The last year was one of harsh economic realities for communities across the nation and, indeed, the world.

Richmond County was no exception to this rule, with the official unemployment rate climbing as higher than 15 percent at its peak.

However, there were several bright spots that continued their upswing through the downed economy.

First, the von Drehle plant in Cordova not only maintained its pre-September 2008 employment and production figures, but expanded its operation adding new equipment and increasing the number of products it has to offer.

In April, Plant Manager Joe Pankrazz explained the plant was adding two facets to its production line, approximately doubling its output and employing 22 additional workers.

“Number one, we’re going to be processing lower grades of paper,” Pankrazz said.

He explained this would allow the plant to use waste produced during the manufacturing process, as well as post-consumer waste the plant already processed.

There was also a second paper machine added, Pankrazz said.

“It will mean the difference between where we are producing about 90 tons now, we’ll be able to produce 190 tons,” Pankrazz said in April.

To enable this expansion, the Rockingham City Council voted unanimously in April to expand the city’s wastewater treatment plant aeration basin.

Second, Cascades Paper Company shares the same industry and eye for expansion as von Drehle.

Located in Rockingham, the molded paper plant was eyeing an expansion to begin producing medical trays, officials told the Daily Journal in December.

Throughout the year, the company has continued to advertise new positions, and work closely with the Employment Security Commission in Rockingham to Richmond County’s workforce on the factory floor.

Third, the Rockingham Perdue plant has been a stalwart of the Richmond County economy, employing the highest number of people in the county at about 1,300.

In June, the operation was honored for also maintaining close ties to the Employment Security Commission and utilizing the regional workforce development services to find potential employees.

Besides these, business owners throughout the county have practiced innovation and frugality to keep their heads above water, or even thrive, in the current recession.

Articles on expansion at Carolina Brick and Stone, Richmond Rentals, Elektran and other local businesses in the area were highlighted over the course of the past year in the Daily Journal.

In addition, Rockingham Motor Speedway, affectionately known as “The Rock” in the Pee Dee region, received the prestigious “Business of the Year” award from the Richmond County Chamber of Commerce earlier this year.

After its first full season of events since being sold to entrepreneur and former race car driver Andy Hillenburg, “The Rock” has inspired community pride in Richmond County and helped it to embrace its racing heritage.

The influx of spectators at events at “The Rock” and the Rockingham Drag Strip draw spectators from across the Southeast and beyond to the area, injecting valuable tourism dollars.