The Vance County Board of Commissioners adopted a strategic plan for economic development at its July 10 meeting that creates a roadmap for future growth over the next few years.
Crystal Morphis, with Creative Economic Development Consulting, walked commissioners through the basic framework of the strategic plan, which she and her team developed over the course of the last year.
Following the presentation, Commissioner Archie Taylor expressed appreciation for the work that went into the plan’s development.
“The easy part is planning – the hard part is doing,” Morphis replied.
As part of the development process, Morphis shared results of a SWOT analysis – the acronym stands for Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats – derived from information from almost 100 respondents from across the county.
The plan lists “ordinance enforcement” as a weakness, and, when asked by Commissioner Taylor to explain in greater detail, Morphis said it dealt with appearance and first impressions when a newcomer or prospective business owner visits.
“Code enforcement is so important,” Morphis said, for a community’s beautification and appearance.
Morphis used information and data from the respondents to create a plan tailored to take into account the area’s strengths – interstate access and proximity to urban centers like Raleigh and Durham – while working to address some of the challenges – an unskilled workforce and a lack of available housing, just to name two.
The plan lists five goals and has a three-year implementation timeline that details specific items that need to be achieved over that period:
Goal 1 – Attract, retain and foster start-up businesses
Goal 2 – Make Vance County a choice location
Goal 3 – Attract, develop and retain talent to ensure a strong pipeline for the future
Goal 4 – Strengthen local and regional connections
Goal 5 – Strengthen the Henderson-Vance Economic Development Commission
During her presentation to the commissioners, Morphis provided information from the respondents on topics such as challenges to growing their business. Some of those challenges include workforce availability, wage growth pressure, workforce training, financing, housing for workforce and finding affordable space to operate a business.
Some of the areas that the respondents wanted to see the county invest more resources in were in attracting new business and retaining existing businesses, and developing amenities like retail, dining and recreation.
Almost half of the respondents – 49 percent – cited personal or hometown connections – to the county as the reason their company is located within Vance County, Morphis noted.
The Kerr-Tar region and the state are seeing a growth in population, but Vance County and its three municipalities all have seen a drop in their overall populations, according to data from the 2010 and 2020 Census. This can also affect the available work force, which also has shrunk in Vance County since 2017, when there was a workforce pool of 17,237 to a November 2022 level of 16,639.
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SportsTalk: Elliott Expects Big Things From Vipers On The Football Field
/by Bill HarrisWith the first game less than a month away, Vance Co. Vipers head coach Aaron Elliott is looking to have a very successful season. In Elliott’s first season as head coach, he took the Vipers to the playoffs and fully expects to be back this year. “I think we have a great shot at a 10-win season,” Elliott said on Thursday’s SportsTalk.
The Vipers have been participating is numerous 7 on 7 camps over the last several weeks, and Elliott has been happy with what he has seen. “We have a team full of athletes,” Elliott said. He has been impressed with Javion Vines-Holder, the team’s quarterback. “I started working with him in December and he has been terrific,” Elliott stated.
While the team will be a bit on the young side this year, Elliott said his offensive backfield will return intact and his receivers will be a strength for the Vipers. The offensive line lost only one starter from last year’s team.
The Viper’s open the season at home on August 18th against Warren County. Follow the Vipers all season long with play by play live on WIZS.
WIZS Radio Local News Audio 07-20-23 Noon
/by Bill HarrisClick Play to Listen. On Air at 8am, 12pm, 5pm M-F
WIZS Radio ~ 100.1FM/1450AM
Cooperative Extension With Jamon Glover: A Proper Foundation
/by Bill HarrisListen live at 100.1 FM / 1450 AM / or on the live stream at WIZS.com at 11:50 a.m. Mon, Tues & Thurs.
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Two Men In Custody Following Altercation Involving A Gun At Local Medical Clinic
/by WIZS StaffTwo men were arrested Wednesday following an incident involving a gun that took place in the parking lot of Vance Family Medicine, but police say there were no injuries as a result of the gunfire.
