July 21 - Aug. 3, 2022
bringing the local news home to northwest Guilford County since November1996
IN THIS ISSUE Park alcohol rules approved ...............3 Your Questions .......................................4 Oak Ridge July 7 council meeting.....6 Stokesdale July 14 council meeting...10 NWO Business & Real Estate ...............13
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Dealing with the ‘Great Resignation’ Just as with employers across the country, many in northwestern Guilford County are grappling with a labor shortage that some experts predict may persist for years by CHRIS BURRITT NW GUILFORD/GREENSBORO – One after another, “hiring” and “help wanted” signs dot U.S. 158 in Stokesdale, illustrating the lingering labor shortage.
New property owner plans to build 4,000-square-foot office building and if feasible, restore historic Moore house on 4.7-acre tract in Oak Ridge. ................14 Business & Real Estate Briefs ...............16 Business Q&A ........................................18 Kids’ Korner ...........................................26 Obituary ................................................27 Community Calendar ....................... 28 Crime/Incident Report ....................... 30 Grins and Gripes ................................. 32 Letters/Opinions .................................. 34 Classifieds ............................................ 35 Index of Advertisers ............................ 38
As COVID-19 eased last year, the economy surged, creating more jobs than employers have been able to fill, even now. Along 1 ½ miles of U.S. 158, seven companies – paving contractor Thomson Arthur, manufacturers Culp Home Fashions and Endura Products, Terminix, Harrell’s Quality Waterproofing, Countryside Village Retirement Community and Dollar General – are looking for help.
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Some experts predict the lingering labor shortage that came to a head when COVID-19 restrictions eased last year may persist for years. “Even with the signage on the road, I can’t get a person to call,” said Greg Harrell, who started his waterproofing company 34 years ago. “I’ve never seen anything like this. Look across the board. Everybody is looking for help.”
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Oak Ridge explores water sources for fi refighting, drinking A study lays out multi-million-dollar options for the town to tap groundwater or buy it from Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Utilities by CHRIS BURRITT
Going on vacation? Don’t forget your NWO!........................ 40
Employers in waterproofing, plumbing and other get-your-handsdirty trades struggled to find workers even before the onset of COVID-19 2 ½ years ago. The dearth of workers
OAK RIDGE – Town leaders are examining two primary options to establish a more reliable supply of water that would initially aid firefighters and eventually serve homeowners and businesses. The options recommended by consultant Wooten Co. envision tapping groundwater in Oak Ridge or piping it into town from Forsyth County. The water would reach fire
hydrants from 30,000-gallon above-ground tanks placed around town or from a 250,000-gallon tank erected behind Oak Ridge Fire Department on Linville Road. The town is exploring long-term alternatives for water as part of its establishment of a municipal system. The system requires developers of new subdivisions with at least 30 lots to turn over deeds for community wells to the town.
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