62K to Bolster Ashe Jobs
Thursday, June 11, 2009
The Golden LEAF Foundation announced this week that Ashe County will be awarded $62,655 for the purpose of supporting industry training at several local companies to help them remain competitive in challenging economic times.
According to the organization’s Website, Golden LEAF is a nonprofit organization devoted to the economic well-being of North Carolinians. These grants are aimed at bolstering the state’s long term economy, especially in rural, tobacco dependent or economically distressed communities. The state legislature created the foundation to administer one half of the state’s share of the Master Settlement Agreement with tobacco corporations in concordance with a court consent decree between North Carolina and cigarette manufacturers, the Website stated.
A press release from the offices of Rep. Cullie Tarleton and Sen. Steve Goss confirmed that Gates, GE, and American Emergency Vehicles will receive funding through the grant. Ashe County’s Director of Economic Develop Pat Mitchell stated that this grant will enable these industries to enroll their employees in specialized industry training done through SIX SIGMA.
According to sixsigmaonline.org, the training is a collaboration of proven management strategies condensed into a concise management program with the goal of improving the outcome of any company whether that company’s goal is to provide the best customer service or product. The goal is to eliminate defects, anything that leads to customer dissatisfaction, and improve the manufacturing and business processes, leading to only a successful outcome, the Website stated.
Mitchell stated that these industries would not be able to allocate appropriate funding for this type of training in the current economic climate. She also said that funding received through Golden LEAF is beneficiary for not only Ashe County but for the state as well.
“Golden LEAF is about economic development, job creation, and job retention,” Mitchell said. “The ability for the foundation to have the funds immediately available that can immediately be put in the community is a significant factor in keeping the state economically competitive.” She also said that she believes the funding is “a significant factor for Ashe County industry.”
Sen. Goss said that the funds could not have come at a better time. He stated the funding comes at a time when the nation is experiencing an “unprecedented economic downturn” that is rivaled by only the Great Depression. Due to the current condition of both the state and national economy, Goss said that it will take three to five years for North Carolina to “get back to the level of revenue that the state enjoyed in 2008” which was $20 billion. Despite the current downturn, Goss remained optimistic of the county’s economic future by stating that state officials are “starting to see signs” of an economic recovery, but said that will hinge on the state of the national economy.
He went on to explain that the grant is an “extremely important factor” in strengthening the local economy and encourages other community groups to apply for funding whenever it can be beneficiary to the county.
“We’re really encouraging folks to seek out Golden LEAF funding in any area that it would apply in strengthening the workforce,” Goss said. “We need all the investment we can get right now to help build up our industries. This grant will help us keep jobs in Northwest North Carolina.”
Rep. Tarleton, who was also instrumental in enabling the county to obtain the grant, said in a press release that he is “extremely pleased that Golden Leaf has supported these training programs.”
“Programs such as these are invaluable to North Carolina communities, especially during these uncertain economic times,” Tarleton said.