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Salisbury Rowan Community Action Agency, Inc. With regard to race, 71.5% of North Carolinians are White, 22.1 % are Black and 9% are of Hispanic or Latino origin. In Rowan 80.1 % are White, 16.6% are Black and 8.2% are of Hispanic origin. In Cabarrus 77.4% are White, 17.1 % are Black and 10% are of Hispanic origin. These demographics depict the constituents who are most in need of the services in these two counties. Unemployment /Underemployment In the last year, no significant job growth has occurred in Rowan County; however, according to an article published by the Independent Tribune, Cabarrus County's SO Coffee and Tea added 100 jobs in 2014 as a result of the company's expansion. As of May, 2015 Alevo Group, a GridBank utility battery manufacturer announced its deployment deal in Concord which lead to 50 job openings in May, and a monthly hiring expectation of 50 -60 workers through September 2015. The overall expectation is to hire as many as 500 employees by 2015 year end. The positions range from executives to front line production workers. Service county's constituents in need of self- sufficiency services are oftentimes in need of additional occupational skills trainings. This information has compelled SRCAA to take a strategic approach in employment guidance for program participants to ensure interest and skills are compatible with their desired employment. This is in addition to providing resources to participants in order to complete occupational skills training programs for the purpose of meeting employer qualifications to secure sustainable employment. With the current rate of unemployment in Rowan County's at 5.6% and Cabarrus County's rate of unemployment at 4.9 %. There are some notable differences in the level of occupational skills between participants in each of the service counties, with Cabarrus having a more skilled labor force than Rowan. In addition, Cabarrus has more opportunities for growth and is adjacent to Mecklenburg County, one of the nation's fastest growing municipalities, which increases employment opportunities for residents. Additionally, Mecklenburg County is in excess of 45 miles from Rowan County, and according to the US Census Bureau, more than 4,900 Rowan County residents commute there. For those constituents working the lower paying jobs, the cost of commuting alone negatively impacts their personal budgets. Education /Vocation The 2012 Closing the Skills Gap Survey of NC conducted by the Centralina Workforce Development Board Report states that, "National trends continue to indicate that communities throughout the country are facing current or imminent shortage of skilled workers to meet the demands of local employers ". This fact adds to the continued fluctuating unemployment rate and requires service providers to discuss alternative education /vocation options to attain the skills that employers require. Families face impoverishment due to the lack of employment opportunities, education and occupational skills training for the employment opportunities that are available. According to the census bureau North Carolina's High school graduation rate for persons over 25 is 83.9 %. In Cabarrus County, the graduation rate for this same group is 86.4% and persons with Bachelor's Degrees or higher is 25.1 % compared to the states 27.3 %. In Rowan County, there is a marked difference. High school graduates over 25 years of age, is only 81 % and those with Bachelor's Fiscal Year 2016 -17 Community Services Block Grant Application Page 16 of 28 Attachment number 2 \n F -11 Page 302