Durham and Asheville both have programs to certify and reward businesses that pay employees a living wage. Starting in October, Orange County will too.
Two of the organizers of the Orange County Living Wage project are Mark Marcoplos, who owns Marcoplos Construction, and Stuart Bethune, who retired from SAS to work as an independent program management consultant.
They spoke with WCHL’s Elizabeth Friend about why the Living Wage Project is important for Orange County.
https://chapelboroaudio.s3.amazonaws.com/2015/09/01/OC%20living%20wage%20.mp3
Bethune says his group has already certified an opthamologist, plumbers, a contractor, a brewery, a faith organization and an auto mechanic shop. The Orange Water and Sewer Authority is also looking into the process of getting certified.
Bethune says he hopes to roll out the full program with at least 30 certified businesses in October.
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