Your Membership at Work
YOUR Chamber ‘s efforts to champion business growth and business prosperity in Union County continued in the second quarter of 2026.
We made steps in workforce development as well as advocating for business-friendly policies. Annual events supported small business owners and job seekers.
Read on to see what we’ve been up to this quarter.
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
2026 Union County Job Fair Strengthens Local Talent Pipeline
As Union County continues to navigate workforce challenges, including connecting employers with qualified talent and aligning job-seekers with high-demand career pathways, the Chamber remains focused on solutions that strengthen our local talent pipeline. Events like the annual Job Fair are a key part of that commitment.
The 2026 Union County Job Fair, held in partnership with South Piedmont Community College, Union County Schools, Centralina Workforce Development Board, and NCWorks, brought together 67 employers and 450 job-seekers for a day centered on meaningful connections and career exploration.
Employer feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with many vendors noting the strong quality of candidates and productive conversations throughout the event.
Insights from job-seekers indicate high interest in office roles, healthcare, and information technology, highlighting key areas of workforce demand across the region.
YOUR Chambers workforce development efforts go far beyond the annual job fair. Read more about how we are ensuring a pipeline of workers for our community here.
CivicLab Training Bolsters Chamber's Workforce Development Efforts
As a partner in Our Future in UNiSON, the Union County Chamber continues to participate in CivicLab training, a national learning initiative focused on building stronger regional collaborations and improving workforce outcomes. Through this work, UNiSON partners are gaining valuable tools and insights to better align education, workforce development, and economic opportunity across Union and Anson counties.
In May, Director of Communications and Special Projects Jessica Rielly attended the latest training in Redding, California, where attendees explored strategies for measuring and communicating impact through data. The training emphasized effective data reporting, visualization techniques, and using data to drive meaningful community change. Attendees also gained a broader vision for how communities can strengthen labor market alignment, create pathways to quality careers, and ensure residents have access to well-paying jobs that meet regional workforce needs.
In particular, the Labor Market Alignment Group of UNiSON has been developing pathways to help local students, and job seekers find a clear path from high school to career. You can also find local institutions like Wingate University and South Piedmont Community College that offer the classes, trainings, or certificates necessary for careers in:
- • Business/Finance
- • Healthcare
- • Manufacturing
- • Construction
- • Information Technology
BUILDING A THRIVING COMMUNITY
Annual NC Department of Labor Safety Awards Honors Local Workplaces
In June, we were honored to host the North Carolina Department of Labor (NCDOL) Safety Awards Program, recognizing employers and organizations that have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to workplace safety and health. The event serves as an important reminder that a strong safety culture is not only essential for protecting employees. It is also a key driver of business success and community well-being.
The program featured Scott Mabry, Deputy Commissioner of the North Carolina Department of Labor, who shared an update on the department’s ongoing efforts to support workplace safety across the state. Following his remarks, he presented awards to the organizations that have achieved exceptional safety records and demonstrated a commitment to making workplace safety a daily priority.
We are proud to congratulate the following organizations on their achievements:
Gold Safety Awards
- Amcor
- ASSA ABLOY Door Control Group
- ASSA ABLOY Entrance Systems – Service Parts
- ATI Specialty Materials, LLC – Bakers North Operations
- ATI Specialty Materials, LLC – Bakers Powder Operations
- ATI Specialty Materials, LLC – Bakers South Operations
- ATI Specialty Materials, LLC – East Operations
- ATI Specialty Materials, LLC – Monroe Operations
- Atrium Health Musculoskeletal Institute – Indian Trail
- Century Contractors, LLC
- Charlotte Pipe and Foundry
- Circor Pumps
- City of Rockingham – Administration Department
- City of Rockingham – Buildings & Grounds
- City of Rockingham – Police Department
- City of Rockingham – Public Works
- City of Rockingham – Wastewater Treatment Plant
- City of Rockingham – Water Treatment Plant
- City of Rockingham
- Collins Aerospace – Monroe
- Corning, Inc. – Concord Plant
- F&C General Construction
- Goulston Technologies, Inc.
