Industrial Opportunities, Inc. (IOI) is a Community Rehabilitation Program (CRP) located in Andrews, North Carolina.  IOI has been a leading provider of rehabilitation services to adults with mental and physical disabilities since 1974.

1974

A group of parents of children with disabilities who were aging out of the special programs in the tri-county school systems came together to discuss the need for an activity center to provide some measure of independence and productive life for their children.  At that time, the communities offered no structured programs.  The parents formed the Marble Activity Day Center that later became incorporated as Industrial Opportunities, Inc.  We have undergone quite a few changes since 1974. Staff 21, clients 6, budget $27,000.

1975

Wire reclamation and basket weaving were the mainstays of productive activity for 18 clients who earned $4,701 this year.  Another staff member was added and the budget increased to $51,915.

1976

A Banner Year!  The corporation name was changed to Industrial Opportunities, Inc.; the N.C. Division of Vocational Rehabilitation recognized I.O.I. as a sheltered workshop; the entire operation was moved to a larger facility at the old Ogden School in Brasstown; vans for transporting clients were provided by Developmental Disabilities Services of N.C.; the county commissioners included I.O.I. in the budget for operating funds; the Levi Strauss plant provided denim for the new line of tote bags and log carriers; Tri-County Community College began a part-time Wood Shop Instructor; and the State of Franklin Service to Senior Citizens provided a Senior Aide.  The 24 clients earned over $10,000 and the budget climbed to $74,605.

1977

A grant from the N.C. Knights of Columbus provided tools and equipment for the training of handicapped adults in the new wood shop which began a new line of lawn chairs, plant stands and bird feeders.  The Levi Strauss Foundation awarded a grant to expand the sewing operation for full production of denim products.  Another van was added with matching monies from the Board of Global Ministries of the United Methodist Church.  The budget reached $109,642.

1978

A New England businessman, D. Joseph O'Connor, donated his entire elastic products business to I.O.I. The Elastic Products Division of I.O.I. came into being.  The elastic product line of 17 different items includes suspenders of all kinds, sea ties, head bands, leg bands and belts.  Several local manufacturers availed themselves of I.O.I. services through sub-contracts for construction of cardboard boxes, painting and assembling heads for rawhide mallets, and production of plastic storm windows for the community action agency.  The Methodists provided a grant for an Independent Living Skills Program where clients learn the rudimentary skills needed for independent living.  A van driver was provided by Graham County under the CETA Program.  The staff increased to six, the clients to 35 with earnings of $16,700, the budget totaled $231,116.

1979

Client enrollment increased to 40 handicapped adults.  A need to build a larger, more efficient facility promoted plans for a solar heated and cooled metal building.  A furniture restoration project was initiated in the wood shop, and a store in Andrews.  THE MOUNTAIN EMPORIUM was opened to sell products made not only by handicapped workers but also by Appalachian craftsmen and women.  Client earnings topped $23,000 and the budget amounted to a whopping $336,000.

1980

Aluminum storm window production began, as well as construction of a new 10,000 square foot facility in Marble-with the assistance of TVA who, in conjunction with NASA, designed and provided a solar system as a demonstration project for the metal building.  Much needed funding obtained through two grants awarded:  N.C. Division of Vocational Rehabilitation-$75,000; and the Kresge Foundation-$100,000; and a loan from the Farmers Home Administration for $125,000.

1981

Fund raising for the new facility continued with the following donations:  $5,000 from Moss Foundation; $3,600 from St. Mark's Catholic Church; $1,000 from Levi Strauss Community Involvement Team; $1,000 from Clifton Precision employees; $3,000 from fund raising projects by the parents and clients of I.O.I. Client earnings were $37,000 and the budget reached $425,872.

1982

I.O.I. moved to the new 10,000 square foot facility in Marble. Services to Graham County were added.  We started work on several new contracts:  camouflage suits for a private firm in Montana; disposable aprons on government contract.  Two staff members were added.

