Special to Iredell Free News
Iredell County Economic Development Corporation (Iredell EDC) held its annual meeting on September 22 at the Statesville Country Club.
The annual meeting brings together leaders from across the County to celebrate the accomplishments from the previous year and sets strategic priorities for the upcoming year. This year’s meeting included a distinguished panel of leaders to hear about growth trends and the shifts in the economy across the County, Region, and State of North Carolina. Jeff Cernuto, President & CEO, Princeton Communities moderated a distinguished panel discussion featuring Christopher Chung, CEO of the Economic Development Partnership NC, Caleb Moore, Regional Vice President of NorthPoint Development, and Kathleen Rose, President & CEO of Rose & Associates.
Iredell EDC President & CEO Jenn Bosser shared highlights from the past year and distributed a copy of the Iredell EDC’s Annual Report FY2021-2022. Bosser’s remarks centered around activities and accomplishments focused on the organization’s six key pillars: Existing Industry, Workforce & Talent, Business Development, Product Development, Marketing & Research, Collaboration & Community.
Community accomplishments included:
♦ Responded to 210 project requests for information;
♦ Launched “Iredell Ready” a new workforce initiative and secured $750,000 in funding over three years for the effort;
♦ Facilitated a total of $1.3 Billion in new investment, with 13 new and expanding announcements representing the creation of 904 new jobs and $784 million in investment, occupying 2.2 million square feet and six new industrial development projects representing $540 million in investment, representing 7.2 million square feet across 913 acres;
♦ Facilitated 33 grants, representing $42.8 Million in local incentives and state funding for the support of new business expansions and public infrastructure support for product development;
♦ Completed 126 existing industry visits, assisted 15 small business clients, hosted three industry leaders councils, resulting in 331 referrals; and
♦ Conducted a Business Pulse Survey with 121 participating companies to gather the viewpoints on the business climate
During the program, Bosser shared the Iredell EDC was recognized this week by the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) for a Excellence Award for the publication of the Iredell EDC Business Resource Guide. The awards honor organizations for exemplary economic development marketing campaigns, projects, and programs across 25 award categories in urban, suburban, & rural communities.
Bob Palmes, chairman of the Iredell EDC welcomed new board members Chad Sanders, VP of Merchandising, Lowe’s Companies and Bill McCombs, VP and Project Manager, McCombs Steel. Palmes also recognized outgoing board members Ron Johnson of Mooresville and Gary Thomas of Pressly, Thomas, and Conley, P.A.
The event sold out with 200 attendees representing business leaders, elected officials, public sector leaders, and community organizations.
Sponsors for the event included 77/40 Commerce Center, Mitchell Community College, The Keith Corporation, Denso, Iredell County, Iredell Health Systen, Iredell-Statesville Schools, Lowe’s Companies, City of Statesville, Town of Troutman, Town of Mooresville and Wells Fargo.
“Iredell EDC has proven to be a model organization for economic development and has demonstrated the success that can be accomplished when communities come together and work toward a common goal,” Palmes said. “This board has been unanimous on every decision we have made since we established the Iredell EDC in 2018.”
“We are very fortunate to be in Iredell County, the Charlotte Region, and North Carolina,” Bosser added. “Our leaders are committed to working with one another to bring forth opportunities for the residents of Iredell County.”
About Iredell County Economic Development Corporation
Iredell County Economic Development Corporation is a public-private partnership that promotes economic growth and stability in our community by supporting the creation of new jobs and encouraging investment. We accomplish this through new business attraction, support of existing industry, building a world-class workforce, and collaboration with our community to build prosperity for all. For more information visit, www.Iredelledc.com.