Tag Archive for: #hendersonvanceeconomicdevelopment

TownTalk: The Future of Economic Development in Vance County

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Economic development across Vance County seems to be perking up, and if 2022’s report is any indication, the trend is on an upward trajectory.

County Economic Development Director McKinley Perkinson is scheduled to present a review of 2022 at tonight’s monthly meeting of the county commissioners, and she’s going to paint a rosy picture.

She joined John C. Rose on Monday’s TownTalk and hit some of the highlights from last year, but looked forward to the coming months to talk about what’s on the horizon for Vance County.  (Listen Here)

Between investments and expansion, 2022 brought more than $12 million to the county, Perkinson said. “That’s a very positive number for Vance County,” she noted.

This year will see the completion of the shell building during Phase III at the industrial park, as well as an additional 19,000 square-foot building that will be marketed as flex retail space.

“Steel is actually going up on the walls today,” Perkinson said of the shell building. The additional flex retail space will hopefully be a place that will offer restaurant space for workers to grab during the day as well as provide some retail opportunities for area residents.

The bids are set to go out soon to identify a contractor to complete the additional sewer line project and road paving at the industrial park.

With more than $760,000 in federal grant money, coupled with more from the N.C. Department of Commerce, this project will result in completed water and sewer lines and replacement of the current gravel road into the park, Perkinson said.

There are many signs of economic activity across the county, from expansions at M.R. Williams, Robco and Walmart to new retail shopping and restaurants – Perkinson listed Marshall’s, Petco, Jersey Mike’s and the new construction of Mazatlan on Ruin Creek Road – “there’s a lot of big investments being made in the county.”

Perkinson said Robco is “a huge asset to have as an industry partner in Vance County.” The aluminum dock manufacturer got its start here and now sends its products to be installed in lakes and waterways across the country.

Robco and the industrial park are located very close to U.S. 1, which connects Vance County with points south, including Raleigh.

Perkinson said Vance County is well positioned to land more business and industry from counties like Wake and Durham where land is at a premium.

Those small- to medium-sized companies are “looking north,” she said, for more affordable spots to set up shop. Having a completed shell building will “put us a little bit ahead of the competition.”

The downtown area also is getting a bump in interest, with the addition of several new businesses along Garnett Street. “We have hit the ground running,” said Perkinson, who also serves on the Downtown Development Commission. “It’s truly amazing to see all the businesses that are opening up in Henderson…(people) have access to so many things that weren’t here before.”

The Bridges on Parkview is another such example – it’s an upscale assisted living retirement community, Perkinson said, that’s going up beside the Vance County Regional Farmers Market.

The construction alone will create about 40 jobs, she said, and, once completed, it will offer a nice independent living option for older residents looking to simplify their lifestyle.

 

 

TownTalk: McKinley Perkinson Settles In To EDC Position

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Although she said her initial orientation continues, the new Henderson-Vance economic development director reports that she is excited to be a part of the team effort of moving the community and the economy forward.

McKinley Perkinson began her new job in mid-November, and since that time she has been checking in with business and community leaders to get their input and ideas about priorities and goal-setting for the short-term and for the long-term growth that the area could see.

“Everybody has been really welcoming,” Perkinson told John C. Rose on Tuesday’s Town Talk. And just about everybody says workforce development is a priority, she added.

“Workforce development is a big focus everywhere,” Perkinson said. She said working with key partners like the community college and the Kerr-Tar COG to create trained workers for existing – and prospective – business and industry in the area is vital.

The pandemic may have sidelined plans for a while, but Perkinson is hopeful that she and others can create some momentum and refresh priorities for growth in the city and county. Her orientation includes gathering input from leaders to realign or reshape those priorities, she said.

“The shell building is a project that I’m very excited about,” Perkinson said. “Our county leaders are very interested in exploring” as well, she added. Previous economic development directors Christian Lockamy and Dennis Jarvis had promoted the idea of constructing buildings that could be completed quickly to attract new business and industry to the area.

As the economic development director, Perkinson said she is part networker, part negotiator, part cheerleader and always a recruiter. She wants to be able to understand all the things the community can offer a prospective business. She also said she wants to be able to “connect people to those resources they need, or getting answers to questions they may have.”

In short, she said she wants to have her finger on the pulse of everything that the community has to offer.

In addition, she is focused on retention of employees, business expansion and partnership with key players “to make sure we have a strong economy for the community.” Having a strategic plan that clearly states goals and objectives is one way to achieve that goal.

A marketing plan – that increases the county’s exposure to the burgeoning Triangle area – is another way to promote growth.

Being more intentional in talking about economic development is another important piece to the puzzle. Sometimes, officials have to stay quiet when they’re negotiating with a prospective business or industry interested in locating in the community. But Perkinson said, “there are some things that we can talk about and get people excited about what we’re working on.”

Visit https://vancecountyedc.com to learn more.

 

H-V Industrial Park Phase III

Shell Building Project Continues Forward For Industrial Park

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Plans are moving along for construction of “shell” buildings at the Henderson-Vance Industrial Park to entice prospective businesses and industries to locate here, according to Henderson-Vance Economic Development Director Christian Lockamy.

