2014 was an outstanding year of growing opportunity for businesses and citizens. Davie County and the Davie County Economic Development Commission continue to play a leadership role in job creation.
In late 2013, the Davie County Economic Development Commission set a goal to raise $1,000,000 over the next five years to implement a strategic plan to create jobs and grow the local economy. The plan, “Together we are Davie!” has as its fundamental goals to realize more than $100,000,000 in new capital investment and to create 1,200 new primary jobs over five years.
The five-year economic growth initiative will utilize five key strategies to achieve the plan’s goals: New Business Recruitment, Business Retention and Expansion, Workforce Development, Product Development and an Opportunity Fund.
Our skilled workforce, excellent workforce development programs, low energy costs, business friendly leadership and our location on Interstate 40 just a few miles away from I-77 and I-85 makes Davie County, North Carolina an ideal location for manufacturing… and with the help of the Davie County Economic Development Commission, the world is discovering Davie County!
Resurgence of Manufacturing – Furniture and Textiles
With the grand opening of a 1,100,000 square foot addition at Ashley Furniture, Davie County is on the way to being home for the largest furniture manufacturing facility in the world!
Construction is underway and signs of progress are clearly visible on the new Gildan facility East of Interstate 40 on Interstate Drive between Mocksville exits 168 and 170. Gildan is investing $142 million and creating 290 new jobs locally.
Resurgence of Aviation – Creating New JobsandOpportunities
Thanks to the Wright Brothers, North Carolina is the birthplace of aviation and the aviation cluster has become an important area for job growth across the state. Honda Jet is growing its workforce at the world headquarters of Honda Aircraft in Greensboro, North Carolina and the Honda Flying Club has adopted Sugar Valley Airport, giving Davie County a direct link to the aviation job cluster.
Dunlop Aircraft Tires
In our own backyard, British manufacturer Dunlop Aircraft Tyres has selected Mocksville, North Carolina as the site for its first retreading facility in the United States. The company, the world’s only specialist aircraft tire manufacturer and retreader, will use the Mocksville location to boost its competitiveness across the Americas, particularly on popular narrow and wide-bodied jet airliners and military aircraft.
“We plan to create at least 40 jobs within our first two years of operation and there is the prospect of more to follow as we expand our presence in the market,” said Dunlop Aircraft Tyres’ chairman, Ian Edmondson.
Carolina Precision Machining
Carolina Precision Machining, founded in Davie County in 1993, provides precision machine part manufacturing services for aerospace, aviation and heavy equipment manufacturers. The company earned AS9100C and ISO 9001:2008 in 2013 paving the way for additional job growth in the aviation sector. AS9100C and ISO 9001:2008 are prestigious certifications, requiring companies to demonstrate the capability to meet the demanding, complex and unique requirements of commercial and aerospace customers. AS9100C Certification comprises many additional requirements over ISO 9001:2008 and is specific to the aerospace industry. The Aerospace industry is an important job growth cluster for North Carolina. This certification will help Carolina Precision Machining, Davie County and the Piedmont Triad win deals and create jobs.
House of Raeford Farms Brings Closed Plant Back to Life – Bringing Back 200 Jobs!
After being closed for more than 2 years, the former Crestwood Farms (Townsends) processing plant on Eaton Road in Mocksville is up and running again. Like a knight on a white horse, House or Raeford Farms is bringing the plant back to life and bringing up to 200 jobs back to this Mocksville location.
Steve Mixon is the production manager for the Mocksville plant and this young professional is excited about being in Davie County, “My kids love the schools here, and this is the first place I’ve lived in several years that really feels like home. Davie County is a great fit for Raeford Farms. Employees here have a strong work ethic and excellent attitudes and doing business with local contractors takes just a handshake to seal the deal.
“We’re in this for the long haul. After 70 years in the business, Raeford Farms doesn’t give up on long term projects. We are starting out slow and building the right team for the long term. We currently have about 35 full time employees and expect to build up to about 200 employees over the next 24 months.”
Bolts and Nuts, Inc. Selects Mocksville for Expansion
In another example of Davie County business leaders playing ambassador for our community, Davie County is pleased to welcome Bolts and Nuts Corp. to Mocksville, North Carolina.
With locations in Chattanooga, TN, Macon, GA and Chicago, Ill, Bolts and Nuts began looking for a North Carolina location to continue their aggressive expansion east of the Mississippi to both support existing customers and attract new OEMs to their growing list of valued customers.
Founded in 1979 in Chattanooga, TN, Bolts and Nuts has earned a reputation for character and reliability in the commercial fastener industry by providing customized service and support, vendor managed inventory services, quality assurance, inventory management, on-time delivery and extensive product selection to original equipment manufacturers (OEM’s), maintenance and repair operations (MRO’s), waterworks, construction, transportation and many other industry sectors.
Partnership for Workforce Development
The Davie County Economic Development Commission (EDC) has announced the Partnership for Workforce Development. The Partnership for Workforce Development is a partnership between Davie County industry, the EDC, the Davie County School System, and Davidson County Community College. This Partnership combines the building blocks for continued economic development in Davie County.
Thousands of new jobs have been created in Davie County over the last 5 years in the areas of advanced manufacturing, health care, engineering, quality control, logistics, warehousing and distribution. The Partnership for Workforce Development will help Davie County students acquire the skills for success in the 21st century job market while providing a source of talent for local employers.
Workforce Development – DCCC Offers Industrial Maintenance Certification
In a perfect example of how North Carolina Community Colleges respond to the needs of local industry and prepare students for local careers, the Davie Campus of Davidson County Community College is offering a new short-term certification program in Industrial Maintenance.
Program participants have the opportunity to earn certificates in Basic Industrial Maintenance, Intermediate Industrial Maintenance and Advanced Industrial Maintenance over a period of two semesters.
“This robust program is an incredible opportunity for anyone interested in learning how to install, maintain and repair a variety of types of industrial equipment,” says Teresa Kines, dean of DCCC’s Davie Campus. “New programs such as this one provide the people of Davie County, as well as those of neighboring communities, the ability to develop new skills that are in high demand in our region.”
“Workforce development is high on the list of priorities for every site selection project we see,” said Terry Bralley, president of the Davie County Economic Development Commission. “DCCC is doing an outstanding job supporting the training of our workforce and is one of the key factors helping economic development maintain and create jobs in Davie County.”
Davie Medical Center Celebrates One Year
Wake Forest Baptist Health − Davie Medical Center (www.wakehealth.edu/Davie) is a state-of-the-art medical campus that features a physician office building, outpatient surgical center and 24/7 emergency department, as well as a sleep center, rehabilitation, imaging, laboratory and pharmacy services. Davie Medical Center offers the nationally ranked care provided by Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center in a convenient location at the intersection of Interstate 40 and state Highway 801 in Bermuda Run.
Medical Plaza 1, a 60,000 square-foot medical office building has been completed and is fully staffed. Medical Plaza 2, a 101,000 square-foot outpatient surgery center and emergency department will be completed in phase two. Phase two is scheduled to be completed in 2017. It will transform Medical Plaza 2 into a full-service hospital with inpatient beds.
Davie Jobless Rate Most Improved in Region
At 4.5% (as of 11/2014), Davie County’s jobless rate was the most improved in the 14 county Northwest North Carolina region.
As we continue to work together to make things happen, 2015 promises to be another exceptional year for Davie County. For help growing or locating your business in Davie County, NC please contact Terry Bralley, President, Davie County Economic Development Commission: (336) 751-2714 / terry.bralley@daviecounty.com / www.daviecountyedc.com.
