McGregor Hall is unique. It’s large. It’s privately funded. It’s well positioned to promote economic prosperity and cultural diversity. It’s something that not every community has. And today on its very stage, a group interested in the 1,000 seat performance and learning center met to learn more about how to cultivate the vision that started about 20 years ago.
Anyone who’s chosen to attend a show, been to a meeting, taken a tour or otherwise entered McGregor Hall can see its beauty. And many have and continue to envision what it will do. What’s not easy to see or feel, just yet, is the economic impact. And, to that end, in fact, an economic impact study of McGregor Hall is needed.
Dr. Bruce McDonald and Tom White from NC State came to Henderson today to discuss McGregor Hall and its impact, to learn more about the facility and to spur still more progression in the team of people, volunteers and the community at large that is supporting the facility.
(WIZS Photo) – Seated around the table starting on the left are Dennis Jarvis, Benny Finch, Nancy Wykle and Ray Gronberg from The Daily Dispatch, Tom White and Dr. Bruce McDonald from NCST, Archie Taylor, Tommy Hester, John Wester, Jordan McMillen, Frank Frazier, Sandra Wilkerson, Pam Hester, Eddie Ellington and with their backs to the camera are Mark Hopper and Jim Nutt.
White, who is the Director of the Economic Development Partnership with the Office of External Affairs, Partnerships and Economic Development at NC State University, said McGregor Hall is a unique resource and discussed its positive spillover effect, and not just for downtown.
McDonald, who is an associate professor of public budgeting and finance and director of the MPA program at NC State University’s School of Public and International Affairs, said, “Theater builds a sense of community.” He said people will move towards it, not away, because it’s stabilizing and adds quality of life.
Things change, and one change being seen now is a much harder look at locating business and industry out away from larger metropolitan areas. As McDonald said it, “There is more to our state than RDU and Charlotte.”
The folks who own, operate and work for businesses and industries want to see cultural and social opportunity.
Look at Variety Wholesalers, which chose Henderson over Raleigh. M.R. Williams chose Henderson over other areas not just to maintain an existing operation but to grow it immensely. Mako Medical Laboratories chose Henderson. Mars Pet Care recently spent millions and millions at its facility.
According to Mark Hopper, Vice Chair of the Board for the Embassy Cultural Center Foundation and McGregor Hall, “Business contributions are up 1,400 percent in three years.” That’s since day one. Hopper also said, “But if we just had a few more resources.”
Chairman of the Embassy Cultural Foundation John Wester said, “It’s a learning center. There are no limits to what we can do.” He said we’re doing this on our own which is unique without city or county appropriations, taxes or anything like that, but we’re offering good for the community.
Not only is McGregor Hall attracting talent from the local area, but actors and actresses and performers from Raleigh and Durham are coming to Henderson as well as many others from far away.
Hopper said, “The arts is not about end product. For me, the arts is about reaching people and changing lives. Everybody craves community, and we can provide a place to connect.”
Hopper said it’s a lean operation and we’re “fiscally responsible and responsible to community.” Not only has the 1,000 seat venue been rented by local people needing a space, but local school initiatives like “Arts Alive” benefit from McGregor Hall. Mecklenburg and Halifax counties in Virginia have formed a relationship with McGregor Hall for use of the space.
That’s use across county and state lines, and the resource is right here in Henderson.
Whether you are over 40 years old or under 40, whether you are in school or in retirement, whether you love music, or plays or performances or none of the above, McGregor Hall is your resource too. And a positive report from an economic impact study could increase funding opportunities and speed up pledges and sponsorships for McGregor Hall.
Based on what was said today, McGregor Hall is an economic stimulus, and for that to be true, civic pessimism won’t do.