Iredelllivingonlinejune16

IREDELL LIVING • JUNE 2016 1

ComplimentaryJune 2016

Living the Good Life

PET PILGRIMAGEHonoring Your Pet as Family

2 IREDELL LIVING • JUNE 2016


Don ForrestDirector of Business [email protected](828) 244-6538

June 2016

Iredell Living the Good Life


LIVNG

I from the publisher

Myron T. GoughPublisher, Iredell Living

Welcome to the June issue. This month we celebrate and honor the graduates in our area. They have grown from kids to young adults and are now ready to take on the many challenges the world has to offer. Congratulations to them all as they put the long hours of studying and learning in the rear view mirror and go forward with confidence. Please know that we at Iredell Living Magazine are proud of you, and wish you a bright future filled with much success!

We also welcome the summer season this month. Yes, the long, hot days of summer are here, and 2016 will be half over at the end of the month! June would be a great month to take a daycation. Why not pack a picnic lunch and go boating on Lake Norman, or visit Carowinds, or any of the other great attractions in our area!

Father's day is Sunday, June 19. We salute and thank all the wonderful dads in our area who are fabulous role models for their kids. You are loved and appreciated more than words can express!

Until next month, thank you for reading the June issue of Iredell Living Magazine!

Follow us on Facebook–IredellLivingMagazinehttp://twitter.com/IredellLiving

W W W . I R E D E L L L I V I N G M A G A Z I N E . C O M

Mailing Address - P.O. Box 57 Harmony, NC 28634 (704) 546-5511E-mail - [email protected]

CONTRIBUTING WRITERSKristie Darling • Kirk Ballard • David Bradley

Meredith Collins • Kathy WheelerLauren Davidson

COVER PHOTOGRAPHYSheri Allison Photography

COVER STORYPet Pilgrimage Crematory & Memorials

Editorial stock photography, unless otherwise noted, is from ThinkStock.com

Iredell Living reserves the right to deny any advertisement or listing. Submissions are welcome, but unsolicited materials are not guaranteed to be returned. Iredell Living assumes no responsibility or liability for the information, services, products, claims, statements, accuracy, or intended or unintended results of any advertiser, editorial contributors, company, professional corporation, business or service provider herein this publication. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission from the publisher is prohibited.

Myron T. GoughPublisher/[email protected](704) 546-5511

Kathy WheelerDirector of Marketing & [email protected](828) 238-3224

Bob ChurchAdvertising [email protected](336) 686-7271

Linda B. WilsonAdvertising [email protected](704) 657-0237

Iredell

Follow us on Facebook–IredellLivingMagazinehttp://twitter.com/IredellLiving



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June 2016

25

8holiday | food | local business

8 •CelebratingFather'sDay

12 • PetPilgrimage HonoringYourPetAsFamily

18 •ServproOfIredellCounty Fire&Water–Cleanup& Restoration

22 •HavingFunWith OutdoorEntertaining

25 •What'sCooking?! GrilledFlankSteakWith GrapesAndStilton

28 • AWordFromThe StatesvilleChamber IredellLeadersMeetWith InstituteForEmergingIssues

30 • AWordFromThe Mooresville–SouthIredell Chamber BecomingAnACTWork ReadyCommunity

18



On the third Sunday in June, we cel-ebrate Father’s Day. You may think Dad won’t care one way or the other whether you celebrate his day or not. After all, he usually complains about all of these holidays and swears the greeting card companies invented them to make a profit. Right? Wrong! This is one holiday when he won’t mind if you make a small fuss! However, he probably won’t care if you give him a store bought card or a nice note, and he certainly won’t turn the card over to see what company it came from!

This year, we honor our dads on June 19th for all of their hard work, wisdom, and helpful advice they have given us. If your dad was similar to mine, some of his favorite sayings were:

“Because I said so, that’s why!” or “Go

ask your mother!” or “Do you think money grows on trees?” He used to tell my brothers, “That will put some hair on your chest.”

But some of my favorites were: “If it’s worth doing, it’s worth doing right.”

“The sooner you learn to stand on your own two feet, the better off you will be.” I always hated this one until I realized he was right.

Dads are often men of few words who want to teach us practical things that will help us in life, like how to change a tire or check the oil in our car, or how to catch a fish. They tend to set stan-dards for their family so their children will grow up to be prepared, resourceful adults who can think for themselves. Sometimes they show us how to do

things, while other times they let us figure it out on our own, knowing we will learn a lesson. Dads are good at setting limits and sticking to them. They don’t fall for our excuses or half-truths. If you know the value of a dollar, your dad probably had something to do with it. Dads push, teach, and encourage their children, so they will be strong and ready for what life throws their way. They can seem hard on us at times, but those times are meant to build character.

