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WILKES Economic Development Corporation Special Advertising Section

Wilkes Economic Development Corporation

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Learn more about Wilkes EDC in this digital special section that also appears in the print and online versions of Business Images Wilkes at imageswilkes.com.

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Page 1: Wilkes Economic Development Corporation

Wilkes economic Development Corporation

S p e c i a l A d v e r t i s i n g S e c t i o n

in the competition to attract new businesses and help existing ones

expand Wilkes County boasts a powerful asset ndash a fund of private money that can help close deals

Wilkes LEAP 2016 is a five-year $750000 campaign aimed at adding or retaining 750 Wilkes County jobs that pay an annual average salary of about $29500 significantly above the county average per capita income of about $21000

Within weeks of its public launch LEAP 2016 in August 2011 loaned $27500 to Hinson amp Hale Medical Technologies a new venture to buy equipment from a former glove-making factory The company set up at the same plant and retained its workers

In October the fund provided part of a local match that helped sway CertainTeed to invest $27 million in a building materials plant it already

operates on Roaring River near North Wilkesboro The expansion will add a paint line that allows the company to turn out pre-finished exterior fiber cement siding ndash and hire 29 additional workers

In this case the One North Carolina Fund pitched in $98000 but Wilkes County needed to match the amount in loans or other incentives The county came up with $58000 in tax incentives and LEAP 2016 financed the remaining $40000

ldquoWe were able to step in with a quick promise and said we can do thatrdquo says Jeff Garstka president of the Wilkes Economic Development Commission ldquoWe try to be really flexible and wersquove had some opportunities early on to test itrdquo

The investor list cuts across the community with big names such as Lowersquos Wilkes Telecommunications WachoviaWells Fargo Interflex Group

Duke Energy Carolinas and Tar Heel Oil Co as well as multiple local banks and businesses from pharmacies to textile mills law firms and the Wilkes Journal Patriot the local newspaper Every member of the EDC board contributed personally as did other individuals in the community Garstka says

As of mid-November 2011 Wilkes LEAP 2016 had raised $600000 in cash and five-year pledges The ldquosoftrdquo fundraising began in November 2011 one campaign component targets five sectors for growth agribusinessfood processing advanced manufacturing mobile entrepreneurs aviation and administrative support services

ldquoThe private sector invested and it has morphed into an opportunity fundrdquo he says ldquoWe stepped out there in a pretty tough time and did pretty wellrdquo

ldquoI think it does set us apartrdquo Garstka says

The Deal CloserPrivately raised fund helps Wilkes EDC leverage state incentives

Wilkes COUNTY ADVANTAGes

bull Served by US 421 a major four-lane highway

connecting Wilkes to I-77 in 15 minutes and to I-40 in 45 minutes

bull Creative and aggressive incentive packages

bull Quality workforce drawn from 10-county area

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to

W i l k e s E c o n o m i c D e v e l o p m e n t C o r p o r a t i o n

W i l k e s E D C bull ( 3 3 6 ) 8 3 8 - 1 5 0 1

Wilkes County won out over an Oregon Community in

October 2011 when CertainTeed a manufacturer of building products announced a $27 million capital expansion that will add at least 29 new jobs that pay well over the county average

A combination of state county and local incentives paved the way and signaled to site selectors as well as local companies that Wilkes County can do business and help close deals

ldquoWe wanted to get together the best package we couldrdquo says Jeff Garstka president of the Wilkes Economic Development Commission ldquoThese are really good manufacturing jobsrdquo

CertainTeedrsquos operation in Roaring River produces exterior cement siding The expansion brings in equipment and retools the plant adding a painting line so the siding is pre-finished Previously CertainTeed outsourced that work to a third-party vendor

Salaries will vary but the average annual wage for the new jobs will be about $43000 not including benefits ndash more than 40 percent above the countyrsquos average annual wage

Pennsylvania-based CertainTeed is a subsidiary of Saint-Gobain headquartered in France and one of the top 100 industrial companies in the world The company already has a significant footprint in North Carolina including a massive roofing plant in Oxford a wallboard facility under construction in Roxboro and a second siding plant in Claremont Painting the siding products in house should boost efficiency and save money CertainTeed officials say

The announcement itself brought North Carolina Gov Bev Perdue to North Wilkesboro to drive home both state-local cooperation and the availability of flexible workforce ldquoNorth Carolinarsquos workforce has the knowledge and skills that companies like CertainTeed demandrdquo Perdue says

A $98000 grant from the One North Carolina Fund helped open the door but

local government needed to match it Wilkes County pitched in $58000 and Wilkes LEAP 2016 a new opportunity fund the EDC is raising from private sources contributed $40000 to close the deal To receive the funds CertainTeed companies must meet job creation and investment performance standards

The Roaring River plant received International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 14001 certification for sustainability in February 2011 sustainable exterior fiber cement siding products called WeatherBoards are resistant to rot impact wood-boring insects and UV rays They also are non-combustible

CertainTeed also is eligible for community college training money and additional state tax credits The new jobs will boost the companyrsquos local workforce to about 110

ldquoThey expect to fill 75 percent of the jobs in Year No 1rdquo Garstka says

This special section is published for Wilkes Economic Development Corporation

Sponsor by Journal Communications Inc

For more information contact

Wilkes Economic Development Corporation 213 Ninth St bull North Wilkesboro NC 28659 Phone (336) 838-1501 bull Fax (336) 838-1693

Email jgarstkawilkesedccom bull wwwwilkesedccom

copyCopyright 2012 Journal Communications Inc 725 Cool Springs Blvd Suite 400 Franklin TN 37067

(615) 771-0080

All rights reserved No portion of this special advertising section may be reproduced in whole or in part without

written consent

On the cover Key City Furniture bull Photo by Todd Bennett

Commitment CementedCooperation across agencies helps CertainTeed to expand locally

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S p e c i a l A d v e r t i s i n g S e c t i o n

w w w w i l k e s e d c c o m

With Google Apple and Facebook finding the region a good home for data centers Wilkes County is identifying and evaluating sites of its own for when the next company knocks

McCallum Sweeney Consulting a site selection firm based in Greenville SC analyzed one 69-acre site and recommended target industries of data centers for Internet-based companies ldquoback officerdquo operations light industrial and assembly firms

The site is on Brushy Mountain Road near US 421 and Wilkesboro Duke Energy as part of its regional economic development efforts paid for the evaluation to jump-start site readiness

ldquoThese projects move fastrdquo says Randolph Broome a retired Duke director of business development engineer who heads up the utilityrsquos Energy Site Readiness Program in the Carolinas

ldquoThe more ready a site is the more likely you are to win a projectrdquo

The program pinpoints site strengths and weaknesses and helps get them ready with utilities site design and redundant power a must-have for data centers Because McCallum Sweeney evaluates sites as it would for commercial clients the rigorous process puts Brushy

Mountain Road and other sites on companiesrsquo radar

ldquoLow power costs and a good climate make this an attractive areardquo Broome says ldquoWith Google Apple and Facebook nearby once one of them has vetted an area you get a clustering effect

ldquoWith the Site Readiness Program all the risks have been taken awayrdquo he says

Target GrowthData centers find reliable redundant power

More than 1200 miles of fiber-optic cable means a high-tech boost for existing and potential businesses in Wilkes County ndash and residents who like the rural life but need to stay connected

With more than $216 million in federal stimulus grants and loans Wilkes Telecom is placing 12483 miles of fiber optic cable The project will boost the regionrsquos profile among site selectors and companies of all kinds especially data centers and similar operations that need reliable fast broadband service

ldquoMost businesses looking to relocate will not just look for dial tone but will

look at broadband and how they can connect to the worldrdquo says Eric Cramer the cooperativersquos CEO and general manager ldquoThis project will offer all existing and potential businesses access to ample bandwidth to supply any need they might haverdquo

The infrastructure program targets areas in Wilkes Telecomrsquos service territory that donrsquot have broadband Internet service The expansion will make broadband available to about 8500 people 300 businesses and 45 churches schools fire stations and other public institutions

ldquoFiber [optic] will offer home stock traders the broadband speeds that could make or break the transactionrdquo Cramer says ldquoFiber [optic] also gives businesses the option of allowing workers to VPN and work from home saving office space for the business and saving the worker driving time and costs on dress clothes gas tires and other expensesrdquo

As of November 2011 nearly 200 miles of fiber optic were in place serving 2533 customers The remaining line is either completed or heading into construction or design phases The project should wrap up in 2015

Wiring WilkesWilkes Telecommunications running 1200 miles of cable gives homes businesses schools churches fast Internet access

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The Wilkes County Brushy Mountain Road Site

SU

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ITT

ed

W i l k e s E c o n o m i c D e v e l o p m e n t C o r p o r a t i o n

W i l k e s E D C bull ( 3 3 6 ) 8 3 8 - 1 5 0 1

One of the signature industries in Wilkes County is getting a face-

lift with big contracts for special-order furniture upholstery and high-tech fabrics aimed at the huge medical market

Textiles have a rich tradition in this northwest corner of North Carolina and the projects are welcome news to a region that has lost many manufacturing jobs to overseas competition In fact Key City Furniturersquos arrangement Schnadig International based in High Point is part of a new trend that uses skilled workers in North Carolina to do custom work that manufacturing plants in China are not equipped to handle

ldquoWhen they make a sofa they make 100 of themrdquo says Chris Reavis chief operating officer of Key City a fourth generation family-owned company in Wilkesboro ldquoWe are geared for special ordersrdquo

Key City will produce all domestic and international special orders for Schnadigrsquos licensed Ralph Lauren furniture line and a new line Caracole

Light Customers will have their choice of about 125 special-order fabrics and Key City also can modify the size of any piece in addition to handling the upholstery

Shipping of the Ralph Lauren pieces started in fall 2011 after Key City Wilkes Countyrsquos oldest and largest furniture manufacturer beat out three other North Carolina companies for the contract

ldquoThere is a huge push for special-order businessrdquo Reavis says ldquoWe are definitely an upper-end manufacturer and people buying such furniture want to make it unique to themselvesrdquo

Schnadig now can offer Ralph Lauren furniture dealers far more upholstery choices Buying direct from China remains an option though fabric choices will be limited

With 800 accounts Key City already produces furniture for Neiman Marcus Horchow and other big retail names At the outset Key City can absorb some of the new work but expects to add

employees as furniture dealers roll out the new Ralph Lauren options Reavis says

Special-order furniture and upholstery is a niche business and Hinson amp Hale Medical Technologies a new company is targeting a niche market of its own

Founded by Rea Hinson Jr of Pittsboro a textile industry veteran Hinson amp Hale is working with infused process technology and advanced polyester for the medical market The material has a long lifespan in one trial run it saved a hospital $1 million in a year because surgical room products could be washed sterilized and reused rather than tossed away

The company is leasing part of the Maine Brands building on Industrial Drive in Wilkesboro and retained workers from the former glove manufacturer to start production It also received a loan from Wilkes LEAP 2016 to buy a piece of equipment for industrial sewing

legacy industry Takes New shapeNew Ralph Lauren contract boosts one manufacturer high-tech fabric launches another

Workers assemble a chair (above) and sew fabric (top right) at Key City Furniture PH

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S p e c i a l A d v e r t i s i n g S e c t i o n

w w w w i l k e s e d c c o m

The Wilkes County Airport has one asset that many small

general aviation facilities do not ndash space The new Wilkes County Airpark has

the capacity for three additional large hangars MX Aircraft a specialty manufacturer of monoplanes has claimed two of the spots as part of an ongoing expansion

MX Aircraftrsquos new manufacturing facility is taking shape on 27 acres that Wilkes County bought to boost the airportrsquos profile and attractiveness to aviation-related businesses Three ldquopad-readyrdquo sites are available for hangars at least 100-by-100 feet says Airport Director David Prevette

By January 2012 sewer lines fire suppression lines and power to the site will be done he says

Grants paid for much of the infrastructure improvements including a booster pump station and 100000- gallon water storage tank Contributors included the Appalachian Regional Commission the state Department of Commerce-Industrial Development Fund the North Carolina Golden LEAF Foundation the North Carolina Rural Center and the US Department of Commerce ndash Economic Development Administration

Wilkes County Airport has diverse users The runway at 6200 feet long can accommodate a jet the size of a 727 or MD 87 The county airport handles corporate aircraft and personal planes often with vacationers heading to second homes in the mountains

ldquoWe are the closest airport to handle corporate planes to the mountains in the Boone areardquo Prevette says ldquoWe have many people who come in and get dropped off to head toward their summer homes or winter homesrdquo

