Town Talk 02/25/20
100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm
Tag Archive for: #towntalk
Town Talk 02/24/20: Jarvis Discusses Focus 20/20 Economic Takeaways
THIS STORY IS PRESENTED IN PART BY DRAKE DENTISTRY
Listen live to WIZS Town Talk on 100.1 FM/1450 AM at 11 a.m. all this week as Dennis Jarvis, director of the Henderson-Vance Economic Development Commission (Mon); Eddie Ellington, mayor of Henderson (Tues); Michele Burgess, president of the Henderson-Vance County Chamber of Commerce and Diane Cox, executive director of the Kerr-Tar Regional Council of Governments (Wed); and Pam Hester, director of Vance County Tourism (Thurs), discuss the local economy and last week’s regional economic development summit.
Dennis Jarvis, director of the Henderson-Vance Economic Development Commission, appeared on WIZS Town Talk Monday at 11 a.m.
The first in this week’s Town Talk series featuring community leaders, Jarvis addressed last Thursday’s Focus 20/20, the Kerr-Tar Regional Council of Governments’ Economic Development Summit held at the McGregor Hall Performing Arts Center in downtown Henderson.
Despite the predicted snowy weather, Jarvis estimated over 300 attended the summit, including representatives from the Chamber of Commerce and the local governments of Vance, Granville, Franklin, Warren and Person counties.
“We had good participation regionally and great participation locally in the 27536 and 27537 zip codes,” said Jarvis.
Keynote speaker for the event was Doug Griffiths, author of the bestselling book, “13 Ways to Kill Your Community.” Griffiths works with communities across the US and Canada to identify and overcome challenges that prohibit sustainability and economic growth.
Among the takeaways from the event, Jarvis said Henderson and Vance County will need to respond proactively to a national decline in its three largest economic sectors: manufacturing, agriculture and healthcare. “There is a precipitous drop on the national and state level for these three sectors. We have to be cognizant moving forward of how we parlay this 10 years from now versus today.”
Jarvis said despite that challenge, both the service and retail sectors in Vance County have rebounded significantly in recent years as evidenced by the opening of Biscuitville, Sadie’s Coffee Corner, Planet Fitness, Aldi and Badcock Home Furniture, among others.
Starbucks, Harbor Freight Tools and Popeyes are also in the works for Henderson, with Popeyes and Harbor Freight slated for the old Henderson Mall location on Dabney Drive, according to Jarvis.
To hear the interview with Jarvis in its entirety, including more on the local economy and takeaways from the Focus 20/20 summit, go to WIZS.com and click on Town Talk.
Town Talk 02/21/20
100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm
Town Talk 02/20/20: Hopper Discusses McGregor Hall’s Municipal Funding Request
THIS STORY IS PRESENTED IN PART BY DRAKE DENTISTRY
Mark Hopper, operations director of McGregor Hall Performing Arts Center and chair of the Embassy Cultural Center Foundation, appeared on WIZS Town Talk Thursday at 11 a.m.
Hopper discussed McGregor Hall’s recent open-ended request for funding from the City of Henderson and Vance County, supporting the proposal with information gleaned from a recent economic impact study completed by the Municipal Research Lab at NC State University.
With an operations budget of approximately $500,000, Hopper said the center is maintained by one full-time employee, three part-time employees with a combined 20 hours per week and the help of volunteers who “go above and beyond.”
“That is an extremely lean budget for a facility like ours,” Hopper said. “Most facilities like ours our operating in the $800,000 to a million-dollar budget range.”
Providing a brief history of the building of McGregor Hall, Hopper explained that the Embassy Cultural Center Foundation fundraised for the $9 million center. Six months before opening, one pledge fell through, according to Hopper, and the Center owes a remaining $2.9 million through a low-interest USDA loan with an approximate annual payment of $124,000 a year.
The center is now requesting assistance from the City and County to offset this debt payment every year. An exact dollar amount was not specified in the request.
Hopper said McGregor Hall, with seating for 1,000, is breaking new ground as the only performing arts center in the state with over 750 seats not connected with an educational institution that does not receive any kind of municipal funding.
