According to the EDTC office, November looked promising as well. A total of 15 new businesses registered in the county during the month of November.

Those businesses included: 2 Lead with Love LLC, AirSpace Solutions LLC, The Ammendments Group LLC, Bian LLC, Calley Enterprises LLC, Colorful U LLC, Essential Living LLC, Holdings of JR Brevard Group Inc., Mapleton Lane Group LLC, McEntire Refrigeration Inc., Upstate Cellars LLC, Who Distributing LLC, Crystal Creek Center, Blue Ridge Design and Express Stop.

Overall, North Carolina saw its unemployment numbers drop to 8.8 percent.

The state was also ranked No. 4 among Forbes’ list of the best states for business. NC ranked No. 2 for the Best Business Costs, No. 3 for Best Regulatory Environment and No. 3 Best Labor Supply. Meanwhile, “Site Selection,” a premier economic development magazine, ranked North Carolina No. 1 for Top Business Climate.

If someone is interested in being a part of efforts to help Polk County’s economic growth, the Polk EDTC board meets next on Jan. 30 at 5:30 p.m. at the First Peak Visitors Center in Columbus.