MEDA Quarterly News APR – JUN 2003 / Vol. 8
McDowell Economic Development Association, Inc.
25 South Garden Street
P.O. Box 1289
PROJECT UPDATES
There are a number of
infrastructure project updates that can be provided.
1) The sewer line project in
2) A very
large sewer line project will be underway within sixty days that will serve the
Eastfield Community. The approximate 4 million dollar project will
serve over 350 homes, businesses and churches.
The project will provide sewer service to the Resolution Packaging (
3) The
4) The
Town of
5) The
City of
6) The
State of
NEW
CENTURY SCHOLARS
In the early 1990's,
The New Century Scholars is designed
to help children attend college. The
students are selected based on academic success, leadership, class attendance
and other qualities that show promise.
In
This program is not only a McDowell Tech and
COLLINS AND AIKMAN RECEIVES
INTERNATIONAL AWARDS
Collins & Aikman, Old Fort Facility, received two international
awards from Honda of America. Honda’s
representative, Carl Coe, stated that over 425 suppliers were eligible for the
awards but only twelve received two recognitions. The awards included a Quality Performance
Award and an Environmental Award; both are based on quality performance and
innovation.
According to Carl Coe, “Honda is striving to continue to lower costs
while having a zero tolerance for defects.
The awards are designed to recognize those suppliers to Honda that
contribute to this goal to the greatest degree.”
Steve Laton, Plant Manager at the Collins & Aikman Facility in Old
Fort, stated his appreciation to Honda for the awards and for being a valued
customer of C&A. Mr. Laton also
expressed his appreciation to the management and employees of Collins &
Aikman for their hard work and commitment to excellence. Approximately 70 employees representing over
650 plant associates and community officials attend the awards presentation
held on site at the Old Fort Plant.
GROUND
BREAKING HELD FOR
AMERICAN
TITANIUM
A Ground breaking ceremony was held on
Various speakers were recognized including William ABill@ Stevens,
Manager of Industrial Recruitment with the North Carolina Department of
Commerce. Mr. Stevens thanked the
company for making the decision to locate in
Additional comments were provided by Commission Board Chair Andrew Webb,
MEDA Board Chair Kathy Rabb and AdvantageWest Chairperson Gordon Myers. Approximately 80 individuals attended the
ground breaking and a lunch was provided by MEDA with the assistance of Randy
and Harriet Smith.
The company confirmed that it would hire 73 employees within three years
and construct a 105,000 square foot facility in the
Corpening
Memorial YMCA
Corporate
MembershiP Program
Ian Luck,
Executive Director
Build your most valuable asset – your employees. Show your employees they are your most valuable assets by making a YMCA membership available to them. They’ll find belonging to the YMCA strengthens their mind and body. As they build relationships and relieve stress, their spirit soars—and so does their productivity. The time they spend at the Y with family and co-workers creates bonds to last a lifetime and improves their health. Studies have shown that health and fitness programs improve retention, morale and productivity, while decreasing absenteeism and health costs which benefits everyone.
The YMCA’s mission is to put Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all. YMCA programs are designed to build self-esteem and develop the positive values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility. Your employees will find something for every member of their family at the Y—health and fitness classes, swim instruction classes, special interest classes like martial arts and yoga, activities for active older adults and teens, and child care programs for children ages 6 weeks to 12 years.
How The
Plan Works
·
Corporate
membership plans are available when a minimum of 10 employees apply for
and become YMCA members.
·
Arrangements
will be made for all employees to visit the Y for free during a
specified week.
·
Your
employees will receive 50% off the joining fee if they join the Y during
your company’s free week. After the week
has expired, your employees will receive 25% off the joining fee if they decide
to join at a later date. New employees
will have a 30-day period to join and receive 50% off the joining fee.
·
No one is
turned away from the Y because of inability to pay. Financial assistance is
available thanks to the generous support of those who give to our annual YMCA
Campaign.
The YMCA will help you promote the plan
throughout your company by providing posters, newsletters, flyers and any
other materials you may need.
Options Available For Payment Of
Your Employees’ Memberships
·
Company
pays for the full cost of the employees’ membership.
·
Company
offers a co-pay amount to subsidize the cost of the employees’ membership.
·
Company
offers a payroll deduction option for their employees.
·
Employees
pay for their full membership annually or by monthly bank draft.
