs Monthly opportunity to pitch to a local audience of business and community leaders and receive immediate feedback.

Co//ab 139 participating in member only events 19 day passes Co-working space located downtown at 229 N. Greene St.

Capital Connects 129 attendees 9 presenting companies Annual Pitch "Competition" for companies to present to an audience of potential investors.

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We give LaunchLab a lot of credit for our progress. Our 3 co-founders bring a lot of expertise, but none of us has launched subscription-based software before so there's been a steep learning curve. Fortunately LaunchLab accelerated our understanding by advising how to prioritize and sequence our very long to do list!�

- Jeremy Deaver, HOWGORithM

Capital Connects: Annual pitch event connecting entrepreneurs to investors, as well

as education on fundraising and the state of angel investing in the region.

Investor Education: Education series providing regional investors the opportunity to connect and network with and learn about the angel and venture investing.

Regional Seed Fund: A planned $2.5 million fund investing in companies at their

earliest stage. Accepting traditional investor funds as well as donations from the community to support high growth businesses in the Triad Region of North Carolina.

Triad Navigator: Online tool to connect entrepreneurs to local experts, support

organizations, mentors and the tools they need to successfully launch and grow their business soft-launched in December.

Testimonial: I have always welcomed new insights and ideas, but it can be difficult to find good advice from credible, proven sources. Launch Greensboro opened my eyes to all the incredible things I could do today to take my business to the next level.�

- Emily DeLena, Domtech Annual Report 2017

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2017 LAUNCHLAB 101 & GROWTH SERIES

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>>> WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT Guilford Apprenticeship Partners (GAP) Through their work in bridging the gap between high school graduates and career opportunities in advanced manufacturing, the GAP program accepted 27 apprentices in 2017.

Guilford Apprenticeship Partners received an award for Excellence in Youth Apprenticeships and Work-Based Learning. Tammy Simmons, Machine Specialties Inc., and Donna Newton, Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro, were invited to Washington to receive the award.

Triad Workforce Solutions Collaborative

Communities that get workforce development right will be the communities that win over the next decade.

In 2017, we collaborated with the Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro to bring the Triad Workforce Solutions Collaborative (TWSC) to live within the Greensboro Chamber in cooperation with Business High Point - Chamber of Commerce. TWSC is affiliated with the National Fund for Workforce Solutions and works to connect business leaders, educators, workforce development service providers, and funders to support and accelerate skills and talent development across our region.

Triad Talent Alignment Strategy

Action Greensboro and Piedmont Triad Partnership are leading the Triad Talent Alignment Strategy.

The purpose of the Strategy is to ensure education and workforce development efforts are aligned with the needs of employers and to coordinate existing education and workforce development initiatives currently underway throughout the region.

Avalanche Consulting and the Council for Adult & Experiential Learning (CAEL) are engaged to research and facilitate the strategic planning process, which includes: • PHASE 1: Workforce Analysis will determine the makeup of the region’s labor force and identify the industries and occupations that are thriving.

• PHASE 2: Supply-Demand Gap Analysis will identify what skills the workforce currently has, what skills employers need, and how to fill in gaps in the workforce pipeline.

• PHASE 3: Talent Alignment Strategy will provide recommendations on how to align and improve the region’s talent pipeline.

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G RE E NSBO RO C HA M B ER OF COM M E RC E 111 W. February One Place | Greensboro, NC 27401 336.387.8300 greensboro.org