Together We Can Grow!
Mission and Focus Areas To facilitate the creation of new jobs and capital investment in Wilkes County, through the retention and expansion of existing businesses, recruitment of new businesses, along with real estate development for growth in Wilkes County. To accomplish this mission, we focus on the following areas:
Retain and Expand Existing Businesses Support Small Business and Entrepreneurship Market Wilkes County to Retain/Recruit Businesses, People, and Visitors Attract Talent to Wilkes County Develop Sites, Parks, and Buildings to Retain/Recruit New Businesses Build Community Capacity
Yearly Average Public/Private Partnership Impact Project Inquiries (Yearly Average)
67
Announced Projects (Yearly Average)
7
Partner Interactions (Yearly Average)
Real Estate Development (Yearly Average)
Business Retention Expansion Visits (Yearly Average)
Solutions Provided (Yearly Average)
190 156
69
267
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Together We Can Grow!
What Has LEAP Accomplished? 2010-2023 LEAP Campaign Direct Company Assistance
$297K
FORMER CAMPAIGN GOAL
$750K
Marketing
$42K
Real Estate Development
$130K
Retail Solutions Group Ribbon Cutting
Anticipate remainding budgeted funds to expire in 2024.
2010-2023 Target Actual Impact
Jobs Investment 750 $25M 1,821 43 Companies $171.8M
Wilkes Commercial Business Center
As of June 30, 2023
The vision and construction of WCBC was made possible by funding from the Wilkes County Government, Golden LEAF Foundation, Wilkes EDC’s land and public/private resources. Upon completion, JavaMaster from Michigan was welcomed as our first tenant. PRISM Medical Products followed as the second tenant. Multiple applications were considered, which solidifies the need for available light industrial space. The lease income from WCBC will be dedicated to continuing a building program to provide space to retain and attract businesses.
$1.9M Wilkes County
$1.5M Golden LEAF
$3.59M*
Total Project Cost
$63K */$76K LEAP/EDC
33 New Jobs!
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Former LEAP Campaign (continued) Revolving Loan Program The seed money for the Revolving Loan Program was provided by LEAP in 2011. Since that time, LEAP has contributed $102,500* toward the program. These funds are held in a separate account, and loans are to help businesses build credit to secure bankable loans in the future. The loan applications are vetted by local financial institutions and recommended for approval based on a thorough analysis of business and personal history. The average loan amount is around $25,000 for a 3-year loan with an interest rate of prime plus one percent and collateral is secured with a UCC. Principal and interest from loans are used to replenish the account to sustain the program.
LEAP Funds Leveraged
$137.5K* Infused
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Businesses Benefited *Funds recycled to assist additional businesses.
Small Business COVID Recovery Program Wilkes EDC’s Recovery Program was a rapid response, coordinated public/private effort. The purpose was to strengthen small businesses to retain employees during COVID in Wilkes County.
105
Businesses Assisted
509
Potential Jobs Impacted
$205K Infused*
Marketing COVID Recovery Grant Program During COVID, Wilkes EDC also created the Marketing Grant Program to help businesses learn how to operate online or pivot operations to sustain sales via Social Media and Website Platforms.
LEAP contributed $50K* along with funding from local government and private investors making the program possible. Efforts began immediately after the COVID shut down and required over a year to implement and close reporting. Accolades were noted and received on Wilkes’ Recovery Program and duplicated in NC and in many other states by sharing our strategy.
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Businesses Awarded
$8.5K Infused*
Entrepreneur Grant Program The Wilkes EDC’s Entrepreneur Grant Program started as an annual program in 2015 and began to be held twice a year in 2020. It is open to new or existing businesses in Wilkes County. Since implementing a 70% Public/30% Private concept, LEAP has contributed $29,500*. Sponsor participation is also encouraged.
66
Business Recipients
89% $153K Long-Term Granted to Recipients*
Success Rate 4
How Do We Get Ready? Good News Projected Job Growth Rate of 5.9%
NC Carolina Core Wilkes EDC supports and promotes progress along the Carolina Core, which is the brand across North Carolina centered along the U.S. Highway 421 corridor. The corridor begins in Wilkes County, goes through Winston-Salem / High Point / Greensboro, and then down to Pinehurst, Sanford, and Fayetteville. The eastern portion has already been designated as an Interstate. Efforts are underway to seek Interstate designation from the central area of the state westward through Wilkes County. Megasites with companies such as Boom, Toyota, Wolfspeed, and Vinafast located in the metro areas may attract suppliers to Wilkes and surrounding counties, increasing our demand for labor force.
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Focus on Real Estate Development & Marketing Golden LEAF SITE Program The Golden LEAF Foundation’s SITE Program awarded Wilkes EDC the Identification grant and a $50,000 Due Diligence Grant later, which has been completed. The next step in Q1 2024 is to apply for a Development grant to begin clearing, grading, and developing a site based on the Wilkes Industrial Park Master Plan.
Located along the
27ac.
