INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT
Enovum/WhiteFiber Inc. Invests in Rockingham County
Enovum/WhiteFiber Inc., the AI division of Bit Digital, purchased a 96-acre, 1 million-square-foot former industrial site in Madison to develop into a cutting-edge highperformance computing and AI data center campus. With a planned investment exceeding $1 billion, the project will bring more than 60 high-paying jobs to the community to utilize 24 MW of power capacity by the end of 2025, with long-term plans to scale up to 200 MW.
Farmina Pet Foods Celebrates Grand Opening
Farmina Pet Foods, a global leader in premium pet nutrition, celebrated the official grand opening of its first U.S. manufacturing facility in Reidsville, NC, in June 2025. The $115 million, 150,000-square-foot facility will create 200 new jobs over the next five years and brings European standards of quality, innovation, and sustainability to the North American market Originally announced in 2020, this milestone investment strengthens Rockingham County’s growing reputation as a hub for advanced manufacturing
Joyalways Chooses Reidsville for First U.S. Facility
Global hygiene manufacturer Joyalways, a subsidiary of Tongling Jieya Biogic Technology, announced plans to invest $18 million to establish its first U.S. wet wipe facility in Reidsville The project will create 113 new jobs with an average annual wage of $54,391 and revitalize the former Guy & O’Neill plant, which closed in January 2025 The investment is supported by a $500,000 state Building Reuse Grant.
Reidsville Industrial Park Lot 11 Gains Additional Acreage
Lot 11 in Reidsville Industrial Park grew by 11 acres this year through a joint investment by the City of Reidsville and Rockingham County This expansion brings the total property to just under 45 acres and adds valuable road frontage, improving accessibility and creating easier interstate connections These enhancements increase the site’s development potential and make it more attractive to industries seeking larger tracts of land By strengthening Lot 11’s marketability, the City and County continue to demonstrate their commitment to fostering economic growth and attracting new investment to the region
Supporting Existing Industry: McMichael Mills
When Unifi closed its doors in Rockingham County this fiscal year, McMichael Mills an existing local industry was displaced from the space it had been using under an agreement with Unifi To ensure production could continue, Rockingham County Economic Development worked closely with McMichael Mills to identify and secure a new building to house their equipment and operations This swift support not only protected local jobs but also reinforced the County’s commitment to sustaining and growing our existing industries
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
New Workforce Development Manager Joins
Rockingham County Economic Development is excited to welcome Morgan McKinney as the new Workforce Development Manager Morgan brings a passion for connecting people with opportunities and will lead efforts to strengthen the talent pipel across the county. Her role will focus on supporting local employ students, and jobseekers through strategic partnerships and workforce initiatives Welcome, Morgan!
Year 2 of Envision Youth
Career Expo a Success
Economic Development, in partnership with Rockingham Community College and Rockingham County Schools, hosted the second annual Envision Youth Career Expo on October 3–4, 2024 The event featured 51 businesses showcasing hands-on career activities to nearly 1,600 7th and 10th-graders from public, private, and homeschool settings By connecting students early with local career
paths, the Expo helps build a strong workforce pipeline and supports the future economic vitality of Rockingham County
Building Career Pathways Through LevelUp
In 2024–2025, the Workforce Development Manager partnered with Rockingham Community College and Rockingham County Schools through the LevelUp initiative to strengthen career pathways in health science, advanced manufacturing, and construction
trades RCS students earned 464 industry-recognized credentials and 115 became CTE Concentrators in LevelUp pathways, building a strong pipeline from high school to postsecondary training These efforts showcase collaboration among education, industry, and workforce partners to prepare students for in-demand careers and meet regional workforce needs.
Building the Future Workforce: RCC Days 2025
In March and April 2025, RCC Days brought 160 students from all four Rockingham County high schools to Rockingham Community College for hands-on career exploration in health science, advanced manufacturing, and construction trades As part of the LevelUp Rockingham initiative, students toured the Center for Workforce Development, Owens Health Sciences Building, and Industrial Technologies Building, engaging with faculty and connecting education to high-demand careers
TOURISM
In September 2024, the Rockingham County Tourism Development Authority relaunched VisitRoCoNC.com in partnership with ITI Digital The redesigned site features Googlepowered business listings, GPS-enabled itineraries, and a userfriendly design that showcases Rockingham County’s outdoor adventures, local businesses, and the “RoCo Flow” spirit The new platform makes trip planning easier while inviting visitors and locals alike to explore all the county has to offer.
