- July 2004 -
Workforce Study On Underemployed Reveals Skilled Labor Pool Readily Available in Cleveland & Surrounding Counties

(Shelby, NC) – A workforce study by a Texas-based research firm will serve as an economic development tool to attract new industries and companies to the area, say economic development officials with the Cleveland County Chamber.

The study, compiled by The Pathfinders of Dallas, Texas, was completed in June, and examines the extent to which underemployment exists in the Cleveland County area.  In addition, it documents the cost, skills, experience, and education of that hidden workforce. 

“In a poll of its corporate clients, The Pathfinders found that those clients’ experiences suggest that less than 10 percent of the new hires for new operations come from the ranks of the unemployed,” the report states.  “Instead, these companies staff a new operation principally with individuals who are working but who desire better jobs and who possess the skills, education, and experience to qualify them for better jobs.  Those individuals are considered ‘underemployed’ and are identified as such in this report.”

According to Bill Robertson, Director of WIA for Region C, the study was initiated at the request of Scott Darnell and Stuart Gilbert of the Cleveland County Chamber.  “Stuart had worked with The Pathfinders in other communities, and he and Scott both felt that a similar study in our area would greatly assist their efforts to attract quality companies to Region C,” said Robertson.  “A grant was awarded by WIA to allow The Pathfinders to conduct the study, and we are very pleased with the results.”

The labor shed of the Cleveland County area (including all of Cleveland, Rutherford, and Polk counties, and portions of Burke, Gaston, and Lincoln counties in North Carolina and a portion of Cherokee County in South Carolina) has a civilian labor force of approximately 165,000.   This labor force has a population of around 12,900 unemployed persons who are actively seeking work.  The report claims that a new employer would be able to attract employees from an additional pool of about 27,400 potentially available workers who have indicated an interest in changing jobs (referred to as the ‘underemployed.’)

“One of the most important site selection criteria for a major existing industry or new industry recruiting project is labor,” said Chamber President Stuart Gilbert.  “It was absolutely critical that we have good solid numbers on our underemployed workforce.  This report helps us to quantify the quality, availability, and cost of our existing underemployed workforce.  Since our competitors have been using underemployment statistics for years, we are pleased that our area is the first in North Carolina to document this information.”

Scott Darnell, the Chamber’s Senior Vice President of Economic Development, agrees that the report is now available to assist in his new industry recruitment efforts.  “I have already sent this information to many of our industrial prospects and clients, and it has been very well-received,” said Darnell.

Among other items studied, the report examines the desired pay rates of the underemployed workers.  About 25 percent of the underemployed workers would take a new job for $10.57 an hour or less.  At the upper end, the 25 percent most qualified and experienced would command $19.94 per hour or more.  The median desired pay rate of the underemployed workers is $13.78 per hour. 

The Pathfinders Report on the Cleveland County area is available online at www.clevelandcounty.com.  The Pathfinders functions as a site-selection consultant to many of America’s largest corporations, including companies such as AT&T, DuPont, 3M Corporation, IMC Global, and more.  According to The Pathfinders, the question that most often drives the search for a new business location is whether the candidate location has the workforce needed, and a workforce analysis has been a key component of the site searches conducted for these clients.  Companies making location decisions based upon these surveys have reported that when staffing actually began, the numbers reported by The Pathfinders proved to be accurate.

For more information, contact the Cleveland County Chamber at (704) 487-8521.

-July 2004-
Chamber Efforts Assist in 74-Bypass Highway Trust Fund Designation

(Shelby, NC) – The recent designation of the U.S. 74 Shelby Bypass as a Highway Trust Fund project will have a major impact on economic development efforts in Cleveland County, say Chamber economic development officials.

“The Chamber has lobbied for the expedient completion of the Highway 74 Bypass, and it is extremely rewarding that our efforts have not been in vain,” said Chamber President Stuart Gilbert upon learning of the designation.  “The fact that we have state legislators that are on both the house and senate conferee committees is a tremendous advantage for us. They worked hard for our region and the results speak for themselves this during this short session. We have spent much time visiting Raleigh and our legislators this year on behalf of our members and are very pleased with the results!” 

By receiving the Highway Trust Fund designation, the proposed Highway 74 Shelby Bypass becomes eligible for approximately $360 million in state money that could speed up the completion date by five years.  And that translates into more economic development opportunities, says North Carolina Representative Debbie Clary.

“Highways that can handle large volumes of traffic are the lifeblood of an industrial manufacturing-based community that needs to move product quickly and easily,” said Clary.  “The additional funding will not only speed up the construction of the new bypass by five years, but will mean additional dollars for the community as well.”

Senator Walter Dalton agrees.  “The quicker the bypass is completed, the more dramatic the economic impact will be,” Dalton states.  “I am pleased we were able to get this in the senate budget and that the house concurred with our position.  In my opinion, it will make a dramatic difference for the citizens of my district.”

Chamber officials and members of the Cleveland County contingency have visited Raleigh three separate times this year, and each time lobbied for the Highway Trust Fund designation for the Highway 74 Shelby Bypass project.  Representative Tim Moore said the results would not have been possible if not for teamwork among the Cleveland County legislative delegation. 

“Getting the Shelby Bypass included in the Highway Trust Fund was a product of bi-partisan cooperation,” said Representative Tim Moore.  “We all know the economic development benefits of this project and are proud we were able to deliver this initiative to the people of Cleveland County.” 

For more information on the legislative action efforts of the Cleveland County Chamber’s Governmental Affairs Division, call (704) 487-8521.