While McGregor Hall staff and volunteers are proud of being a pioneer of sorts, Hopper said management of debt, City and County funding and increased staffing are essential for continued growth and sustainability.
“Our primary goal is not really an artistic one,” Hopper expressed in a sentiment that he has shared in previous interviews with WIZS. “Our primary purpose in our formation was an economic one. We intended to be an economic stimulus in downtown Henderson.”
According to the results of McGregor Hall’s economic impact study, the center is achieving that goal. During the 12 month study period prior to April 2019, McGregor Hall was directly responsible for injecting $2.4 million into the Henderson economy and was responsible for 5.5% of all economic growth in Vance County over the past three years.
“Taking that kind of economic presence out of the Vance County and Henderson economy right now would be absolutely devastating. We want this to grow and get even bigger. We are starting to see some really exciting things going on in downtown Henderson and we feel we’ve had a big part in making that happen,” stated Hopper.
To hear the interview with Hopper in its entirety, go to WIZS.com and click on Town Talk.
Town Talk 02/19/20: Free Mobile Pharmacy Coming to Henderson; Volunteers Needed
100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm
Kinzie Luce, Mobile Free Pharmacy Events and Volunteer manager with NC MedAssist, appeared on WIZS Town Talk Wednesday at 11 a.m.
NC MedAssist, in collaboration with Triangle North Healthcare Foundation, is holding a Mobile Free Pharmacy Event in Vance County on Friday, February 21, 2020. The event will be held at Shiloh Baptist Church – 635 S. College St., Henderson – from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m.
Participants must be at least 18 years old to receive medication. No identification is required and no income requirements or residency restrictions apply.
A non-profit pharmacy founded in 1997, NC MedAssist serves all 100 North Carolina counties. The charitable organization partners with Triangle North Healthcare Foundation to offer mobile free pharmacy events on a rotating basis in the local four-county area.
“Triangle North Healthcare Foundation is pleased to bring the Over the Counter Medicine Program back to Vance County,” Executive Director Val Short stated in a recent press release. “The OTC Give Away Day is expected to have a huge impact. Our goal is to improve the health of our community, one person at a time. We know that even with insurance, many individuals cannot afford OTC products.”
According to Luce, total participation in these events depends on several factors, including the weather, but the organization “brings enough medicine to serve 1,000 and hopes to distribute it all.”
Each individual can select eight items from a “shopping list” that includes allergy medicine, digestive aids, cough and cold, children’s medication, vitamins, Tylenol and Band-Aids.
“Everyone should leave with a minimum of 10-12 items,” Luce said. “They can select eight items off the shopping list, along with a few miscellaneous items.”
In addition to partnerships, Luce explained that is the hard work and dedication of volunteers that make these events possible. “We have a great volunteer base in Vance, Granville, Warren and Franklin counties. We could not do what we do without them. Our volunteers are serving those that they live and work around.”
Additional volunteers age 12 and older are needed and do not require experience or medical knowledge. “Our volunteers unload trucks and stock medicine on the table,” Luce said. “This is a great way for students to get community hours that they may need for school.”
If you are interested in volunteering for this event, please contact Triangle North Healthcare Foundation at (252) 430-8532.
Information will also be available at Friday’s event regarding the NC MedAssist Free Pharmacy Program, which mails prescription medications directly to eligible participants free-of-charge.
Learn more about NC MedAssist and its programs by visiting www.medassist.org.
To hear the interview with Luce in its entirety, go to WIZS.com and click on Town Talk.
Town Talk 02/18/20: Daeke Discusses Potential McGregor Hall Funding
THIS STORY IS PRESENTED IN PART BY DRAKE DENTISTRY
Garry Daeke, Henderson City Council member, appeared on WIZS Town Talk Tuesday at 11 a.m.
Daeke briefly mentioned the upcoming Focus 20/20 Regional Economic Development Summit to be held at McGregor Hall Performing Arts Center on Thursday, February 20, 2020, and discussed the success of another downtown entity, Sadie’s Coffee Corner.
