Warren County Tourism Dollars Up From 2021

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Visitors to Warren County spent $63.01 million in 2021, an increase of 27 percent from 2020. The data comes from an annual study commissioned by Visit North Carolina, a unit of the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina.

In 2021, visitor spending in Warren County grew 68 percent from spend pre-pandemic spending levels; prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the county saw $31 million spent in 2019, when Warren County had the highest growth from pre-pandemic levels than any other county in the state.

Visitor spending includes lodging (including second home spending), food and beverage, recreation, retail, and transport.

“Our residents and businesses know that Warren County is a special place; visitors have recognized this for years as well,” said Charla Duncan, director of Warren County Community & Economic Development. “Warren County’s travel and visitor industry has been able to demonstrate continued resilience, and even come out in a better position than we were before our COVID challenges.”

Duncan said Warren County’s natural and cultural assets continue to draw visitors to the county. They are a “stable, safe and desirable resource for visitors,” she added.

In both 2019 and 2020, Warren County was recognized for topping the state in visitor spending growth from the previous years.

Visitor impact highlights for 2021

  • The travel and tourism industry directly employees more than 232 people in Warren County.
  • Total payroll generated by the tourism industry in Warren County was $10.8 million.
  • Visitor spending totals $3.5 million to the tax base in Warren County.

“Our existing businesses are continuing to see a positive impact from our tourism draw, and we hope that potential businesses can look at this growth and see the value of operating in Warren County as well,” Duncan noted.

These statistics come from the “Economic Impact of Travel on North Carolina Counties 2021,” which can be accessed at partners.visitnc.com/economic-impact-studies. The study was prepared for Visit North Carolina by Tourism Economics in collaboration with the U.S. Travel Association.

Statewide, visitor spending in 2021 rebounded by 44.9 percent to reach $28.9 billion. Following the devastating pandemic-related losses of the 2020, the total fell just short of the record $29.22 spent in 2019. Direct tourism employment increased 10.5 percent to 197,500.

“These findings are something that everyone in North Carolina can celebrate,” said Visit NC Director Wit Tuttell. “They’re a testament to the resilience of our businesses and our residents, and to the enduring appeal of destinations that include everything a traveler might want. The economic well-being of the state and all its communities rises with the pleasures travelers find in the natural beauty of our public spaces, our culinary traditions and innovation, our remarkable towns and our spirited cities. North Carolina can claim it all.”

Area Unemployment Rates Fall Slightly In July 2022, Follow State Trends

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Vance County’s unemployment rate stands at 6.4 percent for July 2022, slightly lower than the rate so far for 2022, which is 6.8 percent. However, these rates remain well below the state averages of 3.7 percent and 4.1 percent, respectively.

According to data released yesterday by the N.C. Department of Commerce, Vance joins the other 99 counties in the state which experienced a decrease in the unemployment rate.

In Granville County for July, the rate is 3.2 percent. In Warren County, the number is 6.6 percent and in Franklin County the rate is 3.6 percent.

August figures are scheduled to be released in mid-September.

Henderson and Oxford are categorized as “micropolitan statistical areas,” a term coined in the 1990’s to describe growing population centers that are not near larger cities, and that draw workers and shoppers from a wide local area.

Henderson’s unemployment rates dropped 2 full percentage points from July 2021 to July 22 – from 8.4 percent to 6.4 percent, according to the data. Oxford also saw its unemployment rate drop over the same period, from 4.3 percent to 3.2 percent.

The number of workers employed statewide (not seasonally adjusted) increased in July to 4,966,822 – up by 31,277 – according to the data and unemployed individuals decreased by 18,851 to 190,340. Since July 2021, the number of workers employed statewide increased by 214,946, while those unemployed decreased by 65,092.

Vance and Warren counties are among 14 counties with unemployment rates between 5 percent and 10 percent; Granville joins 85 other counties with rates 5 percent or lower. None of the state’s 100 counties has a rate that exceeds 10 percent.

According to data from the Commerce Department, Franklin County has the largest labor force – or number of employed individuals – with 33,966. There are 1,218 who are unemployed for a rate of 3.6 percent.

