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.