Chesterfield County Economic Development

04/19/2026

Have you ever thought of becoming an air traffic controller? This post provides some details about the hiring process.

The FAA's annual hiring window for air traffic controllers opened at midnight on April 17, 2026. Within 13 hours, 8,004 Americans had applied. That is more than 10 applications every single minute.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced the numbers, calling it the fastest application pace in American history for air traffic controllers. Of those 8,004 applicants, 7,252 are already qualified.

The surge in interest comes as the United States faces a serious controller shortage. The Government Accountability Office reported in December 2025 that the FAA employed 13,164 controllers at the end of fiscal year 2025, about 6 percent fewer than in 2015. Between fiscal years 2015 and 2024, flights rose about 10 percent to 30.8 million per year.

This year's hiring window closes once the FAA receives 8,000 applications. That threshold has already been passed in the first 13 hours.

Pay is one of the biggest draws. Starting salaries for Academy trainees were increased by 30 percent last year. The average certified professional controller now earns over $160,000 per year. The job does not require a college degree. Only about 25 percent of current controllers hold one.

The FAA has also streamlined its hiring process from 8 steps to 5, cutting more than five months off the old timeline. The agency is aiming to hire at least 8,900 new controllers through 2028.

04/19/2026

Chesterfield County industries—SEUS-CP is a great opportunity to connect with Canadian companies. B2B(Business to Business Matchmaking) connects companies with your products.

A core focus of the Southeast U.S.–Canadian Provinces (SEUS-CP) Alliance is creating strategic procurement and partnership opportunities.

Suppliers can now register to participate in the business forum and B2B matchmaking program, taking place during the 2026 SEUS-CP Annual Conference, June 21-23, in Greenville, S.C.

Expand business opportunities and connect with major manufacturers and service providers: https://seus-cp.com/b2b-program/

04/16/2026

04/15/2026

American Airlines is celebrating 100 years of service today. Whether it's for business or pleasure, American's Charlotte hub has benefited our region.

04/15/2026

In addition to NBC News, the Wall Street Journal sent a reporter here to find out what's going on with robots at Schaeffler Cheraw in March. In John Keilman's article, he reported that Schaeffler has never let anyone go due to automation. On a recent tour of the plant, I saw this robot and though impressed, my thought was it will be a while before real people aren't needed in manufacturing.

Humanoid robots are being used for some manual tasks at the Schaeffler auto parts plant in Cheraw, S.C. Proponents argue that the robots will not replace humans but rather displace them to different roles in the company. NBC News’ Brian Cheung gets a firsthand look at how the robots work and how t...

03/28/2026

MainStreetSC shares the top trends in small business.

📊 Last month, Main Street America identified 8️⃣ trends shaping small businesses in 2026. Here’s what to watch:

✨ 1. The K-Shaped Economy
Some businesses are thriving while others struggle. Targeted support is important.

📱 2. Social Media is Shifting
Consumers want authenticity and real connection, something Main Street does best.

🛠️ 3. Rise of Local Manufacturing
“Made local” is gaining momentum, bringing production back downtown.

👥 4. Younger Consumers Lead
Millennials & Gen Z are driving spending with a focus on values and experience.

🏬 5. E-Commerce Goes Physical
Online brands are opening storefronts to connect in real life.

🍽️ 6. Food & Beverage Evolution
Flexible, creative concepts are responding to rising costs and changing habits.

♻️ 7. Circular Retail Growth
Resale, repair, and reuse models are expanding across industries.

💡 8. Investment in Small Business Support
Entrepreneur support programs are proving to be game changers.

--> Main Street’s strength is its adaptability. Communities that invest in people, place, and experience continue to lead the way.

Read the full article: https://bit.ly/4bHCbIB

03/28/2026

Many jobs that can be obtained with a two year degree leave the student with little debt and the ability to earn a good living.

🔧🎓 College or trade school — what’s the right path?

For years, many of us were told there was only one way to succeed:
Graduate → Go to college → Get a degree → Build a career.

But today, that path isn’t the only option — and for some, it’s not the best one.

Across the country, skilled trades are in high demand:
⚡ Electricians
🔧 Mechanics
🏗️ Construction professionals
❄️ HVAC technicians

These careers offer:
✔️ Strong income potential
✔️ Job security
✔️ Hands-on, practical work
✔️ Less (or no) student debt

Meanwhile, college still plays a critical role — especially for careers that require degrees like medicine, law, and education.

So maybe the real answer isn’t “one or the other.”

👉 It’s about the right fit.

Every kid is different.
Every future is different.

Success shouldn’t be measured by a diploma alone —
It should be measured by stability, growth, and fulfillment.

🇺🇸 We need builders.
We need thinkers.
We need both.

Supporting a child means helping them find THEIR path — not forcing them into ours.

So what do you think?
Would you support your child choosing trade school over college?

03/28/2026

Here’s a great partnership for our ClubMX athletes with McLeod Health Cheraw.

McLeod Health Cheraw has partnered with ClubMX in Chesterfield, SC, to provide excellent medical care to the athletes who train at the renowned motocross facility. Earlier today, McLeod Health signs were placed on their state-of-the-art training and fitness center.

03/27/2026

A statewide burn ban is now in effect due to conditions.

03/17/2026

Great commentary on the skilled trades...

BlackRock’s recent $100 million investment in skilled trades training is more than a philanthropic announcement. It is a clear signal about where the U.S. economy is headed—and what it will take to sustain growth over the next decade.

03/17/2026

Are you interested in the commercial construction industry and planning to attend a technical or 4 year college, check out this scholarship opportunity:

https://www.cagcfoundation.org/?hkey=db35e0f5-fb94-4504-8a23-0c0d37849f2d