A Message from the Director

June 12, 2017

We have just completed our most recent blog series on the top 10 factors for economic development according to a survey of site development consultants published in Area Development Magazine in 2016¹. Last month, the Research Triangle Regional Partnership held its 2017 State of the Region Event at Duke Performing Arts Center in Raleigh. Over 800 regional business and government leaders were in attendance.  It is interesting that one of the slides presented at that event, seen below, highlights the fact that 3 of the top 10 Site Selection Factors for 2017 include workforce. (Click here for a complete review of the presentation materials from this event.) 

As our national, state and local economy continues to improve, it will become even more important to grow the skills, abilities and work ethics/soft skills of our Person County workforce. Workforce development topics will be a large part of regional partners’ support that we will highlight in future blogs. Economic development is a team sport, and, as such, it takes not only a community/county to support new and expanding businesses, but we need to also look across borders - borders which are invisible in terms of business impact - to make sure that we have all the components needed for businesses to grow, expand and locate in Person County.

In the next 4 to 5 months, we will be devoting our weekly blogs to inviting regional and state leaders to provide insight into the resources available to help fulfill the dream to connect and to live, work, play, create, expand or bring your business to Person County.  I have had the opportunity to work with many of the individuals and organizations that will be represented in the coming blog series for a number of years. Their story is important in understanding all the opportunities available to help in the creation of jobs and investments - not only in Person County but throughout our region and state.

There are abundant resources for economic development in our region and state that we can share to help you. The important thing to remember is that your local Person County Economic Development office is the easiest way to access these resources.  It is our objective to be available at any time, on any day to assist your company.  Just call us at the office at 336-597-1752, complete our email form, or, if the call is urgent and can’t wait for the next day, you are welcome to call me personally on my cell phone at 336-504-3079.

Remember “Everything is Better in Person!”

¹ "The Top Factors to Navigate the Location Maze." Area Development, Volume 51, Number 4, Q42016, pp. 24-36.

Stuart C. Gilbert is the Economic Development Director for Roxboro and Person County, NC. He has over 30 years of experience in the area of economic development from across the region and the US. Give him a call at 336.597.1752.