This Father’s Day, let your dad know how much you appreciate those lessons, his wisdom, and advice. Spend some time with him doing something he enjoys–maybe a game of golf, a fishing trip, or a cookout. However, remember that what he wants most is your love and respect and maybe a little fuss about it being Father’s Day.

Celebrating Father's Day

©Deklofenak | iStock | Thinkstock

By Kathy Wheeler





By Kristie Darling

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PET PILGRIMAGEHonoring Your Pet as Family

The love we bestow on our pets is endless. They sleep with us, wake us up with

cold noses or playful paws; they protect our children, become our favorite jogging

companions, and are undeniable comforters no matter what our age. Memories

of childhood pets are fresh in our hearts, even today. The unconditional love they

give in return is a wonderful gift. At the end of their life, extending that love brings

us comfort–we want their passing to be as meaningful and respectful as any family

member. Our pets are family, and the personalized, compassionate services pro-

vided by Pet Pilgrimage Crematory & Memorials ensure that your goodbyes bring

you peace.

Photo:On the cover–Michael Cook, vice

president of operations; Leslie Reid,

director; and H. Mike Cook, owner of

Pet Pilgrimage Crematory & Memorials

(Photo by Sheri Allison Photography).

Photo by Shane Greene Photography


Photos:Opposite page–Pet Pilgrimage Support • Standing, from

left to right–Randall Cruse, Andrew Fuller, H. Mike Cook,

Michael Cook • Seated–Kylie Anderson, Leslie Reid, Paige

Altieri • Dogs–Angus, Jack, Luna • Not pictured are Arthur

Helms, Susan Humphrey and other Cavin-Cook Funeral

Home & Crematory staff.

Pictured–top to bottom

• A comfortable environment with memorial keepsake

displays scattered throughout (Photo provided by Pet

Pilgrimage).

• Leslie has created a comforting environment for

grieving families.

• Families receive personal and compassionate support.

“Everyone grieves the loss of their pet differently,” shared Leslie

Reid, director of Pet Pilgrimage. “We provide a warm setting that

allows the grieving process to begin comfortably and privately in a

peaceful setting any time of day or night. Whether the death of your

pet takes place at home or in the veterinarian’s office, we’re here to

support and guide families as they experience the grief and sadness

that follows.”

LOVING ANIMALS, HELPING PEOPLE

Leslie Reid’s love of animals and their humans was apparent from

the first moment we met. She is vibrant, friendly, and thoughtful,

and I felt welcomed immediately. Seeing Leslie’s passion for com-

forting people and, oftentimes, their children, during an extremely

emotional time, made me realize what a gift Pet Pilgrimage is to our

community. “There have been times when a family has called us in

the middle of the night, not knowing what to do after their sweet

baby has passed away,” she said. “We were able to go to their home,

gently wrap their pet in an angel blanket, and transport it here,

with the family following. Families can spend all the time they need

together, in private, comforting each other, telling stories, saying

goodbye, making arrangements. A pet family encompasses owners,

their children, friends, and pet siblings, so all are welcome here.

There’s a private outside door in the comfort care room if someone

needs a moment alone, and we are always available to listen, answer

questions, or provide guidance in making plans.” Leslie told me

she gets so much personal reward meeting and helping pet owners

when the love for their animals spills over into her life: “Rescuers

have the extremely hard job; they see the truly difficult situations. I

see pure love everyday.”

COMPASSIONATE, PROFESSIONAL SERVICE

Pet Pilgrimage is a unique, beautiful place. Two comfort care rooms

feel like home, with Leslie’s own interior designer’s special touch–

comfy sofas and easy chairs, warm window views of the lawn

outside, larger-than-life, colorful animal portraits throughout, and a

tasteful sampling of urns, memorials, frames, and memory jewelry

to compliment any taste. Leslie showed me a plush, sweater-wearing

Teddy bear, whose tucked-inside, soft heart can hold ashes, a snip

of fur, photos, or mementos that you or your child can cuddle

whenever you feel the need. “I believe we’re the only place like this

in Iredell County. Our end-of-life services and referrals to quality

pet services are second to none,” Leslie continued. “In preparation

for an inevitable passing, families are welcome to come in to meet

us, tour our facility, and see our vans with their pet-sized gurneys

and beautiful angel blankets. We’ll show them our entire facility

and fully explain how their beloved pet will come into Pet Pilgrim-

age with respect, will be gently cared for throughout the process,

Pho

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and will always be cremated individually and privately.” Pet

Pilgrimage follows the same high standards, with the same

attention and respect that are maintained by Mike Cook,

founder of Pet Pilgrimage and president of Cavin-Cook Fu-

neral Home. Both Pet Pilgrimage and Cavin-Cook Funeral

Home share a guiding mission to provide comfort and care

to those mourning the loss of a loved one.

