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Scout Hughes and George Hoyle talk about ballparks and fields around Vance County and the chance that they can be a part of a restoration project. That and much more on SportsTalk!
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The Vance County Board of Commissioners on Monday approved putting up more than $43,000 in matching funds as part of an economic incentive package for a company that recently announced its plans to locate in Triangle North Campus near I-85 and Poplar Creek Road in Vance County.
The commissioners’ meeting included a public hearing about the proposed incentives; no members of the public spoke either for or against the plan, which was presented by Vance County Economic Development Director Ferdinand Rouse.
“Project Pinpoint” involves a commitment from Syntec Precision Technology Corp. within five years of locating in the county to invest $10 million in business personal property and create 61 new full-time jobs, with an average salary of just over $46,000.
In support of this investment, Vance County is offering several incentives, according to information in the agenda packet:
The matching grants come from N.C. Department of Commerce. The arrival of this company is expected to stimulate significant investment in the local economy, generate new jobs with competitive wages, and foster economic growth and development opportunities for the county.
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The executive summary of a 47-page report released earlier this month paints a sobering picture for children in Vance County, and includes information about challenges, disparities and gaps in a range of services in the community to support children’s well-being.
A project team from Positive Childhood Alliance North Carolina gathered information from 16 community partners who agreed to participate in the study. Through these structured interviews, the team learned about current programs and services available to children and families in the county, as well as identify the most pressing issues and challenges children here face and how those challenges affect children’s well-being.
“Children in Vance County face significantly greater challenges than those confronting the average child in North Carolina,” the executive report states. “This disparity can be significantly reduced by increasing collaboration among the agencies and organizations that serve the most vulnerable families and children in Vance County.”
PCANC provided a project team for the study and worked in partnership with Cara Gill, executive director of Strength and Mending Child Advocacy Center of Henderson. The study was commissioned by Triangle North Healthcare Foundation with support from the John William Pope Foundation.
In the North Carolina Public School Forum’s 2023 report called The Roadmap of Need: A Whole Child Needs Assessment for North Carolina Youth, Vance County ranked 93rd worst out of 100 counties for “indicators of wellness across five domains: economic development, physical health, mental health and safety, education inputs and education outcomes.”
The recently released TNHF report uses this information, as well as information from a 2022 vulnerability assessment for the Kerr-Tar COG which states that “Vance County residents, specifically near the county seat of Henderson, should be considered the most vulnerable group in the region.”
The TNHF report includes a list of programs, agencies and resources in the county that work to meet the needs of children and families, from social service agencies to food, housing and day care, to name a few.
The study participants identified mental health needs among the top needs that affect the children in the county. A shortage of programs and staff means more than half the county’s children and adults aren’t able to access the behavioral health care they need.
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2/26/24 – Click Play!
At a Vance County Board of Commissioners special called meeting Monday afternoon at 4 o’clock, a motion was voted on and passed 4 to 2 in favor of moving forward with an existing request for quote (RFQ) between the county and Mosley Architects for work at the existing jail as well as building a new jail.
Commissioner Tommy Hester made the motion, and it was seconded by Commissioner Leo Kelly.
The main idea appears to be to get an updated quote and find out the architect’s recommendation.
Sheriff Curtis Brame and Major William Mitchell spoke to commissioners at the regular monthly meeting a week ago, February 3, and emphasized the need to reach some decision about addressing the needs of the jail and to develop a plan of action.
The vote now will show state officials some progress here in Vance County, and it does put a plan of action into motion.
Following its most recent inspection in December, inspectors extended until February 21 the deadline for Brame and staff to address 88 deficiencies outlined in the inspection report. Mitchell indicated the commissioners’ decision would be helpful.
Commissioner Dan Brummitt said some officials in Granville County continue to be receptive to a regional facility and that it could be done, perhaps for less than $45 million. Brummitt spoke of a larger jail and voiced his opinion that a regional facility makes sense in the long run.
He and commissioner Valencia Perry voted against the motion.