- Harris Teeter Indian Trail – Support
- Holiday Inn Express & Suites – Monroe
- Martin Marietta Materials, Inc. – Bakers Quarry
- Metal Recycling Services – Monroe Shredder
- Metal Recycling Services – Monroe MRP Facility
- Midway Aerospace
- Natural Family Planning OB/GYN
- Pureon – Monroe
- Record USA
- Sanger Heart & Vascular Institute – Union West
- Union County Government
- Union County Human Services/Social Services
- Union County Public Health
- Union County Sheriff’s Office
- Union County Water
- Union County Community Action, Inc. – Administrative Department
- Union County Community Action, Inc. – Fayetteville Street Head Start
- Union Family Practice
Silver Safety Awards
- Atrium Health Hospice & Palliative Care Union
- Atrium Health Union West
- Atrium Health Union
- City of Rockingham – Fire Department
- Sanger Heart & Vascular Institute – Monroe
- Union County Community Action, Inc. – Central/Faison/Moreven Facilities
- Union County Community Action, Inc. – South Hamlet Head Start
- Union County Community Action, Inc. – Winchester Center
Million-Hour Safety Milestones
The event also recognized organizations that have achieved extraordinary workplace safety milestones through years of dedication and vigilance:
- ASSA ABLOY Door Control Group – 2 Million Hours Worked Without a Lost-Time Injury
- Corning, Inc. – Concord Plant – 1 Million Hours Worked Without a Lost-Time Injury
These achievements reflect the hard work and commitment of management teams and employees alike. Reaching safety milestones of this magnitude requires a sustained focus on safe work practices and a shared dedication to protecting one another every day.
Congratulations to all of this year’s recipients. Your commitment to workplace safety serves as a model for others and reinforces the important role that safe, healthy workplaces play in building stronger businesses, stronger communities, and a stronger North Carolina. We appreciate your leadership and look forward to celebrating your continued success in the years ahead.
ADVOCATING FOR BUSINESSES
2026 Chamber Visit to Raleigh
Chamber President/CEO Clayton Whitson and several members of the Public Policy Committee travelled to Raleigh this week. They met with members of Union County’s Delegation to expand on the work of our Legislative Agenda, and to communicate the needs of local businesses to lawmakers.
They also had the opportunity to meet with those outside of our delegation to broaden our sphere of influence. Finally, they had productive meetings with outside organizations like the North Carolina Chamber on regional and state-wide collaborative efforts that will help position Union County as a regional and state leader
OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL
Small Business Summit Supports Entrepreneurs, Business Owners
Nearly 100 Small Business owners and entrepreneurs attended the 2nd annual Small Business Summit in May. YOUR Chamber partners with the Small Business Center at South Piedmont Community College and the Women’s Business Center of Charlotte to host the conference.
The focus this year was on Scaling Smart: Systems, Customers, Growth. Roy Pelkey with EOS Worldwide shared strategies for scaling businesses of any size. Daniel Boyce with Digimatiq Marketing presented on tactics to better understand customers to market better. And returning favorite Wilmenia Gripper with W.E.G Consulting and Training brought a slew of new AI tools to help business owners streamline efforts and work more effectively. Dr. Taylor Spencer, owner of Wonder Academy, was the MC of the event.
CHAMBER NEWS
Kim Vaugh Named CFO of the Year Finalist
Director of Operations and Member Services Kim Vaughn has been named a finalist for the Charlotte Business Journal’s CFO of the year.
Kim has worked at YOUR Union County Chamber for 11 years and is the backbone of the organization. She is an invaluable financial leader whose vast array of skills and insight are instrumental in the success of YOUR Chamber. She has a thorough understanding of the best way to utilize financial systems to meet objectives, and a unique ability to encourage and coach fellow team members.
The CFO of the year will be announced at a ceremony in Charlotte in July.
THE WORK CONTINUES
It is YOUR partnership and YOUR investment that makes all of this work to champion business growth and business prosperity throughout Union County possible.
