LNREDC Focus Areas
Product Development
- Maintain database on available buildings & sites.
- Serve as consultant for Lake Norman region industrial parks.
- Assist landowners with state certified industrial site program.
- Coordinate management group for Commerce Station Business Park & assess other business parks.
Lake Norman Region Industrial & Office Parks
Commerce Station (owned jointly by the three towns)
Bailey Commerce Park - Cornelius
Harbour Place - Davidson
The Park - Huntersville
Bryton - Huntersville
Antiquities - Cornelius
NorthCross - Huntersville
Business Retention & Expansion (BRE) Program
Lake Norman Region Existing Company Reported Capital Investment & New Jobs:
2011: 14 companies reported $5,112,909 investment and 114 new jobs.
2010: Six companies reported $9,240,699 investment and 247 new jobs.
*Special note: Since many privately held existing companies do not report capital investment and/or job totals and LNREDC is aware of other expansions companies expressly asked not to announce publicly, we know the actual investment an djob totals are, as usual, much higher than reported.
LNREDC developed a vibrant existing industry program in 2009 with LNREDC staff visits ongoing to companies in Cornelius, Davidson and Huntersville. Staff present a monthly BRE (Business Retention & Expansion) report to LNREDC's investors, board of directors and town board members monthly.
- LNREDC staff work with partners in the region to respond to companies' needs and suggestions following each company visitation.
- The focus of the existing industry program is encouraging existing industry to stay and expand in the Lake Norman Region.
- At the request of company leaders, LNREDC facilitates quarterly Lake Norman Region Executive Roundtable luncheons so business leaders have the opportunity to interact with peer leadership on a regular basis.
- At the request of the community, LNREDC facilitated a team that created a universal commercial permitting checklist for the towns of Cornelius, Davidson and Huntersville. The three towns implemented the new permitting checklist in June, 2010.
- Minds That Manufacture awarded Clearwater Manufacturing, one of LNREDC's newest entrepreneurial companies, the 2010 Regional Advanced Manufacturing Award for "Best Innovation Project" for companies with one to 49 employees at a June 24, 2010 awards ceremony. Clearwater Manufacturing introduced a mini-water bottling machine the size of a refrigerator. The "Eco-Friendly" Boomerang Water Bottling System boasts zero waste by reusing glass or aluminum bottles that are returned after use.
- Senator Burr visited Microban International, an existing Lake Norman region company and global leader in antimicrobial product protection, on August 23, 2010 as part of a whirlwind tour of existing companies in eight NC counties.
- LNREDC assisted SAERTEX USA through a multi-year expansion plan which led to the company's October 19, 2010 announcement of a $6.5 million investment and additional 178 new jobs at its Lake Norman manufacturing plant. SAERTEX USA makes lightweight composite materials used by manufacturers in the wind energy, aerospace, civil engineering, auto, and shipbuilding industries.
- Irwin Tools announced in October of 2010 moving its customer service center from Wilmington, Ohio to it headquarters at NorthPointe Executive Park in Huntersville. In addition to its Huntersville, NC headquarters, Newell Rubbermaid operates US hubs in Chicago, Illinois and Atlanta, Georgia.
- On January 20, 2011, Daetwyler Corporation's participation in a regional apprenticeship program celebrating its 15th anniversary attracted a visit from Senator Burr. Since inception of the European-style apprenticeship program, six partner companies spent an approximate $80,000 per apprentice and graduated 100 students guaranteed full-time jobs after meeting graduation program requirements.
- As part of the BRE program, LNREDC unveiled retail studies for each of the three towns of Cornelius, Davidson and Huntersville on September 22, 2011. The retail leakage studies, performed at no charge by ElectriCities in Raleigh, provide data on the lost retail dollars residents spend outside the three towns as well as categories with retail surplus. "One of the primary roles LNREDC plays is a collaborative role with the three towns," says Charity Barbee, LNREDC Associate Director. "ElectriCities offered to conduct sutides for all three towns at no charge, so it made sense to collaborate, to get the data and share it with the Lake Norman Chamber of Commerce and three towns we serve so they can decide what to do with the information from here," she says.
- In May of 2011, LNREDC expanded its BRE program to include an Existing Company Appreciation Day, recognizing all three towns' existing companies for their investments in the community. LNREDC presented three awards to companies that reported the highest capital investments and job growth for the year.
Investor Relations
Collaborate in the community to foster public & private support for Lake Norman Region economic development by raising local awareness of the need for and fiscal and economic benefits of economic development.
Communication & Networking/Community Involvement
Work with industry, government, schools, community leaders, and the public to advocate for industry, expand existing industry, encourage new industry, and enhance the standard of living in the Lake Norman region.
Recruiting & Marketing
- Globally market Lake Norman region to potential investors.
- Provide the latest informatin to companies & consultants.
- Participate in marketing economic events on the regional, state and national level.