Tag Archive for: #tommyhester

TownTalk: Hester Discusses Shell Building And Development

/by

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.”

 

CLICK PLAY!

 

Tommy Hester

Town Talk 10/6/20: Tommy Hester, NC Senate District 3 Republican Candidate

/by

100.1 FM ~ 1450 AM ~ WIZS, Your Community Voice ~ Click to LISTEN LOCAL

Thomas “Tommy” Hester, Jr., the Republican candidate for the District 3 NC Senate seat, appeared on WIZS Town Talk Tuesday at 11 a.m.

Hester, of Vance County, will face Democratic candidate and Bertie County resident Ernestine Bazemore for the seat that represents Beaufort, Bertie, Martin, Northampton, Vance and Warren County. Current District 3 Senator Erica Smith-Ingram is running for US Senate and will not seek re-election to the state senate.

Graduating from Campbell University in 1971, Hester returned to Henderson where he worked at Carolina Cooling & Heating and was later promoted to president of the company.

Hester also graduated from Officer Candidate School (O.C.S.), becoming platoon leader with the 878 Engineering Company for three years.

He currently owns Prim Residential Rentals where he develops residential and commercial property in Vance County.

Community achievements, past and present, include:

  • Chair of the Vance County Board of Commissioners
  • Chair of the N.C. Rural Infrastructure Authority Board
  • Golden LEAF Board Member
  • Chair of the Economic Development Commission
  • Chair of the Henderson Heart Fund Drive
  • Committee Chair of the Henderson Cancer Drive
  • Supporter of the Vance County Relay for Life
  • Chair of the United Way Campaign
  • Member of the United Way’s Board of Directors
  • Advocate for the construction of the Perry Memorial Library and Embassy Cultural Center Foundation
  • President of the Henderson Rotary Club – named Rotarian of the Year in 2002
  • District Chair of the Henderson-Vance Boy Scouts of America Fundraiser
  • President of the Henderson RBC Centura Bank Board of Advisors and Trustees
  • Board Director of the Vance County Public School Foundation
  • Awarded the Order of the Long Leaf Pine in 2016
  • Named the 2017 Citizen of the Year by the Henderson-Vance County Chamber of Commerce

Hester provided the following responses, in part, to questions asked during the Town Talk segment:

Why is now the right time for you to seek the NC Senate seat?

 “I’ve spent 15 years as a County Commissioner. I’ve tried to help with jobs and economic development in Vance County, and I see an opportunity, with no incumbent, to run for this office to do more for Vance County and the other five counties.”

How will your voice represent the needs and wants of the six counties in District 3?

 “I have worked tirelessly on the Golden LEAF Board and the Rural Infrastructure Authority in Raleigh to bring jobs and education into our area. I’d like to expand that into these other counties.

For example, Vance is the only county out of the six to come up with a program to offer broadband for $39.95 to all homes. Mako Medical Laboratories in Vance County now has over 500 employees. We’ve brought in Select Products who will manufacture toilet paper, napkins and paper towels.

I want to see more growth and bring in more tax revenue, not by raising the rate, but by raising the basis. If you expand the basis, you end up getting more revenue and you can keep the tax rate lower.”

What do you want to accomplish in the Senate?

 “I want to work with the Senate in Raleigh to bring as much of the taxpayer’s money from these counties back to these counties and help assist in getting jobs. Two things that go together more than anything else are jobs and education; you can’t put one before the other. When you create jobs, you create tax money and expand upon services such as fire protection, law enforcement, etc.”

How would you work with someone with different viewpoints or a different political party on issues such as Medicaid expansion?

 “I’m not interested in party; I’m interested in jobs and education. The time I’ve spent has been about trying to do what’s right for the community and trying to get the quality of life better for every citizen in that area. I would love to do that and work with whoever is in the House in the future.”

For additional information on Hester and his campaign, visit his Facebook page at Tommy Hester 4 NC Senate Dist. 3 (click here).

To hear the interview in its entirety, including additional questions and responses from Hester, go to WIZS.com and click on Town Talk.

(This is not a paid political advertisement. Political candidates are offered equal air time/coverage on WIZS.)

Vance Co. Commissioner Tommy Hester Announces Plan to Run for NC Senate

/by

THIS STORY IS PRESENTED IN PART BY DRAKE DENTISTRY

Thomas “Tommy” Hester, Jr., lifelong Henderson native, long-serving Vance County Commissioner and local businessman, has announced that he will file for the NC Senate District Three seat in the 2020 election. The filing period begins Monday, December 2, 2019.

NC’s third district is currently represented by Democratic Senator Erica Smith-Ingram and includes Vance, Warren, Northampton, Bertie, Martin and Beaufort counties.

With Smith-Ingram expected to file for federal office as opposed to filing for reelection to the state senate, Hester said the time is right to seek an office that “can help bring jobs and education – the two most important factors in economic growth – to rural NC counties.”

