Economic Development
Business surrounded by beauty.
If you’re creating a recipe for a great business environment, you’ll find the ingredients you need in McDowell County: a competent workforce and employee training programs, ample water and sewer capacity, two industrial parks, two rail lines, tax credits and incentives.
And the county’s alluring natural environment, with Pisgah National Forest, the Blue Ridge Parkway, the Catawba River and Lake James, certainly appeals to the companies that choose to surround themselves by the beauty. Likewise for McDowell’s close-knit, civic-minded community of about 45,000 residents, where people know their neighbors.
Manufacturers and small businesses that plan to locate in McDowell will have plenty of company. Dozens of businesses in various sectors — textile, furniture, pharmaceutical, wood products, automotive components and others — make up the county’s manufacturing base. For decades, McDowell has ranked in the top five of the 100 North Carolina counties for manufacturing jobs as a percentage of total employment.
Most of the county’s businesses are in the service and retail sectors and have fewer than 20 employees. A low cost of living, modest tax rates and easy access to Interstate 40 and U.S. 221 are among the assets that draw companies to locate and expand in McDowell. A range of economic development programs are also available to those companies.
The McDowell Economic Development Association, or MEDA, is a non-profit Marion-based corporation funded by the county and through memberships and donations from businesses and individuals. MEDA recruits businesses and assists companies through partnerships with the North Carolina Department of Commerce and other economic development organizations. MEDA also manages the county’s industrial parks. For more information about MEDA, visit www.mcdowelleda.org.
The state commerce department offers a range of tax credits and grants for businesses for job creation, investment in business property, renewable energy use, site development, infrastructure improvements and other initiatives. Learn more at www.nccommerce.com. On a regional level, the Isothermal Planning & Development Commission provides expertise to McDowell and other counties in economic development, workforce training and infrastructure issues.
The McDowell Chamber of Commerce started its Leadership Development Program in 2008 to capitalize on the county’s close social and business connections. The program is an orientation tool for new administrative and management employees.
The chamber also offers business start-up guides, networking opportunities, community profiles, statistical reports, mailing lists for market segmentation and other business contacts and referrals to loan providers.
McDowell Technical Community College’s Focused Industrial Training Program provides versatile instruction for all levels of employees and managers at prospective and existing companies.
The college also operates the Small Business Center, which provides free services to companies, including loan assistance, referrals to state and federal resources, business counseling, workshops and seminars and business start-up materials. The center is a member of the North Carolina Small Business Center Network, which is operated through the state community college system.
In partnership with the college, the McDowell County JobLink Career Center offers literacy and GED classes, college tuition assistance programs and computer training. The career center also provides assessment tools to identify employment aptitudes and career interests of clients and offers training in interviewing and resume writing. For employers, the center’s Work Keys job profiling helps businesses define specific skills needed from applicants.
The McDowell County Cooperative Extension provides support to specialized areas of business, including agriculture, agri-tourism, aquaculture and horticulture. The extension office is part of the North Carolina Cooperative Extension, based at North Carolina State University.
The Marion Business Association provides lists of available commercial properties and a variety of resource materials.
McDowell’s thriving small-business environment is evident in its towns. Marion’s commercial district downtown has a mix of new and established, locally-owned retail stores and other businesses, including gourmet eateries, florists, furniture stores, jewelers, professional offices and service companies. Within a few miles of downtown are three shopping plazas, smaller commercial centers, many diverse restaurants and lodging facilities. Just two miles from downtown, a Super Wal-Mart being constructed at exit 81 off I-40 will be completed in 2010.
Old Fort’s commercial center offers a collection of small craft shops, restaurants, hardware and furniture stores, service businesses and professional offices. The Old Fort Chamber of Commerce and McDowell Tourism Development Authority are housed in the historic depot.
The regional commercial hub is Asheville, a 45-minute drive from Marion on I-40 and 25 minutes from Old Fort. Charlotte, North Carolina’s largest city, is 90 minutes from Marion.