WHY CREMATION?

Living on the family farm, my family follows the old-time

practice of burying our dogs and cats on our property. For

families who move often, don’t have a family home place,

or want to keep their faithful companions with them, cre-

mation is the right choice. Cherished remains can be kept,

scattered at a special place, shared with family, or these

decisions can be made later, when the sadness has lessened.

Once the decision to bury or cremate your pet is made,

the staff at Pet Pilgrimage can help you with arrangements,

select a casket, urn, or markers, find a pet cemetery, or even

guide you in preparing a burial at home, if desired. During

cremation, families can stay with their pet throughout, can

gather in a comfort care room for as long as they want, or

they can receive the remains at home, always within 24 to

48 hours.

GRIEF, MEMORIES, SUPPORT

“Leslie and Paige went above and beyond to comfort

me and my husband. We felt like family, as if they knew

our fur baby personally. They are truly genuine and one

of a kind; beyond anything we’ve experienced,” said pet

owner Angie Rastetter.

There are many ways to work through grief, and Pet Pil-

grimage offers support for anyone. “We host a wonderful

grief support group every second Tuesday at 5:30 and hold

our Pet Life Celebration (a day of remembrance) annually

on the second Sunday of September at Pet Pilgrimage,”

Leslie said. “We refer families to local professionals–fully

vetted providers–in all areas of pet care, including animal

Reiki, sitters and walkers, veterinarians, portrait artists and

photographers, animal communicators, in home (or at Pet

Pilgrimage) euthanasia, when desired, and Pastor Brian Del

Piano, who ‘ministers to all of God’s creatures.’”

Children often have special needs at this time in their lives.

“It is very important to me to help children understand,

in age-appropriate ways, what has happened to their pet,”

Photos, top to bottom: (Photos by Shane Greene Photography)

• Each family receives a complimentary ceramic paw print

and hand carved urn.

• There are many options for personalization of urns and

memorial keepsakes.

• Urns, keepsakes, grief support resources, and pet care

service information are available in our selection and

resource area.


Leslie shared. “Sometimes this is their

first experience with death, and I want

to ensure that their emotional needs are

met, their questions answered, and give

them an opportunity to play as active a

role as needed in the process.” Children

can help select an urn, help make a

paw print, plant something special in

the memory garden, or write a note or

blessing on the memory wall that hangs

in the entryway.

PARTNERING WITH CAREGIVERS

“The veterinarians we work with in the

greater Charlotte area understand how

Pet Pilgrimage is a comforting extension

of the care they’ve provided to animals

over the years. They don’t want families

to wonder or worry about what hap-

pens to their pet after they pass,” Leslie

added. “There are questionable prac-

tices out there that should be avoided,

and we’re glad to have veterinarians

meet with us, tour our crematory, and

see the professional and compassionate

way we operate.” Pet owners, veterinar-

ians, and pet service providers are all

encouraged to visit.

When our pets pass away, we all need

support and guidance. We want to

ensure they are put to rest in the most

loving manner. There are no better

friends to our pets than their vets,

who care for them as their own. The

compassionate team at Pet Pilgrimage

continues that love when they pass on.

Learn more with a call to Leslie and a

visit to this lovely, amazing place. Pets

hold a special place in our hearts, and

they deserve this kind of love.

Pet Pilgrimage Crematory Memorials

494 E. Plaza Drive • Mooresville

704.664.5484

www.PetPilgrimage.com

Pet LifeCelebrationFifth

Annual

Benefitting the Humane Society of Iredell

Sun. Sept. 11th6:30 - 8:00 pm

BenefittingHosted By:

Well-behaved leashed pets welcome!

494 E. Plaza Drive (Hwy 150), Mooresville, NC

704.664.5484

www.PetPilgrimage.com

Blessing of PetsLuminary Lighting Celebration



Please join us for this special event to honor

your pet and help others.


your pet and help others.


your pet and help others.facebook.com/PetPilgrimage

Photos, clockwise:

• Pet Pilgrimage is located on the

premises of Cavin-Cook Funeral

Home & Crematory.

