Tag Archive for: #economicdevelopment

The Local Skinny! Henderson Looking for Downtown Advisory Board Members

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Henderson-Vance County Downtown Development Commission Director Tracy Madigan spoke to the Henderson City Council recently about some ideas she got from attending a Main Street conference in New Bern.

No matter whether it was explicitly expressed or presented in a more subtle manner, Madigan told Council members that the conference had a message about partnerships and working together, particularly with county commissioners and staff, as a key component to progress.

“The county is one of our strategic partners,” she said at the May Council meeting, adding that it seemed like every session she attended mentioned the need for cities and counties to work together when it comes to downtown development and, in Henderson’s case, revitalization.

“Downtown development is economic development,” she said.

When prospective businesses visit the area, the downtown is an area they’ll often visit. A revitalized, vibrant downtown helps economic development in the city, the county and the region, she said.

Among the ideas Madigan discussed is creation of a Friends of Downtown committee, which would bring together a group of volunteers to work with the downtown development board to work on goals, needs and objectives.

With different levels of membership, the committee could be a funding stream that could be used for programs or initiatives.

Another session Madigan attended talked about the value of investing in downtown parks and greenspaces. People want to be near parks and greenspaces, which could create increased property values and attract businesses and residential development.

Henderson’s downtown business district is dotted with buildings that are included on the state and national historic registers, and there are historic tax credit programs available to help rehab those structures that may have fallen into disrepair or just need some TLC.

A prime example is the First National Bank building, she said. Municipalities can’t apply for the grants, but other entities could, qualifying for an additional discount because of Vance County’s Tier 1 designation.

This would be another example of partnering with private investors to convert downtown buildings to retail or mixed use, which wouldn’t cost the city any money, but it would encourage private investment. “That’s where we’re going to get our downtown rebuilt…through  public/private partnerships.”

There’s something called a municipal service district that could be established, Madigan said. The idea could probably be used in Henderson’s Main Street designated area. Property owners within the district would pay an additional property tax – an amount that would be set by the City Council with input from city staff – that would generate funds to be used solely for improvements within that particular district, such as improved streetscapes, sidewalks, lighting and marketing, Madigan said.

There’s an appeal for additional Downtown Advisory Board members, preferably individuals with professional backgrounds in business, finance and development. Interested individuals are asked to submit applications to City Clerk Tracey Kimbrell by Wednesday, May 27 at 5 p.m. via email at TraceyKimbrell@henderson.nc.gov or Madigan at 252.425.0844.

 

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TownTalk: Collaboration Is Key Where Economic Development Is Concerned

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The public-private partnership model of economic development is a popular approach that allows for a healthy cross-section of individuals to come together as a unified front to promote a particular area.

It’s a concept that members of the Henderson Vance Economic Development Commission wanted to learn more about, and HVEDC Director Ferdinand Rouse delivered at the group’s February meeting.

A driving force behind economic development is the desire to bring dollars and jobs to a community. Having a public-private partnership has numerous advantages, which Rouse reviewed with the HVEDC members.

Such a partnership, described as an implementation organization, usually is formed as a nonprofit organization that gets funding from both the private and public sectors.

According to research Rouse shared, one advantage of this model is that it is less susceptible to political changes. Other advantages include having access to greater capital investment, the ability to make decisions more quickly, maintaining operational flexibility while having access to governmental powers and resources and enhanced connections to businesses and potential prospects through private sector members

Potential downsides could include concerns about transparency, less direct governmental influence and the lack of strong relationships with public bodies to enact policy effectively.

After Rouse’s presentation, the board discussed potential structural changes to align with the public-private partnership model.

Rouse said they’d have to present the idea to the county commissioners and city council and then do some type of feasibility study to determine what the best approach likely would be.

Some communities, especially smaller communities, have merged with an existing organization like the Chamber of Commerce instead of forming its own nonprofit.

