2022 4th Quarter Update
2022 was an incredible year of championing business growth and prosperity throughout Union County. We finished the year strong with important advances in our Public Policy work, Workforce Development efforts, and more.
Read on to see your membership at work
PUBLIC POLICY PROGRAM UPDATE
Voters Approve Bonds Supporting Education in Union County
The 2022 Legislative Agenda includes a focus on supporting policies, programs, and initiatives that provide an adequately trained, available workforce for all businesses and industries including future expansion in Union County.
In November, Union County voters passed 2 bonds supported by YOUR Chamber that will help support education.
South Piedmont Community College sought a $32,725,000 bond to construct a new Center for Entrepreneurship.
Union County Public Schools secured a $134.4 million bond to replace two of our community’s oldest schools: East Elementary and Forest Hills High.
The Chamber believes both bonds will increase equity across the school system, as well as advance the development of an adequately trained and available workforce in Union County.
2023 Legislative Agenda
The Public Policy Committee is already at work on updating the Legislative Agenda for 2023. They’ve held several meetings and heard presentations on topics like infrastructure investments, workforce development initiatives, and more. The committee will present updates to the Board of Directors this month.
We are hosting a Public Policy Breakfast on February 3, 2023, where we will reveal the 2023 Legislative Agenda. Attendees will have the opportunity to discuss the Agenda with members of the Union County delegation to the North Carolina General Assembly.
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
Make It In Union County Week Celebrates Manufacturing
Make It In Union County Week returned with gusto October 3 – 7. This annual program is a grassroots effort to increase awareness of manufacturers’ positive impact on our community and promote manufacturing as a premier career choice.
The week kicked off with a social media blitz day, highlighting local manufacturers. Charlotte Pipe and Foundry hosted a field trip for UCPS students, and Goulston Technologies hosted sold-out Open House tours for students and the public.
In the weeks leading up to and following Make It In Union County, speakers from many local companies went into middle schools across the county with interactive presentations on promising careers in manufacturing.
NEW CHAMBER INTIATIVES
Emerging Leaders Program Announced
In December, we formally introduced a new program aimed at helping professionals make the connections needed to grow their influence while advancing their careers and making Union County an even better place to live, work, and play.
The Union County Chamber Emerging Leaders Program equips future influential decision-makers in Union County with comprehensive professional and personal skills, engaged civic knowledge, and active community service.
The program consists of professional development opportunities, education on public policy, and training for successful nonprofit board membership. The first luncheon for the program is Thursday, January 24th.
You can read all the details of the program and sign up here.
Inaugural Grow Union Breakfast
YOUR Chamber partnered with the North Carolina Ag Extension and the Monroe Union County Economic Development Commission to host the inaugural Grow Union Breakfast.
The event brought together business and community leaders from a variety of industries vital to the economic success of our county, including agriculture, manufacturing, finance, and more.
Chamber President and CEO Pat Kahle shared an update on the Chamber’s work to champion business growth and business prosperity. Union County Extension Director Andrew Baucom discussed the state of the Ag industry in the county. And MUCED Executive Director Chris Platé gave a keynote with a look ahead for the county’s economy.
CHAMBER NEWS
2022 Annual Excellence in Business Awards
On December 2 we hosted out annual Excellence in Business Awards and Gala. We welcomed over 500 people to the Union County Agricultural Events Center. The evening includes time for networking, dinner, and the presentation of the 2022 Excellence in Business Awards. Those winners were:
Ambassador of the Year – Tim Grismer
Community Impact – Rodriguez Produce
Employer of Choice – Union County
Excellence in Business – State Utility Contractors
Excellence in Small Business – Heart and Home Realty
Lifetime Achievement – Nelda Jean Davis
Nonprofit Innovation – Turning Point
Rising Star – Keep Evolving Consulting
You can watch all the videos from the finalists and winners, as well as take a look at photos from the evening here.
The evening also serves as an opportunity to share the Chamber’s Annual Report.
We also released the 2023 newcomer’s guide In Union County.
Member Spotlight Blogs
Throughout 2022, the Chamber team worked on fine-tuning our efforts to provide value to members. Those efforts included opportunities for members to gain visibility for their business through Member Spotlight Blogs and Premium Ribbon Cuttings, both of which kicked off in September. Along with being featured on our website, the blogs are shared on the Chamber’s social media and included in our weekly newsletter.
THE WORK CONTINUES
It is YOUR partnership and YOUR investment that makes all of this work to champion business growth and business prosperity throughout Union County possible.