• Families are greeted by a soothing

fountain we affectionately call Timmy

and Moe.

• Transportation of your pet is available

from your home, or a veterinary

clinic, to our crematory 24 hours

a day (Photo by Sheri Allison

Photography).




When homes or commercial buildings are damaged by fire, water, or mold, it can be a very stressful time for the prop-erty owner. SERVPRO of Iredell County understands the stress and disruption such damage causes, and their goal is to quickly make it like it never even hap-pened.

SERVPRO of Iredell County is locally owned by Michael Stock. The com-pany is part of a national network of over 1,650 fran-

chises which enables them to respond quicker with more resources. Their staff is available 24/7 if your situation

requires immediate attention. SERVPRO of Iredell County works with you and your insurance company from beginning to end.

When a property is damaged by fire or water, SERVPRO of Iredell County can meet all your restoration needs. They will assess the damage, extract any water, remove affected materials, clean and dis-infect the area, and assist with the recon-struction. For water damage jobs, they will use moisture monitoring equipment to effectively measure and document the drying process to ensure your property is dry. For fire damage jobs, they have spe-cialized equipment and specific training that allows them to restore your home to its pre-fire condition.

By Meredith Collins

Michael emphasizes the importance of mitigation, which is the reduction in severity of the damages. “By minimiz-ing the actual damage, repairs tend to be less,” Michael said. “Many times, people think an incident requires a full remodel, but we try to reduce the impact to the property owner. This will save the home-owner money and get their home back to pre-loss conditions sooner.”

SERVPRO of Iredell County specializes in mold remediation. Since mold spreads rapidly, minor mold infestation can quickly escalate into a major problem. Mold can produce allergens and irritants in the home. To remediate the mold, you must contain it, clean the air with air filtration equipment, remove the mold and mold-infested materials, and clean the contents and belongings. Trained technicians, who can identify and treat the problem using the latest techniques and equipment to ensure your property is safe, can effectively do this specialized work.

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of Iredell CountyFire & Water–Cleanup & Restoration

Photos: Above–The SERVPRO of Iredell County teamBelow–Michael Stock, owner of SERVPRO of Iredell County

© Sheri Allison Photography


An important aspect of SERVPRO of Iredell County’s business is helping other business owners prepare for disasters. When fire and water clean-up are needed, getting help is now quicker and easier using the SERVPRO Ready Plan App. The Ready Plan is a free emergency preparedness tool for a home or business. It contains critical information, such as locations for the water shut off valve and electrical shut off valve. It also contains emergency contacts, such as plumbers, electricians,

and other emergency responders.

The SERVPRO of Iredell County team is dedicated to helping customers restore their property. Their technicians are trained to focus on the customer and understand their needs, as well as fully explain the process. “We understand all situations and customers are unique, and we really try to go out of our way to help,” Michael said. “Our goal is not to be the biggest company but to pro-vide the best service possible.”

Photos, left to right:

• Clean-up includes extracting the water, cleaning and disinfecting the area.

• Advanced equipment allows SERVPRO to thoroughly dry, clean and disinfect following water damage.

SERVPRO of Iredell Countywww.servproiredellcounty.com

servproiredellcounty704-872-7466

P.O. Box 1650, Mooresville

© Sheri Allison Photography




Summer is a fabulous time

to get together with your friends and

family. The sun is out, the kids are out of

school, and everyone seems a little more

relaxed. Whether it’s for Independence

Day, a birthday party, or just for a family

cookout, try out these tips this summer

to make your latest bash unforgettable:

Keep it Cool.Keep your guests comfortable with fans,

and make sure you have lots of water,

ice, and cold beverages on hand to make

sure everyone stays hydrated and happy.

Keep your dips and fruit on ice to keep

them cool if it’s especially hot.

Elevate Your Style.Hop on Pinterest and check out all the

different ways to make your gathering

one to remember. Even if I just have

a few girlfriends over, I simply throw

a cute tablecloth over our patio table,

light a few candles, and throw some

chilled white wine in a champagne

bucket. These things only take a few

minutes, but small touches go a long

Having Fun withOutdoor Entertaining

way when entertaining. Placing flower

arrangements on tables or hanging up

a string of lights around your trees will

turn your backyard barbecue into a

swingin’ summer soiree! If you plan to

do lots of outdoor entertaining this year,

it may be beneficial to set up outdoor

speakers, and if you’re on a budget,

there are lots of affordable, Bluetooth-

compatible options that will keep up the

mood. It’s also fun to explore different

table settings that you can craft at home.

