Anson to get transportation project funds
(August 5, 2009) -- Anson County will receive a portion of a $2.2 million transportation project to aid in the state’s economic recovery.
The money will be spent for constructing new bridges at two locations over the Winston-Salem Southbound Railway tracks on Pinkston River Road (S.R. 1627) in Anson County. The $2.2 million contract was awarded to Dane Construction Inc. of Mooresville. Work is scheduled to begin as early as Aug. 31, with final completion set for Sept. 1, 2011.
“We need better roads and we need good jobs. This investment helps with both,” Rep. Pryor Gibson said. “It will be money well-spent.” Gibson, who represents Anson and part of Union County, is a chair of the Finance, Revenue and Taxation Committee.
The project was among 15 transportation projects announced Aug. 4 by Gov. Bev Perdue. The total cost value of the projects is $29 million.
According to the Federal Highway Administration, every $1 million spent on transportation creates 30 jobs, and according to the construction industry, every dollar invested in transportation generates $6 in economic impact.
For more information about funding for infrastructure improvements in North Carolina, as well as other NCDOT projects and activities, visit www.ncdot.gov.
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SPCC secures funding for JobsNOW certificate programs
(August 5, 2009) -- South Piedmont Community College has secured nearly $200,000 in federal
stimulus money to fund JobsNOW certificate programs beginning in
September.
As part of Gov. Beverly Perdue’s statewide “JobsNOW: 12-in-6”
initiative, SPCC's programs will provide unemployed adults the
opportunity to be trained in a new career in no more than six months.
JobsNOW was developed by North Carolina community colleges and funded by
federal stimulus dollars through the Division of Workforce Development
in the N.C. Department of Commerce.
The objective of the program is to quickly train workers to re-enter
the job market in fields that are in demand locally and across the
state. SPCC was awarded $199,995 in late July.
Stuart Wasilowski, vice president of Continuing Education and Workforce
Development for SPCC, said that those who will benefit from the funding
are prospective students in programs where demand has outpaced
instructional funding.
“We need more instructors and to schedule more classes,” Wasilowski
said. “It’s a great problem to have because it means that people
understand the importance of training and education.”
The stimulus money awarded to SPCC will fund the hiring of the
instructors.
“This funding allows South Piedmont to offer more programs at more
convenient times thereby making these programs more accessible to those
in need,” Wasilowski said. “The students who take advantage of these
programs will receive superior training and have the advantage of
quicker job placement.
“Our goal is to make our students more competitive in the workforce.
These programs are about real training for real jobs.”
In addition to receiving the training needed to start a new career,
those completing a JobsNOW program will receive Career Readiness
Certification (CRC). The CRC is a national program that helps job
applicants show proof of their basic skills to employers. The
certificate is a portable credential, allowing job searchers to use it
anywhere in the United States to demonstrate their competence in key
foundational skills.
SPCC will offer three JobsNOW programs including Nursing Assistant, CNC
Machining, and Mechatronics - formerly Industrial Maintenance. More
information about these programs can be found at www.spcc.edu.
Wasilowski said he hopes to grow the JobsNOW program list in the
future.
Normal North Carolina community college tuition rates apply. However,
some JobsNOW education and training funds are available for unemployed
persons through local Workforce Development Boards.
“Experts say the number one consideration for relocation consultants
is the quality of workforce. The only way the region can compete is with
an educated, well-trained workforce,” Wasilowski said. “Our job is
to make our students job ready and make the region more competitive in
the global economy.”
Classes will be ongoing. For more information, contact Karen Elizabeth
Smith at 704-290-5272 or email ksmith@spcc.edu.
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SPCC awarded faculty members for outstanding performane during convocation. Shown clockwise from left: Patricia Johnson, Chihoko Terry, Marianne Haulk, Amber
Goodall, John Ratliff, Susan Flake and Marion Sabin. |
SPCC awards faculty members
(August 18, 2009) -- SPCC staff and faculty honored during convocation
South Piedmont Community College employees gathered Aug. 10 at the Lockhart-Taylor
Center in Wadesboro for their yearly convocation. During the event, four staff and
three faculty members were honored with awards for outstanding performance.
Library Technician Marion Sabin received the Outstanding Customer Service Award.
Institutional Researcher Chihoko Terry was named Staff of the Year. Human Resources
Director Susan Flake was given the Administrator of the Year Award and Student
Activities Director John Ratliff was named Innovator of the Year.
Office Administration Instructor Patricia Johnson was named Online Faculty of the
Year and Developmental Education Instructor Marianne Haulk was selected Adjunct
Faculty of the Year. English for Speakers of Other Languages Instructor Amber
Goodall was chosen Continuing Education Faculty of the Year.
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SPCC adds eight morning professional development courses
(August 24) -- South Piedmont Community College is offering eight one-week morning
courses in Microsoft Office and Adobe applications.
“It’s for those who want to improve job skills and who are
interested in personal development,” said Geri Duncan, director of
Continuing Education and Professional Programs.
Beginning Sept. 14, classes will run Monday - Friday, 7:00 - 8:30 a.m. on
SPCC’s Old Charlotte Highway Campus, 4209 Old Charlotte Hwy., Monroe.
