A program designed to “inform, connect and unite leaders” from across Sampson County in an effort to support long-term economic growth is being launched next month, according to Ray Jordan, who heads Sampson’s economic development office.
Dubbed Sampson 360, the program, Jordan said, will bring those leaders together with the same common goal: bringing sustainable economic growth for the community.
Sampson 360 will kick off with its inaugural event, “Trends to Watch: Preparing Sampson County for Tomorrow’s Economy,” Tuesday, Feb. 10, at Heritage Hall in the Agri-Exposition Center. Doors will open at 11:30 a.m., and the program begins at noon. Ted Abernathy, the founder and managing partner of Economic Leadership,LLC will be one of the keynote speakers featured at the event, which is open to the public. Registration is $25 per individual, including lunch.
“This session is a must-attend for anyone invested in Sampson County’s economic future,” Jordan stressed in a release about the Sampson 360. “Participants will leave equipped with strategies to develop and retain a competitive workforce, attract and grow businesses, prepare infrastructure and sites for future investment, leverage data-driven insights and strengthen regional collaboration.”
Jordan also said that those in attendance “will gain actionable insights on key trends shaping Sampson County’s economic landscape over the next five to 10 years, including workforce development, emerging technologies, entrepreneurial growth, industrial and commercial infrastructure, energy and power considerations, societal shifts affecting quality of life, and economic competitiveness in a changing national and global context.”
Jordan said Friday that he has been working on strategies for economic development since taking the helm of the county department, and this plan seems like a good one to bring people together for a common goal.
“Earlier last year, the commissioner approved the adoption of our strategic plan for economic development. Part of that plan contains several goals and strategies, and all of those goals were centered around the need to create communication and collaboration and share information across the county,” Jordan pointed out.
”That strategy revolved around the fact that the county needs to work collectively across all the best possible avenues to increase awareness for the need for economic development,” he said.
The tagline for the program is “Driving Growth, Building Opportunity!” Hosted by Sampson County Economic Development, Sampson 360 features, Jordan noted in a release, “curated speaker events, seminars and educational programs focused on economic growth, community vitality and long-term competitiveness.”
Sampson Board of Commissioners Chairman Allen McLamb said the new program has great value. “Sampson 360 is an important step in strengthening communication and collaboration across Sampson County. By bringing together leaders from business, education, agribusiness, healthcare, nonprofits and local government, this initiative can help ensure our community is working to enhance the economic growth and long-term prosperity of our county’s residents,” he noted in the release.
Seating for the Feb. 10 event will be limited. Tickets for the event can be purchased online at www.sampsonedc.com and will be available through Feb.3 or until they are sold out.