Coastal themes are fun, and a starfish

placeholder is inexpensive and will

delight your guests.

Entertain!Give your guests something to do! By

all means, you certainly don’t need an

agenda, but keeping some games on

hand will keep the party from getting

stale. If you have children attendees,

why not arrange a scavenger hunt for

them? It’s also a fun idea to have serving

stations for beverages, desserts, and

appetizers. This is an unconventional,

but fun way to guide your guests around

the party, and this way, you don’t have

to worry about spending all your energy

serving and not having time to enjoy

yourself! Photo props are also trending

right now. Give your guests something

to put on Instagram with silly props

like hats, signs, and glasses. These items

are easily crafted or found at places like

Michaels or Oriental Trading Company.

Putting in just a small amount of effort

will set your parties apart and make your

friends and family look to you as a stellar

hostess. And remember, whether it’s for

a big graduation bash, a family barbecue,

or just having your best friends over,

make it special! Putting your signature

touch on things will create summer party

memories to last a lifetime!

©Ingram Publishing | Thinkstock

By Lauren Davidson




Light, refreshing flavors are the perfect solution for a summer meal. As temperatures heat up, take your summer entertaining to the next level with a secret ingredient that is as pretty as it is tasty.

Grilled Flank Steak with Grapes and Stilton

Serves: 6

1 flank steak (2 pounds) kosher salt freshly ground black

pepper 1 ½ tablespoons red wine

vinegar1 tablespoon chopped

shallot¼ teaspoon Dijon mustard¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil2 bunches (8 cups) water-

cress, trimmed½ cup crumbled Stilton or

other blue cheese 2 cups red California

grapes, halved

DirectionsHeat grill to high and oil grates. Sprinkle steak with salt and pepper.

In a small blender or food proces-sor, combine vinegar, shallot, mus-tard and olive oil to make dressing. Season with salt and pepper, and puree until smooth.

Grill steak until it reaches 130° F for medium-rare, about 6 to 7 minutes per side. Transfer to a cutting board and let rest 5 minutes.

What's Cooking?!Grilled Flank Steak with Grapes and Stilton

In a large bowl, combine water-cress, salt, pepper and enough dressing to coat. Thinly slice steak across the grain and transfer to platter. Top with watercress, Stilton and grapes, and serve with addi-tional dressing.

Savory Black Grape Sorbet

Servings: 4

1 ½ pounds (4 cups) black California seedless grapes, washed and stemmed

¼ cup sugar2 tablespoons vodka2 tablespoons lemon juice8 large basil leaves pinch of salt

DirectionsIn a food processor or blender, pu-ree grapes and sugar until smooth. Pour into a small saucepan and bring to boil over high heat. Re-duce heat to a simmer and cook until mixture has reduced by about one-third, about 15 minutes. Stir in vodka, lemon juice, basil and salt, then let cool to room temperature.

Pour mixture into a shallow pan and freeze until hard, 3 to 4 hours. Transfer to a food processor or blender and process until smooth and creamy, and lightened in color. Serve immediately.

Recipes and photos compliments of California Table Grape Com-mission. Visit GrapesfromCali-fornia.com for more refreshing recipes for summer.




A W O R D F R O M

Iredell LeadersMeet With

Institute For Emerging Issues

David BradleyPresident and CEOGreater Statesville

Chamber of Commerce

Eighteen months ago, several

friends went for a night out in

Greensboro to see our daughter

in a show. It is mighty cumbersome to

transport ten folks around with any

degree of comfort. We opted to try this

new-fangled transportation option,

Uber. We booked our trip online and

received an up-to-the second driver’s

location, estimated time of arrival, etc.

It was great. Technology is awesome,

except…isn’t there some downside?

Cab drivers across the country are

feeling the pinch of Uber. There is

little question that this modified, more

efficient transportation model is more

productive than the traditional means.

The real question is, “How will the tra-

ditional model evolve to better utilize

new or future technological advances?”

NC State’s Institute for Emerging

Issues, one of the preeminent think

tanks in the Southeast, estimates that

over the next generation or so, North

Carolina counties face the potential

loss of more than 25% of their current

jobs and nearly 20% of current wages

to automation. In Iredell County, it is

expected that we will lose nearly 34%

of our current jobs and 24% in wages.

The numbers are mindboggling.

Before we get too senseless, we need

to recognize that we have a choice.

