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From Don Kirkman, President & CEO, Piedmont Triad Partnership
The Need for Regional Leadership Engagement
When the Piedmont Triad Partnership applied to the U.S. Department of Labor for a Workforce Innovation in Regional Economic Development (WIRED) grant in 2006, the grant proposal contained an explicit strategy for regional leadership engagement. The proposal contained the following language:
“One of the greatest challenges facing regional economic development is regional leadership. Because governments and taxing authorities are generally organized at the state, county, and city levels, it is often hard to prioritize regional issues, yet regions have become the most important global economic geography. Consequently, regional leaders must be developed to recognize the need for regional strategies to maximize economic competitiveness. This challenge is particularly acute in the Piedmont Triad, where there is no single city that dominates the Region’s economy, and population and employment are widely distributed among multiple cities and counties. A key to transforming the Piedmont Triad’s economy into a globally competitive hotspot is cultivating regional leaders who will work collaboratively across jurisdictional boundaries to prioritize strategies for regional competitiveness (emphasis in original).”
As author and recognized economic development policy leader Doug Henton noted during a 2008 speech in the Piedmont Triad, “cities and counties must work together if they are to achieve the necessary clout to succeed in the modern economy; businesses and governments in other regions are organizing effectively to compete—if you don’t cooperate your region will fall behind.”
The goal of the WIRED grant program is regional economic transformation. While $15 million over four years seems like a lot of money, when measured against a Piedmont Triad economy the size of which is measured in the tens of billions of dollars, or measured against a workforce of over 800,000, it is a very insignificant sum. To put $15 million in perspective, a single elementary school now typically costs more.
The challenge then, was how to catalyze regional economic transformation with a relatively modest amount of short-term funding. The answer was regional leadership--engaging legacy leaders in a dialogue about regional competitiveness and what the public and private sectors could do together to transform the region’s economy, while also deepening the bench of leaders throughout the entire 12-county region.
It’s not that the Piedmont Triad lacks successful leaders—every city and county has a roster of impressive leaders in the public, private, academic, and civic sectors. The challenge is that many of these leaders have been cultivated to lead at the local—city and/or county—levels, at a time when regions have become the most important geography for competitiveness and prosperity. Most of the institutions that develop leaders—arts councils, Chambers of Commerce, hospital boards, United Way campaigns, economic development organizations, and many others—exist at the city or county level, and the leaders nurtured through those institutions are groomed to target their leadership talents to addressing local, rather than regional, challenges and opportunities.
One of the reasons the Piedmont Triad Partnership’s WIRED initiative has been so successful is because BB&T President and CEO Kelly King, a respected leader of a national company with a broad regional footprint, agreed to chair the Piedmont Triad Leadership Group, which was created through the WIRED grant. The Leadership Group, which includes a group of leaders from across the 12-county Piedmont Triad Region, was created to discuss ways in which regional leaders can work collaboratively to improve the region’s economy. The Leadership Group has embraced the furnishings and transportation/distribution/logistics clusters as areas where the Piedmont Triad has world-class assets and competitive advantages. The Leadership Group is leading regional initiatives in both clusters to help position the Piedmont Triad as “The Global Furnishings Destination” and “The Center for Global Logistics of the East Coast.”
The power of regional leadership is evident in the Piedmont Triad Leadership Group and the two regional initiatives the Leadership Group has embraced. This new model of Piedmont Triad regional leadership engagement will likely be the legacy achievement of the WIRED grant long after the $15 million grant has been expended. It is not surprising that Kelly King authored the leadership manual for BB&T, and it is appropriate to close by summarizing and paraphrasing the five characteristics of outstanding achievers that are described in the manual, entitled “The BB&T Leadership Process.” Although these attributes apply to high achievers, they equally apply to committed and effective regional leaders.
We must all believe absolutely and completely that we can and will become the best region possible.
- We must translate this belief into a commitment of time, energy, and resources to get the job done.
- Outstanding regional leaders commit their time and energy to train themselves so that they indeed have better skills than anyone else in what they do.
- Effective regional leaders enjoy the journey.
- Effective regional leaders have an Enthusiastic Positive Attitude (EPA).
With the engagement and commitment of regional leaders across the 12-county Piedmont Triad Region, the economic future of the region is very bright.