MX founded in 2001 designs and builds high-performance aircraft used by veteran race air show and aerobatic pilots The company builds planes with an advanced aerospace material called Toray carbon fiber which enhances structural strength fit and finish Its

expansion in the airpark is expected to add 35 to 50 jobs

Samaritanrsquos Purse houses its fleet of planes for disaster relief humanitarian missions and other charitable trips at the Wilkes Airport The nonprofit group based nearby in Boone NC is building a second hangar for a Falcon 900 corporate jet to move staff and leadership on longer nonstop flights

The agency led by Franklin Graham the Rev Billy Grahamrsquos eldest son takes supplies food doctors and emergency equipment to help victims of wars

disasters and famines across the globe When a powerful earthquake hit Haiti in 2010 Samaritanrsquos Purse had staff providing aid within 24 hours and continues to maintain a full-time staff in the country

Even with big customers and a new airpark the Wilkes aviation facility still has room to grow Space exists for small hangars in the revamped General Aviation area and the airport wants to attract businesses that need jobs with skills in aviation and advanced manufacturing

Runway ReadyWith pad-ready sites utilities and a growing general aviation business new Wilkes County Airpark can accommodate diverse needs

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A worker at MX Aircraft builds a canopy for MXs

W i l k e s E c o n o m i c D e v e l o p m e n t C o r p o r a t i o n

W i l k e s E D C bull ( 3 3 6 ) 8 3 8 - 1 5 0 1

W ilkes Community College has designed workforce

training programs for local employers that include Gardner Glass Louisiana Pacific and Interflex and it offers ldquooccupational extensionrdquo classes to upgrade workersrsquo skills

In January 2012 the college added another workforce prep program to its arsenal ndash an intense ldquorapid readinessrdquo effort to give green job seekers industry-specific skills in 16 weeks

Students in the new program choose one of several areas heating and air conditioning industrial electricity machining electronics drafting design and mechatronics Classes run six hours a day five days a week

ldquoMy honest assessment is that anyone in Wilkes County who has skills can get a jobrdquo says Mike Pierce chairman of the

Industrial and Workforce Development Division ldquoThe idea is to turn out a person who has the skills a company needs in a short period of timerdquo

Workforce readiness is serious business at WCC 76 percent of its 13000 students are enrolled in career and technical programs The college has credit programs continuing education offerings a Small Business Development Center and both the staff and equipment to tailor training for employersrsquo needs

Occupational extension classes for existing employees cover everything from shop math blueprint reading electrical circuit analysis welding fluid power pneumatic power motor controls machining heating and air conditioning and workplace communication in English and Spanish WCC also creates specialty courses as

needed such as color theory for Interflex and ammonia-based refrigeration for Tyson Foods

ldquoBeing all for all is sometimes difficult but is very satisfying when you see when you make a differencerdquo Pierce says

For more information visit wwwwilkesccedudefault2aspxid=46]

Tech skills Taught HereWCC tailors training for specific businesses launches new Rapid Readiness program

W ilkes may be a rural North Carolina county but it puts

on a sophisticated showMerleFest marks its 25th year in April

2012 growing from a small event with modest goals to the biggest annual fundraiser for Wilkes Community College and a high-profile event that contributed $102 million to the regional economy in 2011 alone More than half of that was spent in Wilkes County according to the College of Business at Appalachian State University

Held on the campus of Wilkes Community College MerleFest billed as ldquotraditional-plusrdquo music unfolds on 14 stages and includes 90 performers The four-day event relies on nearly 4900 local volunteers and showcases Wilkes County at its best ldquoIt is a great way to show our community spiritrdquo says Ted

Hagaman festival director and executive director of special events and hospitality at WCC

ldquoOur goal is to make sure we provide the best quality event we possibly canrdquo he says In recent years thatrsquos meant fan-friendly changes such as limiting cars on campus keeping more green space open offering a wider range of food and providing more opportunities for shopping More than 100 artists and crafters emerge from an application and jury process to populate The Shoppes at MerleFest

The festival is named for Merle Watson son of the legendary Doc Watson who still performs every year Doc wanted to honor his son a talented blues musician in his own right who died in 1985 and coined the description ldquotraditional-plusrdquo music The family-

friendly event has raised more than $10 million in scholarships capital projects and other educational needs since it began in 1987 as a fundraiser for the college gardens

More than 70 college civic and community groups whose members work also benefit ndash in 2011 alone these groups earned more than $420000

MerleFest also gives economic development officials another recruiting tool They plan to use this yearrsquos festival to entertain representatives of companies considering relocating to Wilkes County

MerleFest 25April 26-29 2012wwwMerleFestorg

More Than MusicMerleFest marks 25th year and brings big economic impact

Students work with robots at Wilkes Community College

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S p e c i a l A d v e r t i s i n g S e c t i o n

w w w w i l k e s e d c c o m

A bridge across the Yadkin River separates downtown

Wilkesboro from downtown North Wilkesboro but the two small cities are united in purpose ndash creating vibrant business districts with charm distinctive shops special events and family-friendly appeal

Wilkesboro in 2011 launched a Friday evening market series with a farmers market arts and crafts vendors and music ldquoIt created a nice little buzzrdquo says Wilkesboro Town Manager Ken Noland

With grants from the Main Street program the city has a master plan for downtown and wants to move power lines underground work on pedestrian walkways and othefar aesthetic touches A few businesses have received grants for faccedilade improvements and the city re-zoned one block to allow apartments in older buildings and help foster multi-use development

Wilkesboro has been in the Main Street program for two years North Wilkesboro joined the program in 2000 In 2003 a 3-acre area received

designation on the National Register of Historic Places

An aggressive overhaul of a 29-acre site known as Block 46 home of the former Drew Manufacturing complex involves demolishing all but one building to make way for mixed-use residential and retail development Main Street itself will be extended into the site nearly doubling the length of the corridor says North Wilkesboro Mayor Robert Johnson

The building on the former furniture plant site that remains has 100000 square feet over three floors ldquoperfect for mixed userdquo Johnson says

ldquoFor 10 years this site has been a blight on the downtown and the community as a wholerdquo he says ldquoThis really will be a renewal areardquo

The public-private project also will extend bike paths and existing greenways ndash the two cities share 51 miles of pathways that connect them and each other to the county park system ndash and the city is working with state transportation officials to return

Main Street to a two-way thoroughfare to improve safety for pedestrians bicyclists drivers and foster the small-city feel

North Wilkesboro hosts the Brushy Mountain Apple Festival every October drawing more than 50000 people the Shine to Wine festival in May and First Friday evenings downtown with an art crawl concerts and craft vendors Next up may be a ldquochicken-querdquo festival to recognize the regionrsquos contribution to the poultry industry ndash Tyson Foods is a large local employer ndash and its residentsrsquo love of barbecued chicken

Mixed-use downtowns are part of the big picture ldquoWe are looking to attract small-business owners who can live and work downtownrdquo Johnson says ldquoIt is perfect for todayrsquos mobile entrepreneursrdquo

Collaboration is not just a catchphrase in Wilkes County Check out this video to see how the two cities cooperate wwwyoutubecomwatchv=rByyuKAtZ6o

Downtown DelightsCities create family-friendly downtowns for shopping working living and playing

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W i l k e s E c o n o m i c D e v e l o p m e n t C o r p o r a t i o n

W i l k e s E D C bull ( 3 3 6 ) 8 3 8 - 1 5 0 1

Page 2: Wilkes Economic Development Corporation

in the competition to attract new businesses and help existing ones

expand Wilkes County boasts a powerful asset ndash a fund of private money that can help close deals

Wilkes LEAP 2016 is a five-year $750000 campaign aimed at adding or retaining 750 Wilkes County jobs that pay an annual average salary of about $29500 significantly above the county average per capita income of about $21000

Within weeks of its public launch LEAP 2016 in August 2011 loaned $27500 to Hinson amp Hale Medical Technologies a new venture to buy equipment from a former glove-making factory The company set up at the same plant and retained its workers

In October the fund provided part of a local match that helped sway CertainTeed to invest $27 million in a building materials plant it already

operates on Roaring River near North Wilkesboro The expansion will add a paint line that allows the company to turn out pre-finished exterior fiber cement siding ndash and hire 29 additional workers

In this case the One North Carolina Fund pitched in $98000 but Wilkes County needed to match the amount in loans or other incentives The county came up with $58000 in tax incentives and LEAP 2016 financed the remaining $40000

ldquoWe were able to step in with a quick promise and said we can do thatrdquo says Jeff Garstka president of the Wilkes Economic Development Commission ldquoWe try to be really flexible and wersquove had some opportunities early on to test itrdquo

The investor list cuts across the community with big names such as Lowersquos Wilkes Telecommunications WachoviaWells Fargo Interflex Group

Duke Energy Carolinas and Tar Heel Oil Co as well as multiple local banks and businesses from pharmacies to textile mills law firms and the Wilkes Journal Patriot the local newspaper Every member of the EDC board contributed personally as did other individuals in the community Garstka says

As of mid-November 2011 Wilkes LEAP 2016 had raised $600000 in cash and five-year pledges The ldquosoftrdquo fundraising began in November 2011 one campaign component targets five sectors for growth agribusinessfood processing advanced manufacturing mobile entrepreneurs aviation and administrative support services

ldquoThe private sector invested and it has morphed into an opportunity fundrdquo he says ldquoWe stepped out there in a pretty tough time and did pretty wellrdquo

ldquoI think it does set us apartrdquo Garstka says

The Deal CloserPrivately raised fund helps Wilkes EDC leverage state incentives

Wilkes COUNTY ADVANTAGes

bull Served by US 421 a major four-lane highway

connecting Wilkes to I-77 in 15 minutes and to I-40 in 45 minutes

bull Creative and aggressive incentive packages

bull Quality workforce drawn from 10-county area

StA

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ho

to

W i l k e s E c o n o m i c D e v e l o p m e n t C o r p o r a t i o n

W i l k e s E D C bull ( 3 3 6 ) 8 3 8 - 1 5 0 1

Wilkes County won out over an Oregon Community in

October 2011 when CertainTeed a manufacturer of building products announced a $27 million capital expansion that will add at least 29 new jobs that pay well over the county average

A combination of state county and local incentives paved the way and signaled to site selectors as well as local companies that Wilkes County can do business and help close deals

ldquoWe wanted to get together the best package we couldrdquo says Jeff Garstka president of the Wilkes Economic Development Commission ldquoThese are really good manufacturing jobsrdquo

CertainTeedrsquos operation in Roaring River produces exterior cement siding The expansion brings in equipment and retools the plant adding a painting line so the siding is pre-finished Previously CertainTeed outsourced that work to a third-party vendor

Salaries will vary but the average annual wage for the new jobs will be about $43000 not including benefits ndash more than 40 percent above the countyrsquos average annual wage

Pennsylvania-based CertainTeed is a subsidiary of Saint-Gobain headquartered in France and one of the top 100 industrial companies in the world The company already has a significant footprint in North Carolina including a massive roofing plant in Oxford a wallboard facility under construction in Roxboro and a second siding plant in Claremont Painting the siding products in house should boost efficiency and save money CertainTeed officials say

The announcement itself brought North Carolina Gov Bev Perdue to North Wilkesboro to drive home both state-local cooperation and the availability of flexible workforce ldquoNorth Carolinarsquos workforce has the knowledge and skills that companies like CertainTeed demandrdquo Perdue says

A $98000 grant from the One North Carolina Fund helped open the door but

local government needed to match it Wilkes County pitched in $58000 and Wilkes LEAP 2016 a new opportunity fund the EDC is raising from private sources contributed $40000 to close the deal To receive the funds CertainTeed companies must meet job creation and investment performance standards

The Roaring River plant received International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 14001 certification for sustainability in February 2011 sustainable exterior fiber cement siding products called WeatherBoards are resistant to rot impact wood-boring insects and UV rays They also are non-combustible

CertainTeed also is eligible for community college training money and additional state tax credits The new jobs will boost the companyrsquos local workforce to about 110

ldquoThey expect to fill 75 percent of the jobs in Year No 1rdquo Garstka says

This special section is published for Wilkes Economic Development Corporation

Sponsor by Journal Communications Inc

For more information contact

Wilkes Economic Development Corporation 213 Ninth St bull North Wilkesboro NC 28659 Phone (336) 838-1501 bull Fax (336) 838-1693

Email jgarstkawilkesedccom bull wwwwilkesedccom

copyCopyright 2012 Journal Communications Inc 725 Cool Springs Blvd Suite 400 Franklin TN 37067

