In the past eight years, Caldwell County NC (located approximately 1 hour northwest of Charlotte) has accomplished what many would have never dreamed possible in such short a time – transitioned from a one-industry economy into an emerging hub of North Carolina employment with advanced manufacturing and technology.

Historically known for its robust furniture industry, Caldwell County NC is now home to industries that top North Carolina employment lists, including Google (data and information technology), VX Aerospace (advanced composites), Vantage Foods/MDI (case ready meat processing), Flavor Sciences (flavorings), AMP-RTI (micro power/research technology incubator), Greer Laboratories (pharmaceutical) and others.

In addition, the community has managed to retain its rich furniture heritage through lean manufacturing. Local craftsman successfully market their furniture worldwide, thanks in part to high-speed Internet and e-commerce. The upholstery industry continues to thrive in the area due to the fact that overseas manufacturers lack the ability to efficiently create small quantity, custom furniture.

This technology and economic renaissance has had a profound effect on the region. According to Herb Greene, the chairman of the Caldwell County Board of Commissioners, from 2001 to 2006, the gross reported iincome of employees in Caldwell County NC has increased by half a billion dollars due to higher paying technology jobs and better access to educational opportunities with local colleges and universitis.

Alan Wood, the senior development manager of the Caldwell County Economic Development Commission, cites many reasons behind the successful economic growth in Caldwell County NC, including access to a skilled manufacturing work base following the downturn in the furniture industry, economic development grants, NC relocation incentives, reasonable real estate costs, business relocation services, four distinct seasons and the natural beauty of the area.

The Community Provides Support and Business Relocation Services

“One of the most compelling reasons we’ve been so successful is the commitment of everyone in the county to support North Carolina employment through new industry and business,” Wood explained. “Local government, educational institutions, utility providers and even the taxpayers themselves are working together in new and innovative ways to solicit economic development grants and make sure businesses that choose Caldwell County have access to the resources and business relocation services they need to be successful.”

“Google chose Lenoir and Caldwell County for many reasons, including our sense that this is a can-do community with great things on the horizon,” Tom Jacobik, Lenoir Data Center Manager for Google, said. “We're already seeing this potential come to fruition. Caldwell County and Lenoir are full of forward thinking individuals who know how to work together to make things better. Google is proud to be part of this community's bright future.”

Other companies have reaped the benefits as well and seen the strength the people of Caldwell County NC can provide to technology business through NC relocation incentives. Wood cites many examples – When Vantage Foods opened the doors, more than 2,200 highly qualified applicants applied for work; When VX Aerospace needed industry specific training for new employees, the local community colleges stepped in and provided it.

Educational Institutions Provide a Strong Base for Growth

“Following the national economic downturn in 2000 and 2001, every region that has successfully recovered in North Carolina had one thing in common – access to university-level educational resource,” Greene said. “In the past few years, we have – through economic development grants and county-funded investments – focused on providing every resident with access to the training they need to be successful in the new economy. Our local educators have done a great job in making sure their students are prepared to step into the high-paying jobs on North Carolina employment lists that these new employers are bringing to the region, thanks to NC relocation incentives, economic development grants and business relocation services.”

Ken Boham, the president of Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute, explained that college leaders meet monthly with the leadership of the school systems and administrators from all of the local high schools to discuss new innitiatives supported by economic development grants and programs designed to prepare students for better opportunities with companies like Google and VX Aerospace, lured to Caldwell County NC in part y business relocation services.

In addition, the college has partnered with nearby universities to offer a unique twist to the early college high school program. Funded by a grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the program allows 75 high school freshmen to begin taking college-level courses and to obtain the equivalent of an associate’s degree – tuition free – within a year of their high school graduation. Applicants are chosen via a detailed selection process that is intended to give people from every demographic in the county a chance to participate. The program is currently in its second year and includes 150 high school students.

“The continued economic development and technological renaissance of Caldwell County requires employable citizens with the right skills, motivation and training,” Boham said. “Working with the local community leaders and educators at the university and high school levels, we have cultivated a workforce that can grow North Carolina employment compete with any in the world.”

The college and its many partners have been critical to recent wins as well, offering NC relocation incentives like tailored classroom and hands-on equipment training for new employees that will boost North Carolina employment numbers.

Utility Partners Provide NC Relocation Incentives With More than Reliable Infrastructure

Local and state utility providers also continue to play a critical role in building NC relocation incentives for Caldwell County. Greene cites recent initiatives in water conservation and exploration as a prime example for strengthening North Carolina employment.

“The county is building a new water reserve in the Yadkin Valley to take advantage of newly discovered aquifers and meet community needs,” he explained. “These new discoveries and NC relocation incentives will help us ensure local businesses have the water resources they need to remain operational and competitive for economic development grants needed to stimulate North Carolina employment.”

Another example of a regional player’s commitment to boosting North Carolina employment is Duke Energy. Not only does the utility deliver the power that fuels economic success and NC relocation incentives in the region, it aggressively supports its service area in the Carolinas.

“At Duke Energy we never forget that the company won’t succeed unless its customers do. We work closely with professionals in Caldwell County NC and across our region to achieve the economic development success that benefits all of us and helps stimulate North Carolina employment,” said Harry Poovey, a N.C. Economic Development Manager for Duke Energy.

At the foundation of these efforts to provide business relocation services is Duke’s primary objective- to deliver the power its customers rely on. According to Poovey, Caldwell County NC has been particularly attractive to new industries because it already has a robust power delivery infrastructure in place.

Caldwell County NC Provides Much More

Behind these local government, education and utility leaders is a county that utilizes economic development grants to offer business relocation services to new companies looking for the right mix of support, community and natural resources. With four distinct seasons and easy access to the natural beauty of the surrounding country, there is something for the individuals and their families, as well – as illustrated by recent success among new high-end housing communities, such as the Bluffs of Wilson Creek and The Coves at Round Mountain.

“The past few years have been really exciting for Caldwell County as we’ve moved from a furniture-based economy to the eclectic technology community we’ve become today,” Wood explained. “We aren’t done yet, though. We have big plans and expect the next eight years to be even more successful as we attract new business and establish Caldwell County NC as a leader that offers business relocation services to support technology companies and North Carolina employment.”

For more information, call Alan Wood at 828-728-0768 or visit the Web site at http://www.caldwelledc.org.