1984

A NCR computer was donated.  One hundred new accounts received from the SHOT SHOW in Dallas, TX, January 1984.  Total of 12 full-time staff and 55 clients.  The Second Annual Special Populations Bowling Tournament was held in November.  Tenth anniversary dinner was held in March; a music festival pot-luck dinner was celebrated in April; and an open house and buffet as a final 10th Anniversary celebration was held December 1st.  The expansion project got into full swing with the approval of a loan of $60,000 from NC Rural Fund for Development.  A 6,000 square foot building is planned as well as the procurement of additional equipment to update our training program.  The operating budget was $746,272.

1985

The Aluminum and Glass Division moved into our new 6,000 sq. ft. building.  Percy B. Ferebee Endowment Fund awarded a grant in the amount of $1,338.00 to purchase the McCarron-Dial Work Evaluation System.  The systems helps determine the skills of clients entering the workshop so placement and goals will best benefit them.  The Moss Charity Trust awarded a grant of $5,140 to purchase two new sewing machines and a pneumatic powered sealer.  The NC Dept. of Vocational Rehabilitation awarded a grant to purchase three computerized sewing machine and an IBM computer.  $8,000 of orders were placed at a hunting show in Atlanta, Ga.  Eleven job placements by I.O.I. Vocational Evaluator and Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor.  Clients served were 77.  The budget reached $827,445.

1986

I.O.I. installed silk screen equipment for printing on t-shirts, suspenders, etc.  The Moss Charity Trust awarded a grant of $4,500.00 to the screen printing operations.  A new van was received from the NC Department of Transportation.  The legislature approved a $8,700.00 transportation subsidy for one year starting July 1986.  Twelve placements on jobs.  The budget reached $856,028. 

1987

The Elastic Products Division has over 825 customers.  The North Carolina State Chapter of the Knights of Columbus and St. Mark Church in Stratford, Connecticut donated $750.00 each towards the match needed for a new van.  Received approval for a $10,000 interest free loan from the Western Economic Development Office.  The Elastic Products Division purchased a computer and a printer for $4,190.00.  Local businesses and agencies donated enough funds to cover the cost of the computer system.  A Vocational Rehabilitation Grant for $1,800.00 was approved to purchase a camera and video equipment to improve the facilities services to VR clients.  Received a new van with a wheel chair lift from the Department of Transportation.  The Board of Directors set the need of a new building to replace the present Independent Living Skills house as a short term goal.  I.O.I. established a client computer class through the help of volunteers.  The budget reached $989,089.

1988

The Moss Charity Trust awarded a grant of $7,000.00 to purchase two Apple computers for the client computer class.    Blueprints were drawn and presented to the Board for approval of a 6500 square foot building to take the place of the Independent Living Skills house.  Received a building grant of $50,000 from the NC Department of Vocational Rehabilitation.  Also, Vocational Rehabilitation awarded I.O.I. a packaging equipment grant of $12,000 and a one year staff position. Monarch Marketing Co. donated bar coding equipment valued at $3,000.00.  Novell Corporation donated networking supplies for the Elastic Products computers valued at $2,000.00.   Received a $18,000 mental health material and equipment grant.  The Elastic Products Division and Storm Window Division celebrated the attainment of over 1 million dollars in sales.  Clients served increased to 72 per year.  Client wages are approximately $81,000 per year.  The budget reached  $1,273,988.

1989

Client wages exceeded $92,877 per year, fourteen (14) clients were placed in competitive employment.  I.O.I. acquired official recognition by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF), such accreditation having a duration of three years.  A fund raising campaign for a 7,500 square-foot building expansion was launched.  Clients served reached 93.

1990

I.O.I. exceeded the goal of 100 Clients by twenty!  We also placed twenty adults in jobs in the community, exceeding the goal of thirteen.  The Adult Development Activities Program increased from 35 to 40 - funded slots increased from 33 to 39.  Client daily enrollment increased from 65 to 75.  A job coach was hired, funded by JTPA, to enhance the job placement of I.O.I. clients.  A capital campaign of $177,500 was achieved for the construction of the 7,500 square-foot building and $18,279 in renovations to the main building - building completed.  Received a $99,800 NC DOT grant to purchase four vans, also purchased one van with county funding.  I.O.I. is now housed less than 23,500 square feet.