(615) 771-0080

All rights reserved No portion of this special advertising section may be reproduced in whole or in part without

written consent

On the cover Key City Furniture bull Photo by Todd Bennett

Commitment CementedCooperation across agencies helps CertainTeed to expand locally

PH

OT

OS

BY

TO

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Be

nn

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T

S p e c i a l A d v e r t i s i n g S e c t i o n

w w w w i l k e s e d c c o m

With Google Apple and Facebook finding the region a good home for data centers Wilkes County is identifying and evaluating sites of its own for when the next company knocks

McCallum Sweeney Consulting a site selection firm based in Greenville SC analyzed one 69-acre site and recommended target industries of data centers for Internet-based companies ldquoback officerdquo operations light industrial and assembly firms

The site is on Brushy Mountain Road near US 421 and Wilkesboro Duke Energy as part of its regional economic development efforts paid for the evaluation to jump-start site readiness

ldquoThese projects move fastrdquo says Randolph Broome a retired Duke director of business development engineer who heads up the utilityrsquos Energy Site Readiness Program in the Carolinas

ldquoThe more ready a site is the more likely you are to win a projectrdquo

The program pinpoints site strengths and weaknesses and helps get them ready with utilities site design and redundant power a must-have for data centers Because McCallum Sweeney evaluates sites as it would for commercial clients the rigorous process puts Brushy

Mountain Road and other sites on companiesrsquo radar

ldquoLow power costs and a good climate make this an attractive areardquo Broome says ldquoWith Google Apple and Facebook nearby once one of them has vetted an area you get a clustering effect

ldquoWith the Site Readiness Program all the risks have been taken awayrdquo he says

Target GrowthData centers find reliable redundant power

More than 1200 miles of fiber-optic cable means a high-tech boost for existing and potential businesses in Wilkes County ndash and residents who like the rural life but need to stay connected

With more than $216 million in federal stimulus grants and loans Wilkes Telecom is placing 12483 miles of fiber optic cable The project will boost the regionrsquos profile among site selectors and companies of all kinds especially data centers and similar operations that need reliable fast broadband service

ldquoMost businesses looking to relocate will not just look for dial tone but will

look at broadband and how they can connect to the worldrdquo says Eric Cramer the cooperativersquos CEO and general manager ldquoThis project will offer all existing and potential businesses access to ample bandwidth to supply any need they might haverdquo

The infrastructure program targets areas in Wilkes Telecomrsquos service territory that donrsquot have broadband Internet service The expansion will make broadband available to about 8500 people 300 businesses and 45 churches schools fire stations and other public institutions

ldquoFiber [optic] will offer home stock traders the broadband speeds that could make or break the transactionrdquo Cramer says ldquoFiber [optic] also gives businesses the option of allowing workers to VPN and work from home saving office space for the business and saving the worker driving time and costs on dress clothes gas tires and other expensesrdquo

As of November 2011 nearly 200 miles of fiber optic were in place serving 2533 customers The remaining line is either completed or heading into construction or design phases The project should wrap up in 2015

Wiring WilkesWilkes Telecommunications running 1200 miles of cable gives homes businesses schools churches fast Internet access

StA

ff p

ho

to

The Wilkes County Brushy Mountain Road Site

SU

BM

ITT

ed

W i l k e s E c o n o m i c D e v e l o p m e n t C o r p o r a t i o n

W i l k e s E D C bull ( 3 3 6 ) 8 3 8 - 1 5 0 1

One of the signature industries in Wilkes County is getting a face-

lift with big contracts for special-order furniture upholstery and high-tech fabrics aimed at the huge medical market

Textiles have a rich tradition in this northwest corner of North Carolina and the projects are welcome news to a region that has lost many manufacturing jobs to overseas competition In fact Key City Furniturersquos arrangement Schnadig International based in High Point is part of a new trend that uses skilled workers in North Carolina to do custom work that manufacturing plants in China are not equipped to handle

ldquoWhen they make a sofa they make 100 of themrdquo says Chris Reavis chief operating officer of Key City a fourth generation family-owned company in Wilkesboro ldquoWe are geared for special ordersrdquo

Key City will produce all domestic and international special orders for Schnadigrsquos licensed Ralph Lauren furniture line and a new line Caracole

Light Customers will have their choice of about 125 special-order fabrics and Key City also can modify the size of any piece in addition to handling the upholstery

Shipping of the Ralph Lauren pieces started in fall 2011 after Key City Wilkes Countyrsquos oldest and largest furniture manufacturer beat out three other North Carolina companies for the contract

ldquoThere is a huge push for special-order businessrdquo Reavis says ldquoWe are definitely an upper-end manufacturer and people buying such furniture want to make it unique to themselvesrdquo

Schnadig now can offer Ralph Lauren furniture dealers far more upholstery choices Buying direct from China remains an option though fabric choices will be limited

With 800 accounts Key City already produces furniture for Neiman Marcus Horchow and other big retail names At the outset Key City can absorb some of the new work but expects to add

employees as furniture dealers roll out the new Ralph Lauren options Reavis says

Special-order furniture and upholstery is a niche business and Hinson amp Hale Medical Technologies a new company is targeting a niche market of its own

Founded by Rea Hinson Jr of Pittsboro a textile industry veteran Hinson amp Hale is working with infused process technology and advanced polyester for the medical market The material has a long lifespan in one trial run it saved a hospital $1 million in a year because surgical room products could be washed sterilized and reused rather than tossed away

The company is leasing part of the Maine Brands building on Industrial Drive in Wilkesboro and retained workers from the former glove manufacturer to start production It also received a loan from Wilkes LEAP 2016 to buy a piece of equipment for industrial sewing

legacy industry Takes New shapeNew Ralph Lauren contract boosts one manufacturer high-tech fabric launches another

Workers assemble a chair (above) and sew fabric (top right) at Key City Furniture PH

OT

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Be

nn

eT

T

S p e c i a l A d v e r t i s i n g S e c t i o n

w w w w i l k e s e d c c o m

The Wilkes County Airport has one asset that many small

general aviation facilities do not ndash space The new Wilkes County Airpark has

the capacity for three additional large hangars MX Aircraft a specialty manufacturer of monoplanes has claimed two of the spots as part of an ongoing expansion

MX Aircraftrsquos new manufacturing facility is taking shape on 27 acres that Wilkes County bought to boost the airportrsquos profile and attractiveness to aviation-related businesses Three ldquopad-readyrdquo sites are available for hangars at least 100-by-100 feet says Airport Director David Prevette

By January 2012 sewer lines fire suppression lines and power to the site will be done he says

Grants paid for much of the infrastructure improvements including a booster pump station and 100000- gallon water storage tank Contributors included the Appalachian Regional Commission the state Department of Commerce-Industrial Development Fund the North Carolina Golden LEAF Foundation the North Carolina Rural Center and the US Department of Commerce ndash Economic Development Administration

Wilkes County Airport has diverse users The runway at 6200 feet long can accommodate a jet the size of a 727 or MD 87 The county airport handles corporate aircraft and personal planes often with vacationers heading to second homes in the mountains

ldquoWe are the closest airport to handle corporate planes to the mountains in the Boone areardquo Prevette says ldquoWe have many people who come in and get dropped off to head toward their summer homes or winter homesrdquo

MX founded in 2001 designs and builds high-performance aircraft used by veteran race air show and aerobatic pilots The company builds planes with an advanced aerospace material called Toray carbon fiber which enhances structural strength fit and finish Its

expansion in the airpark is expected to add 35 to 50 jobs

Samaritanrsquos Purse houses its fleet of planes for disaster relief humanitarian missions and other charitable trips at the Wilkes Airport The nonprofit group based nearby in Boone NC is building a second hangar for a Falcon 900 corporate jet to move staff and leadership on longer nonstop flights

The agency led by Franklin Graham the Rev Billy Grahamrsquos eldest son takes supplies food doctors and emergency equipment to help victims of wars

disasters and famines across the globe When a powerful earthquake hit Haiti in 2010 Samaritanrsquos Purse had staff providing aid within 24 hours and continues to maintain a full-time staff in the country

Even with big customers and a new airpark the Wilkes aviation facility still has room to grow Space exists for small hangars in the revamped General Aviation area and the airport wants to attract businesses that need jobs with skills in aviation and advanced manufacturing

Runway ReadyWith pad-ready sites utilities and a growing general aviation business new Wilkes County Airpark can accommodate diverse needs

StA

ff p

ho

to

A worker at MX Aircraft builds a canopy for MXs

W i l k e s E c o n o m i c D e v e l o p m e n t C o r p o r a t i o n

W i l k e s E D C bull ( 3 3 6 ) 8 3 8 - 1 5 0 1

W ilkes Community College has designed workforce

training programs for local employers that include Gardner Glass Louisiana Pacific and Interflex and it offers ldquooccupational extensionrdquo classes to upgrade workersrsquo skills

In January 2012 the college added another workforce prep program to its arsenal ndash an intense ldquorapid readinessrdquo effort to give green job seekers industry-specific skills in 16 weeks

Students in the new program choose one of several areas heating and air conditioning industrial electricity machining electronics drafting design and mechatronics Classes run six hours a day five days a week

ldquoMy honest assessment is that anyone in Wilkes County who has skills can get a jobrdquo says Mike Pierce chairman of the

Industrial and Workforce Development Division ldquoThe idea is to turn out a person who has the skills a company needs in a short period of timerdquo

Workforce readiness is serious business at WCC 76 percent of its 13000 students are enrolled in career and technical programs The college has credit programs continuing education offerings a Small Business Development Center and both the staff and equipment to tailor training for employersrsquo needs

Occupational extension classes for existing employees cover everything from shop math blueprint reading electrical circuit analysis welding fluid power pneumatic power motor controls machining heating and air conditioning and workplace communication in English and Spanish WCC also creates specialty courses as

needed such as color theory for Interflex and ammonia-based refrigeration for Tyson Foods

ldquoBeing all for all is sometimes difficult but is very satisfying when you see when you make a differencerdquo Pierce says

For more information visit wwwwilkesccedudefault2aspxid=46]

Tech skills Taught HereWCC tailors training for specific businesses launches new Rapid Readiness program

W ilkes may be a rural North Carolina county but it puts

on a sophisticated showMerleFest marks its 25th year in April

2012 growing from a small event with modest goals to the biggest annual fundraiser for Wilkes Community College and a high-profile event that contributed $102 million to the regional economy in 2011 alone More than half of that was spent in Wilkes County according to the College of Business at Appalachian State University

Held on the campus of Wilkes Community College MerleFest billed as ldquotraditional-plusrdquo music unfolds on 14 stages and includes 90 performers The four-day event relies on nearly 4900 local volunteers and showcases Wilkes County at its best ldquoIt is a great way to show our community spiritrdquo says Ted

Hagaman festival director and executive director of special events and hospitality at WCC

ldquoOur goal is to make sure we provide the best quality event we possibly canrdquo he says In recent years thatrsquos meant fan-friendly changes such as limiting cars on campus keeping more green space open offering a wider range of food and providing more opportunities for shopping More than 100 artists and crafters emerge from an application and jury process to populate The Shoppes at MerleFest

The festival is named for Merle Watson son of the legendary Doc Watson who still performs every year Doc wanted to honor his son a talented blues musician in his own right who died in 1985 and coined the description ldquotraditional-plusrdquo music The family-

friendly event has raised more than $10 million in scholarships capital projects and other educational needs since it began in 1987 as a fundraiser for the college gardens

More than 70 college civic and community groups whose members work also benefit ndash in 2011 alone these groups earned more than $420000

MerleFest also gives economic development officials another recruiting tool They plan to use this yearrsquos festival to entertain representatives of companies considering relocating to Wilkes County

MerleFest 25April 26-29 2012wwwMerleFestorg

More Than MusicMerleFest marks 25th year and brings big economic impact

Students work with robots at Wilkes Community College

TO

dd

Be

nn

eT

TS

tAff

ph

oto

S p e c i a l A d v e r t i s i n g S e c t i o n

w w w w i l k e s e d c c o m

A bridge across the Yadkin River separates downtown

Wilkesboro from downtown North Wilkesboro but the two small cities are united in purpose ndash creating vibrant business districts with charm distinctive shops special events and family-friendly appeal

Wilkesboro in 2011 launched a Friday evening market series with a farmers market arts and crafts vendors and music ldquoIt created a nice little buzzrdquo says Wilkesboro Town Manager Ken Noland

