2017 Economic Development Annual Report 2017 Economic Development Annual Report

Garner Economic Development Es 6 7 t ,7 ation ul 23 Buil 4 , 1 G arner C ommunity S napshot ed su tion of much-needed industrial space were the highlight of 2016-17. STOCK America opened their new $2 million corporate head- g Pe rmits vestments in 2017-2018. Strategic Behav- development along proposed transportation corridors. Our department focused on workforce de- velopment in 2017 through a partnership the first time at their Garner facility. Pergo with the Trojan Business Alliance. We co- invested over $7 million in their Garner fa- hosted the Senior Employment Initiative, a cility to accommodate new production and hiring event for high school students who packaging space. are not bound for college or the military. With two new restaurant/retail spaces open- Held for the first time since the 1990s, this ing this year, White Oak continues to be an event helps prepare graduating students for epicenter of new commercial development. the job market with exercises in resume writ- Occupancy rates also increased in older re- ing, interview skills, and dressing for success. tail properties, as national chains like Lumber Over 30 companies and hundreds of stu- Improved Nature opened a 30,000 square Liquidators and Gabe’s opened new loca- dents participated in the hiring event. foot manufacturing facility in a formerly va- tions in existing shopping centers. date their North American holdings and im- prove efficiency company-wide. B 38% Existing companies also made significant in- cial attention to residential and commercial allow the company to treat adult patients for 2017. The move allows STOCK to consoli- l employ n U office space was leased before construction. ioral Health’s new $2.2 million expansion will quarters in Greenfield Park North in March in Com e m as J o s ep h l 2016-17 was a year of growth for the T own of G arner . A ll sectors — industrial , commercial , and residential — saw substantial new investment . Groundbreakings, expansions, and construc- e A Message from Garner’s Economic Development Director a S t Nearby in Greenfield North, Duke Realty erected 151,000 square feet of new indus- trial space. With a vacancy rate below 5%, Duke Realty adds much needed square foot- age to the tight industrial/warehouse mar- ket. cant grocery store. Their innovative meat Overall, economic development activity has Residential developers agree — Garner’s steadily increased and companies and fami- growth makes it a great place to raise a fam- lies are choosing to make Garner their home ily. Over 3,000 new residential units have - showing once again that Garner is a great Bella Rose Nursing Home broke ground on a been approved since 2016. New multi-fam- place to live and work. With the new Com- $8.8 million expansion of their Garner cam- ily, townhouses, and single family residential prehensive Land Use Plan and Transporta- pus that is slated to open in 2017-18. development are sprouting up throughout tion Plan slated to be approved in late 2017, Garner. Garner stands ready to accommodate new replacement product offers a great opportu- nity for continued growth. The town approved Lundy Group to add 20,000 square feet of Class A office space With the passing of the transportation bond to the market on Timber Drive. Half of the in November 2016, town staff will pay spe- growth. 1

2017 Economic Development Annual Report 2017 Economic Development Annual Report | Page 2