“What a great venue, and a great community space where people can come together,” said Daeke. “Sadie’s is a great place for anyone and everyone to come together in downtown, relax and enjoy good food and drinks.”
In light of a recently completed economic development study quantifying McGregor Hall’s impact on the local economy, including increased traffic at downtown business and restaurants, McGregor Hall representatives requested City and County funding to assist with its remaining $2.9 million debt.
The results of the study, prepared by the Municipal Research Lab at NC State University, were sent to Vance County Manager Jordan McMillen and former City of Henderson Manager Frank Frazier. While McGregor Hall did not list a specific monetary amount in its funding request, it pointed out the following, as indicated in the study:
- McGregor Hall is directly responsible for injecting $2.4 million into the Henderson economy during the 12 months preceding April 2019.
- McGregor Hall is directly responsible for 5.5% of all economic growth in Vance County over the past three years.
- McGregor Hall, with a 1,000 seating capacity, is the only performing arts center with over 750 seats in NC (not connected with an educational institution) that does not receive any kind of municipal or county funding.
With an annual budget of $491,839 as of 2018, McGregor Hall currently operates with one full-time employee and three part-time employees. The rest of the blanks are filled by numerous volunteers and donors, a feat that Daeke admitted will be hard to maintain in the long-run.
“I don’t think it can continue, in my opinion, with the level of quality they provide now with just so many volunteers,” Daeke said. “It’s very important that the McGregor Hall Performing Arts Center continues to grow, thrive and be a pinnacle centerpiece for Vance County.”
Providing a history of the construction of McGregor Hall and other Breckenridge buildings, including the Henderson Police Department, Daeke stated that the City has already invested quite a bit of money into the project and suggested the County may be the place to turn to for additional funding.
“The City has a couple of million dollars in the facility already whereas the County was not involved in that funding,” explained Daeke. “The County benefits greatly from the sales tax [generated by McGregor Hall], the City to a lesser degree. For every $3 that’s generated by McGregor Hall, $2 goes to the County and $1 to the City.”
Daeke said the impact study has helped to shine a light on the extent of McGregor Hall’s economic reach and believes the County appreciates the results as well.
“A very fair and economical way of helping would be for the County to step up and provide some help; they get return from it. I do think the County sees its role in continuing to help McGregor Hall.”
To hear the interview with Daeke in its entirety, go to WIZS.com and click on Town Talk.
Town Talk 02/17/20: Jones’ Sunday Morning Motivation on WIZS Encourages, Uplifts
100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm
WIZS Sunday Morning Motivation “The Help Center NC” with Twanna J. Jones aired on Town Talk Monday at 11 a.m. Sunday Morning Motivation airs every Sunday morning on 100.1 FM/ 1450 AM WIZS at 10:30 a.m.
Jones, along with her husband Bobby, owns and operates The Help Center NC in Vance and Granville County. According to the Help Center’s website (www.thehelpcenternc.com), the ministry was established in 2016 to share the Gospel and advocate for the poor, elderly and young by providing the tools needed for families to become self-sufficient through training and educational programs.
Serving those in Franklin, Vance, Warren and Granville counties, the program assists with food, housing referrals and resources to enhance the physical, social, emotional, and economic health of poor and homeless citizens.
Sunday Morning Motivation on WIZS is a way for the service area to hear positive, encouraging messages to improve mental, physical, emotional and spiritual health. The February 16 presentation, re-aired for Monday’s Town Talk, addressed the “loneliness” Jones said some residents have stated they feel around holidays, especially romantic holidays like Valentine’s Day. Putting these emotions into a spiritual context, Jones shared biblical passages on love and handling feelings of disappointment.
The program also featured local author Terry Alston Jones who discusses her book “A Summer With No Ice Cream.” Told through the eyes of a 12-year-old, this novel discusses the importance of making good health and lifestyle choices while young to avoid negative consequences later in life. It is the first in a planned series entitled “Embracing Myself and My Health” aimed at addressing health disparities in the African American community.
