A Publication of the Randolph County Economic Development Corporation
March 2025
Seagrove Potters 17th Annual Spring Celebration
April 25 – 27, 2025
Seagrove Potters 17th Annual Celebration of Spring Pottery Tour-Spring Kiln Openings: April 25, 26, and 27, 2025, 10am – 5pm. Visit studios, meet potters, and expand your pottery collection. Online shopping will be available with some studios, as well.
This special 17th annual event is a self-guided tour of individual pottery galleries, studios, and workshops in the Handmade Pottery Capital of the USA. Seagrove’s title of #1 Town in America for Craft Lovers makes this event even more extraordinary. The tour is held at participating shops in the Seagrove area. Go behind the scenes to experience the process first-hand and have the unique opportunity to meet the artists before buying handmade pottery to take home and enjoy.
2025 NORTH CAROLINA MANUFACTURING CONFERENCE
When: April 29-30, 2025 – Benton Convention Center, Winston-Salem, NC
The North Carolina Manufacturing Conference, MFGCON, offers opportunities to meet vendors, network with industry peers and learn about resources and processes to grow your business. During the conference, NCMEP presents the Manufacturing Leadership Awards that honor outstanding manufacturers for their achievements, celebrate successes and showcase the incredible work happening in North Carolina’s manufacturing sector.
Register at: https://ncmep.org/mfgcon/
Let David Hursey know If You Plan to Attend
Details: Tuesday Afternoon and Wednesday Morning in Washington, D.C.
Email David at dhursey@rcedc.com so he can help coordinate trip.
Local News and Announcements
Chief Express named one of largest freight haulers in Triad:
Chief Express & Logistics is your one-stop transportation solution. Our terminal, maintenance facility, and offices are conveniently located near an I-73/74 corridor in Seagrove, NC. We operate only the newest equipment with 60 satellite equipped tractors and over 300 dry van trailers. With our highly trained staff and state of the art computer technology, we are able to move and track freight with the reliability and safety our valuable customers deserve.
Homeschoolers Eligible for Free Trips to NC Zoo: The North Carolina Zoo offers free field trips to every student in the state of North Carolina, but did you know that homeschooled students are included in that!
"Asheboro is the perfect setting for Counting Miracles. I hope readers feel inspired to visit and see all that Asheboro has to offer.” –Nicholas Sparks, The author has chosen Asheboro in the heart of North Carolina to be the setting for his recent book, Counting Miracles.
A Piedmont Triad staple has been recognized as the best BBQ joint in the Tarheel State by Southern Living.
In Southern Living’s “The South’s Best Barbecue Joint In Every State 2025” list, Lexington Barbecue was chosen as the top restaurant in North Carolina.
Toyota Battery Factory will now supply Honda as well:
Nikkei reported Monday evening that Honda will procure batteries for its hybrid vehicles from Toyota Battery Manufacturing North Carolina.
Nikkei said Honda had been getting batteries from Japanese and Chinese producers and shipping them to the U.S., but it is joining forces with other Japanese automakers to establish new supply chains as the Trump administration imposes tariffs and promises more.
UNCG Established BRIGHT Institute to focus on battery belt: The Vision is to transform North Carolina into “America’s Next-Gen Energy and Battery Technology Capital” and become a leading US domestic hub.
That was one of the takeaways from a recent KinderCare Confidence Index report, which found 59% of respondents share that sentiment. The survey, which polled 2,504 parents with children age 12 and younger, highlighted how some parents are putting more pressure on employers to help address the national child-care crisis.
Workers update resumes, cut spending as recession fears loom
A significant number of workers are preparing for a recession over the next year.
That’s according to a recent survey from Resume Templates, which found that 6 in 10 respondents believe the economy will enter a recession within the next 12 months.
The report, which surveyed 1,000 workers, painted a harrowing view of how workers see the economy — and chronicled how they're preparing accordingly. They're updating their resumes, they're seeking extra income and they're cutting spending amid layoff fears, according to the report.
RCEDC President's Op-ed on Corporate Transparency Act Published
The Well News published Kevin's op-ed late last month calling for a repeal of the regulation as it stifles progress and disproportionately hurts small business:
"It is time to put American businesses first, and to support their entrepreneurial efforts to build back our nation. With Congress hitting its legislative stride, the repeal of this law should happen immediately with Trump’s warp speed approach to legislation. This would create certainty, remove the outcome from the courts and provide another first-100-days win for American business."
Right On Schedule Treasury Issue's Interim Final Rule 3/21/2025:
FinCEN Removes Beneficial Ownership Reporting Requirements for U.S. Companies and U.S. Persons, Sets New Deadlines for Foreign Companies
WASHINGTON––Consistent with the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s March 2, 2025 announcement, the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) is issuing an interim final rule that removes the requirement for U.S. companies and U.S. persons to report beneficial ownership information (BOI) to FinCEN under the Corporate Transparency Act.
In that interim final rule, FinCEN revises the definition of “reporting company” in its implementing regulations to mean only those entities that are formed under the law of a foreign country and that have registered to do business in any U.S. State or Tribal jurisdiction by the filing of a document with a secretary of state or similar office (formerly known as “foreign reporting companies”). FinCEN also exempts entities previously known as “domestic reporting companies” from BOI reporting requirements.
Randolph County entrepreneur and Chief Express CEO Kennan Hill has partnered with Todd York to launch a new business for dumpster rental and removal. Check them out at www.uwharriedumpster.com Local service done right.
If you like golf and want to help support the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society this is a great event to attend. This cause is close to our hearts as a Randolph county business member has been battling chemotherapy treatments for Leukemia over the past 4 years. Thanks to advancements in treatments they were able to beat the Leukemia and still be active for the remainder of their time on chemotherapy.
Nelson Ingram has overcome this challenge and still contributes to their business and our community. If you want to attend please reach out to him at npingram@ccimachine.com and see the flyer attached.
Randolph County in consideration for 60-job, $9 million concrete company project
A company is considering Randolph County as a place to build a pre-cast concrete factory that would employ about 60 people. It makes underground storm and sanitary structures, utility vaults, box culverts and custom structures for underground utilities.
It’s considering Virginia as well, Business Recruitment Director Crystal Gettys told commissioners. The company anticipates an investment of $9.1 million in building improvements, construction, machinery and equipment. Workers would earn an average of $63,000.
Thank you to the companies below which recently renewed their support of the EDC and the Randolph Rises campaign. Your contribution continues to make our service, reach, and impact felt across the county.
If you are interested in becoming a Randolph Rises investor, please click the button below.