1991

I.O.I. provided services to 136 adults, twenty-six clients were placed in competitive employment, ADAP enrollment increased to 45, daily enrollment increased to 78 clients, production revenue exceeded $1,425,000, client wages increased 29%, annual budget was 1.9 million, and an additional job coach was hired.

1992

I.O.I. provided services to 136 adults, twenty-seven clients were placed in positive outcomes, daily enrollment increased to 81, paid ADAP slots increased from 40 to 45 clients, an additional job coach was funded by JTPA, increased production revenue to 1.6 million (a 14% increase), client wages increased 13%, annual budget increased to 2.2 million, awarded a VR grant to purchase computerized sewing machines of $35,850, and completed our second major order from Wal-Mart for $290,000.

1993

With a $15,000 start-up grant for a transitional program for students.  The purpose of the program is to reach students in the severely disabled population and help them be better prepared to go to work after school.  I.O.I. received funding for 61 clients and the daily attendance averaged around 85. A new lunchroom was completed at the cost of $72,720.75 and completely paid for with foundation and VR monies.  Thirty-six people were placed on jobs during year.  Received a $247,118.57 contract from the Department of Defense of make multi-line loops, a $10,000 automatic sewing machine to sew these loops was purchased.

1994

I.O.I. had 10 people on the waiting list for the ADAP program.  We served 49 people in the ADAP program and receive funding for 32.  Received a VR grant of $42,170 to start a Supported Employment Program.  Received additional contracts from the Department of Defense for $376,348.  Awarded a $25,500 establishment grant to pave our gravel parking area and resurface our existing paved lot.  Tri-County Area Transportation System was implemented with a $59,736 grant - I.O.I. clients will be picked up by the area transportation system.  Held a 20th Anniversary Celebration.  Placed 40 clients on jobs, shipped over 1.5 million in product and served 137 adults with disabilities.

1995

IOI ranked above state average in job placements in both the Vocational Rehabilitation and Supported Employment Program.  IOI expanded a building by 2500 sq. ft. allowing space for the leather department and raw inventory storage.  The payroll system went to bar codes so that each worker will take the tag, place it on their work sheet and each day their work will be scanned in the payroll system by bar-codes.  IOI received a three-year CARF accreditation.  Department of Defense orders for line, multi-loops were profitable for the year and allowed IOI to hire additional people.  IOI received a safety award and our workers compensation insurance dropped 20%.  The Employment Security Commission chose IOI as “Employers of the Year”.  Clients served totaled 143.

1996

The last of the government contracts were completed on 2/5/97.  Utilization was up to 84% and 42 people were placed on jobs.  IOI’s first marketing brochure was done featuring our labor force. We finalized the packaging contract with Barnett Hardware out of Jacksonville, FL.  This contract is expected is bring in approximately $200,000 per year. A building proposal was presented to the Board.  With MGM Brakes, the Barnett Division and the growth in the Elastic Products Division, we are running out of room.  The options were presented as buying, building or leasing.  Mr. Fuller at Carolina Dress donated one-half interest in a building in Clay County to IOI.  We received a $17,000 grant from the Melvin R. Lane Foundation for packaging equipment for the Barnett Hardware Division. 

1997

The last of the government contracts were completed on 2/5/97.  Utilization was up to 84% and 42 people were placed on jobs.  IOI’s first marketing brochure was done featuring our labor force. We finalized the packaging contract with Barnett Hardware out of Jacksonville, FL.  This contract is expected is bring in approximately $200,000 per year. A building proposal was presented to the Board.  With MGM Brakes, the Barnett Division and the growth in the Elastic Products Division, we are running out of room.  The options were presented as buying, building or leasing.  Mr. Fuller at Carolina Dress donated one-half interest in a building in Clay County to IOI.  We received a $17,000 grant from the Melvin R. Lane Foundation for packaging equipment for the Barnett Hardware Division. 