Nonprofit organizations can apply for grant funding from foundations like the Cannon Foundation, Golden Leaf Foundation, the John Hope Foundation and Duke Energy, among others, to help create the model they’re striving for.

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TownTalk: Vance County Commissioners Planning Retreat Coverage Pt. 4 – Economic Development

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Economic development is top of mind for many in the area: more businesses locating here means more jobs and more tax revenue. County leaders like Economic Development Director Ferdinand Rouse know that prospective industries look at a variety of factors when considering where to locate. It’s not some mysterious, unknown list: businesses are looking for, among other things, a well-trained workforce, shovel-ready sites and buildings ready to be upfitted.  Other factors like tax incentives and the presence of existing infrastructure can make or break a decision, too.

Rouse reviewed the county’s economic development picture during the recent retreat of the Vance County Board of Commissioners.

He took a few moments to look back at 2025 and then started in on what the 2026 picture is looking like so far.

Unemployment inched up a bit last year, but the overall number of jobs is up in the county, he noted.

The county’s biggest employers remain in the social systems, retail and health care sectors, he said, with health care related jobs having continued shortages

There’s a greater need for what Rouse called “front line employees” like RNs and CNAs.

Through strong partnerships such as those with Maria Parham Health, Kerr-Tar COG and the city of Henderson, Rouse said the county is working “to put our best foot forward” to address needs.

What the county needs most, he said, are shovel-ready sites that are available for quick turnaround when prospective business and industry send out their inquiries.

The county plenty of sizable tracts – 50 acres, 100 acres, but it’s the infrastructure that sometimes is lacking. If there are roads to access the properties, there may not be water. If there’s water and sewer available, the fiber internet capability may be lacking.

“We’re a victim of our own success,” Rouse said, referring to North Carolina’s number one ranking among states when it comes to economic development and success.

A lot of peer counties – those counties that are similar in nature to Vance when it comes to being ready for economic development – are operating at an optimum level.

That puts them in a better spot to land the business or industry, and “makes us less competitive on time-sensitive projects.”

When state leaders field inquiries and then pass them on to counties, they often expect a quick turnaround – if the county can’t provide detailed responses in a week, they get passed over, he said.

One recent victory came when the China-based company Syntec Precision Technology announced that it’s coming to Vance County, bringing 60 jobs and a $10 million investment as it locates a medical component manufacturing facility here.

Rouse and his team are taking information from a couple of studies – the Golden Leaf Site Selection Study and the Timmons group – to find the truly best sites and focus energies on acquiring those tracts,” he said.

With this multi-pronged approach – grant funding, targeting attractive sites and working with a good group of partners, Rouse said the county is taking positive steps to “put ourselves in a good position to make Vance County successful and have the growth that we desire.”

 

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TownTalk: Economic Impact Of Vance County Tourism

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The duo that IS Vance County Tourism – Pam Hester and Norman Dickerson – are still riding high after another successful car show in downtown Henderson, but they’re not spending too much time looking in the rear-view mirror. They’ve got some other fish to fry, figuratively speaking.

That’d be the gigantic catfish, that 8-foot, 11-inch 750-pound behemoth that became the newest addition to last year’s New Year’s Eve activities at Satterwhite Point on Kerr Lake.

He’s also set to make a pre-NYE appearance at the upcoming Christmas parade on Dec. 6, said Hester.  Look for him on a Fred’s Towing vehicle.

“Fred’s is a huge community supporter,” Hester said on Wednesday’s TownTalk segment. The Foggs and the late Charles Bowman were among the small army of folks who adorned the giant fish with lights just days before it made its debut to usher in 2025.

Those volunteers, Dickerson said, are invaluable to the events that are planned and carried out each year in Vance County. Take putting the light on that catfish, for example. Stringing lights on that giant fish was no small task, but volunteers never let Hester and Dickerson down – they’re always ready to help.

The community showed up for the inaugural Catfish Drop, and this year, Hester said, she hopes it’ll be even bigger and better.

