Up and Coming Weekly is a weekly publication in Fayetteville, NC and Fort Bragg, NC area offering local news, views, arts, entertainment and community event and business information.
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Existing Industry Is the Backbone of Community Economy by STEPHANIE CRIDER The public hears about the economy all the time. Numbers, which track chemicals, paints, pesticides, synthetic fibers and tools. In the third the financial health of the country, are continually tallied, analyzed and quarter of 2012, Thrive North Carolina indicated that 80,282 people were reported. Industrial output drives many of the statistics that are used to employed in private industry, that's more than a quarter of the jobs in measure so many of the nation's vital signs. While the country depends on Cumberland County. these industries for so much, the public seldom acknowledges the impact The luncheon celebrates several anniversaries, including 15 years of industry on a day-to-day basis. in business in Cumberland County for Aggreko and LeBleu Water; 45 Every day people purchase and consume years for Wesco Distribution and 80 years products without a second thought as to for Riverside Mattress. The recipient of the how these items made it to the store shelves. Al Prewitt Economic Visionary Award will be Locally, people drive by buildings that dot the recognized at the luncheon as well. The award landscape and have no clue about the items is giving to an individual or business for one produced and manufactured inside. or more of the following: creation of new jobs, "These businesses are hidden all over the corporate investment, expanded production of county," said Existing Industry Manager at an existing facility or improving quality of life The Economic Development Alliance Cathy in the community. Johnson. "There is a lot of industry here that The Fayetteville Regional Chamber is a people don't know about, places that have been business advocate in the community and works here for decades and it might be right next to make Cumberland County a place that is not door to them and they just don't know what only appealing as a place to live, but as a place these businesses do." that is business-friendly. That means working This is the perfect time to change that. May to meet the needs of existing industry as well is Existing Industry Month. It is a chance to as looking for ways to attract new industries to acknowledge the efforts and the impact of the the area. businesses that produce the many gizmos and "The chamber plays a variety of roles," said gadgets that make life easier. On Thursday, President & CEO of the Fayetteville Regional May 16, the Fayetteville Regional Chamber Chamber Doug Peters. "We work closely with and the Economic Development Alliance the educational system and career technical celebrate Existing Industry Month with the education system to make sure we have a capable 2013 Existing Industry Appreciation Awards world-class work force. Many companies want to Luncheon. be in a place with a well-trained available work "We really need to show existing industry force and we work to make sure our community that we value what they do for us and what they can provide that." bring to Cumberland County," said County This strategy includes everything from Commissioner Charles Evans. "As a community partnering with Fayetteville Technical we need to be sure that we support local Community College to customize training for A strong supporter of existing industries in the area, PWC says industries as much as possible." potential and existing industries in the area to thanks to the many companies that make this community great. While many have no idea how many fostering relationships with the local government businesses are based in Cumberland County or to creating networking systems and opportunities what they produce, for the most part, that is for plant managers and industry leaders. usually not a bad thing and it is often the way "We take a multifaceted approach to what plant managers prefer it. we are trying to do," said Peters. "I think the outlook is very bright for "Once they are in the community, a lot of people forget about our area. One of the attributes of this community is the skilled and trained them," said Russ Rogerson, executive vice president at the Economic work force at Fort Bragg. An estimated 6,000 soldiers come out of the Development Alliance of Fayetteville & Cumberland County. "They (the military from Fort Bragg every year. We partner with the U.S. Chamber to businesses) like it that way, but your existing industries are the staple of bring Hiring Our Heroes to the community. This gives service members a your economy. These are the companies that hire and provide the kind chance to transition their resumes to a civilian resume and apply for jobs. of wages that allow employees to buy homes and cars. It is the engine These are people used to getting up and going to work on time, they have of the economy. It all starts with a job and they are obviously providing soft skills and industry skills, which are a lot of the skills that are military these jobs, which support many other jobs in the second-tier level. These learned. These are easily transferrable to the private sector. That puts us industries that provide jobs usually don't want a lot of fanfare but it is in a competitive position to attract companies to the community to fill jobs important that we understand their impact. Existing Industries month is with capable and motivated people." one of those times we get to say thank you." Find out more about the Fayetteville Regional Chamber Cumberland County is home to more than 300,000 people and includes and the Economic Development Alliance of Fayetteville Fayetteville as well as the towns of Eastover, Falcon, Godwin, Hope & Cumberland County and how you can help celebrate Mills, Linden, Spring Lake, Stedman and Wade as well as Fort Bragg. Existing Industry Month at STEPHANIE CRIDER, Editor. Industry in the area, according to the Cumberland County website includes www.fayettevillencchamber. COMMENTS? Editor@upandcomcompanies that make air filters, automobile tires, carpets, clothing, farm org. ingweekly.com Daily Specials Breakfast Lunch Dinner Fresh Seafood Hand Cut Steaks Homemade Desserts Italian & Greek Children's Menu Banquet rooms available up to 100 guests WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM 484-0261 1304 Morganton Rd. Mon-Sat: 6am-10pm Sun: 7am-2:30 pm Serving Fayetteville Over 50 Years! MAY 15-21, 2013 UCW 11