Anthony Meadows, 22, of the Hicksboro community and Ransom Hawkins, 21, of the Gillburg community were in a physical altercation in the medical clinic’s parking lot, according to a statement issued Wednesday by Henderson Police Chief Marcus Barrow.
Both men were treated for abrasions and contusions sustained during the fight and they are both in the custody of the Henderson Police Department, pending charges.
The gun was recovered by police.
Further details of the charges and bonds will be forthcoming, Barrow stated.
Hendfact Director Addresses Vance Commissioners
/by Laura GabelAntelmo Salazar, director of Hendfact Fuerza Activa, addressed the Vance County Board of Commissioners during the public comment section of the July 10 regular monthly meeting.
Through an interpreter, Salazar said in its 14 years of service to the Latino community in the area, Hendfact has helped share information and raise awareness among young people and to their parents.
His appearance before the board was to share some of Hendfact’s goals and to say that the group has seen changes that have helped in the community.
“You have the power and resources to help the Latino community,” he said, adding that there are some laws don’t help Latinos.
“We love this county and we want to be included as well,” Salazar said. He has lived in Vance County 30 years.
Chairwoman Yolanda Feimster thanked Salazar for his comments.
“When we take the opportunity to learn about other cultures and other ethnic groups…we get a lot of information that can be helpful and we can impart information that can be helpful
“We appreciate your input in the community,” Feimster said, adding that she hoped they would continue to contribute to the community.
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Antelmo Salazar, director de Hendfact Fuerza Activa, se dirigió a la Junta de Comisionados del Condado de Vance durante la sección de comentarios públicos de la reunión mensual ordinaria del 10 de julio.
A través de un intérprete, dijo Salazar, en sus 14 años de servicio a la comunidad latina de la zona, Hendfact ha ayudado a compartir información y concienciar a los jóvenes ya sus padres.
Su aparición ante la junta fue para compartir algunos de los objetivos de Hendfact y decir que el grupo ha visto cambios que han ayudado a la comunidad.
“Tienen el poder y los recursos para ayudar a la comunidad latina”, dijo, y agregó que hay algunas leyes que no ayudan a los latinos.
“Amamos este condado y también queremos ser incluidos”, dijo Salazar, notando que ha vivido por 30 años en el condado de Vance .
La presidenta Yolanda Feimster agradeció a Salazar por sus comentarios.
“Cuando aprovechamos la oportunidad de aprender sobre otras culturas y otros grupos étnicos… obtenemos mucha información que puede ser útil y podemos impartir información que puede ser útil
“Agradecemos su aporte a la comunidad”, dijo Feimster, y agregó que esperaba que continuaran contribuyendo a la comunidad.
TownTalk: County Commissioners Adopt Strategic Economic Development Plan
/by Laura GabelThe Vance County Board of Commissioners adopted a strategic plan for economic development at its July 10 meeting that creates a roadmap for future growth over the next few years.
Crystal Morphis, with Creative Economic Development Consulting, walked commissioners through the basic framework of the strategic plan, which she and her team developed over the course of the last year.
Following the presentation, Commissioner Archie Taylor expressed appreciation for the work that went into the plan’s development.
“The easy part is planning – the hard part is doing,” Morphis replied.
As part of the development process, Morphis shared results of a SWOT analysis – the acronym stands for Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats – derived from information from almost 100 respondents from across the county.
The plan lists “ordinance enforcement” as a weakness, and, when asked by Commissioner Taylor to explain in greater detail, Morphis said it dealt with appearance and first impressions when a newcomer or prospective business owner visits.
“Code enforcement is so important,” Morphis said, for a community’s beautification and appearance.
Morphis used information and data from the respondents to create a plan tailored to take into account the area’s strengths – interstate access and proximity to urban centers like Raleigh and Durham – while working to address some of the challenges – an unskilled workforce and a lack of available housing, just to name two.
