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June 14, 2013

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The Caldwell County Economic Development Commission, in cooperation with Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute and North Carolina JobLink, has set the next date for the popular “Caldwell Is Hiring” event.

The next hiring session is scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 3 at the J.E. Broyhill Civic Center in Lenoir. Times will be announced at a later date.

The Caldwell County EDC has hosted six previous hiring events and assisted more than 5,000 individuals in their job-seeking efforts. Each session also has attracted an average of more than 20 companies that are looking to fill positions either immediately or in the future.

Save the date of Oct. 3! The next “Caldwell Is Hiring” already is taking shape!

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June 12, 2013

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Caldwell County economic development officials hope to be able to give a boost to a fund intended to help businesses redevelop abandoned sites.

The Economic Development Council has managed to hold down its expenses this year, and with the fiscal year winding down has spent less than 70 percent of the $373,000 that was in its budget. Currently there’s about $113,000 left.

Members of the EDC board voted Tuesday to have Executive Director Deborah Murray ask the Caldwell County Board of Commissioners to put about $50,000 into the EDC’s underutilized site program.

That program’s fund currently has about $80,000, but Murray said that the intention has been to try to grow it to $200,000 or more.

“This money would really be used for, probably, demolition,” because a business that chooses to move to a site with an abandoned factory or other old, unused building might prefer to clear the property and build new, she said. That could incur costs of $100,000 to $150,000 to haul the debris away.

The board also voted in favor of asking the county commissioners to dedicate $2,500 from Duke Energy to the fund.

By Guy Lucas, (Lenoir) News-Topic

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June 4, 2013

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A company that came to Hudson in 2011 is expanding, and a trucking and logistics firm is on the verge of publicly announcing it is moving to Hudson, county officials said Monday night.

Caldwell County also is in the running to land a technology firm now based in Florida that is looking for a new headquarters site, Deborah Murray, executive director of the county Economic Development Commission, told the Caldwell County Board of Commissioners.

Of those three companies, the one that is definite and public is the expansion of Sattler Corp., an Austrian manufacturer that bought the former Shuford Mills plant in 2011. In 2012, Hudson became Sattler’s North American headquarters, and Murray said the company has seen strong growth. The expansion is expected to produce 20 new jobs in the next year, at an average wage of about $30,000. The site currently employs 76.

A company that is moving to Hudson, but didn’t want its name announced yet, was “in the last minutes, literally, of finalizing a contract for property in Hudson,” Murray told the commissioners. “We thought we would be able to announce tonight,” but company officials wanted to hold off a public announcement until after employees had been told of the move, she said.

The company would bring up to 40 existing employees and 17 projected new jobs from expansion by September 2014, with an average annual wage of $42,000, she said.

Murray said the trucking company, which she referred to only as Project Eighteen, currently already operates in the region but is looking for a larger site. A document provided to the commissioners said the company has a long history of transportation management. The company is expected to invest $2 million at its new location, Murray said.

Perhaps the most intriguing of the three projects Murray came to discuss was the Florida company looking for a new headquarters site. The company, which specializes in repurposing commercial and consumer electronic products, has narrowed its search to a few sites, Murray said.

That firm, which Murray referred to as Project Highwire, will bring an estimated 120 jobs over three years to its new site with an average wage of $31,000. It also would invest about $500,000 in its launch here.

The commissioners unanimously approved the jobs incentives Murray proposed for the three companies, which were $2,000 for each job brought to Caldwell, including existing employees who are moved here. That’s $40,000 for Sattler, $114,000 for Project Eighteen, and $240,000 for Project Highwire. The commissioners also approved supporting the Florida company’s application for state grants that would add to its incentives package.

Murray said that the plans announced so far for new companies or expansions in Caldwell County are projected to eventually create 260 jobs, $9.5 million a year in wages, and $618.4 million in investment.

By Guy Lucas, (Lenoir) News-Topic

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May 30, 2013

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Caldwell County’s unemployment rate continued to fall in April, dropping more than half a percentage point from the previous month and hitting the lowest rate the county has seen since fall of 2008.

The drop continues a pattern of month-over-month declines of at least half a percentage point since the beginning of the year, the N.C. Labor and Economic Analysis Division reported on Wednesday. More importantly, it continues a much longer pattern of declines from the previous year. The unemployment rate in April 2012 was 10.9 percent. Year-to-year declines are considered a more reliable indicator of trends than month-to-month changes.