As A Full
Member Of The YMCA Of
·
Unlimited
access to our three full-service YMCA facilities
·
Free group exercise classes including cycling,
yoga and water aerobics
·
Free mini fitness assessments and 12-week personal
training program
·
Free fitness orientation
·
Free nursery service with family membership
·
Free Family Fun Nights
·
Lowest
class and program rates
·
Early
class and program registration
·
Open gym
and swim time
·
Six FREE
guest passes
·
Lowest
rate for personal training
·
No
annual membership contract unless specified by company
·
A.W.A.Y.
privileges (Always Welcome At YMCAs). Use
your YMCA card at more than 2,000 YMCA’s nationwide. Guest fees and privileges may vary.
In addition to
usage of our facilities and programs, your company will enjoy the following additional
benefits:
·
One FREE
On or Off-Site Company Wellness Seminar*
·
One FREE
On and Off-site Company Risk Assessment Screening*
·
Family
Health Fairs
·
Corporate
Wellness and Facility Usage Reports
·
·
Youth
and Adult Sports Leagues
·
Reduced
Rate Corporate Family Picnic or YMCA Lock-ins
·
Reduced
Rate Corporate Parent’s Night Out
·
Two
Convenient On-Site Member Sign-Up Dates
·
Volunteer
Opportunities
* Minimum of 25 Member Employees Required
For specific guidelines and payment
options, please contact Ian Luck at:
Corpening Memorial YMCA
NCDOC SERVICENTER
PILOT PROGRAM
Ray Burrows - NC
Department of Commerce
Since there are nearly 1,000 manufacturing firms in this 10-county area,
the Department of Commerce’s Regional Existing Industry Representative, Ray
Burrows, visits as many as possible but cannot reach all for face-to-face
discussion. The ServiCenter concept recognizes that manufacturers “who are
already here” create most of the jobs and investment annually. The
ServiCenter by using phone, e-mail and fax as well as a website, makes it
easier to communicate with manufacturing executives and for manufacturing
executives to utilize State services.
The ServiCenter website, www.nccommerce.com/servicenter/, can be used to
identify the services and contacts that you need when working with State
issues. On February 10, the ServiCenter staff in
McDowell manufacturers have benefited from Department of Commerce
services that relate to incentives, financing, process development and other
services since the Existing Industry program was established in 1990. Now, with
the addition of more technology, the ServiCenter is there for you to use, so
use it and see your tax dollars at work.
Also, NC Department of Commerce’s office in Fletcher is just a phone
call (828-654-9852), fax (828-654-9859), or e-mail (rburrows@awnc.org) away to
discuss any situation confidentially.
ESC Report
Patin Howard
Employment Security Commission
Following are Unemployment Insurance payments to McDowell county
residence for recent months:
2001, November 714,187.00
2001, December 799.039.00
2002, January 1,231,724.00
2002, February 667,888.00
2002, March 734,339.00
2002, April 801,425.00
2002, May 595,430.00
2002, June 512,329.00
2002, July 734,446.00
2002, August 413,362.00
2002, September 464,552.00
2002, October 404,914.00
2002, November 449,934.00
2002, December 848,052.00
2003, January 566,357.00
2003, February 565,791.00
2003, March 689,128.00
2003, April 686,656.00
Current ESC
Workforce Information
from
as of
Number Of Unemployed: 1,502
Marchl 2003 3 Months
Ago 6 Months Ago 12 Months Ago
9.3% 9.8% 8.7% 12%
Unemployment Insurance (UI) Benefits Paid in
Last 30 Days: $586,425
Year-To-Date: $3,469,126
New Business/Industry Openings In
- Last 4 Weeks -
Business/Industry Closings In
- Last 4 Weeks -
Unemployment Workers Statewide (March 2003):
249,488
N.C. Unemployment Rate:
Ausgust 2002 3 Months Ago
6 Months Ago 12 Months Ago
6% 6.7% 6.6% 6.9%
Unemployment Benefits Paid to N.C. workers:
Month To Date: $69,697,257
Last Month: $103,104,130
Year To Date: $495,248,782
Unemployment Benefits Paid to N.C. workers
In April 2002: $107,649,316
N.C. Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund Balance:
(As Of
Current MEDA Board Members
Kathy Rabb, President
Adolph “Butch” Justice, Vice
President
J.B. Bundy, Secretary/Treasurer
John R. Biddix
Sarah Buchanan
Lloyd Cuthbertson
William Dover
Jeffrey Judd
Jim Kilbourne
Dr. Virginia Mitchell
Harold Walker
Andrew Webb
Dennis Whitson
Steve Williams
Ex-Officio Members
Rod Birdsong
Bob Boyette
Rep. Mitch Gillespie
Paul Hughes
Dean Kanipe
MEDA Office Staff
Charles R. Abernathy,
Executive Director
Harriet C. Smith
Office Manager