Tommy Hester announces to the local media on Wednesday that he will file for the NC Senate District Three seat in the 2020 election. The filing period begins Monday, December 2, 2019. (WIZS photo)

All six of the counties comprising district three are considered Tier 1, a distinction that makes them among the most economically distressed in the state. Rankings are based on an assessment of a county’s unemployment rate, median household income, population growth and assessed property value per capita, according to the NC Department of Commerce.

As a resident and county commissioner in a Tier 1 county, Hester said he is prepared to bring jobs and education to the district and believes his experience on the North Carolina Golden Leaf Board of Directors and Chairman of the North Carolina Rural Infrastructure Authority, in part, make him an ideal candidate.

“Being involved in Golden Leaf and being in Raleigh with the Rural Infrastructure Authority for six years has given me the background on what needs to be done to help rural counties,” stated Hester.

In addition to his many service roles in Vance County, Hester has connections to other rural NC counties including the three years he was stationed in Warren County as part of his 15 years of National Guard service and connections made through wife Jenny, a Northampton County native.

Locally, Hester has served the Henderson-Vance Economic Development Committee as its elected Board Chair. He was also named Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce’s Citizen of the Year in 2017 and has been recognized with the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, North Carolina’s highest civilian award.

A Vance County Commissioner for 14 years, Hester said he will only resign the local office if he wins the senate seat. If elected, Hester would also be required to resign from the Golden Leaf Foundation and the Rural Infrastructure Authority.

Hester pointed to recent examples of growth in Vance County, many of which he was either directly or indirectly involved with, as proof that the tide can turn in counties categorized as “economically distressed.” Examples included:

  • Expansion of the Henderson-Vance Industrial Park located off US-1
  • Mako Medical Laboratories opening in Henderson, bringing 100+ jobs (to date)
  • New Vance Charter School Building and Salvation Army Building in Henderson
  • Wireless Broadband agreement to provide service to 95-98% of Vance County
  • Vance County’s water expansion project, currently on phase 3

While he is proud of the strides made in Vance County in recent years, Hester said he also wants to help expand that growth to other rural counties via the third district senate seat.

“There’s no one running right now or announced to run except for me. I’m running for it because I care about NC and I care about rural counties. If we help one rural county, we are helping all surrounding counties.”

The general election for the North Carolina State Senate will be held on November 3, 2020. A primary is scheduled for March 3, 2020.

If elected, Hester would assume office the first day of the new General Assembly in January 2021. Members of the state senate serve two-year terms and are not subject to term limits.

Vance County Logo

Commissioner Hester Calls for New Study in Vance Co. Fire Redistricting Plan

/by

In response to a fire redistricting plan that includes switching the Vance County Fire Department and the Golden Belt Fire District to a volunteer company, no longer employing a fire chief in the county and moving existing paid staff to work at volunteer departments during the day, County Commissioner Tommy Hester told WIZS News by phone that he has major concerns.

“I don’t think it’s enough of a plan,” Hester said. “I feel you need a fire chief; the way it was proposed, it seems like they want to do away with the fire chief. That’s not a position they need to be doing away with. You need a leadership position. I’ve never heard of not having a fire chief.”

Another concern is the age of the study being quoted. “The study was done 10 years ago in 2008. Ten years ago versus where we are today is entirely different. I feel we need a professional from outside the county to give us their input,” said Hester.

Yet another concern, according to Hester, is that other locations around the state are doing the opposite of what’s currently being proposed in Vance County. Instead of focusing on volunteer efforts, other areas are increasing paid positions in an acknowledgment of the difficulty in recruiting unpaid staff.

Hester emphasized that a lot of hard work has been put into the present plan by the leadership in Vance County, but said he feels more information and research is needed. “I don’t want us moving in the wrong direction not having looked at all of the alternatives.”

It is unknown at this time how much hiring an outside consultant and conducting a study would cost, but Hester essentially makes the point that the price would be worth the knowledge obtained. “The bottom line is the more information you have, the better decision you can make.”

The Vance County Board of Commissioners’ next meeting will be held on Monday, January 7, 2019, at 6 p.m. in the Commissioners’ Meeting Room, 122 Young Street, Henderson.

Thomas “Tommy” Hester, Jr. Named 2017 Citizen of the Year

/by

By: Kelly Bondurant, Freelance Writer for Hire

Thomas Hester, Jr., lifelong Henderson native, Vance County Commissioner and local businessman, was named Citizen of the Year at the 80th annual Henderson-Vance County Chamber of Commerce Banquet held in the Civic Center of Vance-Granville Community College on Feb 1.

The 2016 Citizen of the Year recipient Pete O’Geary presented the prestigious award, which honors an individual who has made a positive impact for the betterment of the community through personal involvement and contribution. “The Citizen of the Year Award is very special. The honor is earned by an individual who has made a significant contribution and demonstrated a commitment to the advancement of Henderson and Vance County,” said O’Geary.

An anonymous committee selects the honored citizen and the name of the recipient is closely guarded until announced at the chamber banquet.