With grants from the Main Street program the city has a master plan for downtown and wants to move power lines underground work on pedestrian walkways and othefar aesthetic touches A few businesses have received grants for faccedilade improvements and the city re-zoned one block to allow apartments in older buildings and help foster multi-use development

Wilkesboro has been in the Main Street program for two years North Wilkesboro joined the program in 2000 In 2003 a 3-acre area received

designation on the National Register of Historic Places

An aggressive overhaul of a 29-acre site known as Block 46 home of the former Drew Manufacturing complex involves demolishing all but one building to make way for mixed-use residential and retail development Main Street itself will be extended into the site nearly doubling the length of the corridor says North Wilkesboro Mayor Robert Johnson

The building on the former furniture plant site that remains has 100000 square feet over three floors ldquoperfect for mixed userdquo Johnson says

ldquoFor 10 years this site has been a blight on the downtown and the community as a wholerdquo he says ldquoThis really will be a renewal areardquo

The public-private project also will extend bike paths and existing greenways ndash the two cities share 51 miles of pathways that connect them and each other to the county park system ndash and the city is working with state transportation officials to return

Main Street to a two-way thoroughfare to improve safety for pedestrians bicyclists drivers and foster the small-city feel

North Wilkesboro hosts the Brushy Mountain Apple Festival every October drawing more than 50000 people the Shine to Wine festival in May and First Friday evenings downtown with an art crawl concerts and craft vendors Next up may be a ldquochicken-querdquo festival to recognize the regionrsquos contribution to the poultry industry ndash Tyson Foods is a large local employer ndash and its residentsrsquo love of barbecued chicken

Mixed-use downtowns are part of the big picture ldquoWe are looking to attract small-business owners who can live and work downtownrdquo Johnson says ldquoIt is perfect for todayrsquos mobile entrepreneursrdquo

Collaboration is not just a catchphrase in Wilkes County Check out this video to see how the two cities cooperate wwwyoutubecomwatchv=rByyuKAtZ6o

Downtown DelightsCities create family-friendly downtowns for shopping working living and playing

PH

OT

OS

BY

TO

dd

Be

nn

eT

T

W i l k e s E c o n o m i c D e v e l o p m e n t C o r p o r a t i o n

W i l k e s E D C bull ( 3 3 6 ) 8 3 8 - 1 5 0 1

Page 3: Wilkes Economic Development Corporation

Wilkes County won out over an Oregon Community in

October 2011 when CertainTeed a manufacturer of building products announced a $27 million capital expansion that will add at least 29 new jobs that pay well over the county average

A combination of state county and local incentives paved the way and signaled to site selectors as well as local companies that Wilkes County can do business and help close deals

ldquoWe wanted to get together the best package we couldrdquo says Jeff Garstka president of the Wilkes Economic Development Commission ldquoThese are really good manufacturing jobsrdquo

CertainTeedrsquos operation in Roaring River produces exterior cement siding The expansion brings in equipment and retools the plant adding a painting line so the siding is pre-finished Previously CertainTeed outsourced that work to a third-party vendor

Salaries will vary but the average annual wage for the new jobs will be about $43000 not including benefits ndash more than 40 percent above the countyrsquos average annual wage

Pennsylvania-based CertainTeed is a subsidiary of Saint-Gobain headquartered in France and one of the top 100 industrial companies in the world The company already has a significant footprint in North Carolina including a massive roofing plant in Oxford a wallboard facility under construction in Roxboro and a second siding plant in Claremont Painting the siding products in house should boost efficiency and save money CertainTeed officials say

The announcement itself brought North Carolina Gov Bev Perdue to North Wilkesboro to drive home both state-local cooperation and the availability of flexible workforce ldquoNorth Carolinarsquos workforce has the knowledge and skills that companies like CertainTeed demandrdquo Perdue says

A $98000 grant from the One North Carolina Fund helped open the door but

local government needed to match it Wilkes County pitched in $58000 and Wilkes LEAP 2016 a new opportunity fund the EDC is raising from private sources contributed $40000 to close the deal To receive the funds CertainTeed companies must meet job creation and investment performance standards

The Roaring River plant received International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 14001 certification for sustainability in February 2011 sustainable exterior fiber cement siding products called WeatherBoards are resistant to rot impact wood-boring insects and UV rays They also are non-combustible

CertainTeed also is eligible for community college training money and additional state tax credits The new jobs will boost the companyrsquos local workforce to about 110

ldquoThey expect to fill 75 percent of the jobs in Year No 1rdquo Garstka says

This special section is published for Wilkes Economic Development Corporation

Sponsor by Journal Communications Inc

For more information contact

Wilkes Economic Development Corporation 213 Ninth St bull North Wilkesboro NC 28659 Phone (336) 838-1501 bull Fax (336) 838-1693

Email jgarstkawilkesedccom bull wwwwilkesedccom

copyCopyright 2012 Journal Communications Inc 725 Cool Springs Blvd Suite 400 Franklin TN 37067

(615) 771-0080

All rights reserved No portion of this special advertising section may be reproduced in whole or in part without

written consent

On the cover Key City Furniture bull Photo by Todd Bennett

Commitment CementedCooperation across agencies helps CertainTeed to expand locally

PH

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S p e c i a l A d v e r t i s i n g S e c t i o n

w w w w i l k e s e d c c o m

With Google Apple and Facebook finding the region a good home for data centers Wilkes County is identifying and evaluating sites of its own for when the next company knocks

McCallum Sweeney Consulting a site selection firm based in Greenville SC analyzed one 69-acre site and recommended target industries of data centers for Internet-based companies ldquoback officerdquo operations light industrial and assembly firms

The site is on Brushy Mountain Road near US 421 and Wilkesboro Duke Energy as part of its regional economic development efforts paid for the evaluation to jump-start site readiness

ldquoThese projects move fastrdquo says Randolph Broome a retired Duke director of business development engineer who heads up the utilityrsquos Energy Site Readiness Program in the Carolinas

ldquoThe more ready a site is the more likely you are to win a projectrdquo

The program pinpoints site strengths and weaknesses and helps get them ready with utilities site design and redundant power a must-have for data centers Because McCallum Sweeney evaluates sites as it would for commercial clients the rigorous process puts Brushy

Mountain Road and other sites on companiesrsquo radar

ldquoLow power costs and a good climate make this an attractive areardquo Broome says ldquoWith Google Apple and Facebook nearby once one of them has vetted an area you get a clustering effect

ldquoWith the Site Readiness Program all the risks have been taken awayrdquo he says

Target GrowthData centers find reliable redundant power

More than 1200 miles of fiber-optic cable means a high-tech boost for existing and potential businesses in Wilkes County ndash and residents who like the rural life but need to stay connected

With more than $216 million in federal stimulus grants and loans Wilkes Telecom is placing 12483 miles of fiber optic cable The project will boost the regionrsquos profile among site selectors and companies of all kinds especially data centers and similar operations that need reliable fast broadband service

ldquoMost businesses looking to relocate will not just look for dial tone but will

look at broadband and how they can connect to the worldrdquo says Eric Cramer the cooperativersquos CEO and general manager ldquoThis project will offer all existing and potential businesses access to ample bandwidth to supply any need they might haverdquo

The infrastructure program targets areas in Wilkes Telecomrsquos service territory that donrsquot have broadband Internet service The expansion will make broadband available to about 8500 people 300 businesses and 45 churches schools fire stations and other public institutions

ldquoFiber [optic] will offer home stock traders the broadband speeds that could make or break the transactionrdquo Cramer says ldquoFiber [optic] also gives businesses the option of allowing workers to VPN and work from home saving office space for the business and saving the worker driving time and costs on dress clothes gas tires and other expensesrdquo

As of November 2011 nearly 200 miles of fiber optic were in place serving 2533 customers The remaining line is either completed or heading into construction or design phases The project should wrap up in 2015

Wiring WilkesWilkes Telecommunications running 1200 miles of cable gives homes businesses schools churches fast Internet access

StA

ff p

ho

to

The Wilkes County Brushy Mountain Road Site

SU

BM

ITT

ed

W i l k e s E c o n o m i c D e v e l o p m e n t C o r p o r a t i o n

W i l k e s E D C bull ( 3 3 6 ) 8 3 8 - 1 5 0 1

One of the signature industries in Wilkes County is getting a face-

lift with big contracts for special-order furniture upholstery and high-tech fabrics aimed at the huge medical market

Textiles have a rich tradition in this northwest corner of North Carolina and the projects are welcome news to a region that has lost many manufacturing jobs to overseas competition In fact Key City Furniturersquos arrangement Schnadig International based in High Point is part of a new trend that uses skilled workers in North Carolina to do custom work that manufacturing plants in China are not equipped to handle

ldquoWhen they make a sofa they make 100 of themrdquo says Chris Reavis chief operating officer of Key City a fourth generation family-owned company in Wilkesboro ldquoWe are geared for special ordersrdquo

Key City will produce all domestic and international special orders for Schnadigrsquos licensed Ralph Lauren furniture line and a new line Caracole

Light Customers will have their choice of about 125 special-order fabrics and Key City also can modify the size of any piece in addition to handling the upholstery

Shipping of the Ralph Lauren pieces started in fall 2011 after Key City Wilkes Countyrsquos oldest and largest furniture manufacturer beat out three other North Carolina companies for the contract

ldquoThere is a huge push for special-order businessrdquo Reavis says ldquoWe are definitely an upper-end manufacturer and people buying such furniture want to make it unique to themselvesrdquo

Schnadig now can offer Ralph Lauren furniture dealers far more upholstery choices Buying direct from China remains an option though fabric choices will be limited

With 800 accounts Key City already produces furniture for Neiman Marcus Horchow and other big retail names At the outset Key City can absorb some of the new work but expects to add

employees as furniture dealers roll out the new Ralph Lauren options Reavis says

Special-order furniture and upholstery is a niche business and Hinson amp Hale Medical Technologies a new company is targeting a niche market of its own

Founded by Rea Hinson Jr of Pittsboro a textile industry veteran Hinson amp Hale is working with infused process technology and advanced polyester for the medical market The material has a long lifespan in one trial run it saved a hospital $1 million in a year because surgical room products could be washed sterilized and reused rather than tossed away

The company is leasing part of the Maine Brands building on Industrial Drive in Wilkesboro and retained workers from the former glove manufacturer to start production It also received a loan from Wilkes LEAP 2016 to buy a piece of equipment for industrial sewing

legacy industry Takes New shapeNew Ralph Lauren contract boosts one manufacturer high-tech fabric launches another

Workers assemble a chair (above) and sew fabric (top right) at Key City Furniture PH

OT

OS

BY

TO

dd

Be

nn

eT

T

S p e c i a l A d v e r t i s i n g S e c t i o n

w w w w i l k e s e d c c o m

The Wilkes County Airport has one asset that many small

general aviation facilities do not ndash space The new Wilkes County Airpark has

the capacity for three additional large hangars MX Aircraft a specialty manufacturer of monoplanes has claimed two of the spots as part of an ongoing expansion

MX Aircraftrsquos new manufacturing facility is taking shape on 27 acres that Wilkes County bought to boost the airportrsquos profile and attractiveness to aviation-related businesses Three ldquopad-readyrdquo sites are available for hangars at least 100-by-100 feet says Airport Director David Prevette

By January 2012 sewer lines fire suppression lines and power to the site will be done he says

Grants paid for much of the infrastructure improvements including a booster pump station and 100000- gallon water storage tank Contributors included the Appalachian Regional Commission the state Department of Commerce-Industrial Development Fund the North Carolina Golden LEAF Foundation the North Carolina Rural Center and the US Department of Commerce ndash Economic Development Administration

Wilkes County Airport has diverse users The runway at 6200 feet long can accommodate a jet the size of a 727 or MD 87 The county airport handles corporate aircraft and personal planes often with vacationers heading to second homes in the mountains

ldquoWe are the closest airport to handle corporate planes to the mountains in the Boone areardquo Prevette says ldquoWe have many people who come in and get dropped off to head toward their summer homes or winter homesrdquo

MX founded in 2001 designs and builds high-performance aircraft used by veteran race air show and aerobatic pilots The company builds planes with an advanced aerospace material called Toray carbon fiber which enhances structural strength fit and finish Its

expansion in the airpark is expected to add 35 to 50 jobs

Samaritanrsquos Purse houses its fleet of planes for disaster relief humanitarian missions and other charitable trips at the Wilkes Airport The nonprofit group based nearby in Boone NC is building a second hangar for a Falcon 900 corporate jet to move staff and leadership on longer nonstop flights