For more information about The Help Center and its programs, please call (252) 572-3203 to speak with a representative or email info@TheHelpCenterNC.com.
To hear the Sunday Morning Motivation with Twanna J. Jones in its entirety, go to WIZS.com and click on Town Talk.
Town Talk 02/13/20: Henderson Throws Hat in the Ring of HGTV’s ‘Home Town Takeover’
THIS STORY IS PRESENTED IN PART BY DRAKE DENTISTRY
Jason Spriggs, Henderson City Councilman, appeared on WIZS Town Talk Thursday at 11 a.m.
Spriggs announced that Henderson has thrown its proverbial hat in the ring of HGTV’s nationwide ‘Home Town Takeover’ contest. In this series set to air in 2021, husband-and-wife team Ben and Erin Napier will lead a group of renovation pros as they give selected small towns a “whole-town overhaul.”
According to the HGTV website, any citizen of a small town (considered a population of 40,000 or less) could “show, tell and sell” HGTV on why their town deserves to be featured in the six-part series. Applicants were encouraged to focus on unique aspects of their town, including historical homes/buildings, vintage architecture and downtown appeal.
The citizens of the selected towns will see the revitalization of individual family homes, public spaces and outdoor recreation areas, according to HGTV.
Learning about the contest from a friend, Spriggs said he was encouraged to work with other Henderson residents and business owners to create a video demonstrating the city’s historical background and charm.
The approximately three-minute video, narrated by Spriggs, features homes from the late 1880s and early 1900s, the historic downtown fire station built in 1908 and various downtown buildings. Henderson residents and business owners including Sara Coffey, mayor pro tem, Samantha Hill Reavis of Hill’s Music Shoppe and Amanda Pearson, co-owner of Sadie’s Coffee Corner also appear in the video.
“It’s been a great time to get together with people in the community and get some excitement and support behind doing something positive for the city,” said Spriggs.
Submissions were due to HGTV by February 4 and, according to the website, are currently under review. A date for notification of final selection status is unknown at this time. Spriggs said he would keep the community updated on any additional information on the project.
“We have a beautiful town, with beautiful homes,” Spriggs said. “We just need some more support to get [revitalization] projects done. We appreciate Ben, Erin and HGTV’s consideration.”
To see the submitted video, please visit the Citizens Aligned to Take Back Henderson, NC’s Facebook page (click here). Citizens Aligned is a group started in 2015 by Henderson residents looking to bring positive change to the community.
To hear the interview with Spriggs in its entirety, go to WIZS.com and click on Town Talk.
Town Talk 02/12/20: Lower ISO Ratings = Savings for Homeowners, Businesses
THIS STORY IS PRESENTED IN PART BY DRAKE DENTISTRY
Vance County Fire Marshal Keith Duncan appeared on WIZS Town Talk Wednesday at 11 a.m. Duncan discussed the new insurance ratings for County fire departments, the addition of paid part-time personnel and plans for redistricting.
Insurance (ISO) Ratings:
After a county-wide review by the Department of Insurance Office of State Fire Marshal (OSFM) in October 2019, Duncan is pleased to announce that all inspected Vance County fire departments were able to reduce their ISO ratings.
The routine inspections look for proper staffing levels, sufficient equipment, proper maintenance of equipment, communications capabilities and availability of a water source, among other items.
Based on the outcome of these inspections, the North Carolina Response Rating System (NCRRS) assigns a score ranging from one (best) to 10 (not recognized as a certified fire department by the state), with most rural departments falling into the 9S category.
This score, in turn, determines the rating the Insurance Services Office (ISO) uses to charge homeowners and businesses for insurance.
“We have good news for the citizens of Vance County,” Duncan said. “We have reduced rates that just came in this week and will go into effect May 1 of this year. This means an insurance savings of approximately $150 or more for homeowners.”
Prior to the recent inspection, many County departments had an ISO rating of 9, meaning citizens in those districts paid more for homeowners insurance. Duncan said through the hard work of department staff and appropriate funding, all seven inspected departments were able to improve their score to a 5 or a 6.
