There are four economic drivers in Henderson County – agriculture, manufacturing, retirement and tourism. According to the industrial directory published by the Henderson County Partnership for Economic Development, over 135 manufacturers call Henderson County home. They range from the large industry leaders such as Meritor and Wilsonart to the small family owned companies such as Mountain Rug Mills and Southern Appalachian Craft Brewery. With over 5,000 employees making an average of $940 plus a week, you can see why organizations such as the Chamber and the Henderson County Partnership for Economic Development work hard at maintaining the quality of life that is so important when companies are looking to build or relocate their facility.
Just a few of the aspects that make Henderson County so attractive are:
- Lowest ad valorem tax rate in the Asheville Metropolitan Statistical Area and 18th lowest in North Carolina
- No unionized manufacturers
- Lowest crime rate for a community with a 100,000 plus population
- Easy access to I-26, I-40 and I-85
- Home of award winning Blue Ridge Community College
- Wingate University, Western Carolina University and University of North Carolina all have a Henderson County presence
- Henderson County Public Schools is 8th in the state in top NC Public Schools and in the top 10 in SAT scores in the state
The reasons that make Henderson County a wonderful place for us all to live and work are the same reasons that manufacturers choose to base their operations here.
The Henderson County Chamber of Commerce has an industrial division, led by GE Lighting Systems, Inc. HR Director Terry Collins. The goals of this division are to build stronger relationships between industry leaders and community leaders and to build peer-to-peer networking among area manufacturers.
Recognizing the large impact the industry and manufacturing and as a way of saying thank you for choosing our community, the Chamber has hosted an annual Industrial Appreciation Pig Pickin’ for member industry and manufacturers, their employees, and guests for over 40 years. The 2016 Pig Pickin’ was held on Thursday, June 9 at The Cedars. This year’s event was presented by Friday Staffing Services, IMOCO, The Blood Connection and Wilsonart with sponsors Coldwell Banker King and Hampton Inn. It was a great networking opportunity and chance to enjoy wonderful food.
The Chamber strives to be a community resource, an information source and link for our area. For more information on what the Chamber can do for you and your business stop by our office at 204 Kanuga Road or give us a call at 828-692-1413.
