Staff Report

The growing viticulture industry, along with the impact of recently completed and ongoing infrastructure projects are combining to bring new economic opportunities to Yadkin County. According Bobby Todd, Economic Developer for Yadkin County, activity in the county is at an all time high.

'We have been fielding a surprising number of questions from interested parties,' according to Todd. 'Several projects are in the works right now, and we hope to have an announcement soon. Of course the wine industry continues to grow in our area.'

The viticulture industry is leading the way for Yadkin County. It is particularly appealing because so much of the jobs it provides are right here in the county, says Todd. 'From the farming of the grapes, to the bottling, to the sales, it is a true cradle-to-the-grave industry here in Yadkin County. There are other businesses springing up also to support it. We have a wine making supply company, along with an increasing number of bed and breakfast lodging operations as well as tour companies taking people from outside our county to tour the wineries.'

The exact economic impact of the industry is difficult to evaluate, due to its rapid growth. 'I am trying to find hard numbers on the impact, but it is a moving target,' says Todd. A study commissioned by the Department of Commerce and the North Carolina Wine & Grape Council reported an impact state wide of over $ 48 million for 2005. 'If you look at the North Carolina wine industry, and remove the two largest - one of which uses primarily California grapes, the other exclusively muscadine- you can see that grape growing alone is huge in this region.' Those two wineries are Biltmore and Duplin

The Yadkin Valley Wine Region currently has some 28 wineries, with the largest being Shelton in Dobson and Childress outside of Lexington. There are currently nine vineyards operating in Yadkin County. Shadow Springs in Hamptonville and Cellar 4201 in East Bend just opened, as did the tasting room for Allison Oaks in Downtown Yadkinville. Sanders Ridge in Boonville plans to open in October. The addition of Brandon Hills in Lone Hickory and Divine Llama in East Bend, both slated to open in the Spring of 2009, will bring the total to twelve.

According to Todd, the burgeoning industry is helping to put Yadkin County on the map. 'This is helping Yadkin gain a level of sophistication in the eyes of outsiders and provides an interesting marketing opportunity. Google Yadkin, and you will find that there is no other Yadkin or Yadkin County anywhere else in the world.'

This enhanced visibility is also leading others to Yadkin County for other business opportunities. Todd says that due to increased water availability down 601 and out to West Yadkin, other industries have take notice of Yadkin. 'We have had a large number of inquiries lately. Of course, we want to attract industries that fit with the needs of Yadkin citizens. We have had one or two that may have not benefited the county, so we have politely walked away from them.'

Todd does see one particular obstacle to meeting the needs of some opportunities. 'In some cases, we just don't have the properties or buildings necessary to meet their needs,' Todd says of some companies who have come looking. 'We need a larger inventory of properties that are priced and available for sale. These days, if you can't offer a property with a set price, they will just move along to someone who can.'

Available buildings are also key. According to Todd, there is a lack of variety in the structures existing in the county. This is something that the Yadkin Economic Development Council is working on. 'The EDC is working with some developers to create available properties with shell buildings ready to move into or with virtual shells ready for quick construction.' A 'virtual shell' is a property that has been graded and has all utilities in place, ready for building.

According to Todd, these factors add up to a bright future for Yadkin County. 'It is an exciting time right now! I'm looking forward to what the next few years have to offer.'