I-95/ I-40 Crossroads of America Economic Development Alliance, Inc.

Today, the Johnston County NC - Economic Development office is pleased to join with the I-95/ I-40 Crossroads of America Economic Development Alliance, Inc., Johnston Community College (JCC), Leaders from Four Oaks and across the County for the "Topping Off Ceremony" for the JCC Advanced Manufacturing Training Center in Four Oaks. The $35 million 67,000 sq ft facility is scheduled to be complete by the Spring of 2025. In building construction, topping out (sometimes referred to as topping off) is a builders' rite traditionally held when the last beam (or its equivalent) is placed atop a structure during its construction. Nowadays, the ceremony is often parlayed into a media event for public relations purposes. It has since come to mean more generally finishing the structure of the building, whether there is a ceremony or not. It is also commonly used to determine the amount of wind on the top of the structure. A Scandinavian tradition of hoisting a pine tree to the top of framed out buildings had a more functional purpose: when the pine needles fell off, the builders knew the wood frame below had cured/dried out so they could enclose the building. With HITT Contracting Inc., Reid A. Williams, MPA, Vern Lindquist, Harold Keen, Benton Sawrey, Ted Godwin, April Stephens and a host of others!

Once a quarter, we have a partner in Economic Development join us to discuss their role in the profession. Last night, Christopher Chung graciously joined us to discuss the latest trends he and his team have observed as well as share some of the opportunities he sees on the horizon. North Carolina is fortunate to have Chris and his team at Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina (EDPNC) leading the way in business recruitment & expansion, tourism, export assistance, and small business assistance. Thank you to the other partners for joining us for the discussion and fellowship. Duke Energy Corporation South River Electric Membership Corporation Johnston Community College Central Carolina Community College Johnston County NC - Economic Development Harnett County Economic Development

Earlier this week, we celebrated new funds awarded to purchase state of the art equipment for both the Advanced Manufacturing Training Center in Four Oaks as well as the Biotech & Small Business Incubator Center in Dunn. This equipment will be utilized by existing industries, new industries, and community college students in our region. I applaud our elected leaders in both Johnston and Harnett county, Raleigh, and Washington as they have walked the walk and talked the talk when it comes to workforce development and regional collaboration. Collectively since 2021, they have committed over $60 million to these two projects to ensure our region offers a well trained workforce for generations to come. Wiley Nickel Harnett County Economic Development Johnston County NC - Economic Development Central Carolina Community College Johnston Community College. #WorkforceDev #Collaboration #Regionalism #EconDev #i95i40alliance

Outstanding annual conference of the Site Selectors Guild in Nashville last week. Thank you to all the site consultants who made the trip and shared their valuable insight. Critical conversations around workforce, electrical utilities, and the need for quality sites will not subside anytime soon. Our recent successes have amplified the need in all three areas! All 500+ attendees were treated to a surprise appearance by Elvis! #SSGAnnualConference #SiteSelection #Workforce #I95I40Alliance

What a day for our region and the I-95/ I-40 Crossroads of America Economic Development Alliance, Inc.Yesterday’s groundbreaking was the culmination of two and half years of collaboration, teams meetings, and traveling across the Southeastern U.S to tour other facilities. Thank you to all the partners who have made this success our success! It is our work and sacrifice today that will change the lives of the generations that follow. The Johnston Community College Advanced Manufacturing Training Center will also change our regions economic development ethos and bring greater prosperity to the I-95 and I-40 corridors. Thank you Johnston Community College,Thomas F Looney Senator Benton Sawrey, Representative Larry Strickland, Brent Jackson, Johnston County Government, R. S. (Butch) Lawter, Jr. , Chris Johnson, HITT Contracting Inc., and LS3P ASSOCIATES LTD.

Happy to join my colleagues to share the great opportunities our region offers!

The Alliance leadership was fortunate to have the opportunity to share its story with the greater Raleigh audience last week. Thank you Curtis Media Group for the friendship and opportunity!

Thank you Chris Johnson for your hard work and collaboration! We are proud to have Scot Industries in Four Oaks and excited about the employment opportunities it will provide our region. #I95I40Alliance #GrowwithJoco #advancedmanufacturing