Orange County NC Website
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2 <br /> Orange County's workforce and employment is primarily influenced by the significance presence <br /> of the many University of North Carolina and UNC Health Care facilities based here, the <br /> geographic proximity to the high-tech Research Triangle Park tenants and surrounding Triangle <br /> cities and other premier universities, plus state and local government centers. These factors <br /> contribute to the community's economic vitality, growth and stability, help to sustain the steady <br /> employment and income trends, and generally shield the region from the cyclical lows of <br /> occasional economic downturns. <br /> Orange County has also not historically had a large presence of traditional industries employing <br /> lower-skilled labor, like textiles & furniture, which have increasingly relocated off-shore and <br /> reduced local employment across other parts of North Carolina. As a result, Orange County <br /> routinely ranks among the top 1 — 3 North Carolina counties with the lowest unemployment rate, <br /> enjoys the highest per capita income level, and has the highest percentage of local residents <br /> holding 4-year and higher education degrees. <br /> A variety of state and local government agencies, educational institutions, non-profits and <br /> private interests all contribute toward workforce preparedness on behalf of Orange County's <br /> residents who seek skills training and employment opportunities. Such agencies include: <br /> • local public school systems' Career and Technical Education (CTE) curriculum for <br /> Orange County & Chapel Hill/Carrboro high school students <br /> • Durham Technical Community College (new Hillsborough campus) <br /> • University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill <br /> • State employment agencies such as "NCWorks" (503 W. Franklin Street, Chapel Hill) <br /> • Local nonprofits such as EmPowerment, Inc.(109 N. Graham Street, Chapel Hill) and OE <br /> Enterprises, Inc. (Hillsborough) <br /> • Orange County Department of Social Services' membership in the 5-county "Regional <br /> Partnership Workforce Development Board", which helps funds various employment & <br /> training solutions for job applications and employers. <br /> FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact associated with the presentation on Orange <br /> County Employment and Labor Statistics. <br /> SOCIAL JUSTICE IMPACT: There is no Orange County Social Justice Goal impact associated <br /> with this informational report. <br /> RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board receive the report and <br /> provide comments to staff as necessary. <br />