Raeford-Hoke Chamber of Commerce Expo will return this month. Open to both job seekers and local businesses alike, chamber members may set up booths free of charge in order to advertise employment opportunities.
Hoke County’s primary industry is turkey production. Other agricultural products produced here include corn, tobacco and cotton. Hoke County is also widely recognized for its civic stewardship efforts to restore longleaf pine.
Membership
Raeford-Hoke Chamber of Commerce is a private non-profit organization that represents business interests while stimulating economic development and providing leadership in community affairs. Membership is open to any area businesses and professionals interested in contributing towards improving local communities.
The Chamber provides several benefits to its members, such as access to its database of prospective customers. Furthermore, it hosts events which showcase and promote the county and its attractions – such as its signature annual Hoke Heritage Hobnob event which draws in 60,000 people annually.
Kurt Posey moved from Florida eleven years ago and quickly got involved with helping to revitalize downtown Raeford. Currently serving as executive vice president/director/trustee of Sun Path Products as well as an active member of Fall Festival Board and Kiwanis Club; Kurt has even been honored as employee and citizen of the year by Kiwanis!
Will Wright is the Director of Raeford/Hoke Economic Development. Having grown up in Hoke County himself, Will has an avid interest in seeing its future flourish. In previous roles he worked alongside his grandfather at J.H. Wright Realty Co and W.J. Wright Realty to sell Hoke County as a place for new residents and businesses to settle. Will is also an active member of Bethel Presbyterian Church in Raeford.
Business Directory
The chamber provides a business directory, listing members along with contact details and thumbnail and full-sized images of local businesses. Their website also lists county events and department meetings as well as providing guides for new residents as well as offering other helpful information.
Multiple candidates have filed to run for three City Council seats that will be up for election this year in Raeford. At the close of week one, candidates including Cathy Brown, Jackie McLean, Ricky Sandy and Shelley Wilburn had submitted their names. Josh Bain and David Conoly added theirs two days before The News-Journal’s press deadline on Tuesday afternoon.
Sun Path Products of Raeford is the county’s biggest employer with more than 2,000 workers employed there. Walmart, Lowe’s and Target also rank highly on this list of large employers.
Next month, the chamber is hosting a job fair from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at the county parking lot behind the courthouse. Open to both chamber and non-chamber members alike – non-members may setup information booths for $25 fee – 20 different companies are anticipated to participate and their annual Expo has been planned for May 14. This event had to be postponed during pandemic fears but will return this year!
Community Events
A chamber acts as an advocate for local businesses and communities, providing services such as events that highlight community interests. A chamber professional explained how one chamber hosted quarterly Meet and Greets with elected officials that allowed chamber members to build relationships with elected representatives while shaping legislative agendas within the community.
An Expo is another type of community event the chamber can organize, featuring networking opportunities where local residents can learn more about local businesses that operate within their community. New businesses can take this chance to get their name out, while it serves as an excellent recruiting event for companies looking for new staff.
Other community events a chamber can host include 5K runs or walks that raise money for local charities. These are great ways to bring members out of their offices while working up a sweat together! In addition, chambers often host business awards ceremonies where member businesses who have performed good deeds can be honored for their contributions to society.
Chambers can bring their members closer together through providing an online forum where they can meet. Job boards allow members to post open roles; member forums enable discussions of industry issues and solutions between members; etc.
Economic Development
The Hoke County Chamber of Commerce provides business people and professionals an informal forum in which to network. Furthermore, it fosters economic development by being involved with community affairs while simultaneously improving quality of life for Hoke County citizens.
Hoke County’s economy is driven primarily by agriculture, with turkeys as its key product. Other agricultural commodities include tobacco, corn and soybeans while agricultural-based industries produce wool and polyester fabrics, beauty aids and concrete blocks. Fort Bragg military reservation also plays a vital role here.
Hoke County boasts a flourishing tourism industry. Parks and recreational facilities in Hoke County feature various activities for parkgoers to enjoy; while an annual golf tournament hosted by the Chamber of Commerce draws thousands to Hoke County Festival each year.
Hoke County residents with prior felony convictions could soon get another step closer to full citizenship through a new law that grants felons the right to vote in county and state elections, part of the state’s effort to reduce incarceration rates by expanding voter eligibility for those previously imprisoned.
Raeford-Hoke Chamber of Commerce will host a job fair this month to bring employers and job seekers together. After being postponed during the pandemic, this event will now take place from 10 am to 2 pm at the county parking lot and members may set up information booths free of charge; non-members can rent booth space at $25/day.