Hester said he didn’t think four or five counties would work and said, “We’ve got to do what we have to do for the folks in Vance County and move forward. Hire the architect and move forward right now.”
Board chairperson Carolyn Faines indicated Vance County had been “back and forth with Granville County about the regional concept,” and she said she didn’t think it was going to work. She said she thought Granville would have given Vance a yes by now.
Major Mitchell voiced in the special meeting a scenario that would cut down or perhaps reduce or eliminate the need to spend money on the current facility.
Mitchell talked about keeping 20 detainees in house here at The Vance County jail and housing 80 at other facilities.
An open dorm and holding cell here would allow those arrested here locally to still be detained immediately before being moved to another holding location.
Mitchell said he had spoken with the chief jail inspector for the State of North Carolina, Chris Wood, and it is likely that the state would sign off on that scenario.
In an example, Mitchell used what he called a safe figure annually of $2.5 million to house detainees out of the county. He cited the 2024 jail budget of $4.9 million and said that the county could conceivably have a cost savings while doing a remodeling or rebuilding of the jail.
Through memorandums of understanding with the out-of-county facilities, the example figure of $70 per detainee would include meals, bedding and incidentals. If so, Vance County would be responsible for transportation and outside medical, specifically hospitalization, for example.
Additionally, there are so many unfilled positions right now within the jail that the lapsed salaries and the “money savings” from the lapsed salaries would help cover some of these expenses.
Hester said Vance County is in a position now that it has to move forward. He spoke of planning and construction of a new jail taking three to four years to complete and $50 million. County Manager Renee Perry could be heard agreeing with Hester’s remarks.
Mitchell indicated actions were already underway to depopulate the jail.
Commissioner Perry cited concerns with this same group of detainees being taken elsewhere and possibly being brought back again for misconduct. It has happened before. She said these same detainees continue to be so disruptive and indicated that she could not see how this proposal would be different.
Using Mitchell’s estimate of $70 per day per detainee figure from last week’s regular meeting, he reminded the board at the special called meeting that $511,000 is saved annually for every 20 detainees removed who do not have to be held somewhere else.
Sheriff Brame said that he was planning to speak with 22 sheriffs Tuesday, February 11 about the continued need to depopulate the Vance County Jail.
Mitchell also disclosed in the special called meeting that the district attorney had arranged special sessions of court where attorneys could discuss a case with the detainee, then appear before a judge.
Apparently, the judges are on board, and the district attorney’s office and the sheriff’s office are working together with over 40-some cases already worked on towards either a bond for the detainee, time served or removal to the Department of Adult Corrections.
Part of the delay in moving detainees out, according to what Mitchell said, is attorneys have not wanted to go to the jail to see clients and the space for attorney/client meetings at the jail is inhospitable, lacking even an electrical outlet to power a laptop computer that may develop a dead battery after an hour or so.
To combat that impediment, Brame and staff have, in the last 30 days, been bringing detainees to the sheriff’s office so they can meet with their attorneys.
Update 1-5-25:
Straight from the Vance County Commissioners meeting 1-6-25 agenda, the meeting will include within the first few items a fiscal year 2025-2026 pre-budget public hearing.
The public notice says, “The Vance County Board of Commissioners will conduct a FY 2025-26 Pre-Budget Public Hearing at 6:00 p.m., or shortly thereafter, on January 6, 2025 in the Commissioners’ Meeting Room at 122 Young Street, Henderson, NC.”
Before the Board of Commissioners begins work on next year’s budget, the board “is interested in receiving suggestions and priorities from residents to help them in the development of the budget.”
This is one of two required public hearings that will be held on the budget.
“The county manager will submit a recommended budget in May and a second public hearing will be held on the proposed budget on June 2, 2025,” the notice within the agenda states.
The budget is supposed to be adopted before July 1, 2024.
The agenda says, “This notice was published on December 24, 2024,” which in North Carolina means it was published in the newspaper.
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With Kerr Lake as a backdrop, local officials and community leaders witnessed Vance County receiving its official designation as a certified retirement community. It joins 17 other communities across the state, marking an achievement that has been some years in the making.