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Viticulture a Driving Economic Engine in the Piedmont Triad
The wine industry is a proven economic development force in North Carolina and in the Piedmont Triad Region. The state ranks #10 in the United States in both grape and wine production, and a 2007 national survey cited North Carolina as one of the top five state destinations for wine and culinary tourism in the US. Wine Enthusiast magazine described the Yadkin Valley wineries and restaurants as "reminiscent of Tuscany."
Sampling of wines from Yadkin County.
The wine industry is deeply rooted in the colonial heritage of Sir Walter Raleigh’s colony on Roanoke Island, where the first Muscadine vine was cultivated. For more than 100 years, vineyards and wineries have been central to North Carolina agriculture , producing more than 500,000 gallons of wine annually.
The Yadkin Valley on the western side of the Piedmont Triad was designated an American Viticultural Area (AVA) in 2003 -- the first such designation in North Carolina. In late May 2008, the Swan Creek region, 180-square miles located in portions of Wilkes, Yadkin and Iredell Counties, was declared the State’s second AVA.
Yadkin wineries are producing mostly French vinerefa grapes, with some American hybrids. Primary wines produced include Chardonnay, Vioginer, Pinot Gris, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Chambourcin. Several wineries are also producing Sangiovese; one has received several awards with their Meads. Most wineries have a number of blends, both red and white, and most offer sweet wines.
Says Yadkin County Chamber of Commerce president, Bobby Todd, “As Yadkin County now has 12 wine-producing vineyards alone, the industry has a huge impact. Tasting rooms have created a need for B & B lodging and restaurants, as we are now a tourism destination.”
Childress Vineyards in Lexington, one of the Yadkin Valley's newest wineries, is owned by legendary NASCAR team owner Richard Childress and consists of a 60-acre vineyard and winery. It also includes a hotel complex. Wine Enthusiast recently rated Childress' tasting room as one of the Top 25 in the country.
Another highlight of the Yadkin Valley wine industry is Shelton Vineyards. Located in Dobson, Shelton Vineyards is the largest family-owned estate winery in North Carolina.
In addition, Surry Community College offers the Southeast’s only viticulture degree program. A four-acre vineyard on campus allows students to grow, harvest and process grapes into wine in an academic environment aimed at producing a skilled workforce. A commercially- bonded winery on campus produces bottled wine. The College provides applied research, demonstration, consultation, evaluation, technical support and workforce development for vineyard and winery owners across the region and the state.
In April 2009, the Haw River Valley in the eastern Piedmont Triad was designated the state’s third AVA. It covers approximately 868 square miles and encompasses all of Alamance County and portions of Caswell, Chatham, Guilford, Orange and Rockingham counties. Currently, wineries in the Haw River AVA include Benjamin Vineyards & Winery (Saxapahaw), GlenMarie Vineyards & Winery ( Burlington), Grove Winery & Vineyards (Gibsonville), Iron Gate Vineyards & Winery (Mebane), Silk Hope Winery (Silk Hope) and Wolfe Wines (Snow Camp). Also included are nearly a dozen other vineyards with more than 60 planted acres.
The industry focuses on two grapes: the native Muscadine – the official fruit of North Carolina – and the Vinifera. The first known wine production in the state goes back to the mid-1800s, when the first Muscadine winery was established. Vinifera grapes were introduced here in the early 1970s.
The North Carolina Department of Commerce’s Wine and Grape Council has been a driving force in the research and marketing of the wine industry relating to marketing, education and research of the North Carolina wine industry, providing resources for those interested in viticulture. In 2009, the North Carolina Wine and Grape Council will invest more than $222,000 to fund a dozen research projects relating to the the wine industry in the state
Other state, regional and private organizations have also been instrumental in supporting and promoting the local wine industry, including the North Carolina Winegrowers Association, Yadkin Valley Winegrowers Association, North Carolina Muscadine Grape Association and North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
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Innovation and Outreach Facilitates Economic Development and Growth
Innovation and outreach are about engaging the entire Region and fostering culture change that supports economic competitiveness through collaboration and innovation. These efforts apply to industry clusters, as well as to a broader business marketplace. PTP’s Innovation and Outreach efforts have primarily been directed by Jim Donnelly, Vice President of Innovation & Outreach.
