Creating Job Opportunities - details
NOTE: Ann Brady is endorsed by the Triad Central Labor Council
One of the main goals of the commissioners must be to make Rockingham County inviting for professionals, skilled workers, and new businesses. People and businesses need to want to come and stay in our county! Improved employment opportunities and facilitating the training needed to be successful in those opportunities are also key to an improved economy. Ann Brady has lived here for over 40 years and has seen the loss of too many businesses (Fieldcrest, American Tobacco, Miller, Karastan, Macfield to name just some) without corresponding new growth.
Economic development is complex and multidimensional. There are several facets:
New data were released recently showing the growth in North Carolina large cities and noting a lack of growth and/or loss of populations in smaller towns and rural areas. But our county is a part of a larger urban area that will grow, albeit slowly. We need to be attractive to spillover growth from the adjacent urban area which is a tough short term choice, because residential growth can mean more money for schools and other community services than the new residential growth immediately produces. But related retail, commercial, and manufacturing growth will ultimately catch up.
There are no short term (two year) solutions, but the work must start somewhere. The municipalities really want an emphasis on development of local retail and service business but success will depend on population growth and increased local disposable income. Improving opportunities for businesses, providing focused education and training, and in all ways making our county truly inviting for people to come and stay will help move us in a forward path. Additionally, improved internet and cell service, health care services, focus on safety and a clean environment, as well as improving other services would make living and working here more attractive. In addition the county could reexamine developing the horse park or work towards other innovative ideas to create new opportunities.
One of the main goals of the commissioners must be to make Rockingham County inviting for professionals, skilled workers, and new businesses. People and businesses need to want to come and stay in our county! Improved employment opportunities and facilitating the training needed to be successful in those opportunities are also key to an improved economy. Ann Brady has lived here for over 40 years and has seen the loss of too many businesses (Fieldcrest, American Tobacco, Miller, Karastan, Macfield to name just some) without corresponding new growth.
Economic development is complex and multidimensional. There are several facets:
- Effective workforce development programs which prepare young people to be valuable and committed employees;
- An excellent school system that provides our youth the skills to be successful in both skilled and professional opportunities in their futures, that encourages young families to move and/or stay here, and that shows future businesses that our area is preparing quality young workers and consumers;
- Incentives for future new manufacturing and distribution companies such as having available buildings and "shovel ready" sites. Our county needs to identify possibilities, get options, do some basic site prep, etc. We should capitalize on the new 220/73 highway; and
- Encouragement for the development of small businesses and expansion of tourism and recreation opportunities. The expanding Mayo River State Park, our river system, and our small Historical downtowns are unique features that can contribute to expanded economic opportunities.
New data were released recently showing the growth in North Carolina large cities and noting a lack of growth and/or loss of populations in smaller towns and rural areas. But our county is a part of a larger urban area that will grow, albeit slowly. We need to be attractive to spillover growth from the adjacent urban area which is a tough short term choice, because residential growth can mean more money for schools and other community services than the new residential growth immediately produces. But related retail, commercial, and manufacturing growth will ultimately catch up.
There are no short term (two year) solutions, but the work must start somewhere. The municipalities really want an emphasis on development of local retail and service business but success will depend on population growth and increased local disposable income. Improving opportunities for businesses, providing focused education and training, and in all ways making our county truly inviting for people to come and stay will help move us in a forward path. Additionally, improved internet and cell service, health care services, focus on safety and a clean environment, as well as improving other services would make living and working here more attractive. In addition the county could reexamine developing the horse park or work towards other innovative ideas to create new opportunities.