Dennis Jarvis, Henderson-Vance Economic Development Director, was on Thursday’s edition of WIZS’ Town Talk program to discuss a “familiarization meeting and information exchange” between local government officials and representatives from the Raleigh branch of the commercial property brokerage company, NAI Carolantic Realty.
According to Jarvis, approximately 20 Carolantic professionals heard from a delegation of Henderson and Vance County representatives from the City and County, including Mayor Eddie Ellington, City Manager Frank Frazier and County Manager Jordan McMillen, among several others.
“Our group spoke to the Carolantic team on real estate opportunities in the area from an economic development standpoint,” Jarvis explained. “We discussed the quality of life in this area, the diverse economy and the opportunity for ready-to-go sites.”
Jarvis said McMillen did “an excellent job” in presenting information to the Carolantic team on the County’s recent purchase of 84 acres for expansion of the Henderson-Vance Industrial Park while emphasizing the amenities of the area including water, sewer, natural gas and rail.
“We set the table [by saying] we have the workforce, we have the sites and we have the amenities,” said Jarvis.
As is often touted, Vance County’s proximity to major highways, short travel distance to the Raleigh/Durham area and less expensive operating costs were also mentioned by both groups as a potential boon to business growth.
With an organization that deals with real estate on a national and international level, Jarvis said it would be easy to think representatives wouldn’t be aware of specific opportunities in Vance County, NC. “You think you are going to be speaking with a group that doesn’t have any idea about Vance County, but they had one-on-one knowledge of properties for sale and industry clients.”
Based on Jarvis’ observations, both groups were impressed with what they heard. “I was pleased with Carolantic’s knowledge of the area. They understood the Kerr Lake aspect of the economy, the importance of the community college and were impressed with McGregor Hall.”
“They were also impressed with how the Embassy Foundation and the Perry Library started in a private sense, with no local dollars spent. They said it shows how our community can come together to create a vision, implement change and succeed.”
While no contracts were signed or promises made at this initial meeting, Jarvis said it was a very positive interaction. “Using the real estate context, it was like an open house for Vance County. We showcased who we are and familiarized them with the government officials they will potentially be working with moving forward.”
Jarvis said city and county officials plan to host two similar delegations with commercial brokerages between now and the end of March.
To hear the Town Talk interview in its entirety, please click here.
Animal Control to Present at February’s Granville Co. Board Meeting
/by WIZS Staff-Information courtesy Debra A. Weary, Clerk to the Board, Granville County
The Granville County Board of Commissioners will meet Monday, February 4, 2019, at 7 p.m. at the Granville Expo and Convention Center, 4185 US Highway 15 South, Oxford.
Agenda items include:
Consent Agenda
1. Contingency Summary
2. Budget Amendment #5
3. Resolution to Approve School Bus Lease-Purchase Agreement for Granville County Public Schools
Recognitions and Presentations
4. Recognition – Volunteer Service Awards
Oaths of Office
5. Reappointment of Tax Administrator and Oath of Office
Public Comments
6. Public Comments
Animal Management Matters
7. Free Rabies Vaccines
8. Updated Low-Cost Spay/Neuter Program for Granville County Citizens
9. Animal Control F250 Truck and Chassis Mounted Kennel
10. Animal Control Staff Development Day
Appointments
11. Senior Services Advisory Committee
12. Granville County Library System Board of Trustees
13. Animal Control Advisory Committee
14. Granville County Human Relations Commission
15. Oxford Zoning Board of Adjustment
16. Granville County Veterans Affairs Committee
17. Agricultural Advisory Board
County Manager’s Report
18. Consent to Assignment of Contract
County Attorney’s Report
19. County Attorney’s Report
Presentations by County Board Members
20. Presentations by County Board Members
Any Other Matters
21. Any Other Matters
Closed Session
22. Closed Session – Property Acquisition
Granville Board of Education to Hold Regular Meeting – Feb. 4
/by WIZS Staff-Information courtesy Dywanda Pettaway, Clerk to Board of Education, Granville County
NOTICE TO PUBLIC AND PRESS
The Granville County Board of Education will meet for a regular board meeting Monday, February 4, 2019, at 6 p.m. at the Granville County Public Schools Central Office, 101 Delacroix Street, Oxford, North Carolina.