Innovation: The Transformation Grant program generated 28 applications, from which 11 grants were awarded for an award total of $733,000. With a leveraged amount of $657,000, the grant program’s total impact was nearly $1.4 million. More than 80% of the applications and 90% of the awards addressed one of the three target groups: rural communities, minority populations or underserved populations. Through the Transformation Grants, activities are taking place in all twelve counties in the Piedmont Triad.
Entrepreneurship: PTP has leveraged its sponsorship of the 2008 NC Entrepreneurship Summit to identify and network entrepreneurial support resources throughout the region –- creating an infrastructure that will enable the Region to maximize entrepreneurship opportunities. Examples of current activity include a project with the National Business Information Clearinghouse to create a customized, web-based resource tool for entrepreneurs and the growth of the Entrepreneurial Action Team across the Region.
Minority Outreach: After considering a variety of alternatives, the Regional Advisory Committee for Minority Economic and Workforce Development has defined a minority entrepreneurship strategy to leverage the WIRED initiative and address key needs identified by the committee. East Market Street Development Corporation is leading a team of partners in a demonstration project to develop and implement a sustainable model for supporting and growing minority-owned businesses in both urban and rural settings.
Collaborations: The University Transformation Team, a collaboration between the leadership group and representatives of the Region’s institutions of higher education, has chosen to leverage the collective knowledge assets of the Piedmont Triad to focus on Design and Innovation. Two specific initiatives will target economic growth by expanding regional competencies in serious gaming as well as, live and live/animated film shorts of up to five minutes in length.
Under the Regional Leadership Initiative, PTP has collaborated with the Center for Creative Leadership to engage 24 leaders from the rural counties within the Piedmont Triad in a workshop to enhance individual and collective leadership capability.
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Media Tour Puts Focus on the Piedmont Triad
The Piedmont Triad Partnership hosted a media tour for reporters from four national logistics and distribution trade publications on May 11-12, 2009. The event was intended to provide a close-up view of the Piedmont Triad’s logistics and distribution cluster and to highlight the Region’s economic vitality in the logistics and distribution industry.
Magazine representatives included top-level editors from Site Selection Magazine, Industrial Engineer, Inbound Logistics and DC Velocity & CSCMP’s Supply Chain Quarterly. These publications were chosen because they are widely read by upper-level decision makers who influence corporate location and relocation decisions.
“The Piedmont Triad Region has an impressive array of companies in the logistics and distribution sector," said John McCurry, Senior Editor of Site Selection Magazine. “During our two-day visit, we learned how the region is preparing for future growth by building on its strengths.”
The media tour began with a reception with regional officials, economic developers, and members of the Piedmont Triad Regional Logistics Roundtable, which featured the presentation of a regional overview. The event also included tours of several of the Region’s prominent logistics and distribution facilities and one-on-one interviews with community leaders and executives from several of the Region’s logistics and distribution companies.
Tom Turner , VP-Global Logistics at Liberty Hardware, leads Logistics industry journalists on a tour of Liberty’s distribution facility in Winston-Salem.
Companies included in the tour were: Liberty Hardware, in Winston-Salem; Old Dominion Freight Line, in Thomasville; Tyco Electronics in Greensboro and High Point; and a drive- by tour of the FedEx Hub and Piedmont Triad International Airport.
One-on-one interviews were available with top executives from Old Dominion Freight Line, DSC Logistics, Inc., Tyco Electronics, Carson Dellosa Publishing Co., M33 Integrated and the Piedmont Triad International Airport/Piedmont Triad Airport Authority. The logistics media tour should allow the Piedmont Triad Region’s logistics cluster to enjoy national exposure from leading trade publications.
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CENTER FOR GLOBAL LOGISTICS |
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New Initiative: Piedmont Triad Center for Global Logistics
A new initiative is underway that will position the Piedmont Triad as the No. 1 center for global logistics on the eastern seaboard of the United States.
The Piedmont Triad Center for Global Logistics will be a resource provider of logistics education and training programs, and will be located on the new Northwest Campus of Guilford Technical Community College near the Piedmont Triad International Airport. It will be a collaborative effort among the Region’s community colleges and four-year colleges and universities as well as the local business community.