Lockamy told WIZS News Wednesday that he briefed the Economic Development Commission Board at the July meeting, the first in-person meeting in over a year.

“They seemed to receive it well and ultimately voted unanimously to move it forward,” Lockamy said. Next steps include conducting research on potential construction partners and investigating financial models, building specs and, of course, cost.

The plan is to convene the Henderson-Vance Industrial Park Commission later in the summer to give the same presentation and work through some of the specifics left to be ironed out. Once he meets with that group, he said the proposal will go back to the commissioners as a formal recommendation. At that time, Lockamy said the process can move forward as a Request for Proposals is issued.

As part of the planning, the City of Henderson will be a co-applicant with the county on the Economic Development Administration (EDA) grant application for completion of sewer utilities and roads at the park. Similarly, the N.C. Department of Transportation will be a co-applicant because it will be responsible for future road maintenance.

Henderson City Manager Terrell Blackmon said, at the June Henderson City Council meeting, this is merely a formality required by the EDA.

“We should know if we are successful in obtaining the EDA grant later in the summer,” Lockamy explained. Having co-applicants sponsor the overall effort and providing additional information in the grant application hopefully will “tighten up the request and ensure all documentation is in place.”

Dennis Jarvis

Dennis Jarvis, H-V Economic Development Director, Accepts Position in Jefferson Co., WV

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-Press Release, Jefferson County Development Authority

The Jefferson County Development Authority announces that Dennis Jarvis II will be its new executive director, effective July 6, 2020. Jarvis will lead the organization as it develops a new strategic plan for its future direction and focus on economic development efforts in Jefferson County.

The Jefferson County Commission approved the employment of Jarvis today upon the recommendation of the Jefferson County Development Authority (JCDA) Board of Directors. Working with a national firm, JCDA board members began the search for a new executive director six months ago. After seeking input from community stakeholders regarding the type of candidate to pursue, Jarvis was selected following an extensive screening and interview process.

The Jefferson County Development Authority announces that Dennis Jarvis II, currently the director of the Henderson-Vance Economic Development Commission in North Carolina, will be its new executive director, effective July 6, 2020. (Photo courtesy JCDA)

Jarvis has 20 years of community and economic development experience in West Virginia, Virginia, and North Carolina. He started his career as the deputy director of the Logan County Development Authority in West Virginia and is currently the director of the Henderson-Vance Economic Development Commission in North Carolina.

His background with business development, job creation, small business and entrepreneurial assistance programs as well as marketing and grant writing will be instrumental to the JCDA, said Neil McLaughlin, president of the JCDA. “We were impressed with Dennis’s enthusiasm for this area, his motivation and creativity for the role in general, and his stalwart Mountaineer spirit.”

“We look forward to Dennis joining the county,” said Jefferson County Commission President Jane Tabb. “This position is key to increasing and diversifying the tax base for Jefferson County and strengthening the economic well-being of our county, our businesses, and our residents.”

Since being reconstituted a year ago, McLaughlin noted the JCDA Board has been working to move forward, increase transparency, and grow relationships with the community, business leaders, and regional and state officials. In January, the JCDA hired a consultant to facilitate the development of a new strategic plan to guide JCDA leaders in establishing the direction of the organization.

“We’re looking forward to having Dennis on board as we begin this new chapter of the JCDA,” McLaughlin said. “His engaging personality, pro-active attitude, and relationship-building skills will be assets as the JCDA incorporates community involvement into the strategic planning process in the next few months.”

Jarvis welcomes the opportunity to come back to West Virginia. “I am honored to return home to West Virginia and the eastern gateway to our great state,” he said. “The choice to relocate to Jefferson County was easy. This is a progressive, dynamic community with a strategic location and vibrant workforce.”

The JCDA board is focused, Jarvis noted. “I am pleased to be able to work with the JCDA board. They are an energetic, synergistic group,” he said. “Developing a new strategic plan for the organization with community input is exciting for the future of Jefferson County.”

Born in Bluefield, West Virginia, Jarvis received his bachelor’s degree from Bluefield State College and completed his master’s degree at Marshall University. He is a graduate of the Economic Development Institute at Oklahoma University, the Community Development Institute of West Virginia University, and is a Certified Business Retention Specialist with Business Retention International.

Jarvis and his wife, Lori Daniels Jarvis, are looking forward to returning to West Virginia with their cat, Virginia, and puppy, Buzzie. They enjoy traveling and riding their Indian Chieftain motorcycle. He is also a big fan of college football and likes podcasting.

During the next few months, the JCDA will be planning several events where community officials, business leaders, and local residents will have an opportunity to meet and get to know Jarvis.

The JCDA consists of a 15-member board of directors, including representatives from the county commission and each of the five municipalities within the county as well as industry, business, labor, education, and citizens representatives. The JCDA aims to promote, develop, and advance the economic development of Jefferson County, West Virginia.

For more information about the JCDA, visit www.jcda.net, email info@jcda.net, or call 304-728-3255.