Wadesboro Town Manager Alex Sewell served as moderator for the Anson County Economic Summit on Wednesday at the Lockhart-Taylor Center.
Chuck Horne, standing, CEO of Hornwood and chairman of the Anson Economic Development Corporation poses a question to state and federal lawmakers during the economic summit.
Rep. Mark Brody, left, who represents Anson County in the N.C. House of Representatives, and Chris Carter, district director for U.S. Congressman Richard Hudson led the government panel at the Anson Economic Summit on Wednesday.
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For the first time in its two-year history, the Anson County Economic Summit was held in the fall. Though the date changed, the content remained the same — focusing on how to move Anson’s economic development forward.
At the start of the summit on the morning of Sept. 16, Wadesboro Town Manager Alex Sewell, acting as moderator, asked the audience of nearly 100 people if they felt the county was moving in the right direction. The response was overwhelmingly negative.
“There is literally nothing we can do to change the past,” Sewell said, adding that he hoped the summit would help the county move forward.
“I know there is some frustration with turning the discussion into action,” he said.
Government officials share economic knowledge
The summit was moved to September in part so that more local government officials would be able to attend. However, it turned out that North Carolina’s budget process has dragged on so that Sen. Tom McInnis was still unable to attend, since he was in Raleigh for the Senate’s vote on the budget Wednesday morning. Rep. Mark Brody, who represents Anson and Union counties, was on hand.
Brody said he is not a resident of Anson County, and as such, he doesn’t feel it’s his place to tell the county what it should do. “I’m a facilitator of what you want to do,” he said.
He did give a brief recap of the budget and what it means for Anson County. He touted North Carolina as having one of the lowest tax rates in the southeast, and said the state government is dropping the personal income tax rate by one-quarter of a percent, with plans to get the corporate tax down to 3 percent.
He also shared what the sales tax reallocation means for the county. “Imagine you’re trying to find a certain product, and you can’t find it here so you have to go to Monroe or Charlotte,” he explained. “Now more of that money stays in the county of origin.”
In fact, with the new reallocation, Anson County is set to receive $574,000 more in tax revenue. Municipalities will receive as follows: Ansonville — $14,000; Lilesville — $12,000; McFarlan — $3,000; Morven — $11,000; Peachland — $9,000; Polkton — $70,000 (probably due to the prison population, Brody said); and Wadesboro — $124,000.
Sewell asked Brody what he felt was one single thing the Anson community could be doing to improve the economy, but Brody responded again that the “folks here need to decide,” because he is not a resident.
“I believe Anson County is in the right place at the right time,” he said. “I’ve said that for the past two years, and it’s still true.”
Chris Carter, district director for Rep. Richard Hudson’s office, appeared at the summit on behalf of the congressman.
He talked about the Highway Trust Fund and other transportation issues. “We can’t do any long-term projects,” he said. “We’ve just done short-term patches.”
Transportation is integral to economic development, he said.
Domestic energy resources are also key to growing the state’s economy, Carter pointed out, adding that North Carolina should explore its energy sources, such as natural gas and shale. He also talked about EPA regulations and how they’re hurting most of the country.
When the floor was opened for questions, Tourism Development Authority chairman Jeff Boothby questioned Brody about what items would qualify for JDIG, or economic development, funding from the state. Brody stated that almost anything would qualify, as long as it facilitated economic growth. However, he also said he would like to focus on existing businesses, in addition to trying to attract new industry.
Carter echoed that point later, saying that multi-million dollar industries often grab the headlines, but that small businesses have opportunities to expand as well.
Priscilla Nunn, director of the ACCESS program, asked Brody what he had done to help Union County become one of the fastest-growing communities in the state. Brody responded that a lot of the growth had to do with Union’s geographical location, bordering the Charlotte metro area.
“As far as Anson County goes,” he added, “there are certain things we can look at to allow development.”
