County explores a new economic development model

Jan. 23—Haywood County is poised to enter a new era of economic development, one more broadly focused to include both labor and housing needs in the community.

At a meeting Tuesday, the Haywood County commissioners learned of the new concept, one that involves dissolving the existing economic development board and appointing new members with expertise in the areas identified as the challenges of the day.

David Francis, who now has the additional title of community and economic development director, briefed the board members on the new concept and the reasoning behind it.

"Things are different now, and we have more challenges and issues than we did two years ago," he said, explaining that the unemployment rate in November 2021 was 2.9%; about 500 individuals on unemployment and 1,231 jobs to fill. The lack of affordable housing is prompting future industries to look at the issue, too, given that 75% of the housing units for sale in Haywood are $300,000 and above, and long-term rentals are shifting to short-term rentals as landlords are finding success in the red-hot vacation rental market.

Additionally is the challenge in having broadband service countywide, he said. Surveys show between 30 and 50% of the households in the county are unserved when it comes to having high-speed internet service option.

The EDC new format, he said, will include board members appointed by the commissioners from designated areas, and once in place, the board will appoint community advocate representatives from the areas of agriculture, broadband, recreation and workforce housing.

Permanent board members will include county leaders from education, tourism and education, while at-large members will be in areas of arts/entrepreneurship; finance, healthcare, manufacturing and utilities.

The other major change being proposed, Francis said, will be to abandon the advisory committee format and instead form a charitable nonprofit corporation to be called the Community and Economic Development Corporation of Haywood County. As a 501©3, the corporation will be able to accept donations from the private sector and community advocates to allow for a private/public partnership on development issues. Government bodies aren't allowed to accept donations.

In the current budget year, Haywood County commissioners set aside $375,000 to fund economic development activities. In recent years, Francis said economic development efforts had focused on business retention and expansion, citing assistance to Premiere Magnesia (Giles Chemical), Sonoco and working with regional companies such as Drake Industries.

The commissioners asked few questions other than about the next steps, but Commission Chairman Kevin Ensley had this to say in a later interview.

"I think the EDC model may be a thing of the past with so many available jobs and so few potential employees," Ensley said. "It could harm our existing businesses because of the competition for workers. I almost think we could do away with it, especially after we sell the site at the Beaverdam Industrial Park. We should maybe stay with the Asheville Chamber until it is sold since they have done a good job of marketing our county for industry."

In answering the question about the next step in the process, Francis said a resolution could be presented at the next board meeting. After that, board members could be appointed and the new structure could be in place at the end of the first quarter of the year.

"The question the new board will examine is how to step into the new economy and address the new challenges," Francis said.

In a later interview, Francis said while there are many unfilled jobs in Haywood, there is still about 24 percent of the county's population that drives elsewhere for employment.

He also referenced a new program dubbed Haywood Hires that would be launched to help fill job openings, but said details aren't ready for release.

"This is not just what new businesses we can recruit into Haywood, but how we can be more supportive of existing businesses," Francis said. "When they have a hard time hiring, and the people hired have a a hard time finding a place to live, those are the problems we're having."