| 118th Year, 16th Issue | Thursday, November 30, 2006 | Sparta, North Carolina |
The Golden Long-Term Economic Advancement Foundation (LEAF) has awarded the Northwest North Carolina Advanced Materials Cluster $1.2 million for development and implementation of an Advanced Materials Center.
Golden LEAF is a nonprofit organization created in 1999. The organization receives one half of the funds coming to the state from the master settlement agreement with cigarette manufacturers. It also helps state residents make the transition from a tobacco-dependent economy and advances the state's long-term economic development.
According to Rick Holder, a Kinston businessman who serves as chairman of the Golden LEAF board, "This is an instance where a region has done careful research and has launched a collaborative effort to take advantage of a definite niche in the marketplace. The foundation encourages this kind of forward-looking, market-oriented undertaking that draws upon a wide range of resources."
The Advanced Materials Cluster was formed in January 2004 when the county managers of Alleghany, Ashe and Wilkes came together with Wilkes Community College to create a sustainable and forward-reaching economy in northwest North Carolina.
According to information provided through WCC, "manufacturing of high- strength nickel alloy, fiber reinforced polymers, thermoformed plastic components and the transitioning of traditional materials to utilize advanced materials products are ideal industries for the northwest region of the state, not only because they create clean, safe, high paying jobs, but because the jobs can also be located in a region built upon cooperative competitiveness. Efforts in the region to develop jobs based on applied sciences and advanced materials are being aided by new partnerships beyond the original three county region" consisting of Alleghany, Ashe and Wilkes.
According to Valeria Lee, president of Golden LEAF, "the board wanted to make this substantial investment because it believes the Advanced Materials Center points the way toward new, good-paying jobs in an industry that has tremendous future potential. This job had a great promise for the regional economy."
A Cluster executive committee serves as a guide to implement
sustainable, cluster-based economic development. The development
focuses on education, job growth, infrastructure and research to
drive economic competitiveness. Together, the committee makes
decisions regarding organizational structure, programs and
partnerships. The three-county effort has grown to include several
counties, partners and networks across the state.
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