In welcoming remarks, Vance County Manager C. Renee Perry called the designation a significant milestone in the life of the community. “It’s not just a badge of honor,” Perry said, “it’s a testament to the vibrant quality of life, welcoming spirit and rich resources that make Vance County a wonderful place to live, work, and now – officially – retire.”
Visit NC’s Andre Nabors said North Carolina attracts people who are looking for “small town Americana” in retirement. But they aren’t quite ready to sit in rocking chairs, he said. “Some are looking to start businesses…and be great volunteers in the community as well.”
With amenities that include Kerr Lake, as well as McGregor Hall, quality health care facilities and proximity to larger cities, Vance County is poised to be a destination for retirees.
It’s a win-win situation: retirees enjoy what the county offers and the county enjoys the boost in economic development that accompanies an infusion of residents.
Through VisitNC, N.C. Department of Tourism markets the designated retirement communities. And Nabors was quick to point to the economic impact that retirees have before and after they make the all-important decision about where to live in retirement.
“Before they make a decision to call another place home, they’re going to visit four to seven times before they make a decision,” Nabors said. “That’s tourism dollars” that come in the form of gas tank fillups, lodging, dining in local restaurants and visiting coffee shops.
“They’re in their ‘fun’ phase,” he continued, describing youthful retirees as folks who may want to start a small business or engage in community and civic activities.
“North Carolina is continuing to be an asset for those who are looking to view their Golden Years in another location,” Nabors said. With this new designation, Vance County will be included in marketing materials, like a new RetireNC guidebook that will be placed in the state’s nine welcome centers and visitor centers.
Henderson-Vance County Chamber of Commerce President Sandra Wilkerson said the chamber predicts positive results from the retirement community designation. “We’re not selfish. We want to share our beautiful community with others. I believe this designation will put a welcoming spotlight on us,” she told the group gathered for the presentation.
Vance County’s new Economic Development Director, Ferdinand Rouse, agreed.
The designation “reflects progress we are making to a prosperous future where all residents, whether starting a career or enjoying retirement can thrive…I look forward to what’s next in Vance County.”
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Maria Parham Health welcomes the newest addition to its surgical team – the da Vinci Surgical Robot, a groundbreaking advancement in surgical technology. To celebrate, the hospital invites the Henderson/Vance County community to attend the “Meet the Robot!” event on Monday, Nov. 4 between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
This special event will provide attendees with an exclusive opportunity to explore the capabilities of Maria Parham’s newest surgical team member. Guests will learn how this state-of the-art technology enhances patient care and surgical precision, revolutionizing the way surgeries are performed.
“We are thrilled to bring this advanced technology to our community,” said Donna Young, public information officer at Maria Parham Health. “The da Vinci Surgical Robot represents the future of robotic surgery, and we can’t wait to share its benefits with our patients and community members.”
Join Maria Parham for this informative and engaging event, where you can meet the da Vinci Surgical Robot and discover how it will improve surgical outcomes for patients.
For more information about the “Meet the Robot!” event, contact Young at donna.young@lpnt.net.
(This post is not a paid ad.)
New York City’s Times Square has that iconic glittery orb. Raleigh has a giant acorn. Shoot, Mt. Olive has a giant pickle covered in lights. But this New Year’s Eve, families can head out to Satterwhite Point to witness a first: a giant blue catfish drop to usher in 2025.
It’s all part of a plan by Vance County Tourism and other partners, most recently the Vance County Board of Commissioners, who signed off on the event at their regular meeting held Aug. 5 meeting.
The idea has been in the works for a few years, said Pam Hester, Vance County tourism director. Hester and fellow tourism staffer Norman Dickerson were guests on TownTalk Wednesday to talk about the impact tourism and visitors had on the local economy in 2023, and to discuss how the county’s attractions affect the bottom line.
