ROCKINGHAM — As the temperatures dropped and the sun set behind the Richmond County Airport, a majority of local manufacturing leaders were shucking away at the Industry Appreciation Oyster Roast.
The event, sponsored by the Richmond County Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development, has existed in some form for the past 22 years, since Emily Tucker first joined the Chamber.
“We originally started with a golf tournament, but the people that we wanted to see — the supervisors, the mid-line managers — we didn’t see those, we saw sponsors,” said Tucker, who has worked her way up to Chamber president over the years. “So, we turned it into this, and obviously got a better turnout.”
The event is not open to the public and there are a limited number of tickets every year, she added.
“There’s no agenda, no planned thing,” Tucker said. “They come and have a good time; come when they want to, leave when they want to.”
As the industry reps opened shell after shell in one of the hangars, some took the opportunity to get a view from the sky in a short airplane tour.
“It’s a small thank you to all of the industries in Richmond County,” said Economic Development Martie Butler. “They hire our citizens, they invest in our tax base and they sponsor a lot of civic events … they’re great corporate partners and we (appreciate) them.”
Several hundred jobs have been added since 2014 through either new industry deciding to locate to Richmond County or current companies expanding.
The county has recruited several new companies— including Enviva and Direct Pack — to the area in the past five years.
There are also a few companies that have taken over existing ones: American Woodmark (RSI Home Products); Vaughan Buckley Construction (Ritz-Craft); Filspec (Richmond Specialty Yarns). FilSpec, Cascades and Hood Packaging are all Canadian-based companies.
The roast was more informal than the dinner in years past.
“That’s what it’s meant to be,” said Butler. “For them to have a good time.”