Gateway to Northwest North Carolina
10ac.
Pad Ready
Outdoor Economy - Utilizing & Promoting Our Assets The Boros River District
Learn more at WilkesEDC.com or call (336) 838-1501
Outdoor Action Plan
Part of the Wilkes Outdoor Action Plan includes developing the “Boros River District” where the Reddies River and Yadkin River converge. In April 2022, The Herring Family Foundation purchased the land needed for this initiative to encourage development. The Town of North Wilkesboro, along with Wilkes EDC’s assistance, is exploring potential next steps for the district with the Herring Family Foundation and community. Wilkes EDC stands ready to provide marketing and development aid to the project. Additionally, the EDC has pledged $5K* yearly for five years towards the collaborative efforts of the Outdoor Economy Workgroup Action Team.
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Focus on Retaining & Recruiting Talent Challenge Losing Workforce Population by -15.8%
Housing Study Reveals Shortage
10,000+ 1,511
995
Commuters travel into the For-Sale Units Needed county daily for work who Over the Next 5 Years could potentially be residents. Housing Summit and update planned in 2024
Housing Study
Additional Rentals Needed Over the Next 5 Years
Childcare Study Reveals Shortage
29
Licensed Childcare Providers compared to 83 in 2007
977
Children 0-5 enrolled compared 1,883 in 2007
836
Additional Seats Needed for Children Birth to 5
1,000
Workers missing from labor force due to childcare.
Childcare Study
2,480
Additional Seats Needed for After School Care
Community work groups have begun working on recommendations.
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View the studies at WilkesEDC.com
Focus on Retaining & Recruiting Talent Educator Externships Prior to the Working in Wilkes Event, the Wilkes EDC held Educator Externships from 2013 to 2018. This program was designed to give our educators an opportunity to visit local businesses to explore career opportunities available in Wilkes. The educators were given stipends to help with transportation during the industry visits and supplies for implementing career opportunities in their curriculum. During this period, the EDC allocated $18.9K in stipends to 249 educators in the program who participated in 565 business visits.
565
Wilkes Educator Externships: Business Visits
Two Workforce Events Held: Bringing Educators & Businesses Together Wilkes EDC coordinated and sponsored both expo and a summit bringing together Wilkes County Schools at the Stone Center for career coaches, counselors, teachers, businesses and leadership to learn about career paths in our industries and focus on workforce issues.
100+ at both events
Educators, Business, Community, and Resource Leaders Present
The Tory Oak Project New Program!
The Tory Oak Project took Wilkes Early College High School students on field trips throughout Wilkes County. Through this exploration, students learn about all the county’s career and leisure opportunities. In the 2023/2024 school year, students 60 10-grade students created business plans & pitched sixteen participated/Visiting Wilkes-based business ideas. Wilkes Economic Development Corporation provided a sponsorship of $1K and spoke with 21 Businesses the students while serving as judges during the business plan competition.
The Masthead
WilCoNGE & Idea Expo A co-working community facility that creates a hub of entrepreneurship, The Masthead offers communal amenities. The Masthead hosts Wikes County Next Generation of Entrepreneurs (WilCoNGE), a monthly business networking event. Wilkes EDC has been instrumental in forming The Masthead, assisted with marketing materials, and has continued involvement since it started in 2019. Wilkes EDC proudly sponsored, mentored, and participated in The Masthead’s first program, Idea Expo. Idea Expo covered how ideas become businesses in six courses. In the final Pitch Competition, members pitched their company ideas to judges. This event led to potentially participating in the Wilkes Entrepreneur Grant Program.
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Together We Can Grow!
The Wilkes Economic Development Corporation works closely with businesses and the community to find unique solutions to economic challenges. Simultaneously, we also focus on opportunities to retain and recruit businesses while ensuring the availability of a talented workforce. Since 2010, Private LEAP funds have been instrumental to ensure this mission is possible. During the upcoming 2024-25 budget year, LEAP funds will be exhausted, so it is time to request your help replenishing the funds to continue moving Wilkes forward. Our Strategic Plan drives our yearly plan of work, outlining strategies to retain young professionals, attract new residents, retain quality employers, and attract companies providing future jobs. Additionally, Special Projects focus on Wilkes Commercial Business Center(s), Housing, Childcare, Outdoor Economy, and Boro’s River District, which are critical for ensuring a strong economy and building Wilkes County capacity. The need for investment builds upon the traditional program of work of the EDC: existing business retention and expansion, marketing and new business recruitment, and real estate development. The goals and strategies align with the organization’s mission, strengthening the overall economic development effort for Wilkes County. While LEAP funds are not co-mingled with local government funding, in 2022-23, the EDC began implementing a combined budget for efficiency purposes with a sharing of the cost at approximately 70% public and 30% private to accomplish a truly collaborative work effort. In the next section, private LEAP funds needed are divided into four categories focusing on programmatic services as defined in the Strategic Plan. The 5-Year Campaign Goal for each area of funding is an estimate, subject to strategy revisions as needs and circumstances warrant. The EDC team will collaborate with its Board of Directors to determine yearly allocations. The Wilkes EDC Board of Directors and Staff thank you for your dedication, vision, and financial support to ensure our current and future citizens have a vibrant community with opportunities. We strongly believe that together, we can grow Wilkes County.