New ratings are as follows:
Kittrell Fire District = 6
Golden Belt Fire District = 5
Drewry Fire District = 5
Cokesbury Fire District = 5
Townsville Fire District = 6
Watkins Fire District = 6
Hicksboro Fire District = 6
The Bearpond Fire Department and Epsom Fire Department are on a different schedule and have been previously inspected. The Bearpond rating is currently a 5 for residents within 1,000 feet of a hydrant. Epsom, a border department shared with Franklin County, is also currently ranked at a 5.
The previously mentioned ratings apply to County fire districts and departments and are not to be confused with the City of Henderson that currently has an ISO rating of 2.
Duncan credited increased funding, purchased equipment, training hours and a myriad of other items, including an increase in fire tax, for the improved scores.
“It took the increase in fire tax over the past couple of years to get appropriations for departments that were in such dire need of these funds to equip their stations, to get volunteers and part-time positions. The return residents are going to get from their ISO rates being lower should far exceed any tax increase they paid.”
Paid Part-Time Positions:
Briefly addressing the much-discussed move to fund paid part-time positions in volunteer fire departments, Duncan said the addition of personnel indirectly helped with the improved ISO grade but was never the primary mission.
Citing faster response times and the need for paid positions in a world with fewer volunteers, Duncan stated the move was a partnership between Vance County Commissioners and County departments.
“It has worked out so great for the citizens here. Response time has lowered in two of our districts – our most remote districts – by four to five minutes. When you talk about a loved one that’s having a heart attack or a wood fire that’s threatening a home, time is of the essence.”
Fire Redistricting:
Now that department inspections have been completed and updated ISO ratings released, Duncan expects the County to revisit redistricting talks that were “put on the back burner” last year.
“The reason redistricting ever came up was because we were looking at lowering response times and determining the closest department to come to your house or business,” Duncan explained. “It only makes sense that the closer they are, the faster they get there.”
The main area of focus is the five-mile overlap area between fire districts. “We were looking at which department could get to that overlap area faster and discussed adjusting the line pretty much halfway,” said Duncan.
“We were not going to do anything until we got the ISO rates back. We didn’t want to move anyone out of a 5 district and into a 9 district, for example, and cost them money. Now that we have the ratings back, moving the line should not be any trouble because the [insurance] savings will be virtually the same.”
To hear the interview with Duncan in its entirety, go to WIZS.com and click on Town Talk.
Town Talk 02/11/20: Celebrate ‘New Orleans Style’ at BGC’s Mardi Gras Bash
100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm
Thomas Falgout, interim CEO of the Boys & Girls Club of North Central North Carolina (BGCNCNC) appeared on WIZS Town Talk Tuesday at 11 a.m. The BGCNCNC represents Granville, Vance, Franklin, Warren and Halifax counties.
Falgout invited the public to celebrate “New Orleans style” at the 4th Annual Mardi Gras Bash to benefit the Granville County chapter of the Boys & Girls Club on Saturday, February 22, 2020, from 6:30 until 10 p.m.
The bash will be held at Thorndale Oaks, 105 W. Quail Ridge Rd in Oxford, and will include dinner, dancing and music by The Retro Band, all in the spirit of Bourbon St.
Tickets for the adult event are available for $65 each, or two for $120, and may be purchased by calling the BGC Office at (919) 690-0036 or visiting the online Event Brite link by clicking here.
Discussing the benefits of the Boys & Girls Club, which serves school-aged children between the ages of 5-18 in after-school and summer programs, Falgout said the outcome for both the participants and the community is tremendous.
“We get one shot to give children the best childhood imaginable,” said Falgout. “It’s not something they get to do over again. The more people that invest in the Boys & Girls Club, the better the childhood and future of these kids.”
Falgout stated that the benefit to the community is proven. “For every dollar invested in the Boys & Girls Club, there’s about $10 in future earnings in your community.”
The North Central NC Boys & Girls Club currently serves approximately 2,300 youth in various programs throughout the year.
To hear the interview with Falgout in its entirety, including more information on the Boys & Girls Club, go to WIZS.com and click on Town Talk.