9+ Kannapolis NC City Jobs & Employment


9+ Kannapolis NC City Jobs & Employment

Job alternatives inside the municipal authorities of Kannapolis, North Carolina, embody a various vary of roles, from public security and administration to parks and recreation and public works. These positions contribute to the every day operations and long-term growth of the town, serving its residents and supporting native infrastructure.

Public sector jobs in Kannapolis supply the potential for profession progress, aggressive advantages, and the satisfaction of contributing to the group. The town’s ongoing growth and revitalization efforts create a dynamic atmosphere with evolving alternatives. Traditionally, Kannapolis has transitioned from an organization city centered across the textile {industry} to a extra diversified economic system, resulting in a broader spectrum of public service wants and profession paths.

Additional exploration will element particular profession areas inside the Kannapolis municipal authorities, software processes, and sources for potential workers. Info concerning present job openings, wage ranges, and worker advantages may also be supplied.

1. Municipal Authorities Jobs

Municipal authorities jobs symbolize a significant factor of employment inside the Metropolis of Kannapolis. These positions supply various alternatives for people searching for careers in public service and contribute on to the town’s performance and growth. Understanding the assorted aspects of municipal employment gives priceless perception into the general employment panorama of Kannapolis.

  • Public Security and Emergency Providers

    This sector encompasses roles inside the police and fireplace departments, emergency medical companies, and emergency communications. These personnel guarantee public security, reply to emergencies, and implement legal guidelines. In Kannapolis, these roles are crucial for sustaining a safe and resilient group, contributing to the town’s total high quality of life.

  • Administration and Administration

    Administrative and administration positions inside the municipal authorities oversee numerous departments, develop insurance policies, handle budgets, and guarantee environment friendly operations. Examples embrace metropolis managers, division heads, finance administrators, and human sources personnel. These roles are important for the efficient functioning of the town authorities and its capacity to ship companies to residents.

  • Public Works and Infrastructure

    Public works departments keep and enhance important metropolis infrastructure, together with roads, water and sewer methods, parks, and public services. These roles, encompassing engineers, technicians, and upkeep staff, are important for making certain the town’s continued growth and the supply of important companies to residents and companies.

  • Group Growth and Planning

    This space focuses on city planning, zoning laws, financial growth, and group engagement. Professionals on this discipline work to form the way forward for Kannapolis, making certain sustainable progress, attracting companies, and enhancing the standard of life for residents.

These various municipal authorities jobs contribute considerably to the general employment panorama of Kannapolis. The soundness and advantages related to these positions make them a pretty choice for a lot of job seekers, whereas the number of roles displays the multifaceted wants of a rising and evolving metropolis. Understanding the particular capabilities and tasks inside every space gives priceless context for these exploring employment alternatives inside the Metropolis of Kannapolis.

2. Non-public Sector Alternatives

Non-public sector employment types a vital element of the Kannapolis, NC job market, complementing public sector roles and contributing considerably to the town’s financial vitality. Understanding the various panorama of personal sector alternatives is important for a complete view of employment inside Kannapolis.

  • Biotechnology and Analysis

    The presence of the North Carolina Analysis Campus (NCRC) anchors a rising biotechnology and analysis sector in Kannapolis. Firms positioned inside the NCRC, together with associated companies within the surrounding space, supply specialised positions in areas equivalent to plant biology, genomics, and vitamin analysis. These alternatives contribute to the town’s emergence as a hub for scientific innovation and entice extremely expert professionals.

  • Manufacturing and Superior Applied sciences

    Whereas Kannapolis’s historic ties to the textile {industry} have developed, manufacturing stays a big sector. Modern manufacturing focuses on superior applied sciences and specialised manufacturing, producing alternatives in areas equivalent to automation, robotics, and superior supplies. This sector contributes to the diversification of Kannapolis’s economic system and gives expert labor alternatives.

  • Small Enterprise and Entrepreneurship

    Kannapolis actively fosters a supportive atmosphere for small companies and entrepreneurs. Downtown revitalization efforts have spurred the expansion of eating places, retail shops, and private service companies, creating various employment alternatives. This vibrant small enterprise ecosystem contributes to the town’s distinctive character and gives alternatives for native entrepreneurship.

