The coronavirus continues to steal a lot of headlines in the county, but make no mistake about it, there are clear and obvious signs that people and companies are getting back to business in a big way after a year and a half of laying low in the pandemic.
One of several recent crystal clear indicators came on Monday, Aug. 9 when Guilford County made a very rare simultaneous announcement of two new multi-million-dollar manufacturing plants ready to come to Guilford County – one being built by Proctor & Gamble and another by Banknote Corp. of America.
During the pandemic, these types of announcements were all but non-existent. Company executives couldn’t even get on a plane to see their grandmother, and, of course, the same went for, say, an executive on a site selection trip for a new plant.
Over the years, the Guilford Board of Commissioners has announced a lot of public hearings to consider economic incentives requests, but those came to a virtual halt during the pandemic – and to have two large-project incentives hearings called for the board’s Thursday, Aug. 19 meeting suggests that there’s a backlog of businesses sitting in the wings.
In another positive sign of economic activity, recently, the Piedmont Triad Airport Authority held a closed session to discuss potential economic incentives for an undisclosed entity. The airport has a huge new aviation megasite ready for all takers – and, as air traffic picks up, there’s going to be a big need for aviation services.
While Guilford County just had a two-for-one economic development announcement, the City of High Point recently had a three-for-one announcement. In that case, one couple owns all three: Classical Elements Inc., M2C Studio and Leyla Gans LLC, which are all in High Point.
The companies – all owned by Stuart and Leyla Gans – will operate at 1200 Redding Drive in an historic mill building in High Point.
Classical Elements and M2C Studio are creative design, production, and service companies that handle drapery, hardware, lighting and more. Their custom products are made to the specific needs of the projects underway.
Studio and Leyla Gans said recently that there were compelling reasons to choose High Point and Guilford County. One advantage for High Point, they said, is that it is the “Home Furnishings Capital of the World.”
They also cited a large amount of available talent in the area.
Not so fast. Not so fast. Masks are back. Lockdown will be in effect by October. We will be right back where we were soon enough. See what’s happening in Australia and know we’re not taking steps forward we’re going back. They still want control over who wins and who loses. With masks back fewer people will be out and about.
Agreed, but these big corporations just want their incentives and the pandemic gives them a reason to challenge any legitimate milestones that were part of the original agreement to keep the money. They don’t give a hoot about anything but a dollar. Corporate incentives are a joke. With a growing international airport, and almost immediate access to rail & highways, only 4 or 5 hours from major shipping ports, they would have come here anyway, but they know if they squeeze the right testicles they will get the incentives also.
Right!
Once again the powers at be, chose to squash the citizens they “serve”. The leaders on the County Board have become rich by taking advantage of new laws and regulations that favor their best interests. The poor get poorer and the Commissioner’s get richer.
Time for “Operation Clean Sweep”.