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047 <br />® Vision Statement <br />The Lee County community recognizes that with the increase of commerce, population, <br />technology and services, the main resource that must be utilized to promote and support its <br />growth is the residents of this county. Without the utilization of the people within the community, <br />there is no growth, there is no future. <br />Lee County faces the challenges of the Work First program by uniting in a collaborative <br />endeavor with other community organizations and businesses in an effort to increase <br />employability, eliminate barriers to employment, decrease the number of persons receiving <br />WFFA, break the cycle of welfare dependency and provide opportunities that enhance self <br />sufficiency. <br />With vision and pride, Lee County is committed to the success of the Work First program by <br />eliminating welfare dependency, increasing employment opportunities and training, emphasizing <br />the importance of self-reliance while contributing to the common good and, in turn, perpetuating <br />a strong sense of "community" throughout the county for future generations. <br />B. Economic Conditions of Lee County <br />Lee County is located in the "heart" of North Carolina. With the city of Sanford as the county <br />seat, it boasts a growing population and economy. The population of Lee County in 2000 <br />® according to the U.S. Census Bureau was 49,040. <br />According to the Department of Commerce, the 2005 labor force of Lee County was 25,825 and <br />the per capita income in 2004 was $29,246. The largest sector of employment in the county is <br />manufacturing. The county's unemployment rate for 2005 is 5.5% and for 2004 is 5.8%. <br />Due to a thriving economy and the collaboration of our community, the Work First <br />families have been able to move from public assistance to the workforce This is <br />reflected in the decrease of families receiving Work First The caseload count for the <br />past five (5) years is as follows: <br />Date Number of Work First Cases Diff. in Number Receiving Cumulative <br />September 2004 <br />174 <br />September 2005 <br />156 <br />-18 <br />-18 <br />September 2006 <br />133 <br />-23 <br />-41 <br />September 2007 <br />108 <br />-25 <br />-66 <br />March 2008 <br />89 <br />-19 f6 month count) <br />-85 <br />September 2008 <br />111 <br />+22 f6 month count) <br />-63 <br />The last six (6) months clearly shows the impact the down turn in the economy has had <br />on our low-income families in Lee County. A rededication to strengthening our <br />economy and helping these families will be a challenge we can and will meet as we work <br />together as a community. <br />0 <br />