Rowan County lists top 10 things it’s looking forward to in 2019

After years of preparation and planning by governmental, educational and business organizations, Rowan County is poised for some significant growth to occur in the coming year. 

Gains in the areas of infrastructure, business development, and workforce development are paving the way for Rowan County. The Rowan County EDC Top Ten list of exciting things set to happen in the coming year that could take Rowan County to new heights include:

1. The planned completion of the I-85 widening project between Charlotte and Rowan County in December.  
2. The completion of a new interchange at mile marker 65.
3. Redevelopment of the Empire Hotel in downtown Salisbury and construction of the new Bell Tower Green park. 
4. Water and sewer service will be provided by the City of Kannapolis to the 318-acre “High Bridge” site in southern Rowan County, paving the way for a planned $300 million mixed use development.  
5. A new regional economic development intermediary — the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance  — will improve Rowan County’s visibility and development opportunities.  
6. Interest from outside developers will result in the creation of a significant amount of new industrial space to meet the high demand expected in coming years.
7. The Salisbury Rowan School System will implement a bold, new education model as a result of being named North Carolina’s only “renewal” district.   
8. The Rowan IDEA Center is planning to establish the county’s first facility to support new business start-ups and formation.  
9. Launching of the Brand Rowan marketing initiative to improve the public’s perception of Rowan County as a place to live, work and do business.   
10. Several existing businesses will make planned expansions a reality, adding new jobs and tax base to the community.

Breck Dorton named to EDC board

Breck Dorton of Triad Commercial Real Estate, has been appointed to a three-year term on the Rowan EDC Board of Directors by the Salisbury City Council. He succeeds Dyke Messinger of Power Curbers, whose term expired.  

“I am honored to have been appointed to this new position on the EDC board,” Dorton said.  With the expansion of I-85, I believe this is a very exciting time for economic development in our county, and I look forward to being a part of it in the coming years. I admire this accomplished board of directors, as well as Rod Crider and his staff, and I look forward to working with them in a more formal capacity.”

Dorton received a BA in history from Centre College. He began his real estate career developing small residential communities in central Kentucky. He went on to start an orthopedic logistics company in 2004 and grew the business over the following decade. The company was successfully sold in 2014.

 

Dorton has focused on industrial real estate since 2008. He has completed transactions throughout the Carolinas for clients such as Sonoco, Hanesbrands, Liberty Property Trust, Windstream and Ferguson Enterprises. He is listing broker for the 150,000 square-foot Granite Quarry spec building that was developed by Easter Creek Partners.  

WalletHub names top states affected by the government shutdown

The personal-finance website WalletHub has released its report on the States Most & Least Affected by the 2019 Government Shutdown, naming District of Columbia the state most affected.

New Mexico and Maryland followed as states that are affected most by the shutdown.

North Carolina ranked 38th on the list.

WalletHub considered each state’s share of federal jobs to federal contract dollars per capita to the share of families receiving food stamps.