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GARNER, N.C. – About 150 state, regional and local business leaders and elected officials attended the Garner Economic Development Showcase on May 7 to learn more about the wealth of development opportunities in this Wake County Town of more than 25,000 just south of Raleigh. The event was presented by the Town of Garner and Garner Chamber of Commerce, and featured informational presentations and a bus tour.

The event began at the Garner Historic Auditorium where guests were greeted by Mayor Ronnie Williams and members of the Board of Aldermen. After a light breakfast, Chamber President Neal Padgett, Mayor Williams and Chamber Chair Douglas Ball addressed the audience and acknowledged local dignitaries and corporate sponsors in attendance.

Among the attendees were state Sen. Vernon Malone, state Rep. Deborah Ross, former Raleigh Mayor Smedes York, Wake County Commissioner Lindy Brown, Wake County School Board Member Horace Tart, and representatives from Sen. Richard Burr’s and Rep. Bob Etheridge’s offices. Several representatives from the North Carolina Department of Commerce were also present.

A lively video entitled “Garner: A Great Place to Be” featured local residents and business owners describing how Garner provides down-home comfort and amenities near big-city attractions like museums, sports and the arts. North Carolina Symphony Music Director Grant Llewellyn also appeared in the video, commenting on his enjoyment at conducting the Symphony during Garner’s annual July 3rd celebration.

Keynote speaker Ted Abernathy Jr., executive vice president of the Research Triangle Regional Partnership, shared a presentation featuring economic and demographic statistics and trends, and shed light on the projected growth of the Triangle region eastward. “That puts Garner in the middle of it all,” he said. “For the future, I definitely see the glass being more than half full for Garner.”

Ken Atkins, executive director of Wake County Economic Development, provided brief comments before introducing an interview segment hosted by Amy White, vice president of member services for the Chamber. Jim Brooks, general manager of Golden State Foods, said that after a regional search, they felt Garner provided an ideal location for their distribution needs. Kerry Doughty, executive vice president of sales and marketing for Butterball, noted that Garner provided easy access to their turkey processing plant in Mt. Olive and to RDU International Airport.

Garner resident and renowned vocalist Rozlyn Sorrell dazzled the audience with her rendition of the song “Feeling Good,” echoing the event’s theme: “It’s a New Day.”

Many of the attendees then loaded up on busses for a 90-minute tour of the town, highlighting commercial and residential developments as well as quality-of-life features like parks, shopping and wellness facilities. Among other sites, riders saw the future homes for Butterball and Golden State Foods at the Greenfield North Industrial Park, and the Pergo manufacturing facility.

Following the tour, attendees enjoyed lunch at Cinelli’s Restaurant inside Rush Hour Karting. One of the most common remarks heard throughout the event was, “I didn’t know Garner had that!” Many attendees expressed appreciation for being invited to the event and said the Town and Chamber should do it again.

“The overwhelmingly positive response we received would not have been possible without the collaboration among the Town, Chamber and businesses in staging this event,” said Padgett. “We showed everyone that Garner is a great place to live and do business.”

Padgett acknowledged the corporate support of Time Warner Cable, AT&T, Progress Energy and PSNC Energy, as well as Town of Garner employees and volunteers. Town Manager Hardin Watkins and Assistant Town Clerk Maggie O’Neill worked tirelessly on the effort, and International Minute Press provided assistance with last-minute printing needs.

For more information, contact the Garner Chamber of Commerce at (919) 772-6440 or visit www.garnerchamber.com.