Page 29 - Wilkes County NCG

Economic

DEVELOPMENT

new jobs and capital fourth in all cattle and milk cows,
investment in Wilkes sixth in the production of hay, and
County. The public-private tenth in the production of poultry layers.
partnership does this through Back Office - Lowe’s Companies and
the retention and expansion of Samaritan’s Purse are two primary
existing businesses and the recruitment employers in the sector.
of new businesses. Innovation & Technology - Notable
companies in this sector include
Wilkes EDC assists potential investors and InfusionPoints, Wilkes Communications,
job creators with local, state, and federal and InterFlex Group.
incentives and grants. When companies
are adding new jobs, considering new
Wilkes County: construction, upfitting a facility, or investing
in machinery and equipment, Wilkes EDC
Where Businesses helps determine eligibility and facilitates the
Come to Thrive grant process. Wilkes EDC annually offers
its own entrepreneurship grants for new and
A robust infrastructure, a high-quality existing businesses in the county. The Wilkes
EDC is also building a new business center
education system, a highly skilled
workforce, and an exceptional quality of life facility that will provide new or existing
make Wilkes County an attractive location businesses a chance to use existing resources
for businesses large and small. to build their operations in Wilkes County.

Wilkes County is an anchor in northwest North Carolina currently provides
North Carolina, the state ranked in 2021 discretionary and tax incentives to qualifying
as the best for business by Site Selection businesses in Wilkes County based on the
Magazine and as second best for business county’s Tier 1 designation. Wilkes EDC aids
by CNBC, thanks to its business friendly area businesses in securing these incentives.
environment, diverse business community, Wilkes Economic
and efficient and cost-effective utilities. Development Corporation
213 Ninth Street
Connect With Us North Wilkesboro, NC 28659
The Wilkes Economic Development (336) 838-1501 • wilkesedc.com BLAKE FARMS
Corporation facilitates the creation of
Industry Clusters Key Labor Statistics
Building Materials - Companies in the
building materials sector thrive because Population ................................... 65,969
of the natural resources here and include
Lowe’s Companies, Window World, Age 18+ ..........................................78.1%
Gardner Glass Products, Louisiana-Pacific Median Age .........................................45
Corporation, ECMD Incorporated, Jeld-Wen, Regional Workforce .................... 242,155
and Church & Church Lumber Company. Average Commute Time (minutes) .......24.5
Food Processing – Companies include Unemployment Rate (August 2021) ......4.3%
Tyson Foods, Suncrest Farms, wineries Average Annual Salary ...............$38,362
and distilleries. ($18.44/hour)
Agriculture - Wilkes ranks second in North Source: Wilkes Economic Development Corporation
Carolina’s production of poultry broilers,
third in the production of beef cattle,
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