  • Retail and Hospitality

    Pushed by inhabitants progress, tourism, and the revitalized downtown space, the retail and hospitality sector affords a big variety of jobs in Kannapolis. Positions vary from gross sales associates and customer support representatives to restaurant workers and lodge workers. This sector performs an important position in serving residents and guests, contributing to the town’s financial exercise and total high quality of life.

The dynamic interaction between these non-public sector areas and the general public sector contributes to a sturdy and evolving job market in Kannapolis. The town’s concentrate on fostering a diversified economic system gives a variety of alternatives for job seekers with various abilities and backgrounds, strengthening the general financial well being and resilience of the group.

3. Downtown Revitalization Impression

Downtown revitalization considerably impacts employment inside Kannapolis. Funding in infrastructure, streetscapes, and public areas creates building and associated commerce jobs throughout the revitalization course of itself. Because the downtown space turns into extra enticing, new companies are drawn to the world, resulting in elevated hiring in retail, hospitality, and leisure sectors. The inflow of companies and guests additionally creates oblique employment alternatives in areas like transportation, logistics, {and professional} companies. For instance, the event of the Atrium Well being Ballpark in downtown Kannapolis generated quite a few building jobs and subsequently created everlasting positions inside the stadium operations and supporting companies. The revitalized downtown additionally attracts entrepreneurs, additional diversifying employment choices and contributing to the native economic system.

The ripple impact of downtown revitalization extends past direct employment creation. Improved aesthetics and elevated exercise improve the general high quality of life, attracting and retaining residents, which in flip helps a stronger workforce. A vibrant downtown serves as a hub for group occasions and actions, fostering social interplay and a way of place, which may contribute to worker satisfaction and retention. Moreover, the revitalization efforts typically concentrate on making a mixed-use atmosphere, incorporating residential, industrial, and leisure areas, which reduces commuting instances and promotes work-life steadiness for workers inside the metropolis.

Profitable downtown revitalization requires cautious planning and execution to maximise its optimistic influence on employment. Methods that prioritize native hiring, workforce growth initiatives, and help for small companies are essential for making certain that the advantages of revitalization attain a broad spectrum of the group. Addressing challenges equivalent to inexpensive housing and entry to transportation can be important for making a sustainable and inclusive downtown atmosphere that helps long-term employment progress and financial prosperity for all residents of Kannapolis.

4. Biotechnology and Analysis

Biotechnology and analysis symbolize a big and rising sector inside the Kannapolis employment panorama, largely pushed by the presence of the North Carolina Analysis Campus (NCRC). This specialised space affords distinctive alternatives for expert professionals and contributes considerably to the town’s financial growth and its emergence as a hub for scientific innovation.

  • Plant Genomics and Agricultural Biotechnology

    Analysis carried out on the NCRC focuses closely on plant genomics and agricultural biotechnology, aiming to enhance crop yields, improve dietary worth, and develop sustainable agricultural practices. This analysis interprets into employment alternatives for geneticists, plant breeders, bioinformaticians, and different specialised researchers. The influence on Kannapolis employment extends past the NCRC itself, as associated companies and help companies emerge to cater to the rising biotechnology cluster.

  • Human Well being and Diet Analysis

    The NCRC additionally homes analysis services devoted to human well being and vitamin, investigating the complicated interaction between weight loss plan, genetics, and illness. This space of analysis generates employment alternatives for scientists, clinicians, nutritionists, and analysis help workers. The concentrate on human well being analysis additional strengthens Kannapolis’s status as a middle for scientific development and attracts professionals searching for careers on this discipline.

  • Knowledge Analytics and Bioinformatics

    The huge quantities of information generated by biotechnology analysis require refined analytical instruments and experience. This demand creates employment alternatives for bioinformaticians, information scientists, and statisticians who can analyze complicated datasets, develop predictive fashions, and contribute to scientific discovery. The rising significance of information analytics inside biotechnology additional diversifies the employment panorama in Kannapolis and underscores the necessity for specialised abilities on this space.

  • Help Providers and Infrastructure

    The expansion of biotechnology and analysis requires a sturdy help infrastructure, creating employment alternatives past the core analysis actions. These positions embrace laboratory technicians, analysis assistants, administrative workers, and services administration personnel. The demand for these help companies additional strengthens the general influence of biotechnology on Kannapolis employment and contributes to the town’s financial diversification.

