April 2022 Activity Report

April Activity Report

2022

Program Focus Areas Existing Business Activity ̴ Business Recruitment ̴ Real Estate Development Project

Averages Project Averages

Project Activity Stats

Active and Missed 41 Missed Projects Over Last 12 Months

51 JOBS

JOBS 262

45

SQUARE FEET THOUSAND SQUARE FEET 240K

17 ACRES

ACRES 47

$3.7 INVESTMENT

MILLION INVESTMENT $115.2M

5

1

April 2022

Retention & Expansion

Existing Business Current and YTD Total

2

Activity Since July 1, 2021

UNIQUE VISITS

68

5

FOLLOW UP VISITS

54 Total Visits YTD: 122 Visit Goal: 100

Program Stats

18

PARTNER MEETINGS

120

8

REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT

NC Tech Paths and Herring Foundation Buy Block 46 The Leonard G. Herring Family Foundation and NC Tech Paths announced May 5, 2022, that the two nonprofits have purchased the remaining undeveloped land on the former American Drew Furniture site in North Wilkesboro. Known locally as “Block 46,” the land consists of over 14 acres adjacent the Reddies River and has been vacant since the site was demolished in 2011. “We need a place for NC Tech Paths to build a modern workspace for 200 to 300 technology employees of high-growth companies over the next five years,” said Herring. “Our community also needs more housing, as its absence is the primary barrier for our economic growth. Our intent for the site is to address these two needs.

As well, our initial planning for the land includes recreational use of the Reddies River which adjoins the site.” Herring noted that “Childcare and a greater focus on individual health and wellness, as well as other amenities to support the good-paying jobs generated through NC Tech Paths, are also needs we will explore for this property.” Click to read full Press Release here.

March Unemployment Rate

3.5%

Down from 3.7 in Feb.

Regional March Rate is 3.1%. State Feb. Rate is 3.5%.

53

19

SOLUTIONS PROVIDED

204

July Unemployment Rate

April 2022

Business Spotlight: The Block We sat down with Mick Zulpo, Owner of 'The Block' in North Wilkesboro. The Block is a Family Entertainment Facility offering Roller Skating, Trampoline Park, Ninja Warrior Course and more! Mick also shares that his desire, along with his wife Aynsley, is to create a community oriented center that offers a diverse range of services for children beyond just play. Learn more about that, and hear his advice for Entrepreneurs in this month's Small Business Spotlight.

Reserve your spot at The Block by visiting www.TheBlockWilkes.com To learn more about Starting a Business, visit www.WilkesEDC.com/contact Click on thumbnail image to watch the interview video.

Wilkes Commercial Business Center Update Grading has begun at the Wilkes Commercial Business Center thanks to Bart Mathis & Son Grading Co. The site is located off of Hwy 268 near Liberty Grove Rd and the Wilkes County Airport in North Wilkesboro. The 31,703 SF flex space is suitable for single or multi tenant use. Delivery is expected December 2022. For more information pre-leasing, please contact LeeAnn Nixon by emailing LNixon@WilkesEDC.com.

The Great State of Wilkes- Outdoor Action Plan Wilkes Journal Patriot- “Staff of Boone-based Destination by Design shared conceptual images representing these and other proposals in an April 13 meeting at the Stone Center, held to draw feedback for use in preparing a final document.

Developing a ‘river district’… and a STEM center were among recommendations in preliminary results of an outdoor economy effort. The River District proposal would establish a beach area on the Reddies River by restoring a portion of the Reddies to its original route … Multi-family and singlefamily housing is proposed nearby. ‘It’s not too often that housing is part of an outdoors action plan, but the need for this came up too much in interviews and other feedback’ to ignore, said Woolrich.” Click here to read article.