WINTON – The Region Q Workforce Development Board (WDB) wants to become the “Resource to the Resources” for businesses in the five county area it serves and toward that goal they have a plan of action to help employers develop viable workforces.

R. Wayne Rollins, a business service specialist with the Mid-East Commission’s Region Q Workforce Development Board, brought information to the Hertford County Board of Commissioners Monday evening. He pointed out that the WDB has a mission, a focus and a target audience and that the board is committed to providing quality “no-cost” products and services to employers. They also want to develop a sound and profitable economic future for businesses throughout Region Q.

Region Q is comprised of Hertford, Bertie, Beaufort, Martin and Pitt counties. Rollins said the WDB’s new “Business Services Initiative” can bring valued added services to businesses and entrepreneurs in the five counties.

The WDB’s focus is building relationships with businesses through continuous and informative contact with them.

“We’ll be offering and coordinating comprehensive no cost system-wide programs available through our local WDB and their partners,” said Rollins. “Assistance would include human resource services, basic business consultation, recruitment profiling, skills assessments, worker training programs, grant writing consultation and identifying related funding streams to assist future growth of our area businesses.”

Rollins added that initial contact with Region Q’s target audience (businesses) will be made to provide them information about the WDB’s core services available to them at no-cost.

He explained WDB has a goal of developing “custom business services” as needed by employers.

“Business Services are for all new and existing enterprises within Region Q,” said Rollins. “Size does not matter, large or small; we are committed to helping employers find the answers to difficult questions.”

Rollins added that by working with several businesses throughout the region, he’s already seen new and exciting ways in which to work with employers.

“We want to become more aware of what companies and businesses want so that we can address their needs,” he said.

Hertford County Board of Commissioners Chairman DuPont Davis was extremely pleased with the plans set before the commission.

“The best way to help a person is to give them a job,” he said. “Hertford County currently has the lowest rate of unemployment in Region Q and I want to keep it that way. It’s going to take a lot of effort. We are going to network with Roanoke-Chowan Community College and we are going to get this going.”