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Economic development

Provalus Initiative Aims to Tap Rural America's Hidden Tech Talent

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

A public-private partnership between Provalus, a leading IT outsourcing company, and state and local governments is working to connect rural residents with sustainable IT jobs and drive digital transformations in rural towns. Since its founding in 2017, Provalus has opened offices in eight locations across five states, supporting about 1,000 tech employees. The company's newest workforce development target is Edenton, North Carolina, where a center of excellence will create 61 new jobs, generating $1.2 million in retail spending downtown over five years.

Key Takeaways:

  • Provalus' initiative is a public-private partnership with state and local governments to support the launch of business centers in rural areas, providing technical training and starting IT jobs with the company's clients.
  • The initiative aims to connect rural residents with sustainable jobs and higher wages, as well as drive digital transformations and downtown revitalizations in rural towns.
  • Since its founding in 2017, Provalus has opened offices in eight locations across five states, supporting about 1,000 tech employees.
  • Edenton, North Carolina, is the company's newest workforce development target, where a center of excellence will create 61 new jobs, helping to mitigate the brain drain and strengthen the city's economy.
  • Provalus offers training in IT services, including application and product development, network operations services, data analytics, and cybersecurity, which is a critical area of focus for the organization.
  • The company's initiative is open to anyone, regardless of their tech background, and participants can receive training from four to 10 weeks to develop their tech and business skills.
  • Provalus has projected that it will help create more than 150 jobs over five years, generating $1.2 million in retail spending downtown.
  • The company's partnership with local organizations, such as Northeastern State University, are crucial in leveraging a talent pool that is ready to go and driving educational and employment opportunities in rural areas.

Statistics:

  • Provalus has opened offices in eight locations across five states, supporting about 1,000 tech employees.
  • The Edenton center of excellence is expected to create 61 new jobs in Edenton, North Carolina.
  • Provalus has projected that it will help create more than 150 jobs over five years, generating $1.2 million in retail spending downtown.
  • In October 2023, Tahlequah, Oklahoma, saw more than 200 people hired by Provalus, highlighting the impact of the company's initiative.
  • Edenton, North Carolina, has an economy dependent on a nearby hospital, local school system, and manufacturing businesses.
  • Edenton's population is just under 5,000 people in Chowan County.

Sources:

  • (https://www.commerce.nc.gov/news/press-releases/2025/02/19/governor-stein-announces-61-new-jobs-6-million-investment-chowan-county)
  • Josh Stein, Governor of North Carolina
  • James Chesson, Lead of Economic Development for the Edenton Chowan Partnership
  • Mike Keogh, CEO of Provalus
  • Nathan Reed, President and CEO of the Tahlequah Regional Development Authority and Area Chamber of Commerce

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