Newsworthy Events & Updates
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Youth Opportunity: ASU Accepting Nominations for Upward Bound Programs
Posted March 5, 2010
Appalachian State University has received funding to implement an Upward Bound Math and Science Program in conjunction with its classic Upward Bound Program and is recruiting 130 high school students in the 9th to 11th grades in Watauga, Ashe, Avery, Alleghany, Burke, and Wilkes counties to participate in one of the two programs.
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Lending by the banking industry fell by $587 billion, or 7.5 percent, in 2009, the largest annual decline since the 1940s. –Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, 2/23/10

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If You Didn't File a Tax Return in 2006, the IRS May Have Money for You—But You Must Act Quickly To Claim It
Posted March 4, 2010
In North Carolina, nearly $33 million in tax refunds has been unclaimed by about 39,000 taxpayers who did not file a tax return in 2006. The IRS estimates that the median unclaimed refund amount for tax-year 2006 for North Carolina taxpayers is $539.
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At least 50 million people are ill-fed in the United States today—up from 37 million just a year ago—including 17 million children. Hunger in America is now at an all-time high, and there are currently entire national geographic regions—the very large 15-state 'South' being one of them—where more than half of all public school students are poor and ill-fed. –Leo Hindery, Jr., chair, US Economy/Smart Globalization Initiative at the New America Foundation, 2/23/10

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N.C. Toyota Drivers Affected by Recalls Can Get Additional Help with the Repairs
Posted March 4, 2010
North Carolinians who drive recalled Toyotas should now be able to get quicker repairs, free pickup and delivery of their cars, and free rental or loaner cars to drive, according to Attorney General Roy Cooper.
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Financial companies have slashed almost 80,000 securities, commodities, and investment jobs in the United States since employment peaked in mid-2008. All told, financial firms employ approximately 793,000 people in securities, commodities, and investments in the United States, down from 872,000 in June 2008 –Reuters, 2/25/10

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March Offers Numerous Resources for Entrepreneurs
Posted March 1, 2010
The month of March is packed with courses, workshops, and conferences targeted to those who are thinking of starting their own businesses.
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The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act added between 1 million to 2.1 million workers to employment rolls by the end of 2009 and added between 1.5 to 3.5 percentage points to the growth of the economy. –Congressional Budget Office, 2/23/10

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Upcoming Events of Particular Interest
Updated March 9, 2010
For details and registration information on these events and many more, click to the RecoveryInTheHighCountry.com calendar:

• 3/9/10 - Social Media Marketing Workshop - Wilkesboro
• 3/10/10 - Microsoft Word Course Begins - Boone
• 3/10/10 - Boone Chamber High Country Family Business Forum - Blowing Rock
• 3/10/10 - Employability Workshop - Boone
• 3/11/10 - Avery Chamber Business After Hours - Banner Elk
Welcome to Recovery in the High Country

Times Are Tough- We Want to Help

With unemployment rates in the double digits across the seven-county High Country region, teenagers, young adults, first-time jobseekers and seasoned workers are all looking for ways to survive this economic recession. Recognizing that no one solution will apply to everyone, the High Country Workforce Development Board has created this website to provide resources and guidance that span the employment spectrum, from federally funded Workforce Investment Act services to entrepreneurial information.

Whether you want to work one on one with an employment professional or want to chart your own path, this information-packed site has been designed to give you ideas, hope, and direction.The members of the High Country Workforce Development Board know that recovery in our region will be built one jobseeker and one entrepreneur at a time. We urge you to use these resources to help build that recovery.
 
What Federal Stimulus Funds Mean to the High Country Print E-mail
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act—the federal stimulus program—means $1.75 million in additional funds for youth and adult services provided through the Workforce Investment Act in the High Country.
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What Federal Stimulus Funds Mean To You Print E-mail
In addition to pumping 1.75 million more dollars into Workforce Investment Act services in the High Country—services that will directly impact hundreds of residents in Ashe, Alleghany, Avery, Mitchell, Wilkes, Watauga, and Yancey counties—the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act includes a number of provisions that will or already have directly impacted practically every individual and family in our region, whether through tax breaks, incentives, direct payments, increased unemployment benefits, or subsidies. Are you aware of all the provisions within the stimulus act that will put more money in your pocket?
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NC Summer Jobs A Huge Success Print E-mail


Lots of Young People Had Jobs This Summer

Thanks to federal stimulus funds, 183 young people ages 16 to 24 in the seven High Country counties had the opportunity to get jobs this summer—jobs that paid above minimum wage and lasted for 6 to 8 weeks. In addition to the job experience, NC Summer Jobs participants had the chance to earn a Career Readiness Certificate, a valuable job-readiness credential that's recognized throughout the United States.
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Career Counseling & Training for Adults Print E-mail

 

 

Out of Work?

Thanks to federal stimulus funds, approximately 660 additional adults in the seven High Country counties will be able to obtain career counseling and training to help them move into good jobs in high-growth industries. Interested? Read more...