The focus of biotechnology and analysis exercise in Kannapolis, anchored by the NCRC, positions the town as a big contributor to scientific development and generates a various vary of employment alternatives. This specialised sector attracts extremely expert professionals, fosters innovation, and stimulates financial progress, strengthening Kannapolis’s place as a middle for biotechnology and analysis inside the area and past.

5. Small Enterprise Development

Small enterprise progress is intrinsically linked to the general well being of employment inside the Metropolis of Kannapolis. The event and enlargement of small companies immediately contribute to job creation, financial diversification, and the vitality of the area people. Understanding the multifaceted influence of small enterprise progress is important for a complete view of Kannapolis’s employment panorama.

  • Job Creation and Native Possession

    Small companies are important job creators inside Kannapolis, providing employment alternatives throughout numerous sectors. Native possession typically interprets to a larger funding locally, as enterprise homeowners are immediately invested within the metropolis’s success. This localized job creation contributes to a stronger sense of group and fosters financial resilience.

  • Downtown Revitalization and Elevated Foot Visitors

    Small companies, notably in retail, hospitality, and private companies, play a vital position in downtown revitalization efforts. These companies entice foot site visitors, create a vibrant ambiance, and contribute to the general enchantment of the downtown space. This elevated exercise generates additional financial exercise and helps extra job creation in associated sectors.

  • Entrepreneurial Ecosystem and Innovation

    A thriving small enterprise sector fosters an entrepreneurial ecosystem, encouraging innovation and the event of recent services and products. This entrepreneurial spirit contributes to the diversification of the native economic system and creates alternatives for residents to pursue their very own enterprise ventures. Help for small companies by way of initiatives like incubator applications and entry to funding is essential for nurturing this entrepreneurial atmosphere.

  • Specialised Providers and Area of interest Markets

    Small companies typically cater to specialised wants and area of interest markets, offering items and companies that is probably not supplied by bigger firms. This specialization provides to the variety of the native economic system and gives employment alternatives for people with particular abilities and experience. The flexibility of small companies to adapt to altering market calls for additional contributes to the resilience of the native employment panorama.

The expansion and success of small companies inside Kannapolis are integral to the town’s total financial well being and employment alternatives. By supporting small companies by way of focused initiatives and fostering a good enterprise atmosphere, Kannapolis can additional strengthen its native economic system, create jobs, and improve the vitality of the group. This concentrate on small enterprise growth contributes to a extra resilient and diversified employment panorama, benefiting residents and strengthening the town’s long-term financial prospects.

6. Tourism and Hospitality

Tourism and hospitality contribute considerably to the employment panorama of Kannapolis, North Carolina. The town’s sights, occasions, and rising status as a vacation spot generate quite a few job alternatives inside this sector, impacting the native economic system and shaping the general employment image.

  • Points of interest and Leisure Venues

    Kannapolis affords numerous sights, together with the North Carolina Music Corridor of Fame, the Dale Earnhardt Tribute, and minor league baseball video games at Atrium Well being Ballpark. These venues require workers for operations, customer support, occasion administration, and concessions, creating a variety of employment prospects. The inflow of vacationers to those sights fuels demand for these roles.

  • Lodging and Lodging

    As tourism will increase, so does the demand for lodging. Inns, motels, and different lodging institutions require workers for entrance desk operations, housekeeping, upkeep, and administration. Development on this space immediately correlates with Kannapolis’s capacity to draw and accommodate in a single day guests, impacting native employment figures.

  • Meals and Beverage Providers

    Eating places, cafes, bars, and different meals and beverage institutions play an important position within the tourism and hospitality sector. These companies create employment alternatives for cooks, cooks, servers, bartenders, and different help workers. The number of eating choices out there in Kannapolis contributes to the customer expertise and immediately impacts native employment inside the hospitality sector.

  • Occasion Administration and Help Providers

    Kannapolis hosts numerous occasions all year long, together with festivals, live shows, and sporting occasions. These occasions generate employment alternatives for occasion planners, coordinators, safety personnel, and help workers. The flexibility to efficiently host and handle these occasions additional enhances Kannapolis’s enchantment as a vacation spot and contributes to employment progress inside the hospitality sector.

