Albemarle Planning and Development Services Director Kevin Robinson recently provided city council members with a quarterly update on new businesses, job creation and relocations.

“A total of six new businesses opened in Albemarle during the second quarter of 2019,” Robinson said.

There were also two relocations and one expansion of existing businesses, as well as one change in the name of business.

“The net result of these business expansions, relocations and new business openings is an increase of 25 local jobs,” he said.

A-Team Moving and Furniture, a new company at 304 Montgomery Ave., and Meineke Car Care on the N.C. Highway 24-27 Bypass bring the most jobs with eight and seven new positions, respectively.

Four Rivers, on West Main Street in downtown, will create four new jobs upon opening. Mario’s T-Shirt Shop, to be located in West Albemarle, will also bring multiple jobs, with two new positions.

Another new business, Uwharrie Welding, will add one job locally, as will Phillipy’s on Montgomery Avenue.

Several organizational changes and relocations will also create additional job opportunities.

740 Motors, across from The Albemarle Marketplace on N.C. Highway 740, is expanding its scope to include automotive repair as well as sales, and in so doing will create one additional position. Rush Impact Marketing, an advertising consulting organization, has located a branch at 126 N. Second St., and will bring one staff position in the process.

Existing business Uwharrie Soap Company is relocating to 114 E. Main St., and Elite Uniforms and Shoes, which has undergone a name change, will continue operation at 138 S. First St. No new job opportunities will be generated by these two changes.