Chatham County’s existing industrial base reflects the region’s strong history of manufacturing and agricultural production. However, as the resident base begins to shift toward a more educated workforce with a diverse range of skill sets, shifts in the industrial base are taking place to more fully utilize the talents and capabilities of Chatham County’s citizens. In the midst of this transition, Chatham County’s primary industrial sectors continue to provide steady employment for local residents, as well as an indicator of local economic viability for new and expanding business opportunities.
Agriculture (NAICS 11):
As a resource-rich area, Chatham County has a long history in agriculture. With almost 1,100 farms, the agricultural sector is one of Chatham County’s largest economic drivers; according to the 2007 Census of Agriculture for Chatham County, total cash receipts values the agricultural sector’s contribution at over $142 million annually. The majority of value from the agricultural sector is derived from the local production of livestock and poultry; Chatham County ranks 1st in North Carolina for beef cattle production and 7th for broiler production. Chatham County’s agricultural sector is tied strongly to the county’s manufacturing industries, providing the inputs for many local industries in the food manufacturing sector.
Manufacturing (NAICS 31-32):
Manufacturing is one of Chatham County’s largest industrial sectors; 81 manufacturing industries within the county employ 4,458 people, create $38,420,071 in wages annually, and pay an average weekly wage of $663.
Chatham County’s existing manufacturing industries fall into many of North Carolina’s traditional manufacturing subsectors: food products, wood products, chemicals, nonmetallic mineral products, fabricated metal products, machinery, and furniture.
The food manufacturing sector includes industries like
Townsend’s Inc,
Brookwood Farms,
Kerala Curry, and
Southern Supreme. Chatham County’s wood products manufacturing sector will soon be expanding with the growth of
Uniboard USA, which recently joined the wood products sector with industries like
Moncure Plywood,
Pallet One of NC,
WrennWood, and several other timber and lumber companies. Chatham County also has several successful companies in traditional North Carolina industries, such as
Arclin,
Oneida Molded Plastics,
Performance Fibers, and
Piedmont Biofuels in the chemical manufacturing sector,
Chandler Concrete,
Floorazzo Tile,
General Shale,
International Precast, and
Triangle Brick in the non-residential building products sector,
Basic Group and
Olympic Steel in the fabricated metal products and machinery sectors, and
Lazar Industries and
Lloyd’s of Chatham in the furniture sector.
Wholesale & Retail Trade (NAICS 42 & 44):
Chatham County has an established wholesale and retail trade sector to serve local businesses across the county. In the wholesale trade sector, 65 establishments employ 456 people; businesses in this industry sector generate a total of almost $4.9 million in annual wages and pay an average weekly wage of $818. Chatham County’s wholesale trade sector includes businesses such as
Hart Furniture Company, Bish Enterprises, and
Wood Technology, Inc. In the retail trade sector, 159 establishments employ 1,680 people in the county. Retail trade creates over $10.3 million in total annual wages and offers an average weekly wage of $477. With the growth of Chatham County’s residential base and new commercial properties, opportunities for retail trade continue to expand.
Construction & Real Estate (NAICS 23 & 53):
Growth in the construction and real estate industries swiftly followed Chatham County’s residential expansion in the last ten years. In the third quarter of 2008, 219 companies in the construction industry employed 936 people in Chatham County and created $7 million in annual wages, with an average weekly wage of $577. In the real estate industry, 39 companies employed 100 people, created $610,598 in annual wages, and had an average weekly wage of $465. As economic recovery begins and Chatham County’s residential boom continues, companies within the construction and real estate sectors can look forward to steady business in Chatham’s bright future.
Health Care & Social Assistance (NAICS 62):
Chatham County is an attractive location for businesses in the health care industry, with Central Carolina Community College’s
new training programs in the health and child care fields and Chatham Hospital’s new facility at the Central Carolina Business Campus in Siler City. Within the county, 100 businesses employ 2,507 people in the health care and social assistance sector, which creates almost $16 million in annual wages and an average weekly wage of $490.
Professional & Technical Services (NAICS 54):
Chatham County’s professional and technical services sector is small, but has significant growth potential with the increase in highly educated and skilled resident workers. Currently, the professional and technical services sector is made up of 126 businesses that employ 548 people; this industry sector generates $6.24 million in annual wages with an average weekly wage of $873. The professional and technical services sector is continually growing and changing through the innovation and creativity of local entrepreneurs and small business owners who are meeting the needs of Chatham County’s strategic industrial growth.
Industry data was compiled from the North Carolina Employment Security Commission's Labor Market Information Division and reflects estimates for 3rd quarter 2008.
For more information about existing industries in Chatham County, please contact Jennifer Nelson at jnelson@chathamedc.org or 919.545.8380.
