The Wilkes County Housing Summit, held on November 15th, 2024, at The Stone Center, provided a vital platform for discussing the pressing housing challenges and opportunities facing our community. This event, hosted by Wilkes EDC in partnership with the sponsors listed below, covered a release of the in-depth Wilkes County Housing Study. The study builds on findings from the Carolina Core’s 21-County Housing Study, illuminating critical gaps in local housing availability and outlined potential solutions for future growth.
The summit brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, including local government officials, developers, real estate professionals, and community leaders. Throughout the event, attendees gained valuable insights. Keynote presentations were provided by Patrick Bowen of Bowen National Research, Eric Maribojoc, Professor of the Practice & Affordable Housing Initiative Lead at UNC Chapel Hill, and Neil Gurney of the Gateway Wellness Foundation highlighted successful case studies and shared strategies for overcoming common barriers in housing development.
One of the summit’s most significant outcomes was the collaborative discussions that took place around potential properties and sites for future development in Wilkes County. By bringing together so many passionate and engaged stakeholders, the event fostered dialogue that will lead to actionable solutions in the months and years ahead.
The success of this summit is a testament to the commitment of Wilkes EDC and our event sponsors: Blair Properties, LLC/Allen Tate, Callie Stone | eXp Realty, Angela Reins – The Mission Group | Brokered by eXp Realty, and Greene’s Site Development. Their support ensured that this important conversation was not only possible but also impactful for our community.
Visit the link to view the Wilkes County Housing Needs Assessment: Housing Needs Assessment – Wilkes County, NC | Wilkes EDC