The board will also meet in a Closed Session for a consultation with the Board’s attorney and Personnel/Attorney-Client Privileges in accordance with N.C. General Statute 143.318.11 (a)(6), 143-318.11 (a)(3), 143.318.11 (a)(5) and Section 115C-321 on this evening.
To find a copy of the agenda for the meeting please use the following link: https://www.boarddocs.com/nc/gcsd/Board.nsf/Public.
Town Talk 02/01/19
/by LarryNews 02/01/19
/by LarryLocal Officials Hold ‘Open House’ for Raleigh Real Estate Team
/by Kelly BondurantDennis Jarvis, Henderson-Vance Economic Development Director, was on Thursday’s edition of WIZS’ Town Talk program to discuss a “familiarization meeting and information exchange” between local government officials and representatives from the Raleigh branch of the commercial property brokerage company, NAI Carolantic Realty.
According to Jarvis, approximately 20 Carolantic professionals heard from a delegation of Henderson and Vance County representatives from the City and County, including Mayor Eddie Ellington, City Manager Frank Frazier and County Manager Jordan McMillen, among several others.
“Our group spoke to the Carolantic team on real estate opportunities in the area from an economic development standpoint,” Jarvis explained. “We discussed the quality of life in this area, the diverse economy and the opportunity for ready-to-go sites.”
Jarvis said McMillen did “an excellent job” in presenting information to the Carolantic team on the County’s recent purchase of 84 acres for expansion of the Henderson-Vance Industrial Park while emphasizing the amenities of the area including water, sewer, natural gas and rail.
“We set the table [by saying] we have the workforce, we have the sites and we have the amenities,” said Jarvis.
As is often touted, Vance County’s proximity to major highways, short travel distance to the Raleigh/Durham area and less expensive operating costs were also mentioned by both groups as a potential boon to business growth.
With an organization that deals with real estate on a national and international level, Jarvis said it would be easy to think representatives wouldn’t be aware of specific opportunities in Vance County, NC. “You think you are going to be speaking with a group that doesn’t have any idea about Vance County, but they had one-on-one knowledge of properties for sale and industry clients.”
Based on Jarvis’ observations, both groups were impressed with what they heard. “I was pleased with Carolantic’s knowledge of the area. They understood the Kerr Lake aspect of the economy, the importance of the community college and were impressed with McGregor Hall.”
“They were also impressed with how the Embassy Foundation and the Perry Library started in a private sense, with no local dollars spent. They said it shows how our community can come together to create a vision, implement change and succeed.”
While no contracts were signed or promises made at this initial meeting, Jarvis said it was a very positive interaction. “Using the real estate context, it was like an open house for Vance County. We showcased who we are and familiarized them with the government officials they will potentially be working with moving forward.”
Jarvis said city and county officials plan to host two similar delegations with commercial brokerages between now and the end of March.
To hear the Town Talk interview in its entirety, please click here.
Rep. Terry E. Garrison Co-Sponsors Bill to Expand Medicaid in NC
/by WIZS Staff-Information courtesy Rep. Terry E. Garrison, District 32, NC General Assembly
Yesterday, Representative Terry E. Garrison co-sponsored House Bill 5 (HB 5), a proposal to expand Medicaid in North Carolina and increase access to affordable health care for more than 500,000 North Carolinians, including approximately 1748 in Vance County; 759 in Warren County; and 1,672 in Granville County alone.
“I am proud to co-sponsor HB 5 which would expand Medicaid and increase health care coverage for families combined across District 32. This bill would help more than 4179 families in District 32 gain access to coverage, but the full effects would be felt by our entire community. North Carolinians shouldn’t be forced to put the health of themselves and their families on the back burner because they can’t afford insurance. We can and should ease that burden this year,” said Representative Garrison.
