EDC president describes 2015 economic scene as stable

February 2, 2016

By J.D. Walker
jdwalker@courier-tribune.com 
Twitter: @JDWalkerCT

ASHEBORO — Bonnie Renfro, Randolph County Economic Development Corp. (EDC) president, gave an overview of the county’s economic progress in 2015 at Monday’s Randolph County commissioners’ meeting.

Renfro’s presentation came after the swearing-in of Robert Graves as Randolph County sheriff.

Renfro said 2015 marked the 30th year that EDC has been in operation. Since the time it formed, she said, the county has seen the addition of 12,000 new jobs and $1.8 billion in new investment, starting in 1985 with UltraCraft in Liberty.

The word she used to describe 2015 was “stable.”

Businesses and industries consolidated their positions last year, she said. Companies, mostly existing industries, added 207 jobs and created $11.1 million in new investments. The expansion at Technimark in Asheboro, announced in 2014, is well under way, Renfro said. This will eventually create 224 new jobs over the next five years and result in $46 million in new investment.

Other companies that made plans for expansion in 2015 included Ace/Avant and Global Futures Solutions in Archdale; Clifford W. Estes Co. in Liberty; Digger Specialities in Randleman; and Verellen Furniture in Trinity.

Renfro also summarized the developments at the megasite project north of Liberty. In 2015, the Greensboro Randolph Mega Site Foundation was formed. Over the course of the year, more than 1,400 acres were put under the control of the partners in the project. Renfro said infrastructure planning by the City of Greensboro is under way for utility extensions and road improvements.

Renfro said organizers are working with KPMG Global Location & Expansion Services for site certification.

Source: Courier-Tribune