New
Designations and Grants
New State Trail Designation | High Rock Ford, Haw River
Rockingham County Receives $10K from America 250 NC for Revolutionary War Programming
Rockingham County Receives Grant for Smith River Access
The Rockingham County Tourism Development Authority received a $10,000 grant from The Duke Energy Foundation to enhance safety and accessibility along the Smith River The funding will support the construction of a new public river access in Eden, providing much-needed access north of the Smith River Dam This addition will improve safety for paddlers, connect to the Dan River State Paddle Trail, and strengthen river access between North Carolina and Virginia.
Mary Cardwell Dawson Mural Unveiled in Madison
On February 27,2025 a mural honoring N.C. Music Hall of Fame inductee, Mary Cardwell Dawson, was unveiled at 111 W Murphy Street in Madison as part of the NC Musicians Mural Trail. Created by muralist Scott Nurkin, the artwork celebrates Dawson’s contributions to American music and opera The event featured performances by UNCG Opera Theatre students and renowned opera stars, with local students and community members joining to honor her legacy.
Trail Town Stewardship Recognition
Rockingham County, represented as the Eden Area, was honored to be selected as one of just 15 trail destinations in North Carolina to participate in the Trail Town Stewardship program The Eden Area includes the City of Eden, Town of Madison, Town of Mayodan, City of Reidsville, and Town of Stoneville, each contributing to the county’s rich blend of outdoor experiences, cultural heritage, and welcoming community spirit This recognition highlights the county’s commitment to preserving its natural beauty while strengthening connections between trails, towns, and the people who enjoy them
Rockingham County Trail Guide Launch
This year, Visit RoCo partnered with Piedmont Legacy Trails to launch the new Rockingham County Trail Guide, an online resource designed to showcase the county’s outstanding outdoor experiences Made possible through a collaboration with Piedmont Land Conservancy, the Piedmont Triad Regional Council, and local partners, the guide offers trail descriptions, accessibility details, maps, photos, paddle trail information, and a direct AllTrails link for seamless navigation. The digital guide can be found by visiting https://wwwpiedmonttrailsorg/trails-in-roco/
2024 TOURISM IMPACT NUMBERS
A NOTE FROM OUR DIRECTOR
As we reflect on the 2024–2025 fiscal year, I am proud to share the progress Rockingham County has made in strengthening our economy, workforce, and tourism industry This year marked new investments from global companies, growth for our existing industries, and continued momentum in creating opportunities for our residents Together, these efforts are driving long-term prosperity for our community
Industrial recruitment remains our number one priority, and this year we proudly announced more than $1 billion in new investment and over 150 new jobs through the Enovum/Whitefiber and Joyalways projects These announcements reaffirm Rockingham County’s position as a competitive and attractive location for major employers while reinforcing our commitment to creating meaningful opportunities for our citizens.
Workforce development remained at the heart of our mission Through partnerships with schools, training providers, and employers, we are equipping our talent pipeline with the skills needed for today’s jobs and tomorrow’s opportunities These collaborations ensure that Rockingham County is not only attracting investment but also preparing our people to thrive in an evolving economy
Tourism continues to shine as a driver of economic vitality, welcoming visitors to experience our rivers, trails, historic towns, and vibrant events. From national recognition of our outdoor assets to record-setting visitor spending, our county’s story is reaching wider audiences than ever before
None of these successes would be possible without the dedicated teamwork of our public and private partners, community leaders, and residents. As we look ahead, we remain committed to fostering growth, supporting innovation, and celebrating the unique strengths that make Rockingham County a place where businesses, families, and visitors all feel at home
OUR VOICE ACROSS THE STATE
NCEDA
Leigh Cockram, Rockingham County Economic Development, Director, was officially installed as a board member of the North Carolina Economic Development Association (NCEDA) during the organization’s annual conference, held June 12–13, 2025, in Wilmington, NC
Leading State-Wide Discussions
Economic Development staff were front and center at statewide events this spring. Economic Development Director Leigh Cockram moderated a high-level discussion on foreign direct investment at NCEDA’s Site Selectors Summit. Tourism Manager Lindsay Pegg shared RoCo’s story at both the Piedmont Legacy Trails Summit in Greensboro and Visit NC’s Annual Tourism Conference in Hickory, highlighting the county’s trail systems and the RoCo Quilt Trail as unique cultural and tourism assets
MEET OUR TEAM
Top Industrial Employers
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Board of Directors
BillLester,Chairman
LKCEngineering,PLLC
RoCo at a Glance