The fish drops a few hours earlier than midnight – at 7 p.m. – which gives families a chance to enjoy an afternoon filled with activities, vendors, music and food.

The Mike Davis Experience will perform, bringing his one-man show to Satterwhite Point.

“It’s just going to be an afternoon, early evening event of fun for everybody,” Hester said.

Kerr Lake is just one of the “jewels” in Vance County that Hester and Dickerson promote.

Another “jewel” is McGregor Hall, which brings folks from all over to attend plays, performances and competitions throughout the year.

According to state statistics from 2023, tourism spending in Vance County totaled about $70 million.

Whether it’s attending a car show, participating in a fishing tournament or dance competition, people are coming into Vance County and spending money. “Just think of what we could do if we had the capability of housing more events,” Hester said.

Hotels and motels generate occupancy tax revenues – to the tune of more than $500,000.

“Just think of what we could do if we had more hotels,” Hester mused. “We’ve got everything it takes to blow this county out of the water.”

A single fisherman who comes into town for a fishing tournament spends an average of $189, Hester said. Now imagine what a McGregor Hall dance competition involves: one young dancer translates into a family and friends who attend the competition will spend money on food, lodging, gas and the practically obligatory trip to Walmart.

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TownTalk: The State of Economic Development in Vance County

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In his first year as the county’s economic development director, Ferdinand Rouse has become better acquainted with the area he is charged with promoting to recruit new business and industry. Rouse had set some short- and long-term goals for himself in his new role, and he said on Tuesday’s TownTalk that he’s satisfied those first-year goals and he looks forward to what the future holds.

“My one-year goal was to understand the community, take stock of our inventory – land and existing buildings, businesses and major employers,” Rouse said.

He said he feels well-equipped to go out and spread the word about why Vance County is the place that businesses should come to and invest in.

Change is inevitable, and Rouse said that there is lots changing in Vance County. “I just want to make sure that I’m providing the information and choosing and trying to create industry to make sure that change is a positive one” in Henderson and Vance County.

When it comes to economic development, Rouse said he and the Henderson-Vance Economic Development board are poised to make Vance County and Henderson a better place to live and to invest resources.

The board is eager to figure out new methods for us to either gain more resources, find new strategies to be successful in bot attraction of new businesses and retaining existing ones, he said.

One innovative idea – construction of a shell building in the industrial park – is just waiting for the right person or business to come along.

The shell building located in the industrial park has been a source of interest since construction began in late 2022. Proponents theorized that prospective buyers would be interested in being able to purchase a structure and then upfit it to meet their specific needs.

The news had been back in May that the shell building had a buyer, but Rouse said that deal had fallen through.

It’s a puzzle to Rouse and others why that building remains on the market, but he chalks it up to a combination of the uncertainties of the current national economic climate and plain old bad luck.

“The shell building has been caught up in unfortunate occurrences,” Rouse said, adding that nothing or nobody in particular is at fault. “The times haven’t been cooperating in selling this building and getting it off the market.”

A new enterprise locating off Poplar Creed Road is getting a little more traction, however.

Syntec Precision Technology, which Gov. Josh Stein announced in February 2025 would establish its first North American production and warehouse facility here, is upfitting the space to fit its needs and is in the process of hiring managers. The company engineers and produces precision machining parts for the hydraulic, life sciences and transportation industries.

Maintaining strong partnerships with entities like Vance-Granville Community College. the Kerr-Tar  COG, the local tourism authority and the Chamber of Commerce – not to mention the city of Henderson, are critical components to attract new business and industry to the area, Rouse said.

Syntec will add dozens of jobs when it opens, but Rouse said economic developers are always talking about “employment multipliers” when they are thinking about recruiting new business and industry.

“When you recruit industry, that industry creates direct jobs,” he said, but that industry also has a ripple effect out into the wider community. Those employees will need housing, they’ll eat in area restaurants, get haircuts, he said. Other businesses who supply materials or service machinery at that industry may decide to relocate, too. That ripple effect has a positive impact on the overall economy of the county, he said.