The annual declines reflect what Deborah Murray, executive director of the Caldwell County Economic Development Commission, described as a “steady and deliberate path downward” that is leading the county to its “next threshold” of single-digit unemployment rates.

“I am really pleased with the decrease,” she said of the drop from March to April. “This is a very important benchmark for us.”

The drop to 10 percent in April, down from 10.6 in March, is partly the result of about 300 people leaving the workforce, which dropped from 38,038 to 37,737.

Local economic officials, at the same time, are reporting gains in job openings. Dawn Boyer, director of the Lenoir office of what is now the N.C. Division of Workforce Solutions, formerly the Employment Security Commission, said her office has listed about 230 openings at a range of employers in the county.

“To me, that says there is an increase in the number of employers hiring,” said Boyer, whose office is a part of the N.C. Department of Commerce. “There are people going to back to work. There are jobs here.”

Still, she added, “there are employers in the county who can’t find the workforce they need.”

Across North Carolina, unemployment rates fell in 97 counties from March to April. From April 2012 to April 2013, 76 counties saw a decrease, including Caldwell.

Across the regional metropolitan area – including Lenoir, Hickory and Morganton – the unemployment rate dipped to 9.6 percent in April, down half a percentage point from the previous month and .8 of a percentage point from April 2012, when it was 10.4 percent.

Caldwell county’s unemployment rate shot from 6.2 percent in April 2008, before the effects of the recession took shape, to 14.6 in February 2009. It peaked at 17.1 percent in February 2010.

The last time Caldwell’s unemployment rate was under 10 percent was October 2008, when it stood at 8.8 percent. The next month, it hit 10.1 percent. Until the current report, the lowest monthly rate since then was 10.4 percent last September. But even while the rate crept back up to 12 percent in January, the year-to-year comparisons for each month continued to reflect a steady decline.

By Jacob Flannick, (Lenoir) News-Topic

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May 2, 2013

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Caldwell Memorial-UNC Health Care

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May 2, 2013

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Caldwell County’s unemployment rate continued its trend of year-over-year declines, dropping to 10.7 percent in March, a full 1.4 percentage points lower than the 12.1 percent rate seen in March 2012, the N.C. Labor and Economic Analysis Division reported Wednesday.

The unemployment rate in February was 11.5 percent. The February-to-March change, a drop of 0.8 percentage points, was slightly better than the state average of 0.6 percentage points and the drops see in neighboring Catawba and Burke counties, 0.6 percentage points, or Alexander, 0.5.

But the March-to-March change was the fourth-best improvement in the state.

Statistics for the overall metropolitan statistical area – consisting of Lenoir, Hickory and Morganton – show that since March 2012, professional and business services saw the largest gains in employment, adding some 1,200 workers. Leisure and hospitality added 800 jobs.

That more than offset losses of 600 jobs in the manufacturing industry and 300 in government over the same period.

Caldwell’s workforce in March 2013, 38,085 people, was slightly smaller than the one in March 2012, 38,400. The total number of unemployed saw a similar decline, from 4,360 in March 2012 to 4,060 in March 2013.

Caldwell’s unemployment rate briefly was even lower last fall — it was 10.4 percent in September. But even while creeping back up to 12 percent in January, the year-to-year comparisons for each month have continued to show improvement. The rate had shot from 6.2 percent in April 2008, before the effects of the recession were felt, to 14.6 in February 2009 and peaked at 17 in February 2010.

By Jacob Flannick, (Lenoir) News-Topic

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May 2, 2013

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Caldwell Memorial Hospital had been part of the UNC Health Care System for 13 hours when the official announcement came in a ceremony Wednesday. UNC Health Care is now the sole owner of Caldwell Memorial Hospital Inc.

Under terms of the agreement, UNC Health Care will make at least $35 million in capital improvements at CMH over five years; maintain the current management of CMH and keep local board representation; keep CMH employee pay and benefits the same; keep CMH a private, nonprofit, acute-care hospital; and contribute at least $4 million to the CMH Foundation.

While capital improvements have not been identified, the hospital will start work on a 12-month strategic and master facility plan to identify needs, said Laura Easton, CMH’s president and CEO.

“We also want to bring services to the community from UNC Health Care here locally, specialty services not currently available,” Easton said.

Such services may include research and clinical trials, or a pediatric cardiologist.

The announcement was made during a mid-day ceremony at the hospital entrance attended by hospital officials, city officials and other dignitaries.