Granville County follows with 30,571 people in the labor force. There are 991 unemployed for a rate of 3.2 percent. Vance has a labor force of 16,770, with 1,069 unemployed, which makes a 6.4 percent unemployment rate. And Warren County has the smallest labor force – 6,558 – with 436 unemployed for a rate of 6.6 percent.

GREAT Grant To Bring Broadband To More Warren Homes, Businesses

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The NC Department of Information Technology has announced that Spectrum Southeast, LLC has been awarded a $4 million grant to provide broadband services to more than 1,400 households and businesses in Warren County. Once this project and another federally funded project are completed, the entire county should have broadband availability.

The Growing Rural Economies with Access to Technology (GREAT) grants are awarded from the federal American Rescue Fund Act State Fiscal Recovery Funds.

According to information from Warren County’s Charla Duncan, the service provider will match $1,408,229; the county has expressed a willingness to partner with Spectrum in helping to achieve the match. If all goes according to plan, 1,434 households and businesses in Warren County will get broadband services.

In 2021, Spectrum was also awarded a majority of the eligible Census tracts in Warren County through the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF) federal reverse auction. This funding supports a build-out of a fiber network to eligible areas which covers roughly 2,000 households.

Warren County has worked with Spectrum since the RDOF award was announced in early 2021 to leverage federal dollars and to apply for state funding as well. At the December 2021 meeting, the Board of Commissioners reached a consensus giving County Manager Vincent Jones authority to move forward in negotiating a partnership with Spectrum to cover homes that were not a part of the RDOF award. GREAT grant funds and county dollars will assist in supplying the funding necessary to cover these households. Combining these programs will essentially lead to countywide availability of broadband.

Details on a construction timeline and specific household addresses that will be served are in the works. However, both the GREAT grant and RDOF funding outline set a completion time as part of the funding requirements. The GREAT grant program has a two-year construction timeline after all agreements are finalized.

More information on RDOF can be found at https://www.fcc.gov/auction/904. More information on the GREAT grant can be found at https://www.ncbroadband.gov/grants/other-resources/great-grant-state.

2022-23 Theater Season Kicks Off Sept. 3 At Lakeland Cultural Arts Center In Littleton

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The Lakeland Cultural Arts Center (LCAC) in Littleton will host a Welcome Back Open House on Saturday, Sept. 3 to kick off the 2022-23 Main Stage Series. The theater is located at 411 Mosby Ave.

Visitors to the theater, which has undergone a recent renovation and expansion, can take a tour of the facility between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. during the open house event. Then, at 7 p.m., LCAC will show the movie “Grease,” complete with free popcorn and soft drinks. Beer and wine will be available for purchase as well.Local supporters Deb and Ed Fitts, through the Ed Fitts Charitable Foundation, have contributed mightily to ensure that the small town’s theater continues to survive and thrive after more than 40 years in operation.

Adult tickets for the 2022-23 shows are $20, tickets for seniors (62+) are $17, and tickets for children (under 13) are $13. For more information and to purchase tickets to any of LCAC’s Main Stage Series shows, click here. Stay tuned for the announcement of more shows coming soon.

The season kicks off with Neil Simon’s “The Odd Couple” in November, followed by “A Christmas Carol” by Charles Dickens in mid-December. Then January 2023 kicks off with the production of “The Marvelous Wonderettes” by Roger Bean, followed by
Sherlock Holmes and the Adventure of the Suicide Club” by Jeffrey Hatcher in mid-March and

“The Drowsy Chaperone” by Bob Martin and Don McKellar in May. “Crowns” by Regina Taylor

rounds out the performances, and dates will be announced later.

Dates and times are listed below:

“The Odd Couple” by Neil Simon

Nov. 11-12 at 7:30 p.m.

Nov. 13 at 2 p.m.

Nov. 17-19 at 7:30 p.m.

“A Christmas Carol” by Charles Dickens

Dec. 9-10 at 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 11 at 2 p.m.

Dec. 15-17 at 7:30 p.m.

“The Marvelous Wonderettes” by Roger Bean

Jan. 20-21 at 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 22 at 2 p.m.

Jan. 26-28 at 7:30 p.m.