“That’s what we try to do – create an environment where folks invest in our community and bring in others.”

Sometimes, a prospective business may be attracted by certain incentives – often financial incentives in the form of grants or tax breaks – but Rouse said there are other types of incentives that could prove useful. Things like fine-tuning the permitting process to cut down on wait times may be beneficial. And for those companies that may be creating dozens or hundreds of jobs, well, they need to have some special designation, Rouse said, “to make sure they go to the front of the line.”

Rouse praised the county’s inspections and planning departments, adding that “we all have our part to play when it comes to creating an environment for our businesses to be successful.”

Sometimes, it’s visitors who help spread the word about Vance County and the opportunities that are to be had here, Rouse said. The county’s tourism authority does a great job with events like the recent car show, the annual fireworks display at Kerr Lake and, now the Catfish drop on New Year’s Eve.

“Tourism’s essential,” Rouse said. “A lot of the things that tourism does attracts visitors to our community.” As people move farther from Durham and Wake counties, we have an opportunity to attract additional industry and residential housing, he said.

The county’s recent designation as a Retirement Community, along with signage proclaiming Henderson a Purple Heart Community all serve to promote positive branding, he said.

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TownTalk: Hester Discusses Shell Building And Development

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It was just last fall when local government officials and others gathered at the Industrial Park outside Henderson to break ground on construction of a shell building.

Today, that building is ready to be upfitted to suit a potential buyer’s needs. County Commissioner Tommy Hester said the building is under contract to a manufacturing firm, but the company isn’t ready to make a public announcement just yet.

Hester, who chairs the Industrial Park Board, said construction went smoothly since that chilly November groundbreaking.

The idea was simple: Put up a building and have everything in place for a manufacturer or other commercial entity to come in and finish out the space to suit its particular needs.

As for this shell building, Hester said the new owner will probably still have to put in another $1 million or more to complete the building.

“You don’t want to finish it because you don’t know what upgrades they’ll want,” Hester said on Tuesday’s TownTalk. “You try to hit all of the major things that you think they’ll need,” he added. The building has a layer of gravel and a vapor barrier, as well as cargo doors and it’s expandable to 97,000 square feet.

“You’ve just got to have flexibility,” Hester said, to accommodate a variety of prospective buyers.

Hester said he predicted this building would be sold before it could be completed, and that’s just what has happened.

“I think we can do it again,” he said.

The county purchased the land for the park for $1.6 million. Add the infrastructure – with grants and from the state and federal departments of Commerce to offset costs – and the park has roads and water and sewer services. The road should be completed in December, Hester said.

The county made an investment, and Hester said it’s paying off.

“Success builds on success,” he said. “If you don’t invest, you don’t get a return.” More manufacturing means more local jobs and more money flowing to county coffers in the form of taxes.

“We’re in the right location at the right time,” Hester said of Henderson and Vance County’s proximity to Wake and Durham counties.

35 or 40 jobs over 2 or 3 year period, where growth is burgeoning.

It’s not just growth in the commercial sector, either. Hester cited housing developments in the county that could add 1,000 more homes in the next three to five years.

“The more rooftops you get here in this community, the more retail, the more you can help with quality of lives of citizens,” Hester said.

“It’s all happening faster than I thought,” he acknowledged. “I think we’re getting ready to grow.”

 

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Christian Lockamy

TownTalk 03-08-21; New EDC director “impressed” with Vance

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Henderson-Vance Economic Development Commission Director Christian Lockamy has been on the job for less than two months, but he said in that short period of time he sees “a strong economic development program…with a tremendous amount of potential” for good things to come.

Since his Jan. 19, 2021 start date, Lockamy said he’s been “very impressed” with people he’s met and things he’s seen, adding that the focus is on the right areas to support economic development.” He spoke with John C. Rose on Monday’s Town Talk and said he looks forward to what the future holds for the area.