The plan lists five goals and has a three-year implementation timeline that details specific items that need to be achieved over that period:
Goal 1 – Attract, retain and foster start-up businesses
Goal 2 – Make Vance County a choice location
Goal 3 – Attract, develop and retain talent to ensure a strong pipeline for the future
Goal 4 – Strengthen local and regional connections
Goal 5 – Strengthen the Henderson-Vance Economic Development Commission
During her presentation to the commissioners, Morphis provided information from the respondents on topics such as challenges to growing their business. Some of those challenges include workforce availability, wage growth pressure, workforce training, financing, housing for workforce and finding affordable space to operate a business.
Some of the areas that the respondents wanted to see the county invest more resources in were in attracting new business and retaining existing businesses, and developing amenities like retail, dining and recreation.
Almost half of the respondents – 49 percent – cited personal or hometown connections – to the county as the reason their company is located within Vance County, Morphis noted.
The Kerr-Tar region and the state are seeing a growth in population, but Vance County and its three municipalities all have seen a drop in their overall populations, according to data from the 2010 and 2020 Census. This can also affect the available work force, which also has shrunk in Vance County since 2017, when there was a workforce pool of 17,237 to a November 2022 level of 16,639.
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TownTalk: County Commissioners Hear from Vance Recovery
/by WIZS StaffVance Recovery is part of the Vance County Substance Abuse Collaborative, a group of providers that work each day to help clients who are battling opioid addiction.
John Mattocks is Vance Recovery’s program director and he spoke on behalf of the county collaborative to Vance County Board of Commissioners during the public comment section of the July 10 meeting.
“We serve 400 people a day burdened by twin epidemics,” Mattocks said, referring to opioid use and overdose.
The individual groups joined forces as a collaborative to try to generate “energy and focus” in light of the risks brought on by opioid use.
“We are ready to serve in whatever capacity would be helpful,” Mattocks told the commissioners.
Vance County is scheduled to receive a share of the $26 billion nationwide opioid settlement and Mattocks said the collaborative stands ready to provide support to county leaders as they determine how and where to spend those funds.
Visit https://www.morseclinics.com/locations/vance-recovery to learn more about the services provided at Vance Recovery.
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Home And Garden Show
/by Bill Harris— On the Home and Garden Show with Vance Co. Cooperative Ext.
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WIZS Radio Local News Audio 07-19-23 Noon
/by Bill HarrisClick Play to Listen. On Air at 8am, 12pm, 5pm M-F
WIZS Radio ~ 100.1FM/1450AM
Granville Veterans’ Services Can Help
/by WIZS StaffThere’s a short list of important documents that everyone needs to keep track of – a driver’s license and Social Security card are two of the big ones that nobody wants to lose. But U.S. military veterans have a form that they have to produce to gain access to benefits and programs – it’s called a DD-214, for short.
The official term is Discharge from Active Duty or Certificate of Release Form, issued by the U.S. Dept. of Defense upon a service member’s retirement, separation or discharge from active duty. It’s the document needed by local, state and federal service providers to assist veterans and their families.
Veterans in Granville County who need assistance obtaining a copy of their DD-214 are encouraged to visit the Veterans Services Office located at 141 Williamsboro St. in Oxford. Weekly office hours are also held on Wednesdays at Creedmoor City Hall (111 Masonic St., Creedmoor) from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Currently, the Oxford office is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
“When speaking with Veterans at our office, we often find that they do not have a copy of their DD-214,” said Interim Veterans Services Officer A.J. Spiess. “Whether they are trying to sign up for medical care from the VA, file a claim for burial honors, or apply for VA home mortgage loans, you will need a copy of your DD-214. I would encourage all veterans to keep a copy of their DD-214 securely stored and somewhere it be accessed easily. It is also important to make sure your spouse or another close family member knows how to find a copy of your DD-214.”
The Granville County Veterans Services Office provides veterans and their families assistance with educational benefits, grave markers, license plates, disability benefits, tax benefits, wildlife licenses and more. For more information about the Granville County Veterans Services Office, call 919.693.1484 or visit https://www.granvillecounty.org/residents/veterans-services/