Prior to announcing the name of the 2017 recipient, O’Geary gave a brief background of Hester’s life and service to his community. “As a product of our Vance County Schools, our recipient was very well-prepared for higher education. Driven by an instinctive passion for success and never satisfied with average, our recipient enlisted and successfully completed training in the Army Officer Candidate School. A love of country that was nurtured and fortified through upbringing, education and training, formed the foundation for a lifetime of civil service and a passion for giving-back to his beloved Vance County community,” said O’Geary.

O’Geary continued by listing several of Hester’s community achievements including:

  • Chairman of the Henderson Heart Fund Drive
  • Committee Chair of the Henderson Cancer Drive
  • Supporter of the Vance County Relay for Life
  • Chairman of the United Way Campaign
  • Member of the United Way’s Board of Directors
  • Advocate for the construction of the H Leslie Perry Memorial Library and Embassy Cultural Center Foundation
  • President of the Henderson Rotary Club
  • President of the KERR-TAR Council of Regional Government
  • District Chairperson of the Henderson-Vance Boy Scouts of America Fundraiser
  • President of the Henderson RBC Centura Bank Board of Advisors and Trustees
  • Board Director of the Vance County Public School Foundation

“Coupled with vast community involvement endeavors, our recipient is an influential change-agent for the advancement of economic development in Vance County and rural North Carolina. Some significant accomplishments involve the powerful use of relationship-building skills, which brought Mako Medical Services to Henderson; coordinating efforts that motivated the MR Williams, MARS Pet Food, and ProfiiForm corporations to expand their operations in Henderson and Vance County; and, relationship-building talents that helped attract 3HC Home Health and Hospice Care to Henderson,” O’Geary said of Hester.

Hester has also led the Henderson-Vance Economic Development Committee as its elected Board Chair and served on the North Carolina Golden Leaf Board of Directors and North Carolina Rural Infrastructure Authority. He was also recognized with the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, North Carolina’s highest civilian award.

O’Geary concluded his speech by stating that the 2017 recipient “has selflessly given of his time, talent and treasure to make Henderson and Vance County a better place. Please join me in congratulating our Chamber of Commerce 2017 Citizen of the Year recipient, Tommy Hester.”

A visibly touched Hester and wife Jenny took the stage surrounded by their two children, family members and guests. “I’m caught without words, and that’s hard for a politician,” said Hester. Hester thanked his wife, his children and his long-time assistant for their support.

Hester also told the crowd that he feels the community has really moved into the 21st century and sees great things for the future. “John F. Kennedy said ‘ask not what your country can do for, ask what you can do for your country.’ I think we can paraphrase that to say ask not what your community can do for you, ask what you can do for your community,” said Hester.

John Barnes, president of the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce concluded the presentation by saying, “Tommy, your contributions to make Henderson and Vance County a better place to live, work and play are equaled by few others. The membership of the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce is proud to recognize you as our 2017 Citizen of the Year.”

 

 

Commissioner Hester Chairs NC Rural Infrastructure Authority

/by

Governor Pat McCrory recently announced in a press release that Vance County Commissioner Tommy Hester had been reappointed to the Rural Infrastructure Authority. Hester has served the authority since its inception in 2013, and next week he will be running to chair the authority for a third-straight 12-month term.

In an interview with WIZS News, Hester said he hopes to continue to serve as the chairman. As he described it, the authority is charged with distributing funds across North Carolina for rural counties as it pertains to job investment grants for infrastructure.

“We try to help Tier 1 and Tier 2 counties, like Vance County,” Hester said. He said, “Take the Handcrafted Homes building for example. It became vacant and stayed so for more than six months. Someone says their going to buy it and employ 25 folks. So the Rural Infrastructure Authority will help up fit it, giving $100,000.00.” The more jobs created the more potential funds are available.

Hester went on about the Henderson-Vance Industrial Park, which consists of 45 acres south of Henderson near Iams. “Henderson applied for a grant to supply water to the site so it would ground ready when someone wanted to locate there,” Hester said.

Also, he said, “The Henderson-Vance Industrial Park is full,” except for one site. “We might need to buy more land to have site ready,” he said of the Henderson-Vance partnership.

Hester also serves on the Golden Leaf Foundation board, likewise appointed to the board by Gov. McCrory. It provides continuity according to Hester, who meets every other month with both Golden Leaf and Rural Infrastructure. Since both boards give money, Hester being on both boards helps coordinate supplemental giving and it also helps know what to do when someone applies for a grant but does not fall under the guidelines of one organization or the other.

Hester is the first from Vance County to serve on either board.

As a Vance County Commissioner, he said, “I am trying to better lives in Vance County by increasing tax revenue without raising the tax rate. Day by day, month by month. This week, I’m meeting with three different companies, just to talk to them.”

More companies not only equals more jobs but also the additional tax revenue to the County to which Hester refers. More jobs means more money of the citizens of this area, and the companies that create those jobs add to the County tax base, which keeps more money in the pockets of the individual citizens. This is part of the ongoing economic development discussions in Vance County.