By introducing a bill to expand Medicaid as the first bill of the 2019 legislative session, state Democrats are signaling their number one priority is helping working families. In addition to making health care more affordable for hundreds of thousands of our people, this proposal would boost our economy and create jobs. According to an analysis prepared by the Center for Health Policy Research at George Washington University, if Medicaid expansion had occurred by 2016, then its impact by 2020 would have been:
• Created 86 jobs in Vance County; 24 jobs in Warren County; 80 jobs in Granville County
• Created $79.9 million in new business activity for Vance County; $11.6 million in new business activity for Warren County; and $87 million in new business activity for Granville County.
• Created $52.1 million in new county revenue for Vance County; $7.1 million in new county revenue for Warren County; and $49.7 million in new county revenue for Granville County.
According to state estimates, expanding Medicaid will overwhelmingly be paid for by the federal government. Any remaining costs would be funded by a small assessment on hospitals and other health care providers.
“Expanding Medicaid is good for our people, good for our economy, and good for our Rural Veteran families or those struggling with addiction, and I look forward to speaking with people across my district about why this is such a critical step we must take together,” Representative Garrison concluded.
Rural North Carolina has the most to gain from Medicaid expansion. Rural hospitals are struggling. Since 2010, five rural hospitals in North Carolina have closed and two have lost critical services like maternity and labor wards. But rural hospitals located in states that have expanded Medicaid are 84% less likely to close. Expanding Medicaid will keep the doors open on rural hospitals, providing vital health care to our communities.
First Round of State’s Agriculture Disaster Checks Headed to Farmers
/by WIZS Staff-Press Release, NCDA&CS
Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler announced today that the first round of checks from the state’s $240 million Agricultural Disaster Relief Program of 2018 have been sent to farmers.
“More than $15.2 million in payments were mailed today, and a second batch will go out Friday, Feb. 1,” Troxler said. “By week’s end, we anticipate having around 2,000 applications processed.”
Nearly 7,000 applications for assistance were submitted to the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services as part of the program. The N.C. General Assembly unanimously approved funding in response to more than $1.2 billion in estimated agricultural losses from Hurricane Florence and Tropical Storm Michael. Gov. Roy Cooper signed the legislation into law.
The applications are being processed randomly and are not being done on a county-by-county basis. Complete applications, not missing any information or documentation, are being processed first. Applications missing information will require follow-up calls in order to be verified and approved.
“This is the most important thing I have worked on since becoming Ag Commissioner,” Troxler said. “Agriculture is the backbone of our economy and it was absolutely pummeled in 2018. Many farmers are hurting and may not be able to secure funding to start the 2019 growing season. While this money does not come close to making whole the crop losses, I hope it will help farmers get financing for the coming year and help jump-start the economies of rural North Carolina.”
A total of 70 of the state’s 100 counties received a presidential or secretarial disaster declaration, qualifying farmers for the program.
The federal government shutdown created some delays in getting applications processed, but work is continuing to verify and approve the remaining applications.
Applicants had to submit the Farm Service Agency form 578 with their applications, which includes acreage being grown.
Other information considered in determining payments includes the five-year average price for commodities, the county average yield and the county estimated losses, which were determined by an ad-hoc committee made up of county FSA officials, cooperative extension agents, forest service staff and soil and water conservation district staff.
Checks will continue to be processed weekly as they are verified and approved.
Warren Co. to Hold High School Registration Meeting for 8th Graders & Parents
/by WIZS Staff-Information courtesy the Warren County Schools Facebook Page
ATTENTION 8th GRADE WARREN CO. PARENTS:
There will be a high school registration meeting for parents on Thursday, February 7, 2019. The meeting will be held at Warren County Middle School at 6:30 p.m. in the Multipurpose Room.
The purpose of this meeting is to provide information on each of Warren County’s High Schools and explain the process of selecting the high school that their students would like to attend as 9th graders.
Warren County School’s Central Office staff, high school principals and counselors will be present to provide information and answer questions. This meeting is designed to help parents and students obtain as much information as possible and fully understand their options before making their high school selection.
If you have questions or need additional information, please feel free to call Ernie Conner at the Warren County Schools Central Office at 252-257-3184.
Cooperative Extension with Jamon Glover 01/31/19
/by CharleneNews 01/31/19
/by Larry