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friendships with numerous
residents with diverse backgrounds and vocations.
His concern for his native county’s future
led him to bring together Patrick’s leadership
for an open discussion.
The discussions centered on
those areas that posed the greatest barriers to future
economic stability. The county had an economic
development office, industrial parks with marketable
properties, utilities, and funding for a shell
building. But what infrastructure component do
most firms searching for new locations put at the top
of their lists? Most firms’ first request
is for evidence of
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an educated and trained workforce.
So, how did Patrick
County’s workforce compare with the needs of
these new potential employers, many of whom require
technology skills? The county’s demographic
profile was similar to many rural counties that
remained dependent upon old economy employment.
For many generations, the traditional economy
industries of textiles, timber, and tobacco provided
security and income stability. Those preparing to
enter the workforce focused upon reaching the age of 18
and
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