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The mission of Apex Economic Development is to position Apex for economic opportunity and prosperity through business and industry growth and entrepreneurship.
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LaunchAPEX
This year LaunchAPEX hosted its 1st group mentoring event on March 7th. This event allowed all of the mentors and mentees from Cohort 7 to get together in-person to network with others in the program. During this event, attendees heard from a panel of five volunteer mentors that were asked a variety of business-related questions.
Click here for more information on LaunchAPEX.
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Restaurant Week
The 2nd Annual Apex Restaurant Week, held February 26th – March 3rd, generated an estimated total revenue of $199,650 compared to $108,748 in 2023. During Apex Restaurant Week, guests were offered fixed-priced menus for either lunch and/or dinner. A survey of participating customers cited 40% of guests were from outside of Apex and 14% of guests were from outside Wake County.
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Small Business Week
National Small Business Week takes places April 28th – May 4th to acknowledge the critical contributions of America’s entrepreneurs and small business owners. Apex Economic Development has created a list of local activities to participate in as a small business owner during National Small Business Week. Find out more information here.
For ways to support small businesses in Apex and “Love Local” click here.
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Apex Small Business Advisory Group
On April 10th, the Apex Small Business Advisory Group hosted the 2nd quarterly group meeting of 2024. During the meeting, Apex Economic Development staff recapped the January meeting, outlined the upcoming Apex Small Business Week schedule, provided input for the new Apex "Love Local" Showcase Summer Sizzle Edition, shared updates regarding tourism development and had an open Q&A. The next Small Business Advisory Group meeting is Tuesday, July 16th, at 5:30 pm, in Town Hall, 3rd Floor, Training Room 3 A/B. At the July meeting our tourism partner, VisitRaleigh, will provide insights into Wake County’s tourism assets and the economic impacts of visitor spending.
Apex Economic Development established the Apex Small Business Advisory Group in an effort to gain increased active involvement by the small business community in the development of promotions, marketing, business initiatives, tourism and more.
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Seminars & Workshops
The NC Small Business Center Network offers a variety of seminars and workshops to support the development of new businesses and the growth of existing businesses. Wake Tech Small Business Center facilitates seminars and workshops through the NC Small Business Center Network. Most seminars and workshops are available at no charge. Topics of seminars include marketing, finance, safety, tax planning, start-up assistance and more!
Click here to view a list of available seminars and workshops.
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Department Conferences
Apex Economic Development staff attended the following conferences in Q1 2024:
- North Carolina Economic Development Association (NCEDA) Spring Conference
- Women in Economic Development (WEDN) Conference
- NC Main Street Conference
- Visit NC Tourism Conference
- NCEDA Emerging Executives Conference
- EDPNC / NCEDA Career Trek Conference
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Outreach and Presentations
Joanna Helms, Economic Development Director recently gave presentations to both local groups and organizations in the region. Regularly communicating our local economic development efforts and successes is an integral part of telling the Town of Apex story. Recent events include:
- NCEDA Emerging Executives Forum
- EDPNC / NCEDA Career Trek
- Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina (EDPNC)
- WEDN Conference
- Apex Chamber of Commerce Economic Forecast
- Apex Rotary Club
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New Town Manager
On March 12th Apex Mayor and Council unanimously appointed Randal “Randy” E. Vosburg as the new Town Manager, effective April 15th. Selected after a nationwide search, Vosburg's leadership qualities stood out in rigorous assessments and interviews. Feedback from staff and community emphasized qualities like communication and transparency, which Vosburg aims to prioritize. With over 24 years of local government experience, Vosburg looks forward to contributing to success in Apex.
Click here for more information.
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Think Apex Awards Reception and Presentation
Congratulations to the Top Thinker and Honorable Mention winners of the 2024 Think Apex Awards! On April 9th, a reception was held for all of this year’s nominees. Following the reception, the Top Thinker and Honorable Mention winners were recognized and presented with trophies at the Town Council meeting.
2024 Think Apex Award Honorees:
Individual/Group Category Top Thinker: TJ Evans
Individual/Group Category Honorable Mention: Olivia Scott
Business Category Top Thinker: Progressive Taekwondo Academy
Business Category Honorable Mention: CharleyMadelyn Faith & Fashion Boutique
Youth Category Top Thinker: Colleen McDermott
Youth Category Honorable Mention: Austin Krueger
Non-profit Top Thinker: Shield NC
Non-profit Honorable Mention: Bella Angels, Inc.
Click here for more information on Think Apex Awards.
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Land Deal Propels Major Apex Project Forward with $11 Million Investment
A major industrial and mixed-use development project, Apex Gateway, is gaining traction with an $11 million land acquisition deal at the site in western Apex. Led by Beacon Partners, the project encompasses 375 acres, with the recent purchase of 83 aces intended for the second phase that covers approximately 243 acres.
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Apex EarthFest – April 20th
Apex EarthFest is an engaging, interactive festival for the regional community, offering ways to learn about, participate in and celebrate our planet. Click here for more information on EarthFest.
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Think Apex Day – April 27th
There are still some spots left in the Think Earth and Think Refresh activities! Think Apex Day was created as a day dedicated to giving back to the Apex community by volunteering in ways that will positively impact the Town and its residents. Click here for more information and to register for Think Apex Day.
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Coffee & Connections – April 30th
Coffee & Connections is an informative and relative business session presented by Wake Tech Entrepreneurship & Small Business Center and hosted by Apex Economic Development. At the conclusion of the one-hour informational session, optional, complimentary business counseling sessions take place for attendees. The counselors are also provided by the Wake Tech Small Business Center.
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PeakFest – May 4th
Salem Street in historic downtown Apex will come alive during PeakFest! For more than thirty years, PeakFest has brought families together for a day of fun, food and fellowship.
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LaunchAPEX Alumni Social – May 7th
Each year LaunchAPEX organizes an alumni social, gathering past and present cohort members as well as mentors for networking and connection! Please email bella.soltz@apexnc.org to RSVP.
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Economic Development Committee Meeting – May 15th
LaunchAPEX Graduation – June 4th
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