In the annual State of the County address, Guilford County officials emphasized sustained progress in both economic development and population growth. Chair of the Board of Commissioners, Skip Alston, pointed to transformative business ventures, including a major commitment from JetZero expected to generate over 14,000 new employment opportunities. Data presented during the event revealed strong residential expansion, with more than 700 permits issued for single-family homes in 2025 alone. Alston described the current phase as a period of robust economic advancement, noting that while the county’s population remains smaller than that of the state’s two largest counties, it is achieving parity in strategic infrastructure investments, educational quality, job standards, and public services. He acknowledged ongoing challenges, particularly concerning family well-being, citing that infant mortality rates in the county continue to surpass both state and national benchmarks. To combat this, the local government has established the Infant Mortality Task Force, a dedicated initiative aimed at identifying root causes and implementing targeted interventions.
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Guilford County leadership celebrates economic growth in annual address
Guilford County leadership touted the region’s economic and population growth in the annual State of the County address. n nBoard of Commissioners Chair Skip Alston highlighted major investments from businesses such as JetZero that will bring more than 14,000 jobs. n nAccording to a presentation, the county has also seen residential growth with more than 700 new single-family home permits in 2025. n nAlston said the county is in the midst of an economic boom. n n“While we may not yet match our state’s two largest counties in population size, we are matching them in strategic investments, community amenities, quality jobs, and excellence in education. And we are seeing results,” he said. n nAlston said, despite these successes, there is still more work to do for families. Statistics show Guilford County’s infant mortality rate exceeds the state and national averages. n nThe county has launched its Infant Mortality Task Force to address the issue.