The interconnectedness of those aspects inside the tourism and hospitality sector highlights its essential position in Kannapolis’s employment panorama. The continued progress and growth of this sector are important for creating job alternatives, supporting native companies, and strengthening the general financial vitality of the town. As Kannapolis continues to draw guests and increase its choices, the tourism and hospitality sector will probably play an more and more essential position in shaping the town’s employment future.

7. Schooling and Healthcare

Schooling and healthcare sectors symbolize important elements of employment inside Kannapolis, North Carolina, contributing to each the native economic system and the general well-being of the group. These sectors supply various profession paths and play an important position within the metropolis’s growth and its residents’ high quality of life. Understanding the interaction between these sectors and the broader employment panorama gives priceless insights into Kannapolis’s financial construction.

  • Instructional Establishments and Help Providers

    Kannapolis is residence to a number of academic establishments, starting from Okay-12 colleges to increased training services, together with Rowan-Cabarrus Group School. These establishments make use of academics, directors, help workers, and different professionals. The presence of those establishments not solely gives academic alternatives for residents but additionally creates a big variety of jobs inside the metropolis. Moreover, the academic sector helps associated industries equivalent to textbook publishing, academic expertise, and childcare companies, additional contributing to native employment.

  • Healthcare Amenities and Medical Professionals

    Atrium Well being Cabarrus, a serious regional healthcare supplier, operates services in Kannapolis, using physicians, nurses, technicians, and administrative workers. The healthcare sector gives important companies to the group and represents a big supply of employment. Development on this sector displays the rising demand for healthcare companies and the increasing position of healthcare inside the native economic system. Specialised medical practices and clinics additional contribute to the variety of healthcare-related employment alternatives inside Kannapolis.

  • Analysis and Growth in Healthcare and Schooling

    The presence of the North Carolina Analysis Campus (NCRC) in Kannapolis fosters analysis and growth actions associated to each healthcare and training, notably in areas equivalent to vitamin and human well being. This analysis exercise creates specialised employment alternatives for scientists, researchers, and help workers. The concentrate on innovation inside these sectors contributes to Kannapolis’s status as a middle for scientific development and attracts extremely expert professionals to the town.

  • Group Well being and Wellness Applications

    Group well being and wellness applications, typically supplied by way of partnerships between healthcare suppliers and academic establishments, create employment alternatives for well being educators, group outreach staff, and program coordinators. These applications contribute to the general well-being of the group and supply priceless companies to residents. The concentrate on preventative care and well being training additional strengthens the hyperlink between the healthcare and training sectors and their influence on native employment.

The training and healthcare sectors are integral to the employment panorama of Kannapolis, offering a various vary of profession alternatives and contributing considerably to the town’s financial stability and the well-being of its residents. The interconnectedness of those sectors, notably by way of analysis and group well being initiatives, additional strengthens their influence on native employment and highlights their essential position in Kannapolis’s total growth.

8. Transportation and Logistics

Transportation and logistics considerably affect employment inside Kannapolis. The town’s location, infrastructure, and connectivity contribute to job creation inside the transportation and logistics sector itself and influence different industries depending on environment friendly motion of products and folks. Understanding this interconnectedness is essential for a complete view of Kannapolis’s employment panorama.

  • Freeway Entry and Freight Motion

    Kannapolis advantages from its proximity to main highways, together with I-85, facilitating the environment friendly motion of products. This accessibility attracts distribution facilities, trucking corporations, and logistics suppliers, producing employment alternatives for truck drivers, warehouse staff, dispatchers, and logistics managers. The seamless circulation of products by way of Kannapolis strengthens its place as a regional distribution hub, contributing to job progress inside the transportation and logistics sector.

  • Public Transportation and Commuter Entry

    Public transportation choices, together with bus routes and the Amtrak passenger rail line, join Kannapolis to surrounding areas, facilitating commuter entry for residents employed each inside the metropolis and in neighboring communities. Dependable public transportation helps the workforce by offering accessible and inexpensive commuting choices, increasing the potential labor pool for Kannapolis companies. Investments in public transportation infrastructure additional contribute to employment alternatives inside the transportation sector itself.

  • Provide Chain Administration and Logistics Providers

    The rising complexity of provide chains creates demand for specialised logistics companies inside Kannapolis. Firms specializing in provide chain administration, warehousing, and distribution require expert professionals to optimize logistics operations, handle stock, and guarantee environment friendly supply of products. This specialised space inside the transportation and logistics sector contributes to higher-skilled employment alternatives and helps the general effectivity of companies working in Kannapolis.

