Local News - January 2004

LEDA officials optimistic about economic growth

Published January 23, 2004

By ALICE SMITH, Staff Writer

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Economic development officials remain optimistic about the county’s future despite the recent announcement of a local plant’s plans to close.

Just a week ago, Haworth Inc. — Comforto Operations announced that it would be closing and laying off 161 full-time employees.

But Barry Matherly, executive director of the Lincoln Economic Development Association, told the organization’s Board of Directors Thursday that 2004 should still be a good year for business and industry.

“We’ve got a lot of activity currently,” Matherly said during the board’s monthly meeting.

LEDA is working with five companies with plans to relocate or open up in Lincoln County, Matherly said.

All five are at the end stages of the process, either negotiating leases or purchasing property.

“We feel good that four out of five of those will work out,” he said.

Matherly would not reveal the names of the interested companies.

One is an international company, he said. Officials have indicated that Lincoln County is their No. 1 choice, and they are currently working out details surrounding a building.

The company has been in touch with the local Employment Security Commission to gauge the workforce here, Matherly said.

Two smaller companies are also completing building plans. Matherly credits office manager Rhonda Hunter with sealing the deal for one of the businesses in record time.

“I was out of the office the other day, and I came back and she already had the deal done,” Matherly said.

The fourth project was brought in through a unique LEDA marketing strategy. The association’s Pocket Promoters — small, fold-out brochures about the county — led to a lead on the company, Matherly said. The promoters are handed out by community members when they go out of the state or country.

The company is interested in the old American Licensing Building on Gaston Street, Matherly said. The space is 80,000 square feet.

And the last project LEDA is working on involves a company interested in the new shell building in the Lincoln County Industrial Park.

Matherly is quick to say that nothing’s for sure yet, but he remains optimistic about at least four of the projects.

“We’re only three weeks into January, and it’s good to have four new companies that close in the first few weeks,” he said.

In other business:

·  Judi Morton, ESC manager, said the ESC will be holding a rapid response meeting Jan. 29 for Haworth employees. Orientation sessions will also be organized.

·  Building investments for the fourth quarter of 2003 equaled $3.6 million. The total building investment for the year was $13.25 million.

© 2001 Lincoln Times-News  

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