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EDC reports strong 2025 pipeline and cites Spencer facility among wins
Summary
Rowan Economic Development Corporation reported a 25% jump in qualified projects, nearly 1,800 new jobs in 2025 and $534 million in new investment; the EDC credited a recent Spencer site announcement for part of the gains and described ongoing workforce supports for PCA-affected employees.
Scott Shelton of the Rowan Economic Development Corporation briefed the Board on the EDC’s end-of-year metrics and December highlights. Shelton said the EDC fielded about 132 qualified projects in the past 12 months (a roughly 25% increase over the prior period) and noted the organization’s five‑year pledge to create or attract 3,000 jobs and $500 million in investment. For 2025 specifically he reported nearly 1,800 new jobs versus an annual goal of 600 and roughly $534 million in new investment versus a $100 million target.
Shelton highlighted a Spencer-related announcement he said played a key part in the strong results: a company he described as an outpatient drug- and alcohol-treatment and mental‑health provider planning a 30,000‑square‑foot facility on Long Ferry Road with an investment he cited as about $14 million and a plan to create more than 500 jobs over five years (the presenter reported an average pay for those positions of just under $65,000). Shelton also reviewed a local job fair the EDC hosted after the PCA closure and said about 70 PCA employees attended and that follow up was ongoing with employers who met attendees.
Why it matters: Shelton framed the announcements as both economic wins and service expansions for the county: new private investments typically expand the tax base and, in this case, add medical‑treatment capacity for Rowan County residents. Board members thanked EDC staff and said they look forward to more detailed follow-up as projects progress.
Next steps: Shelton said the EDC will continue follow-up on job-fair outcomes and that the EDC is planning an annual meeting likely in late February and a spring job fair likely in April; board members were invited to the next EDC board meeting on March 12 at 3:30 p.m. at the Gateway Building.