GTCC President Don Cameron announces the Piedmont Triad Center for Global Logistics.
“Providing a highly-skilled workforce is essential to economic development,” said Dr. Don Cameron, President of Guilford Technical Community College. “The Piedmont Triad Center for Global Logistics will offer the educational resources that logistics and supply-chain companies need to be competitive in today’s global market.”
The Center will also assist economic developers in recruiting new business and industry to the Region.
“The development of human capital and workforce is central to attracting new industry,” said David Congdon, President and CEO of Old Dominion Freight Lines and chair of the Aerotropolis Leadership Board. “With this Center, we provide a physical presence that clearly positions us as a leader in the development of workforce for companies in the logistics and distribution cluster.”
The new facility is scheduled for completion in 2011, although many institutions have already began offering logistics-based curriculum.
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Nonni’s Food Company will create 172 full-time and up to 100 temporary jobs and make a $27 million investment in renovating a former Unifi Inc plant in Yadkinville. Illinois- based Nonni’s Foods makes baked products such as biscotti, bagel and pita chips, flat breads and melba toast. Nonni’s will initially hire management, production and support employees including mechanics, electricians and forklift drivers. >>PRESS RELEASE
County officials and Nonni’s Foods executives look on as NC Secretary of Commerce Keith Crisco announces the company’s planned investment in Yadkin County.
Loparex LLC , a global manufacturer of polycoated and silicone-coated papers and films, will expand its manufacturing operation in Eden. The company plans to invest $16.9 million and create 68 jobs during the next three and a half years. The company’s products are critical components of many medical supplies and devices, including backings for heart-monitor electrode pads and transdermal patches that deliver medicine through the skin. Loparex products and processes also are used in the automotive industry for turbine propellers that generate wind power and precise die-cutting used in mobile phones and digital cameras. >>PRESS RELEASE
The University of North Carolina School of the Arts (UNCSA) has been awarded a $100,000 institutional grant from the Academy Foundation of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS). The grant will be used to support the University’s film internship program in 2009-10. UNCSA film students have interned on major motion pictures such as Leatherheads and television series such as The Closer. The University of North Carolina School of the Arts is the first state-supported, residential school of its kind in the nation. More than 1,100 students from middle school through graduate school train for careers in the arts in five professional schools: Dance, Design and Production (including a Visual Arts Program), Drama, Filmmaking and Music. >>PRESS RELEASE
DataChambers , LLC a North Carolina-based technology firm, announced plans to build a second data center on its 80-acre Winston-Salem campus and expand its existing data center for the second time in less than a year. The expansion represents a more than $7 million investment and will more than double the company's capacity to serve clients. Currently, the company’s data center, located 18 feet underground in a blast-resistant building, serves 110 firms in 28 states. DataChambers specializes in electronic data storage, network and monitoring solutions, managed information technology solutions, co-location services, secure tape vaulting and off-site records storage and management. >>PRESS RELEASE
Powertray, LLC , a manufacturer of paperboard trays for the frozen, retail, meat and poultry food industries, will open a new plant in Mocksville. The company designs, manufactures and distributes paperboard trays, bowls and lidding systems for the frozen, convenience and retail food industries for the USA, Canada and Mexico. Powertray, LLC is committed to “going green”. Their cellulose, fiber-based paperboard is environmentally safe and biodegradable. Powertray, LLC's new manufacturing plant opend in June 2009, and will employ 50 people by 2011. >>PRESS RELEASE
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UPCOMING EVENTS |
CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS
Tuesday, July 7
3:00 – 5:00 PM
Piedmont Triad Parntership Office
7025 Albert Pick Rd, Suite 304
Greensboro, NC
2009 ExporTech
CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS
Thursday, July 9, 2009
8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Piedmont Triad Parntership Office
7025 Albert Pick Rd, Suite 304
Greensboro, NC
Piedmont Triad Regional
Growth Forum
CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS Wednesday, July 15, 2009
1:00 - 4:30 PM
Volvo Logistics North America
Communications Center
7900 National Service Road
Greensboro, NC 27409
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This publication was partially funded through the Piedmont Triad Partnership’s U.S. Department of Labor WIRED Grant. The Piedmont Triad Partnership is an equal opportunity employer.
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