He noted that industries looking for areas to establish or relocate often are attracted by what’s already in place. “Industry reps are not pioneers,” he said. They don’t want to go and be, in a lot of cases, the first person in an industrial park,” he said. “They like to locate where other industrial companies” are already located.

With the addition of such businesses like Raleigh-based Mako Medical Laboratories, Lockamy said the Henderson area is poised to continue to attract more industry. “They’re looking for a place to go and conduct their business” and educational institutions nearby to fill out their workforce. “If we do what we’re supposed to be doing, for economic development and really go after sites and buildings…we’ll be able to land more companies,” he explained.

Lockamy worked for 2 ½ years in the Elizabeth City/Pasquotank Economic Development Commission before coming to Henderson, and he said he is proud of the work there to develop the Tanglewood  industrial site project by building upon proximity to rail and interstate infrastructure, as well as creating a public-private partnership to further the project.

“Shovel-ready” sites and buildings are the key to attracting new business and industry to an area, he said.  “Those are the types of things that change a community forever.”

During his time in Elizabeth City, he helped create a strategic plan, led efforts to launch a new economic development website and was instrumental in securing a large industrial site and certifying two industrial parks, according to information released when his hiring in Vance County was announced.

Experience using GIS (geographic information systems) comes in handy, too, Lockamy explained, when it comes to helping counties land new businesses and industry. The GIS provides data that can help identify sites for future economic development.

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His time working with GIS for the city of Greenville gave him the chance to help city planners and decision makers, understand and make necessary changes to ordinances – all based on objective data from GIS. “It became instrumental when I got into economic development,” he said of GIS, and he began using GIS and research skills to understand the economic development climate, he added. GIS data can be used to analyze the demographics within a certain radius of a prospective site where a business may be looking to locate.

Besides attracting new industry, Lockamy said he looks forward to working with a new downtown director – once that person is in place. “I believe we have a lot of potential downtown,” he said, adding that Garnett Street has many old buildings that can be brought back to life. He said his experience working in Greenville with various mixed-use development projects as an asset he can use to provide support for the downtown development director. “I can work with them and provide support for them, not only with expertise but also in-kind services as well,” Lockamy said.  “It’s great working together with those types of relationships,” he said. “Anything I can do to help I certainly will.”

H-V Industrial Park Phase III

Henderson-Vance Industrial Park Phase 3 Plans Continue to Move Forward

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Vance County Manager Jordan McMillen said the county has received an offer to purchase a tract of land in the Henderson-Vance Industrial Park. If approved, Phase 3 of the industrial park could be one step closer to being implemented.

“The county has a competitive offer for purchasing land to continue the expansion of this industrial park,” McMillen said in a written statement to WIZS.

The offer of $275,000 is to purchase a two-acre tract which the county bought in 2018.

If the deal goes through, the potential buyer’s plans include construction of an office-type building that could be used for retail tenants or flex space.

The commissioners heard the offer to purchase at their February meeting and, providing no upset bids are received, the commissioners would consider approving the sale at the March 1 meeting, McMillen said.

The property is part of the industrial park, located at the corner of Bearpond Road and Commerce Drive.  The properties committee, which includes commissioners Dan Brummitt, Leo Kelly and Gordon Wilder was “directed to meet and review draft restrictive covenants for not only the 2 acre tract, but also for the 82.5 acre tract that the county owns as well,” McMillen said.

Phases 1 and 2 of the industrial park have restrictive covenants in place from 1995, he added, and said the plan is to put similar covenants in place for Phase 3.

The properties committee met this week.

Local News Audio

Local News Audio 8-24-20 Noon

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Vance County Schools Meal Box Distribution Postponed Until Tuesday

Local Retail Sales Up, June Record Month

Granville County Teacher Arrested

Local Economic Development Grant Requests Approved

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