Officials to discuss recruiting industry
By Mary Anderson
Staff Writer, The Courier-Tribune
ASHEBORO - A strategic planning session will be held in March for county
and town officials in Randolph County to discuss ways to take a more pro-active
stance in recruiting and retaining industry.
The session may focus on identifying industrial sites, perhaps business
or industrial parks, and sharing in the cost of infrastructure.
Bonnie Renfro, president of Randolph County Economic Development Corp.
(EDC), made that announcement at the Asheboro City Council meeting on Thursday
as part of a report.
Celebrating 20 years of economic development in Randolph County, the
EDC is laying the groundwork for the next 20 years to equal or exceed the
successes so far, Renfro told council members.
Renfro, who has been president of Randolph County EDC for 10 of those
years, issued a challenge to officials to take a more pro-active stance
in retaining and recruiting industry. Having sites "shovel ready"
with all environmental studies done and infrastructure in place is now a
requirement of industries seeking to relocate.
Renfro also told the council that 2004 was a very good year for Randolph
County with 582 new jobs added through 16 companies. When all the construction
is completed, 364 of those jobs will be in Asheboro.
Asheboro businesses and industries invested $56 million in growth and
expansion last year. The largest investment was by Technimark, which spent
$35.5 million and created 79 new jobs.
Fox Apparel created 100 new jobs in the former B.B. Walker building on
East Dixie Drive. Energizer and Asheboro Elastics have also reported growth,
Renfro said.
The growth means more than $308,000 in property tax revenue for the town
and projected payroll for employees of over $10.7 million.
Renfro said the target industry survey conducted by the EDC last year
was very helpful to identify industries compatible with development in Randolph
County.
The EDC website was also redesigned to include more information for prospective
industry scouts as well as citizens who are looking for information about
their county. Visit the website at <www.rcedc.com>
Copyright 2002, Stephens Media Group
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