Jobs with the greatest threat of loss are

probably some of the lower tier wage

jobs. Just like the demise of the textile

industry in the 1990s, jobs that require

a higher degree of manual dexterity will

likely become less available. We must

be creative, innovative, and imaginative.

We must use our mental and creative

dexterity to create new jobs.

North Carolina is hardly alone when

considering the future of employment.

Our country, our state, and our com-

munity must be diligent about job cre-

ation in an innovative, global economy.

The Institute for Emerging Issues

recently held a forum with over 1,000

leaders across the state to discuss this

issue. Participants made it clear that,

“…it’s time to pick up the pace to en-

sure that our institutions are accessible

to our increasingly diverse population

at all stages of the life/career journey,

and that they are flexible enough to

continually respond to the massive

technological changes that define the

four industrial revolutions.”

Our community is currently structured

well to address this opportunity. Iredell

County’s leadership, local munici-

palities, Mitchell Community College,

Iredell-Statesville Schools, our cham-

bers of commerce, economic devel-

opment agencies, and other partners

came together with the staff of the

Institute for Emerging Issues on May

17 to discuss how we could develop

a comprehensive plan to better foster

and embrace creativity in the local

economic climate. We must nurture

the entrepreneurial spirit as if it were a

new plant in our garden.

The onset of Uber has proven, almost

overnight in economic terms, to com-

pletely alter the traditional transporta-

tion system with positive and negative

ramifications. What we do about the

negative ramifications is our choice.

What choice do you want to make?

The Greater Statesville Chamber is

dedicated to helping mold a brighter

tomorrow, and that will mandate em-

bracing technology while seeking new

avenues for displaced workers to be-

come part of the innovative workforce.




PhotobyCaptainGus

Kirk BallardPresident and CEO

Mooresville - South IredellChamber of Commerce

Becoming AnACT Work

Ready Community

A WORD FROM

Iredell County is working to become an ACT Work Ready Community. Work Ready Communities utilize the

National Career Readiness Certificate (NCRC), a nationally recognized certifi-cate providing objective documentation of employees’ skills. It delivers assur-ance to employers that workers have the foundational skills needed to succeed in today’s jobs. It also gives job applicants a tangible way to verify the skills needed to stand out to employers.

The National Career Readiness Certifi-cate examination assesses an individual’s skill level in three areas deemed critical for employability: reading for informa-tion, applied mathematics, and locating information, skills required for virtu-ally any job. ACT, the organization that developed the college testing standard, researched over 16,000 occupations before developing these three Work-Keys assessments for the NCRC. These Certificates, and the skills they verify, help assure employers that the people hired and/or advanced will succeed. The Certificates also act like passports; regardless of where an individual lives or moves, the Certificates testify to work readiness. And, because the Certifi-cates are a win/win for employers and employees alike, counties that have sustainable, ongoing certification efforts are far more attractive. In effect, counties that are Work Ready Communities have a built-in economic development advan-tage in the eyes of existing employers, as well as those contemplating relocations.

The NCRC is a valuable resource for a variety of people. The NCRC helps:

• Job seekers and current employees improve their career outcomes

• Students prepare to succeed in a variety of career pathways

• Educators gain confidence that their students are ready for life after high school

• Employers and human resources professionals improve their hiring, training, and promotion decisions

• Workforce developers better assist those they serve, including displaced workers, in entering or reentering

the job market• Economic developers provide

evidence of a skilled workforce that helps attract business and industry

• Industry associations have a founda-tion for building systems of stack-able credentials

• Policymakers and legislators gain a resource to create policy and legisla-tive solutions to the nation’s eco-nomic and educational challenges

When individuals earn the NCRC, they become part of a robust workforce that helps their community’s economy thrive–which benefits everyone.

Employers can be the fuel to drive suc-cessful state and county Work Ready Communities’ initiatives simply by recognizing the ACT National Career Readiness Certificate. And in doing so, they will have a more qualified work-force ready to fill their jobs.

The foundation of a community’s certifi-cation is based at the county level, across the current, transitioning, and emerging workforce on individuals earning and employers recognizing the ACT National Career Readiness Certificate. Employers embracing a common language around workforce skill requirements is a crucial part of the Work Ready Communities effort. Community goals include a mea-sure of business engagement.

Be an employer who recognizes the National Career Readiness Certificate by signing up. With your support, Iredell County is closer to building a better workforce. There is no cost to you.

If your business wants to recognize the National Career Readiness Certificate in your county’s effort to become a Work Ready Community, please register with workreadycommunities.org

To Register Your Company Today, Visit:

www.workreadycommunities.org/business/form




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