North State Journal for Sunday, November 13, 2016
A8
BUSINESS & ECONOMY
Job fair gives veterans a chance to transition into civilian life By Cory Lavalette North State Journal JACKSONVILLE, N.C. — Transitioning from military to civilian life can be difficult for veterans. Many veterans finish their service with decades of experience under their belt, but still have trouble finding work in their post-military life. “I used to be a dedicated, hardcore guy,” Gerardo Cruz said of starting over after 20 years in the Navy. “But personality-wise I learned. What I tell everybody who is retiring is, ‘You need to learn to become a happy civilian. You have to change your way of doing certain things.’ ... It’s a learning process.” Now Cruz, a veterans employment program supervisor with the North Carolina Department of Commerce’s Division of Workforce Solutions, helps veterans
like himself find work after their military careers are over. On Nov. 15, Cruz’s department will host a job fair for veterans hoping to find work. “We are here for them. If for some reason they can’t find a job for themselves, that’s where we come into play,” Cruz said. The job fair, which will be held at American Legion Post 265 at 146 Broadhurst Rd. in Jacksonville, will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., with the first hour open only to veterans, active duty and eligible persons. Face-to-face communication with the 70-plus employers that will be on hand gives prospective employees the chance to sharpen their job hunting skills. “We offer workshops to get the people ready, to polish their resumes,” Cruz said. “We also give workshops on dressing for the
Madeline Gray | north state journal
The town of Warsaw hosted its 96th Veterans Day Parade on Nov. 5. The Warsaw event is the Official Veterans Day Parade of North Carolina.
opportunity, even interviewing skills. We build them up to these events. We offer that throughout the whole year.” Jennifer Creech of Consolidated Staffing, which has offices in Jacksonville, Cary and Winston-Salem, said she usually speaks to 50 to 60 potential employees during the event.
“We do try our best to hire more vets, and that gives that big opportunity to help us as well as help them,” Creech said. Creech said job seekers with a military background offer the dedication and discipline that any employer looks for — and she would know, having hired three veterans in her office.
“They are always prompt, they work hard, they’re always willing and eager to learn,” Creech said. “They’re just real good all-around employees.” Paul Myers, a police officer who recruits for the Rock Hill (S.C.) Police Department and will be at the job fair, said the transition from military to law enforcement is natural, and that first responders target veterans because of the similarities. “It’s that same sort of ‘we’re going to run toward the danger vs. away from it,’” Myers, a former Marine and 16-year police veteran, said. “And that’s what you need out of the military, so as a result those are the kind of people we try to attract.” Employers who hire veterans benefit from the structure instilled by their background, but there are also tax credits and other incentives given to companies that hire veterans. But it’s really about giving back to those who have sacrificed themselves to serve. And when Cruz sees a veteran land their first civilian job, it makes his hard work worth it. “That ‘thank you’ sounds so good when they tell you,” he said. “That’s amazing.”
Elections can impact the direction of state economies The North State Journal spoke to two North Carolina-based economists to gauge the effect that the results of the election may have on our state’s economy over the next four years. —Laura Ashley Lamm NSJ: Can you explain to readers how politics play a role in the economy?
Nathan Babcock,
political director, North Carolina Chamber of Commerce
NB: Our philosophy at the Chamber is supporting policies that are pro-business and projob creation. Those policies do not happen without legislators being pro-leadership and business. We support bipartisan business practices and give legislators a scorecard or report card each year on how they voted to support our business agenda. NSJ: What are the top issues facing the business community in North Carolina? NB: Tax reform was No. 1 on our members’ lists for several years until 2013 when the governor and legislature passed the landmark tax reform which dropped down rates. Now, health care and education are the top issues. Businesses are seeing they must make changes per government policies that are increasing costs for them in relation to the Affordable Care Act. Businesses are seeing a skills gap between the skills need for companies and the education they are receiving.
NSJ: How has the business economy improved or declined over the last four years? NB: On our last annual survey of members, we asked them if North Carolina’s economy was on the right track or the wrong track. Seventy-one percent of our members said our economy was on the right track and 12 percent said the economy was on the wrong track. In comparison to the 2009 survey, 66 percent of our members said the North Carolina economy was worse than the American economy and 18 percent said it was better. We have seen our economy improve in the last seven years.
NSJ: How will the business economy fair under Presidentelect Trump’s leadership?
Dr. Harry Davis,
professor of finance, Appalachian State University; economist for the N.C. Bankers Association
NSJ: Do you have any final thoughts on North Carolina’s business economy you feel readers should know? NB: There is a lot to be excited about in regards to North Carolina’s business economy, but we still have a long way to go. We are on the verge of becoming a top-10 state in tax competitiveness and we are moving in the right direction to be the best state in America for business.
HD: We will see a rollback of regulations coming out of Washington in regards to tax reform and the lowering of corporate and individual tax rates. Trump has said his economic policy is all about growth for the United States. We certainly need a faster growing economy in North Carolina and nationally. Strong economic growth is good for job creation, income, salaries and consumer spending. NSJ: The race for Governor is within a close margin. How would you compare the future of North Carolina under an additional four years with Gov. Pat McCrory versus a new term under challenger Roy Cooper? HD: North Carolina’s economy over the last four years has outperformed the national growth rates largely because of Gov. McCrory and the House of Representatives and Senate working together. Roy Cooper will assume a leadership where
policy will be decided by the House and Senate which is driven by Republicans. He will not have a great impact on the economic policy of our state. NSJ: How do you foresee the banking industry over the next four years? HD: The banking industry has done well and will continue to do well. We will see rollbacks and parts of the Dodd-Frank [Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act] eliminated or scaled back which is good for community banks. There are many community banks throughout North Carolina and this bill hurt those banks. NSJ: Anything else you would like to add to the economic knowledge of readers? HD: President-elect Trump and Secretary Clinton both spoke of infrastructure spending in their campaigns. North Carolina needs to spend money on infrastructure at the state level and have funds spent at the federal level. The building and repairing of roads and bridges increase the rate of economic growth.
Funding Veteran small business dreams across North Carolina. Carolina Small Business Development Fund offers a Veteran Direct Loan Program to further its commitment to providing small business loans to underserved businesses in North Carolina. The Veteran Loan Program is a “no equity” requirement small business loan program targeting existing and new Service-Disabled-Veteran- and Veteran- owned businesses across the state.
Learn more about applying for a loan with us! visit carolinasmallbusiness.org or call at 919.803.1437