  • Impression on Different Industries

    Environment friendly transportation and logistics networks are important for the success of varied industries inside Kannapolis, together with manufacturing, retail, and healthcare. Dependable transportation infrastructure permits companies to entry uncooked supplies, distribute completed merchandise, and join with clients successfully. The effectivity of transportation and logistics immediately impacts the competitiveness of Kannapolis companies and influences employment alternatives throughout a number of sectors.

The effectiveness of transportation and logistics networks in Kannapolis considerably impacts employment throughout numerous sectors. By investing in infrastructure enhancements, supporting public transportation choices, and fostering a good atmosphere for logistics suppliers, Kannapolis can additional strengthen its place as a regional logistics hub, entice companies, and create various employment alternatives for its residents. The interconnectedness of transportation and logistics with different industries highlights its essential position in shaping the general employment panorama and contributing to the long-term financial progress of Kannapolis.

9. Expert Trades Demand

Expert trades symbolize a crucial element of the employment panorama in Kannapolis, NC. The town’s ongoing growth, revitalization efforts, and the expansion of varied industries gas a constant demand for expert trades professionals. Understanding the particular areas of demand inside the expert trades sector gives priceless insights into Kannapolis’s total employment alternatives and financial growth.

  • Building and Infrastructure Growth

    Kannapolis’s ongoing progress and revitalization initiatives, together with new residential building, industrial growth, and infrastructure enhancements, generate a considerable demand for expert building staff. These roles embody carpenters, electricians, plumbers, HVAC technicians, and different specialised tradespeople. The development sector’s exercise immediately impacts employment figures and contributes considerably to the town’s bodily growth.

  • Manufacturing and Industrial Upkeep

    Manufacturing and industrial services in Kannapolis require expert trades professionals for upkeep, restore, and operational help. These roles embrace industrial mechanics, machinists, welders, and different specialised technicians. The demand for these abilities is pushed by the continuing want to keep up and optimize industrial operations, making certain the continued productiveness and competitiveness of Kannapolis-based companies.

  • Know-how Integration and Automation Help

    As expertise continues to advance, the mixing of automation and superior equipment inside numerous industries creates a requirement for expert trades professionals who can set up, keep, and restore these complicated methods. These roles require a mix of conventional commerce abilities and data of superior applied sciences, reflecting the evolving nature of expert trades inside Kannapolis’s employment panorama.

  • Restore and Upkeep Providers for Residential and Industrial Properties

    The expansion of each residential and industrial properties in Kannapolis generates ongoing demand for expert trades professionals to offer restore and upkeep companies. Electricians, plumbers, HVAC technicians, and different expert tradespeople are important for making certain the performance and maintenance of those properties, contributing to the general high quality of life and the sleek operation of companies inside the metropolis.

The demand for expert trades professionals in Kannapolis is influenced by a number of elements, together with inhabitants progress, financial growth initiatives, and technological developments. This constant demand underscores the significance of vocational coaching and apprenticeship applications in equipping residents with the abilities essential to fill these important roles. Assembly the demand for expert trades is essential for sustaining Kannapolis’s ongoing growth, making certain the environment friendly operation of companies, and offering priceless employment alternatives for residents inside the group.

Continuously Requested Questions

This part addresses widespread inquiries concerning employment inside the Metropolis of Kannapolis, NC, offering concise and informative responses.

Query 1: How can one entry present job openings inside Kannapolis’s municipal authorities?

Present job openings are posted on the Metropolis of Kannapolis official web site, sometimes below a “Careers” or “Employment Alternatives” part. The web site might also present data concerning the appliance course of and required {qualifications}.

Query 2: What forms of advantages are sometimes supplied to municipal workers in Kannapolis?

Advantages packages for municipal workers typically embrace medical health insurance, retirement plans, paid break day, and life insurance coverage. Particular particulars concerning advantages are sometimes out there throughout the software course of or upon request from the town’s human sources division.

Query 3: Past municipal authorities positions, what different main industries supply employment alternatives in Kannapolis?

Kannapolis affords various employment alternatives past municipal authorities. Main industries embrace biotechnology and analysis, pushed by the North Carolina Analysis Campus, in addition to superior manufacturing, healthcare, training, and the rising tourism and hospitality sector.

