Page 31 - Wilkes County NCG 2024

Wilkes County Airport

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Working in Wilkes

W ilkes County is a part of the The distinguished public education system Industry Spotlights:
North Wilkesboro Micropolitan
and access to higher education and

NASCAR and Speedway Motorsports are
customized training opportunities provide
Area and is adjacent to the
Piedmont Triad Metropolitan Area, the 30th a highly skilled workforce. bringing the 40th running of the NASCAR All-
Star Race back to the historic North Wilkesboro
largest in the U.S. We have a network of major Speedway in May. Last year’s NASCAR event
businesses, top-notch medical facilities, and Bring Your Business to made a $50 million impact to the local economy.
infrastructure for logistics and technology. Wilkes County The all-new Wilkes County Emergency
The Wilkes Economic Development Services facility officially opened in December
Corporation (EDC) facilitates the creation of 2023. This is home for EMS Base 1 and houses
new jobs and capital investment in Wilkes three paramedic ambulance crews, the
County. The public-private partnership does administrative staff, logistics operations, and
this through the retention and expansion of emergency training areas.
existing businesses and the recruitment of Contentment is a private golf retreat
new businesses. emerging on 900 acres in Hays next to Stone
Wilkes EDC assists potential investors Mountain State Park. Construction and build-
and job creators with local, state, and federal out phases will include a clubhouse with onsite
incentives and grants. When companies add lodging and dining, rustic and elegant member
new jobs, consider new construction, uplift a cottages, hiking trails, a fishing lake and a spa,
facility, or invest in machinery and equipment, fitness facility ,and chapel. A grand opening is
anticipated in fall 2025.
Wilkes EDC helps determine eligibility and Expansion of Select Steel Buildings (SSB)
facilitates the grant process. was announced in early 2024. SSB manufactures
The Wilkes Commercial Business Center portable steel buildings, including delivery and
opened last spring and is fully leased. Having installation, and is diversifying the product line to
this space invites existing companies to include portable greenhouses, manufacturing
grow and new companies to locate in Wilkes garages, and storage sheds, with a steel
County – and add above-average wage jobs mill to be built onsite.
and investment.
North Carolina currently provides Industry Clusters
discretionary and tax incentives to qualifying • Building Materials – A local hardware
businesses in Wilkes County based on the store grew into what is the nation’s
county’s Tier 1 designation. Wilkes EDC aids second largest home improvement
area businesses in securing these incentives. retailer, Lowe’s Companies. Other
Wilkes Economic Development Corporation companies include: ECMD, dreamwalls,
213 Ninth St., North Wilkesboro, NC 28659 LP Building Solutions, Window World, and
(336) 838-1501 | wilkesedc.com Church & Church Lumber Co.

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