The agency led by Franklin Graham the Rev Billy Grahamrsquos eldest son takes supplies food doctors and emergency equipment to help victims of wars

disasters and famines across the globe When a powerful earthquake hit Haiti in 2010 Samaritanrsquos Purse had staff providing aid within 24 hours and continues to maintain a full-time staff in the country

Even with big customers and a new airpark the Wilkes aviation facility still has room to grow Space exists for small hangars in the revamped General Aviation area and the airport wants to attract businesses that need jobs with skills in aviation and advanced manufacturing

Runway ReadyWith pad-ready sites utilities and a growing general aviation business new Wilkes County Airpark can accommodate diverse needs

StA

ff p

ho

to

A worker at MX Aircraft builds a canopy for MXs

W i l k e s E c o n o m i c D e v e l o p m e n t C o r p o r a t i o n

W i l k e s E D C bull ( 3 3 6 ) 8 3 8 - 1 5 0 1

W ilkes Community College has designed workforce

training programs for local employers that include Gardner Glass Louisiana Pacific and Interflex and it offers ldquooccupational extensionrdquo classes to upgrade workersrsquo skills

In January 2012 the college added another workforce prep program to its arsenal ndash an intense ldquorapid readinessrdquo effort to give green job seekers industry-specific skills in 16 weeks

Students in the new program choose one of several areas heating and air conditioning industrial electricity machining electronics drafting design and mechatronics Classes run six hours a day five days a week

ldquoMy honest assessment is that anyone in Wilkes County who has skills can get a jobrdquo says Mike Pierce chairman of the

Industrial and Workforce Development Division ldquoThe idea is to turn out a person who has the skills a company needs in a short period of timerdquo

Workforce readiness is serious business at WCC 76 percent of its 13000 students are enrolled in career and technical programs The college has credit programs continuing education offerings a Small Business Development Center and both the staff and equipment to tailor training for employersrsquo needs

Occupational extension classes for existing employees cover everything from shop math blueprint reading electrical circuit analysis welding fluid power pneumatic power motor controls machining heating and air conditioning and workplace communication in English and Spanish WCC also creates specialty courses as

needed such as color theory for Interflex and ammonia-based refrigeration for Tyson Foods

ldquoBeing all for all is sometimes difficult but is very satisfying when you see when you make a differencerdquo Pierce says

For more information visit wwwwilkesccedudefault2aspxid=46]

Tech skills Taught HereWCC tailors training for specific businesses launches new Rapid Readiness program

W ilkes may be a rural North Carolina county but it puts

on a sophisticated showMerleFest marks its 25th year in April

2012 growing from a small event with modest goals to the biggest annual fundraiser for Wilkes Community College and a high-profile event that contributed $102 million to the regional economy in 2011 alone More than half of that was spent in Wilkes County according to the College of Business at Appalachian State University

Held on the campus of Wilkes Community College MerleFest billed as ldquotraditional-plusrdquo music unfolds on 14 stages and includes 90 performers The four-day event relies on nearly 4900 local volunteers and showcases Wilkes County at its best ldquoIt is a great way to show our community spiritrdquo says Ted

Hagaman festival director and executive director of special events and hospitality at WCC

ldquoOur goal is to make sure we provide the best quality event we possibly canrdquo he says In recent years thatrsquos meant fan-friendly changes such as limiting cars on campus keeping more green space open offering a wider range of food and providing more opportunities for shopping More than 100 artists and crafters emerge from an application and jury process to populate The Shoppes at MerleFest

The festival is named for Merle Watson son of the legendary Doc Watson who still performs every year Doc wanted to honor his son a talented blues musician in his own right who died in 1985 and coined the description ldquotraditional-plusrdquo music The family-

friendly event has raised more than $10 million in scholarships capital projects and other educational needs since it began in 1987 as a fundraiser for the college gardens

More than 70 college civic and community groups whose members work also benefit ndash in 2011 alone these groups earned more than $420000

MerleFest also gives economic development officials another recruiting tool They plan to use this yearrsquos festival to entertain representatives of companies considering relocating to Wilkes County

MerleFest 25April 26-29 2012wwwMerleFestorg

More Than MusicMerleFest marks 25th year and brings big economic impact

Students work with robots at Wilkes Community College

TO

dd

Be

nn

eT

TS

tAff

ph

oto

S p e c i a l A d v e r t i s i n g S e c t i o n

w w w w i l k e s e d c c o m

A bridge across the Yadkin River separates downtown

Wilkesboro from downtown North Wilkesboro but the two small cities are united in purpose ndash creating vibrant business districts with charm distinctive shops special events and family-friendly appeal

Wilkesboro in 2011 launched a Friday evening market series with a farmers market arts and crafts vendors and music ldquoIt created a nice little buzzrdquo says Wilkesboro Town Manager Ken Noland

With grants from the Main Street program the city has a master plan for downtown and wants to move power lines underground work on pedestrian walkways and othefar aesthetic touches A few businesses have received grants for faccedilade improvements and the city re-zoned one block to allow apartments in older buildings and help foster multi-use development

Wilkesboro has been in the Main Street program for two years North Wilkesboro joined the program in 2000 In 2003 a 3-acre area received

designation on the National Register of Historic Places

An aggressive overhaul of a 29-acre site known as Block 46 home of the former Drew Manufacturing complex involves demolishing all but one building to make way for mixed-use residential and retail development Main Street itself will be extended into the site nearly doubling the length of the corridor says North Wilkesboro Mayor Robert Johnson

The building on the former furniture plant site that remains has 100000 square feet over three floors ldquoperfect for mixed userdquo Johnson says

ldquoFor 10 years this site has been a blight on the downtown and the community as a wholerdquo he says ldquoThis really will be a renewal areardquo

The public-private project also will extend bike paths and existing greenways ndash the two cities share 51 miles of pathways that connect them and each other to the county park system ndash and the city is working with state transportation officials to return

Main Street to a two-way thoroughfare to improve safety for pedestrians bicyclists drivers and foster the small-city feel

North Wilkesboro hosts the Brushy Mountain Apple Festival every October drawing more than 50000 people the Shine to Wine festival in May and First Friday evenings downtown with an art crawl concerts and craft vendors Next up may be a ldquochicken-querdquo festival to recognize the regionrsquos contribution to the poultry industry ndash Tyson Foods is a large local employer ndash and its residentsrsquo love of barbecued chicken

Mixed-use downtowns are part of the big picture ldquoWe are looking to attract small-business owners who can live and work downtownrdquo Johnson says ldquoIt is perfect for todayrsquos mobile entrepreneursrdquo

Collaboration is not just a catchphrase in Wilkes County Check out this video to see how the two cities cooperate wwwyoutubecomwatchv=rByyuKAtZ6o

Downtown DelightsCities create family-friendly downtowns for shopping working living and playing

PH

OT

OS

BY

TO

dd

Be

nn

eT

T

W i l k e s E c o n o m i c D e v e l o p m e n t C o r p o r a t i o n

W i l k e s E D C bull ( 3 3 6 ) 8 3 8 - 1 5 0 1

Page 4: Wilkes Economic Development Corporation

With Google Apple and Facebook finding the region a good home for data centers Wilkes County is identifying and evaluating sites of its own for when the next company knocks

McCallum Sweeney Consulting a site selection firm based in Greenville SC analyzed one 69-acre site and recommended target industries of data centers for Internet-based companies ldquoback officerdquo operations light industrial and assembly firms

The site is on Brushy Mountain Road near US 421 and Wilkesboro Duke Energy as part of its regional economic development efforts paid for the evaluation to jump-start site readiness

ldquoThese projects move fastrdquo says Randolph Broome a retired Duke director of business development engineer who heads up the utilityrsquos Energy Site Readiness Program in the Carolinas

ldquoThe more ready a site is the more likely you are to win a projectrdquo

The program pinpoints site strengths and weaknesses and helps get them ready with utilities site design and redundant power a must-have for data centers Because McCallum Sweeney evaluates sites as it would for commercial clients the rigorous process puts Brushy

Mountain Road and other sites on companiesrsquo radar

ldquoLow power costs and a good climate make this an attractive areardquo Broome says ldquoWith Google Apple and Facebook nearby once one of them has vetted an area you get a clustering effect

ldquoWith the Site Readiness Program all the risks have been taken awayrdquo he says

Target GrowthData centers find reliable redundant power

More than 1200 miles of fiber-optic cable means a high-tech boost for existing and potential businesses in Wilkes County ndash and residents who like the rural life but need to stay connected

With more than $216 million in federal stimulus grants and loans Wilkes Telecom is placing 12483 miles of fiber optic cable The project will boost the regionrsquos profile among site selectors and companies of all kinds especially data centers and similar operations that need reliable fast broadband service

ldquoMost businesses looking to relocate will not just look for dial tone but will

look at broadband and how they can connect to the worldrdquo says Eric Cramer the cooperativersquos CEO and general manager ldquoThis project will offer all existing and potential businesses access to ample bandwidth to supply any need they might haverdquo

The infrastructure program targets areas in Wilkes Telecomrsquos service territory that donrsquot have broadband Internet service The expansion will make broadband available to about 8500 people 300 businesses and 45 churches schools fire stations and other public institutions

ldquoFiber [optic] will offer home stock traders the broadband speeds that could make or break the transactionrdquo Cramer says ldquoFiber [optic] also gives businesses the option of allowing workers to VPN and work from home saving office space for the business and saving the worker driving time and costs on dress clothes gas tires and other expensesrdquo

As of November 2011 nearly 200 miles of fiber optic were in place serving 2533 customers The remaining line is either completed or heading into construction or design phases The project should wrap up in 2015

Wiring WilkesWilkes Telecommunications running 1200 miles of cable gives homes businesses schools churches fast Internet access

StA

ff p

ho

to

The Wilkes County Brushy Mountain Road Site

SU

BM

ITT

ed

W i l k e s E c o n o m i c D e v e l o p m e n t C o r p o r a t i o n

W i l k e s E D C bull ( 3 3 6 ) 8 3 8 - 1 5 0 1

One of the signature industries in Wilkes County is getting a face-

lift with big contracts for special-order furniture upholstery and high-tech fabrics aimed at the huge medical market

Textiles have a rich tradition in this northwest corner of North Carolina and the projects are welcome news to a region that has lost many manufacturing jobs to overseas competition In fact Key City Furniturersquos arrangement Schnadig International based in High Point is part of a new trend that uses skilled workers in North Carolina to do custom work that manufacturing plants in China are not equipped to handle

ldquoWhen they make a sofa they make 100 of themrdquo says Chris Reavis chief operating officer of Key City a fourth generation family-owned company in Wilkesboro ldquoWe are geared for special ordersrdquo

Key City will produce all domestic and international special orders for Schnadigrsquos licensed Ralph Lauren furniture line and a new line Caracole

Light Customers will have their choice of about 125 special-order fabrics and Key City also can modify the size of any piece in addition to handling the upholstery

Shipping of the Ralph Lauren pieces started in fall 2011 after Key City Wilkes Countyrsquos oldest and largest furniture manufacturer beat out three other North Carolina companies for the contract

ldquoThere is a huge push for special-order businessrdquo Reavis says ldquoWe are definitely an upper-end manufacturer and people buying such furniture want to make it unique to themselvesrdquo

Schnadig now can offer Ralph Lauren furniture dealers far more upholstery choices Buying direct from China remains an option though fabric choices will be limited

With 800 accounts Key City already produces furniture for Neiman Marcus Horchow and other big retail names At the outset Key City can absorb some of the new work but expects to add

employees as furniture dealers roll out the new Ralph Lauren options Reavis says

Special-order furniture and upholstery is a niche business and Hinson amp Hale Medical Technologies a new company is targeting a niche market of its own

Founded by Rea Hinson Jr of Pittsboro a textile industry veteran Hinson amp Hale is working with infused process technology and advanced polyester for the medical market The material has a long lifespan in one trial run it saved a hospital $1 million in a year because surgical room products could be washed sterilized and reused rather than tossed away

The company is leasing part of the Maine Brands building on Industrial Drive in Wilkesboro and retained workers from the former glove manufacturer to start production It also received a loan from Wilkes LEAP 2016 to buy a piece of equipment for industrial sewing

legacy industry Takes New shapeNew Ralph Lauren contract boosts one manufacturer high-tech fabric launches another

Workers assemble a chair (above) and sew fabric (top right) at Key City Furniture PH