He pointed to Anson’s status as a Tier 1 county, meaning it has high poverty levels.
“Anson County wants to preserve its way of life,” he said. “It’s rural, but also needs jobs.”
Tourism Development Authority plans for economic boost
Although he wasn’t a scheduled speaker, TDA chairman Jeff Boothby shared some information about a wayfinding and branding project the TDA is working on.
“We’re looking to do a kind of bottom-up approach to economic development,” he explained. “What we want to do is take advantage of the 74 corridor and get some of that traffic to pull off the road and explore some of our resources.”
Boothby admitted it’s a challenge to get motorists to vist the uptown Wadesboro area, and the towns in other parts of the county. He pointed to the town of Brevard as a good example. “They have very visible, easy-to-find parking spaces, with art pieces like murals inviting people in,” Boothby said.
He added that in years past, the TDA has been focused on the “heads in beds” philosophy, but “we can’t get more heads in beds if we don’t engage people.”
“We’re not some crossroads on the way to the beach or wherever you’re going,” Boothby said. “There are a lot of great things in this community.”
He added that bringing tourism to Anson County is an attainable goal. “If we’re diligent and patient enough to see this through,” he said, “there will be nothing we can’t do.”
Workforce Development is key
David Hollars of Regional Workforce Development shared some of the key components employers look for when hiring workers.
He pointed to the following workforce trends: STEM jobs, telecommuting (working from home via computer and telephone), the need for at least a high school diploma and usually a college degree, less mobility, industry-recognized certifications, project management and problem-solving skills, professionalism, communication, and critical thinking and decision-making skills.
“One of the key things we’ve done in the past few years is through the N.C. Works Career Center,” Hollars said. “We’re no longer called ‘the unemployment office.’ We want people to think of a long-term career, not just ‘I need a job.’”
As part of the more career-based mindset, applicants use a career tool that asks 20 specific questions to help decide on an appropriate career.
Hollars also mentioned Anson County Schools’ Youth Career Connect Academy, which prepares high school students to earn college credit and decide on career paths.
“The foundation of a strong workforce is in the community,” Hollars said. “It’s not always about economic incentives. There is nothing more vital to a community than its providing employment opportunities for its citizens.”
Education’s connection to economic development
Anson County Schools Superintendent Michael Freeman was the final speaker in the morning portion of the summit.
He applauded the Board of Education for their commitment, as well as South Piedmont Community College, which hosted the event at the Lockhart-Taylor Center. He also gave credit to the Anson County Partnership for Children for preparing children for their first day of school in kindergarten.
Since many of those involved in Anson County’s economic development do not live in the county, Freeman shared some information about the school system. There are 11 total schools, including one middle school and four high schools.
Among the many high school level programs is the YCC Academy, which Hollars mentioned in his presentation. “It is unique not only to Anson County, but to all of North Carolina,” Freeman said. “We were one of only 24 in the nation to receive the grant to operate this program for four years. We are currently in year two.”
He shared a brief video, which explained more about the YCC program. Freeman also touched on a planned internship program for YCC.
One major component of YCC’s success, Freeman said, has been the recruitment of Career Technical Educator Rusty Baldwin, who left NASCAR to come to Anson County Schools.
Although Freeman is aware of the negative comments some have about Anson County’s public schools, he said it is up to the community to improve the situation. “I urge everyone to support us,” he said. “If we don’t speak up about our community, no one else will. We choose to live in a community with a lot of poor people. But I know, for me, it is a privilege to put new shoes on a child’s feet if his shoes are worn out. That’s what it’s all about — helping our students succeed.”
By Abby Cavenaugh
acavenaugh@civitasmedia.com
Editor Abby Cavenaugh may be reached at 704-694-2161, ext. 2301 or on Twitter @TheAnsonRecord.
Editor Abby Cavenaugh may be reached at 704-694-2161, ext. 2301 or on Twitter @TheAnsonRecord.
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