High Country Times

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted North Carolina's economy, but regardless of its negative effects, several Wilkes County-based businesses continue to hire. 

During a Wilkes Economic Development Corp. (EDC) board meeting on April 8, several members said businesses are looking for workers and financial assistance and have had to alter certain areas to continue operating during the coronavirus pandemic, according to an April 15 Wilkes Journal Patriot report. 

Wilkes EDC President LeeAnn Nixon said during the meeting that the organization and Wilkes Chamber of Commerce are sharing posts to help companies find employees to hire, Wilkes Journal Patriot reports. 

Chamber President Linda Cheek said during the meeting some companies are giving raises during the pandemic as well, according to the Wilkes Journal Patriot. 

"I have been so proud of our larger employers — Lowe’s and  Tyson [Foods Inc.] — for providing raises,” she said during the meeting, the Wilkes Journal Patriot reports.

Tyson Foods is also hiring along with plenty of other companies that are looking for individuals who can sew face masks together, according to the Wilkes Journal Patriot. During the meeting, Nixon said state officials helped find companies to produce face masks and other personal protective equipment, the Wilkes Journal Patriot reports. 

While some companies are looking to hire, other companies and individuals are looking for financial assistance. 

Cheek said many of the calls she receives at the chamber office are from people having issues with filing unemployment claims, according to the Wilkes Journal Patriot. 

Wilkes Small Business Center Director Laurie Brintle-Jarvis is working with the federal Payroll Protection and Economic Injury Disaster program, which is one program to help business owners receive financial relief, the Wilkes Journal Patriot reports. The Payroll Protection Program will help business owners receive a loan up to $10 million and if the loan is used on payroll, it will be forgiven according to the Wilkes Journal Patriot. 

“Information about [the programs] has changed as the weeks have gone on," Brintle-Jarvis told the Wilkes Journal Patriot. "Things are quickly changing and  moving and the process is getting better."

But other businesses are having to alter how things are done or close temporarily due to the coronavirus, according to the Wilkes Journal Patriot. 

Wilkesboro-based Spectrum Hospitality Management President Dale Isom said two of the five Spectrum hotels in the area are closed, the Wilkes Journal Patriot reports. 

Wilkesboro  Tourism Development Authority Director Thomas Salley said he saw what  the chamber was doing and communicated with Nixon and Jarvis to avoid  duplicating 

“The others are housing folks who are displaced from their homes for some reason or essential workers," Isom told the Wilkes Journal Patriot. “It’s just a different world in the hospitality business. No one was prepared for what came about…Those that are operating are operating at about 10% of occupancy  or less.”