OT

OS

BY

TO

dd

Be

nn

eT

T

S p e c i a l A d v e r t i s i n g S e c t i o n

w w w w i l k e s e d c c o m

The Wilkes County Airport has one asset that many small

general aviation facilities do not ndash space The new Wilkes County Airpark has

the capacity for three additional large hangars MX Aircraft a specialty manufacturer of monoplanes has claimed two of the spots as part of an ongoing expansion

MX Aircraftrsquos new manufacturing facility is taking shape on 27 acres that Wilkes County bought to boost the airportrsquos profile and attractiveness to aviation-related businesses Three ldquopad-readyrdquo sites are available for hangars at least 100-by-100 feet says Airport Director David Prevette

By January 2012 sewer lines fire suppression lines and power to the site will be done he says

Grants paid for much of the infrastructure improvements including a booster pump station and 100000- gallon water storage tank Contributors included the Appalachian Regional Commission the state Department of Commerce-Industrial Development Fund the North Carolina Golden LEAF Foundation the North Carolina Rural Center and the US Department of Commerce ndash Economic Development Administration

Wilkes County Airport has diverse users The runway at 6200 feet long can accommodate a jet the size of a 727 or MD 87 The county airport handles corporate aircraft and personal planes often with vacationers heading to second homes in the mountains

ldquoWe are the closest airport to handle corporate planes to the mountains in the Boone areardquo Prevette says ldquoWe have many people who come in and get dropped off to head toward their summer homes or winter homesrdquo

MX founded in 2001 designs and builds high-performance aircraft used by veteran race air show and aerobatic pilots The company builds planes with an advanced aerospace material called Toray carbon fiber which enhances structural strength fit and finish Its

expansion in the airpark is expected to add 35 to 50 jobs

Samaritanrsquos Purse houses its fleet of planes for disaster relief humanitarian missions and other charitable trips at the Wilkes Airport The nonprofit group based nearby in Boone NC is building a second hangar for a Falcon 900 corporate jet to move staff and leadership on longer nonstop flights

The agency led by Franklin Graham the Rev Billy Grahamrsquos eldest son takes supplies food doctors and emergency equipment to help victims of wars

disasters and famines across the globe When a powerful earthquake hit Haiti in 2010 Samaritanrsquos Purse had staff providing aid within 24 hours and continues to maintain a full-time staff in the country

Even with big customers and a new airpark the Wilkes aviation facility still has room to grow Space exists for small hangars in the revamped General Aviation area and the airport wants to attract businesses that need jobs with skills in aviation and advanced manufacturing

Runway ReadyWith pad-ready sites utilities and a growing general aviation business new Wilkes County Airpark can accommodate diverse needs

StA

ff p

ho

to

A worker at MX Aircraft builds a canopy for MXs

W i l k e s E c o n o m i c D e v e l o p m e n t C o r p o r a t i o n

W i l k e s E D C bull ( 3 3 6 ) 8 3 8 - 1 5 0 1

W ilkes Community College has designed workforce

training programs for local employers that include Gardner Glass Louisiana Pacific and Interflex and it offers ldquooccupational extensionrdquo classes to upgrade workersrsquo skills

In January 2012 the college added another workforce prep program to its arsenal ndash an intense ldquorapid readinessrdquo effort to give green job seekers industry-specific skills in 16 weeks

Students in the new program choose one of several areas heating and air conditioning industrial electricity machining electronics drafting design and mechatronics Classes run six hours a day five days a week

ldquoMy honest assessment is that anyone in Wilkes County who has skills can get a jobrdquo says Mike Pierce chairman of the

Industrial and Workforce Development Division ldquoThe idea is to turn out a person who has the skills a company needs in a short period of timerdquo

Workforce readiness is serious business at WCC 76 percent of its 13000 students are enrolled in career and technical programs The college has credit programs continuing education offerings a Small Business Development Center and both the staff and equipment to tailor training for employersrsquo needs

Occupational extension classes for existing employees cover everything from shop math blueprint reading electrical circuit analysis welding fluid power pneumatic power motor controls machining heating and air conditioning and workplace communication in English and Spanish WCC also creates specialty courses as

needed such as color theory for Interflex and ammonia-based refrigeration for Tyson Foods

ldquoBeing all for all is sometimes difficult but is very satisfying when you see when you make a differencerdquo Pierce says

For more information visit wwwwilkesccedudefault2aspxid=46]

Tech skills Taught HereWCC tailors training for specific businesses launches new Rapid Readiness program

W ilkes may be a rural North Carolina county but it puts

on a sophisticated showMerleFest marks its 25th year in April

2012 growing from a small event with modest goals to the biggest annual fundraiser for Wilkes Community College and a high-profile event that contributed $102 million to the regional economy in 2011 alone More than half of that was spent in Wilkes County according to the College of Business at Appalachian State University

Held on the campus of Wilkes Community College MerleFest billed as ldquotraditional-plusrdquo music unfolds on 14 stages and includes 90 performers The four-day event relies on nearly 4900 local volunteers and showcases Wilkes County at its best ldquoIt is a great way to show our community spiritrdquo says Ted

Hagaman festival director and executive director of special events and hospitality at WCC

ldquoOur goal is to make sure we provide the best quality event we possibly canrdquo he says In recent years thatrsquos meant fan-friendly changes such as limiting cars on campus keeping more green space open offering a wider range of food and providing more opportunities for shopping More than 100 artists and crafters emerge from an application and jury process to populate The Shoppes at MerleFest

The festival is named for Merle Watson son of the legendary Doc Watson who still performs every year Doc wanted to honor his son a talented blues musician in his own right who died in 1985 and coined the description ldquotraditional-plusrdquo music The family-

friendly event has raised more than $10 million in scholarships capital projects and other educational needs since it began in 1987 as a fundraiser for the college gardens

More than 70 college civic and community groups whose members work also benefit ndash in 2011 alone these groups earned more than $420000

MerleFest also gives economic development officials another recruiting tool They plan to use this yearrsquos festival to entertain representatives of companies considering relocating to Wilkes County

MerleFest 25April 26-29 2012wwwMerleFestorg

More Than MusicMerleFest marks 25th year and brings big economic impact

Students work with robots at Wilkes Community College

TO

dd

Be

nn

eT

TS

tAff

ph

oto

S p e c i a l A d v e r t i s i n g S e c t i o n

w w w w i l k e s e d c c o m

A bridge across the Yadkin River separates downtown

Wilkesboro from downtown North Wilkesboro but the two small cities are united in purpose ndash creating vibrant business districts with charm distinctive shops special events and family-friendly appeal

Wilkesboro in 2011 launched a Friday evening market series with a farmers market arts and crafts vendors and music ldquoIt created a nice little buzzrdquo says Wilkesboro Town Manager Ken Noland

With grants from the Main Street program the city has a master plan for downtown and wants to move power lines underground work on pedestrian walkways and othefar aesthetic touches A few businesses have received grants for faccedilade improvements and the city re-zoned one block to allow apartments in older buildings and help foster multi-use development

Wilkesboro has been in the Main Street program for two years North Wilkesboro joined the program in 2000 In 2003 a 3-acre area received

designation on the National Register of Historic Places

An aggressive overhaul of a 29-acre site known as Block 46 home of the former Drew Manufacturing complex involves demolishing all but one building to make way for mixed-use residential and retail development Main Street itself will be extended into the site nearly doubling the length of the corridor says North Wilkesboro Mayor Robert Johnson

The building on the former furniture plant site that remains has 100000 square feet over three floors ldquoperfect for mixed userdquo Johnson says

ldquoFor 10 years this site has been a blight on the downtown and the community as a wholerdquo he says ldquoThis really will be a renewal areardquo

The public-private project also will extend bike paths and existing greenways ndash the two cities share 51 miles of pathways that connect them and each other to the county park system ndash and the city is working with state transportation officials to return

Main Street to a two-way thoroughfare to improve safety for pedestrians bicyclists drivers and foster the small-city feel

North Wilkesboro hosts the Brushy Mountain Apple Festival every October drawing more than 50000 people the Shine to Wine festival in May and First Friday evenings downtown with an art crawl concerts and craft vendors Next up may be a ldquochicken-querdquo festival to recognize the regionrsquos contribution to the poultry industry ndash Tyson Foods is a large local employer ndash and its residentsrsquo love of barbecued chicken

Mixed-use downtowns are part of the big picture ldquoWe are looking to attract small-business owners who can live and work downtownrdquo Johnson says ldquoIt is perfect for todayrsquos mobile entrepreneursrdquo

Collaboration is not just a catchphrase in Wilkes County Check out this video to see how the two cities cooperate wwwyoutubecomwatchv=rByyuKAtZ6o

Downtown DelightsCities create family-friendly downtowns for shopping working living and playing

PH

OT

OS

BY

TO

dd

Be

nn

eT

T

W i l k e s E c o n o m i c D e v e l o p m e n t C o r p o r a t i o n

W i l k e s E D C bull ( 3 3 6 ) 8 3 8 - 1 5 0 1

Page 5: Wilkes Economic Development Corporation

One of the signature industries in Wilkes County is getting a face-

lift with big contracts for special-order furniture upholstery and high-tech fabrics aimed at the huge medical market

Textiles have a rich tradition in this northwest corner of North Carolina and the projects are welcome news to a region that has lost many manufacturing jobs to overseas competition In fact Key City Furniturersquos arrangement Schnadig International based in High Point is part of a new trend that uses skilled workers in North Carolina to do custom work that manufacturing plants in China are not equipped to handle

ldquoWhen they make a sofa they make 100 of themrdquo says Chris Reavis chief operating officer of Key City a fourth generation family-owned company in Wilkesboro ldquoWe are geared for special ordersrdquo

Key City will produce all domestic and international special orders for Schnadigrsquos licensed Ralph Lauren furniture line and a new line Caracole

Light Customers will have their choice of about 125 special-order fabrics and Key City also can modify the size of any piece in addition to handling the upholstery

Shipping of the Ralph Lauren pieces started in fall 2011 after Key City Wilkes Countyrsquos oldest and largest furniture manufacturer beat out three other North Carolina companies for the contract

ldquoThere is a huge push for special-order businessrdquo Reavis says ldquoWe are definitely an upper-end manufacturer and people buying such furniture want to make it unique to themselvesrdquo

Schnadig now can offer Ralph Lauren furniture dealers far more upholstery choices Buying direct from China remains an option though fabric choices will be limited

With 800 accounts Key City already produces furniture for Neiman Marcus Horchow and other big retail names At the outset Key City can absorb some of the new work but expects to add

employees as furniture dealers roll out the new Ralph Lauren options Reavis says

Special-order furniture and upholstery is a niche business and Hinson amp Hale Medical Technologies a new company is targeting a niche market of its own

Founded by Rea Hinson Jr of Pittsboro a textile industry veteran Hinson amp Hale is working with infused process technology and advanced polyester for the medical market The material has a long lifespan in one trial run it saved a hospital $1 million in a year because surgical room products could be washed sterilized and reused rather than tossed away

The company is leasing part of the Maine Brands building on Industrial Drive in Wilkesboro and retained workers from the former glove manufacturer to start production It also received a loan from Wilkes LEAP 2016 to buy a piece of equipment for industrial sewing

legacy industry Takes New shapeNew Ralph Lauren contract boosts one manufacturer high-tech fabric launches another

Workers assemble a chair (above) and sew fabric (top right) at Key City Furniture PH

OT

OS

BY

TO

dd

Be

nn

eT

T

S p e c i a l A d v e r t i s i n g S e c t i o n

w w w w i l k e s e d c c o m

The Wilkes County Airport has one asset that many small

general aviation facilities do not ndash space The new Wilkes County Airpark has

the capacity for three additional large hangars MX Aircraft a specialty manufacturer of monoplanes has claimed two of the spots as part of an ongoing expansion

MX Aircraftrsquos new manufacturing facility is taking shape on 27 acres that Wilkes County bought to boost the airportrsquos profile and attractiveness to aviation-related businesses Three ldquopad-readyrdquo sites are available for hangars at least 100-by-100 feet says Airport Director David Prevette

By January 2012 sewer lines fire suppression lines and power to the site will be done he says

Grants paid for much of the infrastructure improvements including a booster pump station and 100000- gallon water storage tank Contributors included the Appalachian Regional Commission the state Department of Commerce-Industrial Development Fund the North Carolina Golden LEAF Foundation the North Carolina Rural Center and the US Department of Commerce ndash Economic Development Administration

Wilkes County Airport has diverse users The runway at 6200 feet long can accommodate a jet the size of a 727 or MD 87 The county airport handles corporate aircraft and personal planes often with vacationers heading to second homes in the mountains

ldquoWe are the closest airport to handle corporate planes to the mountains in the Boone areardquo Prevette says ldquoWe have many people who come in and get dropped off to head toward their summer homes or winter homesrdquo