1998

IOI continues to look at options to move to a bigger facility.  The number of adults with disabilities that IOI is serving without funding from the state continues to grow.  IOI is sponsoring 30 people in the program without funding.  Elastic Products broke the sales record in the month of July with $356,773 in sales.  IOI moved the line, multi-loop and tow strap operations to the Carolina Dress building on Qualla Road in Clay County.  In September, IOI had 156 people working.    

1999

Industrial Opportunities, Inc. celebrated our Twenty-Fifth Anniversary!  Murphy business owners added $5,000 to the IOI Endowment.  IOI serves 150 trainees annually with a staff of 23.  The Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce awards IOI with the "Employer of the Year" award, recognizing them for providing employment opportunities for people with disabilities.  NISH South presented IOI with the President's Award in recognition of outstanding contributions to the employment of people with severe disabilities through the Javits-Wagner-O'Day Program.

2000

IOI adds a computer lab.  With the help of Tri-County Community College, we begin basic computer literacy classes focusing on logic and memory skills - More advanced classes are planned.  We met our goal to get a wheelchair lift for one of our vans, thanks to our contributors.  IOI's Government Contract division becomes MIL-I compliant as required by the Department of Defense and sets the goal to become ISO 9002 compliant by July 2001.

2001

With the award of a 5.5 Million dollar contract from the Department of Defense, IOI's Government Contract Division moves to a larger facility in Murphy.  The Government Contract Division also passes the DoD's extensive testing to become ISO 9001:2000 Qualified!  One of IOI's Clients is chosen as Special Olympics Ambassador - she's the first ambassador from Cherokee County.

IOI begins contract packaging work with Sioux Tools of Murphy.  Tri-County Community College presents IOI students with Certificates of Achievement in recognition of the goals accomplished by and increases in the life skills assessments.  IOI serves 160 trainees with 27 staff members operating on a budget of 4.1 Million Dollars and is 90% self supported.  

IOI purchases the former VF Jeanswear building in Andrews, NC.  After some renovation to the building, our move began in February.  Shortly following the move, IOI begins manufacturing Aerial Delivery Cargo Containers on a military contract, possibly one of our largest contracts ever!  With an additional 65 employees, our workforce is over 200 workers (and counting).  Our dream of building our enrichment center grows closer as IOI receives grants from multiple organizations to help us build. (See our Thanks page)

IOI received a grant for $125,000 from the Gold Leaf Foundation, which was used to purchase an automated cutting machine, a Gerber cutter. This new technology allowed IOI to produce more products faster and more efficiently and was instrumental in IOI receiving larger contracts such as the duffel bag contract.

Celebrating its 30th year of business, IOI had 243 employees and a budget of over $6,500,000.

Construction on an enrichment center got underway. The enrichment center will be used for Life Skills, Therapeutic Art, will contain a Quiet Room and will also be used in the future for an Adult Day Program. The support of individual donors, and organizations such as the Appalachian Volunteers, the Cannon Foundation, the Ferebee Foundation, Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust and the Sisters of Mercy made the project possible.

IOI employees attended Lean Manufacturing Classes, which were conducted by personnel from North Carolina State Industrial Extension Service. By putting some of these "Lean" processes in place, IOI was able to accomplish more with less time, inventory, space and money while increasing quality, productivity and was able to become a more competitive business.

IOI began producing a series of military products including a shotgun shell pouch, a radio pouch and 14 other products, which will be used by the U.S. Military and the Special Forces.

IOI will complete the enrichment center in 2005 with plans underway for various classes, activities and an adult day program for 2006.

Sales for the year totaled $7,536,699.

During the past decade, Industrial Opportunities, Inc. has developed two specific long-range objectives.  In addition to providing the counseling and rehabilitation services customarily associated with licensed sheltered workshops, I.O.I. wishes to:

*Provide each client with a strong sense of self-reliance and personal worth;

*Acquire economic self-sufficiency for I.O.I. 

The staff and board of I.O.I. are confident that these two objectives are inter-related.  80% of the annual budget for I.O.I. is generated by industrial activities.  All of the facility's clients are keenly aware of the fact that they earn wages for work performed.  The accompanying sense of accomplishment and self-reliance has radically altered the old view of disabled clients who were previously considered as "ward of the state".