The following courses will be available:
- Sept. 14-18 Office 2003/2007 Transition
- Sept. 21-25 Word 2003/2007
- Oct. 5-9 Excel 2003/2007
- Oct. 12-16 PowerPoint 2003/2007
- Oct. 26-30 Outlook 2003/2007
- Nov. 2-6 Powerful Presentations
- Nov. 9-13 Office 2007 Productivity
- Dec. 7-11 Acrobat 9.0 Full Version
Deadline for registration is a week before each class begins. Each
class is $70.
To register or receive more information, contact Geri Duncan at
704-290-5221 or gduncan@spcc.edu.
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Anson sees slight jobless rate decline in July; remains in double digits
(August 31, 2009) – Anson County's unemployment rate remained in double digits for July, but dropped .3% from June's numbers.
Anson’s jobless rate for July was 14.9% -- compared to 13.8% in January, 14.7% in February, 14.8% in March; 13.3% in April, 15.0% in May, and 15.2% in June. In July 2008, Anson's unemployment rate stood at 9.0% -- a 5.9% increase in 12 months.
In July, Anson County’s labor force numbered 10,446; the number of employed people was 8,887; and the number of unemployed people was 1,559.
The July 2009 breakdown for Anson’s neighboring counties:
- Montgomery – 11,065 labor force; 1,534 unemployed; a rate of 13.9% (up .2% from June).
- Richmond – 21,022 labor force; 2,864 unemployed; 13.6% rate (down .4% from June).
- Stanly – 30,814 labor force; 3,897 unemployed; 12.6% rate (up .2% from June).
- Union – 91,898 labor force; 9,929 unemployed; 10.8% rate (down .4% from June).
In comparison, Montgomery's 2008 rate was 9.4% (up 4.5% in 12 months); Richmond's rate was 9.4% (up 4.2%); Stanly's rate was 6.8% (up 5.8%); and Union's rate was 5.9% (up4.9%).
For July, the state’s unemployment rate was 11.1% – down .1% from June). North Carolina’s labor force numbered 4,596,722 in July with 511,519 people jobless. In comparison, the state's 2008 unemployment rate for July was 6.7% (up 4.4% in 12 months).
The five counties receiving the highest amount in unemployment insurance benefits in July were: Mecklenburg, $24.6 million; Wake, $19.3 million; Guilford, $12.1 million; Forsyth, $7.4 million; and Gaston, $6.9 million. In July, $218.3 million in benefits were paid to 234,803 individuals statewide -- compared to $258.1 million to 240,569 individuals in June.
Statewide, Hyde and Currituck counties had the lowest unemployment rate (at 5.5%) and Scotland County continued with the state's highest unemployment figure (at 17.1%). North Carolina had 48 counties that were at or below the state's unadjusted rate of 11.1%. Rates decreased in 59 counties in July; increased in 29 counties; and remained the same in 12.
The civilian labor force estimates for all 100 counties are available on the Employment Security Commission's website at www.ncesc.com. For local information, call the ESC office at 704.694.6551 or visit www.ansonjoblink.com.
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Supreme Dental held a ribbon-cutting ceremony and open house on Aug. 28. Pictured, from left to right, are Wadesboro Mayor Bill Thacker; office staffer Brandy Benn; Todd Moore, Anson County Chamber of Commerce board chairman (behind Benn); Dr. Lolade Samuel-Cash; office staffer Betsy DeCoste; Elizabeth Samuel, Dr. Samuel-Cash's mother; office staffer Kenny Staton; Sam Cash, office manager; and Lynn Edwards, executive director of the Anson County Chamber of Commerce. Supreme Dental is located at 307 N. Greene St., Wadesboro. For more information, call 704.465.2210. |
Supreme Dental holds ribbon-cutting, open house
(August 31, 2009) -- Approximately 40 people officially welcomed Lolade ("L") Samuel-Cash, DDS, and her Supreme Dental staff to Wadesboro during a grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony on Aug. 28. An open house also was held from 1-5 p.m.
Dr. Samuel-Cash earned her doctor of dental surgery degree from Howard University in 1996. She is a Brooklyn, N.Y., native who came to Anson County as a dentist with Anson Regional Medical Services and, later on, conducted dental clinics at the county's three prison units in Polkton. She is married to Anson County native Sam Cash.
During the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Todd Moore, chairman of the Anson County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directprs, said, "It is always great to welcome a new business to Wadesboro and Anson County. I wish you the best in your new business opportunities on behalf of the chamber of commerce."
Wadesboro Mayor Bill Thacker said, "I am glad to have Dr. Samuel-Cash open a new business here and I wish Supreme Dental all the best on behalf of the Town of Wadesboro. It is important to have available dental health care in Anson County. I am glad you are here. Good luck in your future years."
Dr. Samuel-Cash said, "I want to thank God for my journey and story for being here. I want to thank my husband, my family and friends for being here today. I look forward to prosperity in God's work here."
Cash, who serves as Supreme Dental's office manager, said, "I would like to thank everyone for coming out today and supporting Supreme Dental."
Dr. Samuel-Cash's mother, Elizabeth, joined her daughter in officially cutting the red ribbon.
Supreme Dental is located at 307 N. Greene St. in Wadesboro. Office hours are from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday; and from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Wednesday. Saturday visits may be made by calling 704.465.2210 for an appointment.
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