MX founded in 2001 designs and builds high-performance aircraft used by veteran race air show and aerobatic pilots The company builds planes with an advanced aerospace material called Toray carbon fiber which enhances structural strength fit and finish Its

expansion in the airpark is expected to add 35 to 50 jobs

Samaritanrsquos Purse houses its fleet of planes for disaster relief humanitarian missions and other charitable trips at the Wilkes Airport The nonprofit group based nearby in Boone NC is building a second hangar for a Falcon 900 corporate jet to move staff and leadership on longer nonstop flights

The agency led by Franklin Graham the Rev Billy Grahamrsquos eldest son takes supplies food doctors and emergency equipment to help victims of wars

disasters and famines across the globe When a powerful earthquake hit Haiti in 2010 Samaritanrsquos Purse had staff providing aid within 24 hours and continues to maintain a full-time staff in the country

Even with big customers and a new airpark the Wilkes aviation facility still has room to grow Space exists for small hangars in the revamped General Aviation area and the airport wants to attract businesses that need jobs with skills in aviation and advanced manufacturing

Runway ReadyWith pad-ready sites utilities and a growing general aviation business new Wilkes County Airpark can accommodate diverse needs

StA

ff p

ho

to

A worker at MX Aircraft builds a canopy for MXs

W i l k e s E c o n o m i c D e v e l o p m e n t C o r p o r a t i o n

W i l k e s E D C bull ( 3 3 6 ) 8 3 8 - 1 5 0 1

W ilkes Community College has designed workforce

training programs for local employers that include Gardner Glass Louisiana Pacific and Interflex and it offers ldquooccupational extensionrdquo classes to upgrade workersrsquo skills

In January 2012 the college added another workforce prep program to its arsenal ndash an intense ldquorapid readinessrdquo effort to give green job seekers industry-specific skills in 16 weeks

Students in the new program choose one of several areas heating and air conditioning industrial electricity machining electronics drafting design and mechatronics Classes run six hours a day five days a week

ldquoMy honest assessment is that anyone in Wilkes County who has skills can get a jobrdquo says Mike Pierce chairman of the

Industrial and Workforce Development Division ldquoThe idea is to turn out a person who has the skills a company needs in a short period of timerdquo

Workforce readiness is serious business at WCC 76 percent of its 13000 students are enrolled in career and technical programs The college has credit programs continuing education offerings a Small Business Development Center and both the staff and equipment to tailor training for employersrsquo needs

Occupational extension classes for existing employees cover everything from shop math blueprint reading electrical circuit analysis welding fluid power pneumatic power motor controls machining heating and air conditioning and workplace communication in English and Spanish WCC also creates specialty courses as

needed such as color theory for Interflex and ammonia-based refrigeration for Tyson Foods

ldquoBeing all for all is sometimes difficult but is very satisfying when you see when you make a differencerdquo Pierce says

For more information visit wwwwilkesccedudefault2aspxid=46]

Tech skills Taught HereWCC tailors training for specific businesses launches new Rapid Readiness program

W ilkes may be a rural North Carolina county but it puts

on a sophisticated showMerleFest marks its 25th year in April

2012 growing from a small event with modest goals to the biggest annual fundraiser for Wilkes Community College and a high-profile event that contributed $102 million to the regional economy in 2011 alone More than half of that was spent in Wilkes County according to the College of Business at Appalachian State University

Held on the campus of Wilkes Community College MerleFest billed as ldquotraditional-plusrdquo music unfolds on 14 stages and includes 90 performers The four-day event relies on nearly 4900 local volunteers and showcases Wilkes County at its best ldquoIt is a great way to show our community spiritrdquo says Ted

Hagaman festival director and executive director of special events and hospitality at WCC

ldquoOur goal is to make sure we provide the best quality event we possibly canrdquo he says In recent years thatrsquos meant fan-friendly changes such as limiting cars on campus keeping more green space open offering a wider range of food and providing more opportunities for shopping More than 100 artists and crafters emerge from an application and jury process to populate The Shoppes at MerleFest

The festival is named for Merle Watson son of the legendary Doc Watson who still performs every year Doc wanted to honor his son a talented blues musician in his own right who died in 1985 and coined the description ldquotraditional-plusrdquo music The family-

friendly event has raised more than $10 million in scholarships capital projects and other educational needs since it began in 1987 as a fundraiser for the college gardens

More than 70 college civic and community groups whose members work also benefit ndash in 2011 alone these groups earned more than $420000

MerleFest also gives economic development officials another recruiting tool They plan to use this yearrsquos festival to entertain representatives of companies considering relocating to Wilkes County

MerleFest 25April 26-29 2012wwwMerleFestorg

More Than MusicMerleFest marks 25th year and brings big economic impact

Students work with robots at Wilkes Community College

TO

dd

Be

nn

eT

TS

tAff

ph

oto

S p e c i a l A d v e r t i s i n g S e c t i o n

w w w w i l k e s e d c c o m

A bridge across the Yadkin River separates downtown

Wilkesboro from downtown North Wilkesboro but the two small cities are united in purpose ndash creating vibrant business districts with charm distinctive shops special events and family-friendly appeal

Wilkesboro in 2011 launched a Friday evening market series with a farmers market arts and crafts vendors and music ldquoIt created a nice little buzzrdquo says Wilkesboro Town Manager Ken Noland

With grants from the Main Street program the city has a master plan for downtown and wants to move power lines underground work on pedestrian walkways and othefar aesthetic touches A few businesses have received grants for faccedilade improvements and the city re-zoned one block to allow apartments in older buildings and help foster multi-use development

Wilkesboro has been in the Main Street program for two years North Wilkesboro joined the program in 2000 In 2003 a 3-acre area received

designation on the National Register of Historic Places

An aggressive overhaul of a 29-acre site known as Block 46 home of the former Drew Manufacturing complex involves demolishing all but one building to make way for mixed-use residential and retail development Main Street itself will be extended into the site nearly doubling the length of the corridor says North Wilkesboro Mayor Robert Johnson

The building on the former furniture plant site that remains has 100000 square feet over three floors ldquoperfect for mixed userdquo Johnson says

ldquoFor 10 years this site has been a blight on the downtown and the community as a wholerdquo he says ldquoThis really will be a renewal areardquo

The public-private project also will extend bike paths and existing greenways ndash the two cities share 51 miles of pathways that connect them and each other to the county park system ndash and the city is working with state transportation officials to return

Main Street to a two-way thoroughfare to improve safety for pedestrians bicyclists drivers and foster the small-city feel

North Wilkesboro hosts the Brushy Mountain Apple Festival every October drawing more than 50000 people the Shine to Wine festival in May and First Friday evenings downtown with an art crawl concerts and craft vendors Next up may be a ldquochicken-querdquo festival to recognize the regionrsquos contribution to the poultry industry ndash Tyson Foods is a large local employer ndash and its residentsrsquo love of barbecued chicken

Mixed-use downtowns are part of the big picture ldquoWe are looking to attract small-business owners who can live and work downtownrdquo Johnson says ldquoIt is perfect for todayrsquos mobile entrepreneursrdquo

Collaboration is not just a catchphrase in Wilkes County Check out this video to see how the two cities cooperate wwwyoutubecomwatchv=rByyuKAtZ6o

Downtown DelightsCities create family-friendly downtowns for shopping working living and playing

PH

OT

OS

BY

TO

dd

Be

nn

eT

T

W i l k e s E c o n o m i c D e v e l o p m e n t C o r p o r a t i o n

W i l k e s E D C bull ( 3 3 6 ) 8 3 8 - 1 5 0 1

Page 6: Wilkes Economic Development Corporation

The Wilkes County Airport has one asset that many small

general aviation facilities do not ndash space The new Wilkes County Airpark has

the capacity for three additional large hangars MX Aircraft a specialty manufacturer of monoplanes has claimed two of the spots as part of an ongoing expansion

MX Aircraftrsquos new manufacturing facility is taking shape on 27 acres that Wilkes County bought to boost the airportrsquos profile and attractiveness to aviation-related businesses Three ldquopad-readyrdquo sites are available for hangars at least 100-by-100 feet says Airport Director David Prevette

By January 2012 sewer lines fire suppression lines and power to the site will be done he says

Grants paid for much of the infrastructure improvements including a booster pump station and 100000- gallon water storage tank Contributors included the Appalachian Regional Commission the state Department of Commerce-Industrial Development Fund the North Carolina Golden LEAF Foundation the North Carolina Rural Center and the US Department of Commerce ndash Economic Development Administration

Wilkes County Airport has diverse users The runway at 6200 feet long can accommodate a jet the size of a 727 or MD 87 The county airport handles corporate aircraft and personal planes often with vacationers heading to second homes in the mountains

ldquoWe are the closest airport to handle corporate planes to the mountains in the Boone areardquo Prevette says ldquoWe have many people who come in and get dropped off to head toward their summer homes or winter homesrdquo

MX founded in 2001 designs and builds high-performance aircraft used by veteran race air show and aerobatic pilots The company builds planes with an advanced aerospace material called Toray carbon fiber which enhances structural strength fit and finish Its

expansion in the airpark is expected to add 35 to 50 jobs

Samaritanrsquos Purse houses its fleet of planes for disaster relief humanitarian missions and other charitable trips at the Wilkes Airport The nonprofit group based nearby in Boone NC is building a second hangar for a Falcon 900 corporate jet to move staff and leadership on longer nonstop flights

The agency led by Franklin Graham the Rev Billy Grahamrsquos eldest son takes supplies food doctors and emergency equipment to help victims of wars

disasters and famines across the globe When a powerful earthquake hit Haiti in 2010 Samaritanrsquos Purse had staff providing aid within 24 hours and continues to maintain a full-time staff in the country

Even with big customers and a new airpark the Wilkes aviation facility still has room to grow Space exists for small hangars in the revamped General Aviation area and the airport wants to attract businesses that need jobs with skills in aviation and advanced manufacturing

Runway ReadyWith pad-ready sites utilities and a growing general aviation business new Wilkes County Airpark can accommodate diverse needs

StA

ff p

ho

to

A worker at MX Aircraft builds a canopy for MXs

W i l k e s E c o n o m i c D e v e l o p m e n t C o r p o r a t i o n

W i l k e s E D C bull ( 3 3 6 ) 8 3 8 - 1 5 0 1

W ilkes Community College has designed workforce

training programs for local employers that include Gardner Glass Louisiana Pacific and Interflex and it offers ldquooccupational extensionrdquo classes to upgrade workersrsquo skills

In January 2012 the college added another workforce prep program to its arsenal ndash an intense ldquorapid readinessrdquo effort to give green job seekers industry-specific skills in 16 weeks

Students in the new program choose one of several areas heating and air conditioning industrial electricity machining electronics drafting design and mechatronics Classes run six hours a day five days a week

ldquoMy honest assessment is that anyone in Wilkes County who has skills can get a jobrdquo says Mike Pierce chairman of the

Industrial and Workforce Development Division ldquoThe idea is to turn out a person who has the skills a company needs in a short period of timerdquo

Workforce readiness is serious business at WCC 76 percent of its 13000 students are enrolled in career and technical programs The college has credit programs continuing education offerings a Small Business Development Center and both the staff and equipment to tailor training for employersrsquo needs

Occupational extension classes for existing employees cover everything from shop math blueprint reading electrical circuit analysis welding fluid power pneumatic power motor controls machining heating and air conditioning and workplace communication in English and Spanish WCC also creates specialty courses as

needed such as color theory for Interflex and ammonia-based refrigeration for Tyson Foods

ldquoBeing all for all is sometimes difficult but is very satisfying when you see when you make a differencerdquo Pierce says

For more information visit wwwwilkesccedudefault2aspxid=46]

Tech skills Taught HereWCC tailors training for specific businesses launches new Rapid Readiness program

W ilkes may be a rural North Carolina county but it puts

on a sophisticated showMerleFest marks its 25th year in April

2012 growing from a small event with modest goals to the biggest annual fundraiser for Wilkes Community College and a high-profile event that contributed $102 million to the regional economy in 2011 alone More than half of that was spent in Wilkes County according to the College of Business at Appalachian State University

Held on the campus of Wilkes Community College MerleFest billed as ldquotraditional-plusrdquo music unfolds on 14 stages and includes 90 performers The four-day event relies on nearly 4900 local volunteers and showcases Wilkes County at its best ldquoIt is a great way to show our community spiritrdquo says Ted

