EDC joins CRBA in promoting the region to foreign firms at SelectUSA summit 

WASHINGTON, DC — Rowan County EDC President Rod Crider recently participated with a delegation from the Charlotte region in the SelectUSA Investment Summit in Washington, D.C.

The summit is the highest profile event dedicated to foreign direct investment in the U.S.

SelectUSA is one of many joint marketing initiatives conducted between the Rowan EDC and the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance (CRBA). The CRBA team has appointments set with 45 foreign companies to discuss the competitive business advantages of locating in the Charlotte region.

SelectUSA Investment Summit is dedicated to promoting foreign direct investment (FDI) in the United States. Featuring senior government officials, C-Suite business executives, and other thought leaders, each summit provides an unparalleled opportunity to bring together companies from all over the world, economic development organizations (EDOs) from every corner of the nation, and other parties working to facilitate business investment in the United States.

The 2019 SelectUSA Investment Summit saw more than 3,300 participants from a record 78 international markets and 51 U.S. states and territories. The Rowan EDC has already realized one prospect visit from its participation in the event, an Italian company that viewed properties in the county the week following the show.

EDC to host inaugural annual meeting Aug. 8

SALISBURY — Rowan EDC will be holding its inaugural Annual Meeting at the City Tavern, located at 113 E Fisher St. in Salisbury, on Thursday, Aug. 8, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The annual meeting will feature Ron Starner, the general manager and executive vice president of Conway Data Inc. and Site Selection magazine, an international corporate real estate publication based in the Atlanta suburb of Norcross, Georgia.

Starner recently profiled the economic resurgence of Rowan County in Site Selection Magazine, calling it “one of the more remarkable economic turnaround stories of the past decade.”

In addition to the keynote presentation by Starner, the annual meeting will bring together leaders from across Rowan County to network and celebrate the successes of the past year while looking forward to the promise and potential of the coming one.

More details will be shared soon.  For questions, email the EDC at info@RowanEDC.com.

Rowan Chamber announces Erica Church as member services director

SALISBURY — On Wednesday, Rowan County Chamber of Commerce announced that Erica Church has joined the chamber staff as member services director.

“We are honored to have someone of Erica’s caliber join our team,” said Chamber President Elaine Spalding. “Erica will oversee the member services, communications and Leadership Rowan programs. With Tracy Walser as our finance director and Erica Church as our member services director, we are ready to serve the region’s business community,” Spalding continued.

Church lives in Rowan County and has worked for more than 10 years in the areas of community relations, communications and fundraising. She has a bachelor’s from Appalachian State University. She’s married to Rowan County Manager Aaron Church. They have three children.

The Rowan Chamber is the region’s largest business advocacy organization with more than 800 member firms. The Dragon Boat Festival is scheduled for July 27, at the Shrine Club on High Rock Lake. Monthly mixers, breakfast meetings and numerous other benefits of membership are available. For additional information, contact the Rowan Chamber at 704-633-4221 or info@rowanchamber.com.

Rowan Chamber to hold briefing on Sept. 5 for Spain trip

SALISBURY — The Rowan County Chamber of Commerce will conduct a Spain trip briefing at 5 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 5, in the Gateway Building (204 E. Innes St.). Representatives from Aventura World will present information about the March 2020 Rowan Chamber trip to Spain / Costa del Sol and answer questions from interested community members. RSVP for the briefing by Friday, Aug. 29, to 704-633-4221 or espalding@rowanchamber.com.

The Rowan Chamber is hosting a trip to Spain and the Costa del Sol on March 23-31, 2020. The trip is offered through Aventura World; however, any Rowan Chamber member travel agent may book the trip for local participants.

“Hilltop citadels, beautiful coastlines and the rich history of Southern Spain will be featured in this year’s international trip. The first-class hotel is right on the Mediterranean Sea,” said Elaine Spalding, Rowan Chamber president. “This is the fifth international trip the Rowan Chamber has offered and each one gets better than the last. We’ve been to Cuba, Peru, Iceland, Tuscany and now Spain,” Spalding continued.

The trip includes a nine day/seven-night air and land package from Charlotte to Malaga, Spain/Torremolinos; first-class hotel accommodations for seven nights at the same hotel; 14 meals included consisting of seven breakfasts and seven dinners; day trips and airfare. The Early Bird price is $2,799 per person for reservations made by Oct. 23. For more information, contact Chamber President Elaine Spalding at 704-633-4221 or espalding@rowanchamber.com.

Rowan Chamber Power in Partnership to kick-off with speaker from Apple

SALISBURY — The Rowan County Chamber of Commerce has announced that Sue Meyer with Apple, Inc. will kick off the PIP season at 7:30 a.m., Thursday, Sept. 19,  at Trinity Oaks (728 Klumac Road). Dr. Lynn Moody, superintendent of Rowan-Salisbury Schools, will provide the introduction with this “Back to School” themed program. Meyer is vice president of Apple Education’s U.S. development team in Cupertino, California. She works with school leaders to leverage technology to transform learning.

“The chamber is very excited about the PIP kick-off,” said Nicole Holmes Matangira, chair of the board with Holmes Iron & Metal and Matangira Recycling. “We want all our chamber members to get their Power Cards now so they don’t miss out on any of the PIP speakers and high-level networking opportunities,” Matangira continued.

Other PIP speakers include top North Carolina elected officials and business leaders. The dates for the 2019-20 season are: Sept. 19; Oct. 17; Nov. 21; Dec. 19; Jan. 16; Feb. 20; March 19; April 16; and May 21. The chamber’s popular Power Card will once again be offered for those who would like to take advantage of the PIP frequent attender program. Power Cardholders receive a discounted price for the series and do not have to make a reservation each month. The cost is $99 for members; $229 for non-members. Power Card reservation deadline is Friday, Aug. 30.

If you are not a Power Cardholder, individual reservations are welcome; however, the reservation deadline is Tuesday, Sept. 17, by 5 p.m. The cost is $15 for members and $25 for non-members. The price includes the cost of breakfast and the program. Contact the chamber for information on reservations or sponsorship opportunities at 704-633-4221 or info@rowanchamber.com