Rowan News

Several Rowan County-based organizations created the Rowan Economic Recovery Task Force, which is designed to help area businesses and employees struggling because of COVID-19. 

"With everyone working together we can accomplish a great deal in the next few months," Rowan Tourism Development Authority CEO James Meacham said in a news release published by WBTV on May 13. "Our community is positioned to recover quickly from the COVID-19 crisis. We want the community to stay safe and ensure a successful economic recovery." 

The economic task force developed a slew of recommendations and initiatives to help businesses and workers and also a one-shop stop for information and data about federal and state economic policies. 

The task force is the brainchild of the Rowan Chamber of Commerce, Economic Development and the Tourism Development Authority, the news release said. 

Part of the help being offered will include a job fair. The task force will host a job fair for local workers who have been displaced from their jobs and will offering workforce training with the help of local colleges, as well as seeking out federal and state resources available for businesses and individuals, WBTV reported on May 14. 

These efforts will come as a great aid for business owners such as Pam Coffield who owns and operates Stitchin’ Post, which had to close in March due to the stay-at-home order, she told WBTV. Coffield has learned to do Facebook live posts to stay connected to customers. She is happy to see that local leaders are supporting those who are struggling. 

“I’m just so proud of our local leaders for stepping out in this way to help get us through this tough period," Coffield told WBTV.