Anson Economic Development Corporation

On a macro level, Anson County’s economy is most closely aligned with that of Charlotte. Our western border is only 40 miles from the intersection of Trade and Tyron, and the Monroe Expressway will bring the drive from Uptown Wadesboro to Uptown Charlotte to well under an hour. That does not mean, however, that Charlotte is our only economic driver. As the Port of Wilmington expands it presence and importance on the eastern seaboard, it, too, will become an important element of our economic story. And that’s why Monday’s announcement that the port had a record year for container shipments comes as fantastic news for Anson County. During the port’s fiscal year 2018, which ended June 30, N.C. Ports reported a record 38 percent year-over-year growth in the number of containers that moved through the Port of Wilmington. Port officials credited truck turn times and high crane productivity rates for the record, but the larger reality is increased investment at the port has made it more c...

The Anson Economic Development Partnership (AnsonEDP) has announced the creation of two new grants designed to spur entrepreneurial and small business growth in Anson County. The grant programs are similar in scope and process, but target businesses in different stages of development. Both grants are tied closely to the Rural Center’s new Thread Capital program, a state-sponsored initiative which allows small businesses operating in rural areas access to the capital, coaching, and connections they require to succeed. The Thread Capital program can be accessed through an online portal at www.ThreadCap.org. The application is simple and takes about 10 minutes to complete. It will ask questions about personal and business finances, available collateral, etc. Once the application is received, staff will review the application and will schedule a 30-minute interview. After the interview, applicants who want to proceed with a loan will be asked to provide documentation about their bu...

There are two schools of thought about how a bypass would impact Wadesboro. The Pessimists suggest that rerouting beach traffic from the current 74 "strip" would devastate the local economy, driving virtually all of the convenience stores and fast food restaurants to relocate or go out of business entirely. The Optimists on the other hand, believe that drawing some of these businesses out away from the Uptown would allow smaller, locally-operated businesses to flourish in a more traditional main street atmosphere. The reality is likely somewhere in-between. The long-rumored bypass around Wadesboro has gained support in Raleigh over the past few years as the state has invested in upgrades at the Port of Wilmington. A key part of the port strategy is improving the road connectivity between Charlotte and Wilmington, aka US 74. Bypasses around Rockingham and other small towns have cut the travel time from Charlotte to the port from 4+ hours to 3 1/2, and the Monroe Expressway...

One question often asked of economic developers is whether the good jobs we announce are actually going to local residents or are filled by people from outside the area. It's a fair question, especially in a county with a small population and a limited resident pool of employees. The "skills gap" can be a major factor in determining how many of those well-paying jobs are filled by locals. This gap exists when the skills readily available in the workforce do not align with the skills needed to fill open jobs. Examples of skills in high demand in Anson County right now are; CNC Operator, Carpenter, Electrician, Welder and Forklift Operator. All of these positions require either a certification or advanced training, and while there are unskilled labor jobs available,  they tend to pay far less. Recently, we announced that Columbus McKinnon was expanding their Wadesboro operations and would be hiring 19 new employees. Most of these new positions will pay $20+ per hour, bu...

Anson County Airport is among 19 airports statewide awarded state and federal funds for improvements. The N.C Board of Transportation approved the award during its May meeting. Anson County Airport-Jeff Cloud Field will receive $37,000 toward fencing to secure the perimeter of the airport. Below are the other awards. The funds awarded do not in all cases represent the total cost of the project. Albert J. Ellis, Richlands: $615,000 for airfield lighting rehabilitation Cape Fear Regional Jetport: $400,000 for runway extension land Duplin County: $1.2 million for runway widening and strengthening, lighting and a new taxiway Elizabeth City Regional: $291,480 for drainage rehabilitation Gastonia Municipal: $20,000 for runway alignment and new site alternatives analysis Hickory Regional: $915,000 for reconstruction of the north ramp after tornado damage last year Johnston County: $556,200 for drainage repair and rehabilitation Laurinburg-Maxton: $275,000 for localizer replacemen...

Over the next six months, residents of Anson County are going to be deluged with information, and disinformation, about the liquor referendum which will be on the county-wide ballot in November. Alcohol sales are one of a handful of topics -- along with schools and taxes -- which strike a deep and resonant chord with multiple sectors of the electorate. While the alcohol debate is often framed as "churches versus businesses," it's actually far more complex and nuanced. First of all, let me say that I fully understand and am sympathetic to the arguments opponents of the liquor referendum will employ. Many of them are based on closely-held personal beliefs or personal experiences, and I in no way want to diminish or marginalize those beliefs or experiences. Those who have suffered through or seen loved ones suffer through alcoholism or who have seen the carnage wrought by a drunken driver deserve to have their views heard and considered. However, as Anson County co...

Last Wednesday, AnsonEDP announced that Catawba Biogas would be building a $15 million poultry waste to natural gas conversion plant near Lilesville. Since then, our shop has been fielding a few common questions and we thought it might be useful to post those answers here on our blog. Is Catawba Biogas the same company that proposed a poultry waste digester near Wadesboro in 2017? No. This is a completely different company with a completely different technology. Who owns Catawba Biogas? Catawba Biogas is owned by Ductor North America, Inc., a company based in Finland. What types of jobs will be available at the facility when it opens in 2019 and how do I apply for them? The plant will have a fairly typical organizational structure. There will be a plant manager, an engineer and several operators. The company will begin hiring for those positions in 2019 and will likely post the jobs on NCWorks. In addition to the 8-10 direct hires, the plant will contract for services lik...