“Sherlock Holmes and the Adventure of the Suicide Club” by Jeffrey Hatcher

Mar. 24-25 at 7:30 p.m.

Mar. 26 at 2 p.m.

Mar. 30 – Apr. 1 at 7:30 p.m.

“The Drowsy Chaperone” by Bob Martin and Don McKellar

May 12 – 13 at 7:30 p.m.

May 14 at 2 p.m

May 18 – 20 at 7:30 p.m.

“Crowns” by Regina Taylor – dates and times to be announced

 

Attention, Farm Families! Apply For A Chance To Be Featured During 2022 N.C. State Fair

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– Information courtesy of N.C. State Press Office

 

Has your farm family got what it takes to be one of the 11 families recognized this year at the N.C. State Fair as a Farm Family of the Day?

If you are proud to be an N.C. farmer, work hard to contribute to the state’s No. 1 industry and love both farming and the N.C. State Fair, you could be one of the lucky ones selected.

The “Farm Family of the Day” program, sponsored by Tractor Supply Company, is returning for its second year to recognize and celebrate more of our state’s rich agricultural heritage and the farm families that are behind our $92.9 billion agriculture and agribusiness industry.

Applications can be found at https://ncstatefair.org/2022/Attractions/FarmFamilyOfTheDay.htm The deadline to apply is Sept. 16.

“The State Fair’s earliest beginnings sought to elevate the understanding of new agricultural practices and technology. Helping people make the connection between farming and the food they enjoy is one of our top missions at the NCDA&CS each year,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler.

“Thanks to Tractor Supply Company, this program can help tell the story of and celebrate our farm families. Farmers are out there every day working to grow the food, fiber and fuel that we need to survive.”

Families recognized as Farm Family of the Day honorees will be awarded an N.C. State Fair gift basket including fair tickets to use on any day of their choice during the 2022 N.C. State Fair, ride passes and additional swag from Tractor Supply Company and the N.C. State Fair. Families will be chosen by both nomination and application.

The 2022 N.C. State Fair is set for Oct. 13-23 at the North Carolina State Fairgrounds in Raleigh. The fair offers an experience unique to North Carolina for all who attend, and is an unparalleled value with free entertainment, thrilling rides and games, thousands of animals, endless family activities, competitions, vendors and creative deep-fried delights. For more information, visit https://www.ncstatefair.org/2022/index.htm.

Warren Senior Center Issues Coupons For Use At Local Farmers’ Market

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The Warren County Senior Center and Warren County Cooperative Extension announce the launch of the Seniors Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) for 2022.  The SFMNP provides lower-income older adults with coupons to purchase fresh fruit and vegetables at their local farmers’ markets.  The program’s dual goals are designed to improve the nutritional status of older adults and stimulate business for local farmers while creating a greater awareness of the farmers’ market.

The Warren County Senior Center is distributing coupons to eligible residents once during the growing season.  A recipient must be a Warren County resident aged 60 years or older and meet certain self-declared monthly income eligibility requirements.  These coupons can be used through Sept. 30, 2022, at the local Warren County Farmers’ Market, located in the parking lot of the Warren County Health Department, at 544 West Ridgeway St. in Warrenton.  The Warren County Farmers’ Market operates on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 12 noon.

Income eligibility is $2,096 per month for an individual or $2,823 for a couple.

Coupons are available at the Warren County Senior Center, located 435 West Franklin St., Warrenton, Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm.  To learn more, call the Warren County Senior Center at 252.257.3111.

NCDOT

Volunteers Needed For NC DOT Fall Litter Sweep

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The N.C. Department of Transportation is looking for volunteers for the Adopt-A-Highway Fall Litter Sweep, which runs Sept. 10 – 24.

Each April and September, the department calls on volunteers to help remove litter from roadsides. Volunteers from local businesses, schools, non-profits, churches and community groups play an important role in keeping North Carolina’s roads clean.

“The Litter Sweep is a great opportunity to get outdoors with family and friends and work alongside NCDOT to ensure North Carolina remains a beautiful place to live and work.” says David Harris, a state DOT roadside environmental engineer.

Volunteers can request gloves, safety vests and bags from their local county maintenance office to prepare for the cleanup event. DOT maintenance crews devote one week of their time to pick up litter and collect the orange bags that dot roadsides after volunteers have finished their work.

