YOUR Membership at Work
The last quarter of 2024 was filled with efforts to champion business growth and business prosperity throughout Union County.
Highlights included the inaugural Women in Business Awards, the expansion of Make It In Union County to a month, and the largest Gala in recent history.
Read on to see your membership at work.
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
Make It In Union County Expands to Month-Long Celebration
Make It In Union County is a grassroots effort to increase awareness among students, educators, parents, and the public of the positive impact of manufacturers on our community, as well as the promising career opportunities in manufacturing. For 10 years, the program has been a week long. But in 2024, we expanded it to the entire month of October.
The celebration kicked off with the Manufacturing Celebration Breakfast attended by over 100 representatives from local manufacturers, elected officials and business leaders. Chris Chung, CEO of the Economic Development Partnership of North American shared a keynote highlighting the vital role of manufacturing in our economy.
At the breakfast, Make It Chair Fred Edwards shared an inspiring update. In 2023, a donation from ATI and Make It created a scholarship in honor of 2023 Board Chair Eric Dixon. It provides funds for South Piedmont Community College Students interested in trades, manufacturing or apprenticeships. At the 2024 Breakfast, Fred shared that the scholarship had surpassed the $15,000 threshold to be fully endowed, thanks to donations from ATI employees, Union County manufacturers and community members. The plan is to award the first recipient this year.
CREATING OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL
Inaugural Women in Business Awards
2024 saw the inaugural Women in Business Awards. Over 2 dozen women from across the county were nominated in the categories of Women to Watch and Women of Influence. At the final Women in Business Luncheon of the year, the winners were presented.
Creating Opportunities for Union County Businesses
In an effort to help more Union County businesses do business with local governments, the Diversity Equity and Inclusion Committee partnered with the Small Business Center at South Piedmont Community College for the second Government Contracting series. Session topics included “Marketing to the Government,” and “Let’s Get HUB Certified” and more. In order to extend the reach, this year, attendees could choose to attend virtually. Read more here.
Celebrating Union County Business
The Annual Excellence in Business Awards Gala was the largest in recent years, with nearly 550 community and business leaders in attendance. The event included networking time, dinner, and the recognition of outstanding businesses, nonprofits, and individuals in Union County.
GROWING LEADERS IN UNION COUNTY
Leadership Union Graduation
The 30th cohort of Leadership Union graduated in November of 2024. Leadership Union exists to develop and foster leaders in our community. It provides attendees with education about our community’s strengths and opportunities while encouraging stewardship. Attendees spend one day a month for 10 months travelling throughout the county, learning about topics including education, healthcare, nonprofits, manufacturing, and tourism. The 2025 cohort kicks off with an all-day retreat January 16.
CACCE Management Conference
The Chamber Team got some leadership development of their own, attending the Carolinas Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives Management Conference. The team had the opportunity to network with and learn from Chambers from across the Carolinas, and hear presentations on a variety of topics focused on helping us serve our members and community better.
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.
