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Dennis Jarvis II, director of the Henderson-Vance Economic Development Commission, appeared on WIZS Town Talk Wednesday at 11 a.m.
It was announced via press release last week that Jarvis, with H-V Economic Development since November 2017, was recently named the executive director for the Jefferson County Development Authority in his home state of West Virginia. Jarvis begins his new role on July 6, 2020.
Jarvis brings 20 years of economic development experience to his new role and will use his expertise to develop a new strategic plan for the future direction and economic development of Jefferson County.
Discussing his time in Henderson and Vance County, Jarvis said he believes economic development is heading in the right direction. “Almost three years later, we have a stable and professional economic development office, a marketing program that I feel is one of the top in NC, expansion of the Henderson-Vance Industrial Park that will have infrastructure in place by the end of the year and heavy project activity.”
Looking to the future, Jarvis said workforce development and education are the keys to a successful, thriving community.
“In order to have a robust economy, I’d encourage Henderson and Vance County to continue to focus on developing and enhancing workforce skills and education,” said Jarvis. “We have too many organizations in this region that say they are doing workforce development and it’s like putting a bandage over a pothole; you can only traverse it so many times before it gives way.”
Jarvis praised Vance-Granville Community College President Dr. Rachel Desmarais and Vance County Schools Superintendent Dr. Anthony Jackson for their work in promoting workforce development and education.
“I credit Rachel Desmarais and Anthony Jackson for moving the needle and changing the way that workforce development is talked about and the way skills enhancement is viewed,” said Jarvis. “The community college is now back to its basic core functionality, which is skills assessment and workforce preparedness. I also think you are going to see the school system continue to progress and move forward. When you’ve had 20 years of stagnation and getting away from core missions in both institutions, you don’t change things overnight.”
To hear the interview with Jarvis in its entirety, including additional discussion on the local economy and organizations making strides to improve workforce development, go to WIZS.com and click on Town Talk.