Cleanup supplies, such as reversible orange/blue trash bags, gloves and orange safety vests, are available from the local NCDOT county maintenance yard office.
​The following link contains contact information for each county’s local litter management coordinator.
Visit the Litter Sweep webpage for more information.

Local SECU Branches Collecting School Supplies Through August

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Teachers and students are gearing up for the start of a new school year, and that surely means school supply lists. Sometimes, those lists are long.

So if you’ve got children still in school and will be doing your back-to-school shopping soon, consider adding a couple of extras to your cart for donation to a drive sponsored by area State Employees’ Credit Unions.

Collection boxes are located at SECU branches in Henderson, Louisburg, Warrenton, Oxford and Butner, just waiting to receive your donation, according to Anna Lemert, a vice president at the Henderson SECU.

All items collected will be given to the school district where the branch is located, Lemert said.

Don’t have a child in school? No problem! Your donations will be gratefully accepted and appreciated.

Calling All State Fair Competitors: Enter By Sept. 15 Deadline!

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Think you’ve got a blue-ribbon zucchini bread recipe? Want to see how that batch of blackberry jam or fig preserves stands up to state competition? Or do you have an exquisite quilt or other handcrafted item that you’d like to show off a bit?

Then consider entering the 2022 N.C. State Fair competitions, which are open now through Sept. 15.

The Fair will be held Oct. 13-23 in Raleigh. This year’s theme is “So Happy Together,” surely a nod to reclaiming participation in events that had been hindered by COVID-19 restrictions for the past two years.

In addition to the traditional competitions like artwork, honey, livestock, cooking, canned food, flowers and decorating skills, new competitions include ink pen decorated seashells and artwork-inspired floral arrangements, according to information from fair organizers.

“It is exciting to announce new competitions to go along with categories that are always so popular, like decorated cakes and quilts,” said John Buettner, competitive exhibits coordinator. “We have competitions to appeal to a wide variety of individuals from seashell painting, painted rocks, terrarium building, shoe decorating and even coloring sheets. I encourage everyone, and all ages, to check out the competitions because just like the N.C. State Fair itself, there is something for everyone.”

In 2021, more than 36,000 items were entered in competitions at the fair.

Most entry deadlines are Sept. 15. Exhibitors must have registered prior to the entry deadline. Entry forms can be mailed in or exhibitors can enter online using ShoWorks, an online application system that is widely used at fairs across the country.

“Exhibitors can enter at the website or by downloading the ShoWorks app. This will help streamline the process, report results quicker and be a way that exhibitors can manage multiple exhibits at a fair or even several fairs,” Buettner said. “Since this is new, we have provided instructions for entering each competition on our website as well.”

Find more information at ncstatefair.org and click on competitions.

Warren County Farm Tour Oct. 12

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Several agencies are partnering to host a farm-based business tour on Wednesday, Oct. 12 in Warren County. The event is free and open to the public, and will feature three stops that showcase agritourism and agribusiness in the area.

Warren County Cooperative Extension, Warren County Community & Economic Development, Vance-Granville Community College and the VGCC Small Business Center are joining forces for the event, which will begin at 8 a.m. at the Warren County Cooperative Extension Office located at Rafters Lane in Warrenton.

During the tour, which will conclude about 12 noon, participants will visit Matthews Creek Farm, Fowl Play Poultry Farm and Rockin’ E Ranch.

Transportation will be provided and personal vehicles will not be permitted on the tour, according to information from the Warren County Cooperative Extension office. Registration will be capped at 34 participants, so register now to ensure you have a space!

Learn more about the event and register here: http://go.ncsu.edu/wcfarmtour.

For more information, call Cooperative Extension at 252.257.3640 or Warren County Community & Economic Development at 252.257.3115.

Matthews Creek Farm is located on 20 acres near Norlina and its owners offer farm stay experiences, with lodging available or campsite hookups.

Fowl Play Poultry Farm is a free-range chicken ranch in Warren County that focuses on producing a quality product with local feed and tried-and-true techniques.

Rockin’ E Ranch is a horse training and boarding facility in Warren Plains.