LINCOLNTON––Lincoln County saw much economic progress during the fiscal year just ended.

That’s the word Monday from Cliff Brumfield, the executive director of the Lincoln Economic Development Association (or LEDA). In a presentation to the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners at its regular meeting, Brumfield informed that f.y. 2023-24 saw $361,190,289 in new investment announcements by industries in Lincoln County and nearly 300 new jobs announced.

Those numbers break down as:

• SG Seating, $6.629 million, 20 jobs;
• Cataler N.A., $18,198,289, three jobs;
• Sennebogen, $11.8 million, 40 jobs;
• Wanzl, $17.050 million, 35 jobs;
• Bosch, $227.513 million, 74 jobs;
• and Green New Energy Materials, $80 million, 125 jobs; thus totalling $361,190,289 and 297 jobs.

Brumfield also outlined some strategic objectives for the County and LEDA in f.y. 2024-25. They include:

• maintaining world-class service to existing local industries and championing work force and pipeline development through established means;
• encouraging business development, including a Website for advanced product offerings and organization and establishing communication and development potential for identified future sites;
• encouraging small businesses and entrepreneurial efforts by working in partnership with local leaders, facilitating their vision for growth and expanding available service knowledge to the greater business community across Lincoln County and collaborating with property-owners to best prepare for new business locations;
• enhancing stakeholder communications, thus ensuring legacy data systems are adequate for future needs and increasing the use of data resource platforms;
• and advancing product-development efforts with landowners and leadership; ensuring resources are available to facilitate success and help meet priorities for both the County and the City of Lincolnton.