The e-newsletter for Catawba County's Existing Industries
Vol. 15 Issue 1


Join leadership from Western Carolina University and Catawba Valley Community College for a listening session around regional employer needs for engineering and supply chain talent.

This event is open to area employers and is meant to establish the need for additional 2+2 programs here in the #hickorymetro.

To RSVP, please email Sherry Williams at swilliams@cvcc.edu.
Along with our partners at The Chamber of Catawba County, we are excited mid-April will mark the opening of the 3rd edition of our Catawba County Wages & Benefits Survey.

This comprehensive survey is meant to give a real-time, detailed snapshot of the talent landscape in Catawba County for local employers. We have heard consistently since starting the survey how valuable these data points have proven in companies' #talent strategies.

Last year's survey included responses from 112 participating companies representing more than 20,000 local employees, and we are hoping for even more in 2023!
Our office was recently approached by a local company about convening a meeting of area manufacturers for the purpose of increasing locally sourced production.

The initial concept would feature a manufacturing roundtable where each company bring its capabilities to the group, potentially fulfilling a need for someone else.
If created, would such a roundtable be beneficial to your organization?
Yes
No
Unsure, More Information Needed
With some of the largest offshore wind capacity in the United States, North Carolina companies are poised to directly benefit from this growing industry. Accordingly, the EDPNC is partnering with the North Carolina Department of Commerce to amplify offshore wind supplier opportunities to existing North Carolina companies. Today much of the industry exists internationally but not yet in the US though many of the sub-components (specialized bearings, electrical components, transmission components, etc.) can be manufactured across the state and do not have to be directly located at a port.

To learn more about this industry or keep up to date on the latest information, here are three ways to engage:
  1. Attend a free supplier day conference (March 28 in Baltimore) to learn about the developer procurement process and network with industry leaders like Dominion Energy, US Wind, Atlantic Shores, GE, Crystal Steel and others. Free to attend with scholarship.
  2. NC Commerce produces a monthly Offshore Wind e-newsletter with policy and industry updates. If you are not currently receiving the newsletter, click here to subscribe.
  3. If you are aware of any other businesses that might find these opportunities of interest, please feel free to share this email and encourage them to complete the questionnaire to join the supply chain registry.