Adding another signature event like the New Year’s Eve catfish drop to the county’s calendar, she said, will only increase that economic impact. When families come out to the lake on Dec. 31, they can expect vendors, entertainment, fireworks and more before that big ol’ catfish is lowered from the sky to welcome the New Year.
Why a catfish? Back in 2011, a fisherman snagged a recod-breaking whopper from the lake – a 143-pound blue cat. Now, a local artist is creating another whopper, Hester said.
This one will most likely be hooked – by a crane – and dropped – not reeled in- on New Year’s Eve could be the next “big” thing to bring visitors – and their dollars – to the county.
Last year’s tourism numbers are impressive, and Hester said Vance County garnered $70.2 million in visitor spending. That’s an 8.1 percent increase in 2023 from the previous year, which surpasses both Granville and Franklin counties, but is not quite as much as Warren County, which saw a 10.8 percent jump in 2023 for a whopping $73 million in tourism dollars. Vance County is ranked 15th among the state’s 100 counties in terms of growth rate with that 8.1 percent; Warren (10.8 percent) and Franklin (10.6 percent) are ranked fourth and fifth, respectively.
Booked hotel rooms generate an occupancy tax that goes to county coffers. That money, along with sales tax that comes from restaurants and other retailers, creates revenue for the county – in 2023, that figure is the equivalent of $119.76 per resident in tax savings.
“We’re lucky to have McGregor Hall and we’re lucky to have Kerr Lake,” Hester said. “They are our main attractions,” Hester said. In addition to the New Year’s Eve event, there are plans to further capitalize on Kerr Lake by creating an event to celebrate Hispanic Heritage.
Visit https://partners.visitnc.com/economic-impact-studies to find a complete county-by-county breakdown of visitor spending in the state.
Here is a snapshot of the four-county area:
Vance County
Total visitor spending – $70.02 million
Lodging: $15.44 million
Food & Beverage: $23.13 million
Recreation: $9.5 million
Retail: $5.93 million
Transport: $16.02 million
Granville County
Total visitor spending – $60.98 million
Lodging: $13.31 million
Food & Beverage: $20.04 million
Recreation: $9.18 million
Retail: $4.49 million
Transport: $13.96 million
Warren County
Total visitor spending – $73.02 million
Lodging: $18.54 million
Food & Beverage: $21.28 million
Recreation: $10.41 million
Retail: $5.96 million
Transport: $ 16.83 million
Franklin County
Total visitor spending – $42.15 million
Lodging: $8.46 million
Food & Beverage: $14.55 million
Recreation: $5.81 million
Retail: $3.05 million
Transport: $ 10.28 million
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The chairman of the Vance County Board of Commissioners, Dan Brummitt, has called a special meeting for Tuesday, May 28 so commissioners can receive the proposed budget.
A period of transition in leadership positions within the county, including the finance director position, has apparently caused things to move more slowly than in previous years. Just seven months ago the county manager, Renee Perry, started here locally, and just three months ago there were four department head vacancies. It is also apparent Perry has been hard at work and making headway.
While no Vance County Government employee has said so on or off the record, the county is relatively and comparatively behind, not just versus past years’ budget proposals but next to Henderson and the surrounding counties this year.
Now, with the proposed budget originally slated to be made public on Thursday, May 16, the commissioners and residents will now not have anything official for another 12 days, unless it’s posted at vancecounty.org. Those 12 days represent 25 percent of the remaining time before the budget must be adopted – this with revaluation questions remaining, revaluation appeals to go before the Board of Equalization and Review, which means a quorum of the County Commissioners, particular line-items like McGregor Hall funding making headlines and with two public hearings on the budget required before adoption.
The special meeting for commissioners to receive the budget and schedule budget hearings and other items as needed will start at 4 p.m. in the Commissioners’ Conference Room, Vance County Administration Building, 122 Young Street, Henderson, NC.
Vance County will hold a tax revaluation information session Monday, May 20.
The session starts at 4 p.m. and will be held in the Vance County Administration Building (the old courthouse building).
On a flyer the County has indicated that it has answers to questions about the revaluation.
