In April 2021, the Town of Wilkesboro approved a re-zoning request made by Sun Ovens International Inc., an Elburn Illinois based company, that produces 6,000 solar cookers per year.
They are planning to initially lease space from Cornerstone Church in Wilkesboro, where they will assemble their green products beginning in June 2021. The move from R6 residential zoning to B3 general business will allow Sun Oven to move their production operation from Illinois to Wilkes this coming fall.
According to Forrest Garvin, one of Sun Oven’s principals, the company will be “releasing a brand new product this summer that will be assembled in Wilkesboro.” Sun Oven’s simple business model has made reliable green products that help people save energy and prepare for emergencies for the past 34 years.
In addition to manufacturing their products, Sun Oven plans to implement an incubator concept focused on Green Energy. They will partner with Wilkes EDC, Appalachian State University and Wilkes Community College to, “cultivate creative ideas in the region and incubate them with investment capital, expertise, accounting and other businesses services for entrepreneurs and growing businesses.” This incubation will allow entrepreneurs to focus solely on their business, while receiving guidance from a successful, established company. 1 New and 2 Existing Businesses have already been identified to enter the incubator program.
The Wilkes EDC welcomes Sun Oven principals, Forrest Garvin, Matthew Alpeter and Tripp Crites and invites their continued interest in bringing their businesses to Wilkes