Two years ago the hospital started a search to find a partner to help strengthen its position as a provider and respond to the ever changing health care environment, a task that was becoming increasingly difficult as an independent community hospital.

“This partnership will secure, strengthen and ennoble health care for all of our people and for generations yet to come,” said Parker T. Williamson, the chairman of the CMH board of directors.

CMH invited UNC Health care to submit a proposal because of its management resources and track record in improving community hospitals, officials said during Wednesday’s ceremony. UNC Health Care and CMH also share a cultural understanding of the needs of the state and region in building stronger physician relationships, and its ability to connect patients to specialty care.

“In short, this is a win for patients in the Caldwell County area and the UNC Health Care System,” said David Strong, CEO for system affiliations for UNC Health Care.

CMH has 110 beds and a network of more than 50 primary and specialty care physicians. UNC Health Care Systems is a nonprofit system owned by the state of North Carolina and exists to further the teaching mission of the University of North Carolina and provide state-of-the-art patient care. The network includes the UNC School of Medicine, Pardee Hospital in Hendersonville, Rex Healthcare and its provider network in Wake County, and hospice services in seven central North Carolina counties.

By Kim Gilliland, (Lenoir) News-Topic

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April 20, 2013

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http://www.wsoctv.com/videos/news/google-planning-major-expansion-in-lenoir/vyXW3/

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April 20, 2013

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Google’s announcement Friday that it will spend $600 million to expand its data center in Lenoir excited Gov. Pat McCrory.

“I like company expansion better than new startups,” McCrory said. “Expansion gives confidence to other businesses that they made the right decisions to locate in an area. It gives confidence in an area and confirms the investments are solid.”

He said Google’s additional investment shows the company is convinced it’s in the right place, and the announcement will help many businesses in the Lenoir area and assist with more economic development.

“This is a shot in the arm for everyone,” McCrory said, emphasizing that he’s high on new industry and its critical importance to North Carolina. “Expansion tells everybody they were right,” he said.

The $600 million expansion brings Google’s total investment in the Lenoir data center to $1.2 billion.

“It’s been more than six years since we broke ground,” said Enoch Moeller, the data center manager. “North Carolina and the Lenoir community are great places in which to work and grow.” He said the data center demonstrates Google’s long-term commitment to Caldwell County and the local community.

Google employs 150 people at the center. This is the site’s second expansion. In 2010, Google built another data center.

Before the groundbreaking ceremony, McCrory chose to focus on Google employee Paul Bowman, a Caldwell County native who started out in furniture manufacturing. The governor said Bowman knew he needed to upgrade his education and did so through the community college system. His certification in information technology led to a job with Google and a good life for his family.

“This is about the employees,” McCrory said. “It comes down to the individual families and quality of life. It’s a boost of confidence for the community.”

Friday’s gathering unveiled a second initiative that could have statewide impact. Duke Energy will go before the N.C. Utilities Commission and ask for a special rate structure for businesses that buy electricity generated from renewable resources. Google has committed to the “green energy” venture and to use as much renewable-resource power as possible.

“This is a great day for Duke,” said Paul Newton, state president of Duke Energy North Carolina. “By participating (in the initiative) Google will again lead the way … thinking about the future.”

Jeff Brooks, media spokesman for Duke, said the special rate structure is still being development. It is designed to help Google and other program participants offset electricity costs and propel interest and investment in new power generation.

Brooks said any qualified electricity producer can sell power to Duke.

Businesses that want to use non-traditional sources of electricity should lead to more renewable energy development such as solar power,” Brooks said.

Excitement ruled the day at Google.

“This is a great day,” said Jeff Branch, chairman of the Caldwell County Board of Commissioners. “The expansion of a global company … is an example of the restructuring of Caldwell County’s economy. Google … is a key to our economic future.” U.S. Rep. Mark Meadows agreed. “Google is helping make the transition from the old economy to the new economy,” he said.

T.J. Rohr, Lenoir mayor pro tem, called Google “a tremendous advantage” for Lenoir and the county. He said Google’s presence shows young people they can pursue a high-tech career and remain in Caldwell.

Google’s presence also builds the reputation for all of Western North Carolina as a data corridor,” said Deborah Murray, executive director of Caldwell County Economic Development Commission. She said lots of people have worked hard to prove North Carolina is a place where data centers and high-tech businesses want to locate.

State Sen. Dan Soucek put Google and the Lenoir area’s reach into perspective. “Google affects the lives of tens of millions of families around the world, and hundreds of families right here in Caldwell County.”

