NEW BERN, North Carolina (July 23, 2021) – Greenville Eastern North Carolina (ENC) Alliance vice president of business development Uconda Dunn presented this week at the Homegrown Leaders Program through the NC Rural Center. The three-day training took place at the New Bern Riverfront Convention Center.
“I was honored to present to dozens of attendees at the Homegrown Leaders event. It gave me the opportunity to speak to an audience of professionals from nonprofits, small business, local and state organizations, and community organizations,” said Dunn.
During her presentation, she shared valuable information about economic development and workforce development in eastern North Carolina.
“The Rural Center invited Uconda Dunn as a subject matter expert in economic development, one of the top areas of interest to the Homegrown Leaders Program (HGLP) participants from eight ENC counties. Uconda has deep and broad experience in economic development in multiple states and at the state and local levels,” said Dan Gerlach, consultant for the HGLP.
HGLP is a regional leadership and community economic development training that equips existing and emerging leaders with the skills they need to lead long-term economic advancement in their community and region.
Gerlach continued, “a native of eastern North Carolina herself, Uconda communicated a message about ENC strengths and opportunities for improvement with optimism and competence. HGLP participants were lucky to have an economic development leader of her experience, acumen, and passion share insights with them on job creation, recruitment, and growth in Pitt County and beyond.”
“I hope the group took away that eastern North Carolina is primed for business and providing skilled jobs at livable wages,” said Dunn. “Additionally, I hope that attendees are willing to help assist youth and adult learners identify opportunities in non-traditional careers.”
On the topic of workforce development, Dunn detailed current skilled jobs in the area, as well as recent project announcements with job creation and potential job creation numbers for prospecting projects.
“It is essential that we focus on workforce development efforts and the training programs that we have in place in our community,” said Dunn. “By having discussions on the need for skilled workers, we can support training initiatives that are important for filling the jobs that we anticipate in the coming years with new industries in our region.”
To learn more about NC Rural Center’s Homegrown Leaders Program, visit their website by clicking here. The program is open to individuals who live or work in the North Carolina counties of Bertie, Carteret, Beaufort, Craven, Greene, Lenoir, Pamlico, and Pitt.
Media Relations Contact:
Maria Satira Director of Marketing and Communications Greenville - Eastern North Carolina Alliance satira@encalliance.com 252-414-2875