In service and gratitude,
LeeAnn Nixon President Wilkes Economic Development Corporation
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Strategic Plan Implementation Retain/Expand Existing & New Business y 130 Business Retention & Expansion Visits on average y Identify Existing Industry Future Space Needs, Expiring Leases, Outgrowing Space & Succession Planning y Encourage Business Leaders to be Ambassadors with Customers/Suppliers y Human Resource Semi-Annual Meetings y Convenor & Connector to Local Government & Resource Partners y Track Metrics & Build Contact Relationship Management System y Update Collateral Material for BRE Program y Create Quarterly C-Level Roundtable y Continue Business Plan Competition 2X Year y Promote & Participate WilCoNGE (entrepreneur networking event) y Promote Masthead & Sponsor Events y Identify & Promote Retail/Services Gaps y Supply Chain Analysis y Education & Workforce Development Programs
I. Retain and Expand Existing Businesses
$240,000
(5-Year Campaign Goal)
Marketing Wilkes & Retain/Recruit Talent y Internal Public Relations Plan y Expand Website to Focus on Talent Attraction y Continually Add Testimonies to Website y Monthly Activity Report & News y Enhance Social Media Marketing y Increase Media Marketing using Video & Drone y E-Blast Marketing Content to Specific Audiences y Building & Site Marketing y Outdoor Economy Marketing & Engagement y Education Opportunities & Workforce Alignment Marketing y State & Regional Partner Marketing & Recruitment Efforts y Utilize Festivals & Events as Recruitment Tool
$235,000
II. Market Wilkes County
(5-Year Campaign Goal)
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Real Estate & Amenities Development y Short, Mid, & Long-Term Sites & Building Development y Finalize Due Diligence & Progress on Developing Wilkes Industrial Park y WCBC Next Building Steps y Explore Public/Private Spec. Building Program y Assist in Boro’s River District y Carolina Core Progress & Interstate Designation
$375,000
III. Real Estate & Amenities Development
(5-Year Campaign Goal)
Community Capacity Building y Housing Study Updates & Summit 2024 y Childcare Workgroup Formation & Progress of Recommendations y Outdoor Economy Workgroup Pledge
Organizational y Add BRE/Project Manager Position (Starting P.T.) with 70/30 Shared Cost y Strategic Planning - Yearly Board Retreat
IV. Community Capacity Building & Organizational
$150,000
(5-Year Campaign Goal)
Together We Can Grow! Retain/Expand Existing & New Business
$240K
Real Estate & Amenities Development
Market Wilkes & Retain/Recruit Talent
$375K
$235K
Community Capacity Building & Organizational
$150K
5-Year Campaign Goal = $1M Direct Jobs
800
Indirect Jobs
323 11
Payroll
$55M
Board of Directors 2023-2024
Terry Bumgarner, Chairman Bumgarner Services
Amy Blair, Vice Chairman Blair Properties
Brett Cothren, Treasurer
Oakwoods Properties, LLC Blue Ridge Real Estate Group, LLC
Together We Can Grow!
Keith Elmore
Wilkes County Representative
Dale Isom, Past Chairman Wilkesboro Representative
Andrew Palmer
About Wilkes EDC
North Wilkesboro Representative
Sandra Simmons Ronda Representative
John Cothren
Cooperative Extension Agent
Cindy Thompson Fortress Management
Shelmer Blackburn
The Ruby Pardue Blackburn Adult Day Health Care Center
Francisco Martinez Marketing Manager
Joe Johnston
LeeAnn Nixon President
Robin Hamby Vice President, CFO
The Wilkes Economic Development Corporation is a 501(c)(3) public-private partnership.
Johnston Casuals Furniture
Ron Wilcox
Luke Mathis
The EDC is comprised of professional staff and a 15-member Board of Directors, three alternates, and two ex-officios. Meetings are open to the public.
Lesa Hensley
Contact info@wilkesedc.com to be added to our monthly email reminder or to RSVP to a meeting.
Samaritan’s Purse Mathis Concrete
First Community Bank
Alternate Members
Paula McNeil Office Administrator
John Yates - Wilkes County
Visit the New Wilkes EDC Website!
Ken Noland - Town of Wilkesboro
View the studies mentioned in this report as well as our monthly Activity Reports, Stories, Buildings & Sites, and more!
County Manager Town Manager
Holly Minton - Town of North Wilkesboro Town Manager
Ex-Officio Mark Byrd - Wilkes County Schools Superintendent
Together, we can grow! Click the link or scan the QR code to visit the website. WilkesEDC.com
Dr. Zack Barricklow - Wilkes Community College, VP Rural Innovation & Organizational Change Interim Representative
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