Query 4: How has the revitalization of downtown Kannapolis affected employment alternatives?

Downtown revitalization efforts have stimulated job progress in retail, hospitality, leisure, and associated service industries. Building and renovation actions related to revitalization initiatives additionally generate employment alternatives inside the expert trades.

Query 5: What sources can be found in Kannapolis to help job seekers find employment?

Assets for job seekers embrace the Rowan-Cabarrus Group School Profession Providers workplace, which gives profession counseling, job search help, and coaching alternatives. The native NCWorks Profession Heart additionally affords employment sources and help companies.

Query 6: How does the presence of the North Carolina Analysis Campus (NCRC) affect employment in Kannapolis?

The NCRC generates quite a few employment alternatives in biotechnology, plant genomics, vitamin analysis, and associated scientific fields. The campus additionally helps ancillary companies and companies, contributing to a broader financial influence on the town.

Understanding these key points of employment inside Kannapolis gives a basis for knowledgeable profession choices and profitable job searches inside the metropolis. Exploring particular industries and using out there sources can additional improve employment prospects inside the various and evolving Kannapolis job market.

For additional data concerning particular profession paths, job openings, or employment sources inside Kannapolis, consulting the town’s official web site, contacting related organizations, or attending native profession festivals are really helpful subsequent steps.

Ideas for Navigating the Kannapolis Job Market

Efficiently navigating the Kannapolis job market requires understanding native financial traits, using out there sources, and presenting oneself successfully to potential employers. The next suggestions present steerage for people searching for employment inside Kannapolis.

Tip 1: Analysis Key Industries: Completely analysis key industries inside Kannapolis, equivalent to biotechnology, superior manufacturing, and healthcare. Understanding industry-specific abilities and necessities permits job seekers to focus on their purposes successfully.

Tip 2: Make the most of On-line Assets: Make the most of on-line job boards, firm web sites, {and professional} networking platforms to establish open positions. The Metropolis of Kannapolis web site and the Rowan-Cabarrus Group School Profession Providers web site present priceless native sources.

Tip 3: Community Strategically: Attend {industry} occasions, job festivals, and networking alternatives to attach with potential employers and study unadvertised openings. Constructing skilled relationships inside the area people can considerably improve job prospects.

Tip 4: Tailor Resumes and Cowl Letters: Fastidiously tailor resumes and canopy letters to focus on related abilities and expertise for every particular place. Emphasizing {qualifications} that align with the employer’s wants will increase the chance of securing an interview.

Tip 5: Develop Important Abilities: Repeatedly develop in-demand abilities by way of coaching applications, workshops, and on-line programs. Buying certifications or extra {qualifications} can improve marketability and open doorways to new profession alternatives.

Tip 6: Put together for Interviews: Completely analysis potential employers and observe answering widespread interview questions. Presenting oneself professionally and demonstrating a transparent understanding of the place and the corporate will increase the probabilities of a profitable interview final result.

Tip 7: Discover Entrepreneurship Alternatives: Contemplate the opportunity of entrepreneurship, notably given the supportive atmosphere for small companies in Kannapolis. Creating a viable marketing strategy and using out there sources can result in self-employment and contribute to the native economic system.

By implementing these methods, job seekers can successfully navigate the Kannapolis employment panorama, join with potential employers, and place themselves for achievement on this dynamic and evolving job market.

The concluding part will summarize key takeaways and supply additional steerage for people searching for employment inside Kannapolis, NC.

Conclusion

Employment alternatives inside Kannapolis, North Carolina, current a various vary of prospects, spanning from municipal authorities roles to non-public sector positions inside biotechnology, superior manufacturing, healthcare, training, and the rising tourism and hospitality industries. The town’s ongoing revitalization efforts, coupled with the presence of the North Carolina Analysis Campus, contribute considerably to a dynamic and evolving job market. Expert trades additionally stay in excessive demand on account of building and infrastructure growth. Entry to transportation networks and a supportive atmosphere for small companies additional improve the general employment panorama.

Strategic exploration of Kannapolis’s key industries, utilization of obtainable sources, and steady ability growth are essential for people searching for profitable integration into the native workforce. The town’s dedication to financial diversification and progress suggests continued enlargement and evolution of employment alternatives, positioning Kannapolis as a promising location for profession seekers and an important contributor to the regional economic system.