Living-Wage Incentives as a County-Level Strategy for Wealth Building in Vance County

This proposal examines persistent socioeconomic inequities in Vance County, North Carolina, using the vital condition framework to center Meaningful Work and Wealth. Integrating demographic analysis, systems thinking, continuous quality improvement, policy evaluation, and multisector leadership design, the analysis identifies limited access to living-wage employment as a central leverage point for improving familial wealth accrual. The proposal sets forth a multi-component strategy involving expanding trade and specialized education pathways while increasing wages through employer incentives such as county-level tax abatements. Wage strategies evaluate local living-wage ordinances, voluntary employer certification programs, and feasibility. Engagement strategies emphasize equitable participation, power-sharing, and structural accountability. Together, these components form a cohesive framework for transforming economic conditions in Vance County. By centering resident experience, strengthening cross-sector government, and aligning policy with measurable systems change, the paper demonstrates how living-wage strategies can advance health equity, reduce intergenerational poverty, and build sustainable community wealth.