Kelly Wallace, President & CEO, Triangle East Chamber of Commerce

In an interview with Invest:, Kelly Wallace, president and CEO of the Triangle East Chamber of Commerce, discussed the region’s rapid growth, workforce development, and small-business support. “We’re committed to building a future-ready region that is economically diverse, regionally connected, and nationally competitive,” Wallace said.

What changes over the past year have most impacted businesses and communities across the Triangle East region?

Johnston County is the fastest-growing county in North Carolina. We are transitioning from a high-growth county to a high-opportunity county and are focused on managing that growth.

We have a population of nearly 250,000; we are growing, have a strong labor force, and low unemployment. We are trying to maximize that while also seeing new economic opportunities come into the county.

More housing is coming, and that is probably the biggest opportunity. People are trickling over from Wake County, and we are trying to keep up with the infrastructure needs to handle that kind of growth.

How would you describe the economic climate, and what trends are shaping it?

We have a strong economic climate here. We have a great employee base and strong workforce development partnerships.

We also have a strong manufacturing base and are well-positioned because of our transportation connections. We have I-95, I-40, access to rail, and proximity to the port, so those transportation connections make us ideal for those industries.

We are not pigeonholed into any particular industry, and that makes us more robust.

What industries are most important to the region today?

We have a wide variety of industries spanning our region, including manufacturing, healthcare, construction, retail, education, logistics, and distribution. Some of our largest employers include Novo Nordisk, Grifols, Johnston County Public Schools, and UNC Health Johnston, representing global investments, advanced manufacturing growth, and life sciences expansion.

How are communities across Triangle East balancing growth with infrastructure, quality of life, and transportation needs?

It starts with partnerships and communication with our community partners. We have strong relationships with Johnston Community College, Johnston County Public Schools, and our coalition of chambers. We have five chambers in our county, and we have a good working relationship there.

The workforce is something we are really working on together. In 2019, we started JOCO WORKS, which is a career development initiative that follows students from eighth grade through 12th grade. It starts with career exploration and continues with skills development, resume writing, interviewing, mock interviews, and preparing students for internship and apprenticeship opportunities as juniors and seniors.

We are proud of that program. We are going into our eighth year, and we have seen over 25,000 students impacted by the work that is going on. That would not happen without our partners. That is one way we are navigating high growth: by being a collaborative community.

Why is career exposure at the student level so important?

We realize that not every student wants or needs to go to a four-year university. We are helping students understand that the community college system is not a fallback opportunity, but one that could set them up for success and financial savings. Students can graduate from high school with credentials, go to community college, get a certificate or associate degree, and get a job. The employer may then pay for any additional education they need.

It is not a single pathway. There are a variety of pathways. The most critical thing students can do is participate in internships, apprenticeships, or job shadowing. Employers also need to think about bringing students in at the high-school level, not just college interns.

Having those touchpoints and allowing students to job shadow or intern helps them confirm whether that is the direction they want to pursue before they waste time and money.

How are smaller and rural communities positioning themselves to compete for investment and talent?

Our county has unique strengths, including our location. We have vibrant towns and a lot of community pride. People come to Johnston County for that small-town feel, but they still have access to more urban amenities.

Small businesses are at the table helping us. About 90% of our members are small businesses.

Working with the North Carolina Chamber, we have also rolled out a healthcare program to help small businesses afford healthcare. Businesses with between two and 50 employees now have access to healthcare at a reasonable rate. That is huge in attracting and retaining talent. 

What are the chamber’s top priorities for the next couple of years?

We’re committed to building a future-ready region that is economically diverse, regionally connected, and nationally competitive. Those are some of the things we are focused on.

We are convening leaders, investing in people and places, strengthening workforce ecosystems, and advancing smart-growth strategies that create lasting opportunities for our communities.

Is there anything else you would like to highlight?

When we think about our workforce ecosystems, one major challenge we are focused on is helping our business community and elected leaders understand that childcare is workforce infrastructure. Without childcare, work does not work. People cannot get to work. That has bubbled up to the top and become a critical issue that many communities are looking at.

We are convening partners to see how we can advance policy, support and stabilize our existing childcare infrastructure, and explore out-of-the-box opportunities to meet that need.

That challenge affects companies of all sizes and industries, and it is important to recognize that and continue advancing solutions.

What needs to happen to better support childcare?

The waiting lists are awful because there are not enough open spots to fill the need, and we cannot get enough teachers into the industry. We need to raise wages for those workers. You are putting your prized possession in their care, so let’s pay them what they are worth.

Opening classrooms, creating more spots, and improving compensation are important. Many childcare centers do not offer benefits, so programs like Carolina HealthWorks could help.

Quality, affordable childcare is the first step in preparing our future workforce, making sure children are in a safe place where they can learn and thrive, and where parents feel confident leaving them.

We do not have all the answers, but we are working on it.