Some businesses in Orange County are moving away from the state-mandated minimum wage and toward a living wage — a move some say will ease the burden of financial stress.
Lori Woolworth, director for operations and finance of Community Home Trust, an Orange County Living Wage project certified employer, said the company’s employees are now able to come to work without worrying about money.
“It has challenged our staff to work harder, be more efficient and do everything with excellence,” Woolworth said. “It also makes employees realize they are on a career path toward future growth and success.”
The Orange County Living Wage project, a voluntary nonprofit organization that certifies businesses that pay their employees a minimum living wage of $12.75, launched its services to the community on Friday at Steel String Brewery.
Friday’s event aimed to raise awareness in the Chapel Hill and Carrboro communities about the businesses that are now certified as Orange County Living Wage employers.
The program featured a list of 14 speakers, including one employee and three elected officials, who gave testimonials about how the newly implemented living wage has benefited businesses.
Susan Romaine, chairperson of the Orange County Living Wage project, said the speakers emphasized how the living wage has boosted the local economy.
“When people at the lower end of the pay scale get a pay raise, typically they don’t save that money,” Romaine said. “They actually go out and spend it, and this gives a real shot in the arm to the local economy.”
At the launch party, Steel String Brewery was inaugurated as the first certified business, and owner Eric Knight placed the first Orange County Living Wage certification decal on his storefront window.