After the ceremonial groundbreaking, Branch said Google will not receive any new incentives with the new investment. “It’s going to be the same as it was at first,” he said.

The linchpin of the startup incentive was the property tax deal between Google and Lenoir and Caldwell County. Google pays its property tax bill on time at the first of January. But six months later, the local governments send a potion of the payment back to Google.

In the interim, local government uses the money to generate revenue.

And there are the permanent jobs and services the company generates.

Moeller said the data center was built with a mix of local and non-local contractors. All contractors were from North Carolina, he said. And now, more construction money will be spent and more jobs created.

“Google is part of our vocabulary,” said NC Rep. Edgar Starnes, a legislative veteran who serves Caldwell County. “Google is an action verb.”

Green Google

Google’s immediate participation is one reason Duke Energy is in eager pursuit of a special rate structure to present to the state utilities commission. According to information from Google, the company’s data centers consume 50 percent less energy than the typical data center. In 2007, Google made a voluntary commitment to become carbon neutral – meaning the company aims to wean itself from electricity produced by coal, oil and gas.

Google has long-term agreements to buy power directly from wind farm developers. The company has earmarked $1 billion for renewable energy investments that can produce enough electricity to power 500,000 American homes.

The governor’s reaction to the Duke-Google announcement: “We want renewable resources and to keep energy costs low. It’s an extra benefit for industry and North Carolina. It’s a great energy plan.”

By Larry Clark, Hickory Daily Record

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April 20, 2013

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Google will double its investment in Lenoir, spending $600 million to expand its data center here, the company announced Friday.

Since its initial announcement in December 2006 of the $600 million investment to build the data center, Google has hired more than 150 people, said Enoch Moeller, the data center’s operations manager. Google initially had pledged to create at least 200 jobs and received a $4.8 million incentive grant from the state. No additional jobs are planned as a result of the expansion, Moeller said.

Another Google spokesman said, “An expansion like this always creates new jobs, and we’ll be hiring to fill new positions in the new building, but we don’t have an exact number to share at this time.”

Also, Duke Energy will seek state permission to create a separate rate structure for energy produced by renewable energy for large users such as Google to purchase, said Paul Newton, Duke Energy’s president for North Carolina.

Google is committed to being good environmental stewards, which includes both energy efficiency and the development of renewable energy, Moeller said. Google’s data centers consume half the energy of the typical data center. In 2007, Google made a voluntary commitment to become carbon-neutral.

Gov. Pat McCrory hailed the energy initiative as a market-based method to promote the development of low-cost, reliable energy.

McCrory said a key difference between the proposal Newton announced and existing state law mandating renewable-energy targets for utilities, which Republicans in the General Assembly have attacked, is “he’s talking about a voluntary program.” Allowing large power users to opt in to the renewable-energy rate structure would provide the market incentive for gradually continuing to develop the technology while keeping rates for other users low, he said.

McCrory and a parade of local and regional officials, including the area’s legislative representatives and U.S. Rep. Mark Meadows, R-11th, took turns singing Google’s praises.

In an interview after the announcement and ceremonial groundbreaking, McCrory hailed Google’s announcement for the halo effect it could have on industrial recruitment in the region and the rest of the state.

“People want to go where other people want to go,” he said. “It’s a shot of adrenaline to other people who want to come here.”

McCrory said Google’s willingness to double its investment here spoke well of Caldwell County’s business climate.

“The expansion of this is an even greater statement than the initial announcement was,” he said.

Deborah Murray, executive director of the Caldwell County Economic Development Commission, expressed hope that Google’s expansion will encourage other technology companies to come to the region.

“The most exciting thing about Google announcing the expansion of its data center is it strengthens western North Carolina as a data corridor,” she said.

Lenoir Mayor Pro Tem T.J. Rohr spoke of both the tangible and intangible benefits of Google. Tangible benefits include Google’s sponsorship of programs in the Caldwell County Schools that help students achieve, Rohr said, and the intangible ones include giving students a greater sense of their own possibilities through exposure to those programs.

“Google gives kids a glimpse of the possibilities both inside and outside Lenoir,” he said.

Google says it has awarded $1 million to local schools and nonprofits since 2008.

Friday’s announcement was the lastest of several data center expansions Google has announced in recent months, including one at a data center near Charleston, S.C., that was built around the same time as the one in Lenoir.

By Guy Lucas and Jacob Flannick, (Lenoir) News-Topic