Moore County Partners in Progress recently released their Quarterly Progress Report highlighting their activities and initiatives in the areas of economic development, community development, and workforce development for the quarter which ended Sept. 30, 2022.

“What’s notable this quarter are our efforts related to supporting Moore County’s existing industries, as well as the progress we made toward product development,” said Executive Director of Partners in Progress Natalie Hawkins in a press release.

PIP, in partnership with the Moore County Chamber of Commerce, Moore County Schools, and Sandhills Community College, contracted with a leading survey research firm, National Business Research Institute, to survey local employers.

During June and July, 149 employers of all sizes in all industry sectors throughout Moore County completed the survey, and the results were presented to key stakeholders this quarter.

There were four main takeaways from the survey results:
Employers have a high level of satisfaction with the overall image and quality of life in Moore County.
Overall, employers have a positive business outlook with the majority expecting revenue and workforce growth over the next 12 months.
Moore County employers had difficulty finding qualified applicants to fill open positions in the last 12 months, echoing a trend currently being seen across the country.
Only a small percentage of employers are aware of and are utilizing the workforce development programs offered through local education providers.

Also this quarter, PIP made significant progress on increasing the availability and competitiveness of industrial sites in Moore County. “Partners in Progress is currently managing seven grants totaling over $2 million dollars for industrial site development and business expansion in Moore County,” said Hawkins in a press release. “This is unprecedented in PIP’s history.”

“Most of this funding is allocated specifically for pre-development work in the Iron Horse Industrial Park in Aberdeen,” she added in a press release. PIP has accumulated funding of over $1.7 million to facilitate the potential purchase of a parcel in the Park, install a public industrial access road, and clear a portion of the site.

Additional progress in the area of product development and other significant activities highlighted in the Partners in Progress Quarterly Progress Report for the quarter include:

As a result of Senator Tom McInnis’ efforts, a $1.2 million state appropriation was approved for PIP to facilitate Industrial development in Moore County.
Through the Golden LEAF Foundation’s SITE Program grant awarded to the Town of Robbins, site consultants met with PIP and Town staff to begin identifying potential sites for industrial development in northwestern Moore County.
PIP worked closely with Southern Pines Brewing Company and the Town of Carthage to facilitate the brewery’s expansion in the Buggy building in downtown Carthage.
PIP’s Entrepreneurial Task Force achieved the Certified Entrepreneurial Community® designation for Moore County by creating a new digital resource center on PIP’s website

The full Quarterly Progress Report for the quarter can be accessed at https://www.moorebusiness.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/1st-Quarter-FY-2023-Report.pdf