Hagaman festival director and executive director of special events and hospitality at WCC

ldquoOur goal is to make sure we provide the best quality event we possibly canrdquo he says In recent years thatrsquos meant fan-friendly changes such as limiting cars on campus keeping more green space open offering a wider range of food and providing more opportunities for shopping More than 100 artists and crafters emerge from an application and jury process to populate The Shoppes at MerleFest

The festival is named for Merle Watson son of the legendary Doc Watson who still performs every year Doc wanted to honor his son a talented blues musician in his own right who died in 1985 and coined the description ldquotraditional-plusrdquo music The family-

friendly event has raised more than $10 million in scholarships capital projects and other educational needs since it began in 1987 as a fundraiser for the college gardens

More than 70 college civic and community groups whose members work also benefit ndash in 2011 alone these groups earned more than $420000

MerleFest also gives economic development officials another recruiting tool They plan to use this yearrsquos festival to entertain representatives of companies considering relocating to Wilkes County

MerleFest 25April 26-29 2012wwwMerleFestorg

More Than MusicMerleFest marks 25th year and brings big economic impact

Students work with robots at Wilkes Community College

TO

dd

Be

nn

eT

TS

tAff

ph

oto

S p e c i a l A d v e r t i s i n g S e c t i o n

w w w w i l k e s e d c c o m

A bridge across the Yadkin River separates downtown

Wilkesboro from downtown North Wilkesboro but the two small cities are united in purpose ndash creating vibrant business districts with charm distinctive shops special events and family-friendly appeal

Wilkesboro in 2011 launched a Friday evening market series with a farmers market arts and crafts vendors and music ldquoIt created a nice little buzzrdquo says Wilkesboro Town Manager Ken Noland

With grants from the Main Street program the city has a master plan for downtown and wants to move power lines underground work on pedestrian walkways and othefar aesthetic touches A few businesses have received grants for faccedilade improvements and the city re-zoned one block to allow apartments in older buildings and help foster multi-use development

Wilkesboro has been in the Main Street program for two years North Wilkesboro joined the program in 2000 In 2003 a 3-acre area received

designation on the National Register of Historic Places

An aggressive overhaul of a 29-acre site known as Block 46 home of the former Drew Manufacturing complex involves demolishing all but one building to make way for mixed-use residential and retail development Main Street itself will be extended into the site nearly doubling the length of the corridor says North Wilkesboro Mayor Robert Johnson

The building on the former furniture plant site that remains has 100000 square feet over three floors ldquoperfect for mixed userdquo Johnson says

ldquoFor 10 years this site has been a blight on the downtown and the community as a wholerdquo he says ldquoThis really will be a renewal areardquo

The public-private project also will extend bike paths and existing greenways ndash the two cities share 51 miles of pathways that connect them and each other to the county park system ndash and the city is working with state transportation officials to return

Main Street to a two-way thoroughfare to improve safety for pedestrians bicyclists drivers and foster the small-city feel

North Wilkesboro hosts the Brushy Mountain Apple Festival every October drawing more than 50000 people the Shine to Wine festival in May and First Friday evenings downtown with an art crawl concerts and craft vendors Next up may be a ldquochicken-querdquo festival to recognize the regionrsquos contribution to the poultry industry ndash Tyson Foods is a large local employer ndash and its residentsrsquo love of barbecued chicken

Mixed-use downtowns are part of the big picture ldquoWe are looking to attract small-business owners who can live and work downtownrdquo Johnson says ldquoIt is perfect for todayrsquos mobile entrepreneursrdquo

Collaboration is not just a catchphrase in Wilkes County Check out this video to see how the two cities cooperate wwwyoutubecomwatchv=rByyuKAtZ6o

Downtown DelightsCities create family-friendly downtowns for shopping working living and playing

PH

OT

OS

BY

TO

dd

Be

nn

eT

T

W i l k e s E c o n o m i c D e v e l o p m e n t C o r p o r a t i o n

W i l k e s E D C bull ( 3 3 6 ) 8 3 8 - 1 5 0 1

Page 7: Wilkes Economic Development Corporation

W ilkes Community College has designed workforce

training programs for local employers that include Gardner Glass Louisiana Pacific and Interflex and it offers ldquooccupational extensionrdquo classes to upgrade workersrsquo skills

In January 2012 the college added another workforce prep program to its arsenal ndash an intense ldquorapid readinessrdquo effort to give green job seekers industry-specific skills in 16 weeks

Students in the new program choose one of several areas heating and air conditioning industrial electricity machining electronics drafting design and mechatronics Classes run six hours a day five days a week

ldquoMy honest assessment is that anyone in Wilkes County who has skills can get a jobrdquo says Mike Pierce chairman of the

Industrial and Workforce Development Division ldquoThe idea is to turn out a person who has the skills a company needs in a short period of timerdquo

Workforce readiness is serious business at WCC 76 percent of its 13000 students are enrolled in career and technical programs The college has credit programs continuing education offerings a Small Business Development Center and both the staff and equipment to tailor training for employersrsquo needs

Occupational extension classes for existing employees cover everything from shop math blueprint reading electrical circuit analysis welding fluid power pneumatic power motor controls machining heating and air conditioning and workplace communication in English and Spanish WCC also creates specialty courses as

needed such as color theory for Interflex and ammonia-based refrigeration for Tyson Foods

ldquoBeing all for all is sometimes difficult but is very satisfying when you see when you make a differencerdquo Pierce says

For more information visit wwwwilkesccedudefault2aspxid=46]

Tech skills Taught HereWCC tailors training for specific businesses launches new Rapid Readiness program

W ilkes may be a rural North Carolina county but it puts

on a sophisticated showMerleFest marks its 25th year in April

2012 growing from a small event with modest goals to the biggest annual fundraiser for Wilkes Community College and a high-profile event that contributed $102 million to the regional economy in 2011 alone More than half of that was spent in Wilkes County according to the College of Business at Appalachian State University

Held on the campus of Wilkes Community College MerleFest billed as ldquotraditional-plusrdquo music unfolds on 14 stages and includes 90 performers The four-day event relies on nearly 4900 local volunteers and showcases Wilkes County at its best ldquoIt is a great way to show our community spiritrdquo says Ted

Hagaman festival director and executive director of special events and hospitality at WCC

ldquoOur goal is to make sure we provide the best quality event we possibly canrdquo he says In recent years thatrsquos meant fan-friendly changes such as limiting cars on campus keeping more green space open offering a wider range of food and providing more opportunities for shopping More than 100 artists and crafters emerge from an application and jury process to populate The Shoppes at MerleFest

The festival is named for Merle Watson son of the legendary Doc Watson who still performs every year Doc wanted to honor his son a talented blues musician in his own right who died in 1985 and coined the description ldquotraditional-plusrdquo music The family-

friendly event has raised more than $10 million in scholarships capital projects and other educational needs since it began in 1987 as a fundraiser for the college gardens

More than 70 college civic and community groups whose members work also benefit ndash in 2011 alone these groups earned more than $420000

MerleFest also gives economic development officials another recruiting tool They plan to use this yearrsquos festival to entertain representatives of companies considering relocating to Wilkes County

MerleFest 25April 26-29 2012wwwMerleFestorg

More Than MusicMerleFest marks 25th year and brings big economic impact

Students work with robots at Wilkes Community College

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S p e c i a l A d v e r t i s i n g S e c t i o n

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A bridge across the Yadkin River separates downtown

Wilkesboro from downtown North Wilkesboro but the two small cities are united in purpose ndash creating vibrant business districts with charm distinctive shops special events and family-friendly appeal

Wilkesboro in 2011 launched a Friday evening market series with a farmers market arts and crafts vendors and music ldquoIt created a nice little buzzrdquo says Wilkesboro Town Manager Ken Noland

With grants from the Main Street program the city has a master plan for downtown and wants to move power lines underground work on pedestrian walkways and othefar aesthetic touches A few businesses have received grants for faccedilade improvements and the city re-zoned one block to allow apartments in older buildings and help foster multi-use development

Wilkesboro has been in the Main Street program for two years North Wilkesboro joined the program in 2000 In 2003 a 3-acre area received

designation on the National Register of Historic Places

An aggressive overhaul of a 29-acre site known as Block 46 home of the former Drew Manufacturing complex involves demolishing all but one building to make way for mixed-use residential and retail development Main Street itself will be extended into the site nearly doubling the length of the corridor says North Wilkesboro Mayor Robert Johnson

The building on the former furniture plant site that remains has 100000 square feet over three floors ldquoperfect for mixed userdquo Johnson says

ldquoFor 10 years this site has been a blight on the downtown and the community as a wholerdquo he says ldquoThis really will be a renewal areardquo

The public-private project also will extend bike paths and existing greenways ndash the two cities share 51 miles of pathways that connect them and each other to the county park system ndash and the city is working with state transportation officials to return

Main Street to a two-way thoroughfare to improve safety for pedestrians bicyclists drivers and foster the small-city feel

North Wilkesboro hosts the Brushy Mountain Apple Festival every October drawing more than 50000 people the Shine to Wine festival in May and First Friday evenings downtown with an art crawl concerts and craft vendors Next up may be a ldquochicken-querdquo festival to recognize the regionrsquos contribution to the poultry industry ndash Tyson Foods is a large local employer ndash and its residentsrsquo love of barbecued chicken

Mixed-use downtowns are part of the big picture ldquoWe are looking to attract small-business owners who can live and work downtownrdquo Johnson says ldquoIt is perfect for todayrsquos mobile entrepreneursrdquo

Collaboration is not just a catchphrase in Wilkes County Check out this video to see how the two cities cooperate wwwyoutubecomwatchv=rByyuKAtZ6o

Downtown DelightsCities create family-friendly downtowns for shopping working living and playing

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W i l k e s E c o n o m i c D e v e l o p m e n t C o r p o r a t i o n

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Page 8: Wilkes Economic Development Corporation

A bridge across the Yadkin River separates downtown

Wilkesboro from downtown North Wilkesboro but the two small cities are united in purpose ndash creating vibrant business districts with charm distinctive shops special events and family-friendly appeal

Wilkesboro in 2011 launched a Friday evening market series with a farmers market arts and crafts vendors and music ldquoIt created a nice little buzzrdquo says Wilkesboro Town Manager Ken Noland

With grants from the Main Street program the city has a master plan for downtown and wants to move power lines underground work on pedestrian walkways and othefar aesthetic touches A few businesses have received grants for faccedilade improvements and the city re-zoned one block to allow apartments in older buildings and help foster multi-use development

Wilkesboro has been in the Main Street program for two years North Wilkesboro joined the program in 2000 In 2003 a 3-acre area received

designation on the National Register of Historic Places

An aggressive overhaul of a 29-acre site known as Block 46 home of the former Drew Manufacturing complex involves demolishing all but one building to make way for mixed-use residential and retail development Main Street itself will be extended into the site nearly doubling the length of the corridor says North Wilkesboro Mayor Robert Johnson

The building on the former furniture plant site that remains has 100000 square feet over three floors ldquoperfect for mixed userdquo Johnson says

ldquoFor 10 years this site has been a blight on the downtown and the community as a wholerdquo he says ldquoThis really will be a renewal areardquo

The public-private project also will extend bike paths and existing greenways ndash the two cities share 51 miles of pathways that connect them and each other to the county park system ndash and the city is working with state transportation officials to return

Main Street to a two-way thoroughfare to improve safety for pedestrians bicyclists drivers and foster the small-city feel

North Wilkesboro hosts the Brushy Mountain Apple Festival every October drawing more than 50000 people the Shine to Wine festival in May and First Friday evenings downtown with an art crawl concerts and craft vendors Next up may be a ldquochicken-querdquo festival to recognize the regionrsquos contribution to the poultry industry ndash Tyson Foods is a large local employer ndash and its residentsrsquo love of barbecued chicken

Mixed-use downtowns are part of the big picture ldquoWe are looking to attract small-business owners who can live and work downtownrdquo Johnson says ldquoIt is perfect for todayrsquos mobile entrepreneursrdquo

Collaboration is not just a catchphrase in Wilkes County Check out this video to see how the two cities cooperate wwwyoutubecomwatchv=rByyuKAtZ6o

Downtown DelightsCities create family-friendly downtowns for shopping working living and playing

PH

OT

OS

BY

TO

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W i l k e s E c o n o m i c D e v e l o p m e n t C o r p o r a t i o n

W i l k e s E D C bull ( 3 3 6 ) 8 3 8 - 1 5 0 1