Tag Archive for: #warrencounty

Warren County Hires First Tourism Manager; Position Funded Through Occupancy Tax Revenues

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— information courtesy of Warren County government

Warren County has its first tourism manager. Cherie Nielsen began in the new role on Tuesday, Mar. 4, which was created through a partnership with the county’s Tourism Development Authority and Community and Economic Development.

Nielsen brings a wealth of experience to the job that will help to enhance and expand tourism initiatives across the county, according to a press statement issued Friday.

“On behalf of the Warren County TDA and its members, it is my pleasure to welcome Cherie Nielsen as our new Tourism Manager,” stated Michael Hawkins, chair of the Warren County TDA board. “I am confident that her expertise and competencies can enable us to reach new heights with tourism in the county. I look forward to the changes or developments that she intends to bring about.”

As Tourism Manager, Nielsen said she will focus on increasing Warren County’s visibility as a travel destination while ensuring that tourism growth benefits the entire community, including rural residents and businesses.

“Tourism is a key economic driver, and I am committed to leveraging Warren County’s rich history, natural beauty, and recreational opportunities to attract visitors and support local businesses,” she stated.

Another goal is to strengthen connections between tourism and the larger community, recognizing the role of agritourism, local artisans and small businesses in driving sustainable economic growth.

Through strategic partnerships and innovative marketing, she plans to promote Warren County’s unique assets while creating opportunities for residents to engage in and benefit from tourism initiatives.

The tourism manager position is fully funded through the newly enacted occupancy tax, which went into effect on July 1, 2024. This funding allows for expanded tourism development efforts, marketing campaigns, and infrastructure improvements that will enhance visitor experiences and drive economic impact for the county. Occupancy taxes are levied on short-term lodging and related rentals and are paid by the visitor, not the property owner.

“Tourism has been a function of Warren County economic development for decades, but we have never had dedicated staff and dedicated funding to apply towards tourism initiatives,” said Charla Duncan, director of the County’s Community and Economic Development department. “For the past decade, we’ve seen year-over-year growth in travel-related expenditures in Warren County. With dedicated tourism resources, we look forward to bringing in more revenue to the county and to local businesses.”

Nielsen has experience with strategic planning, marketing and business development. Most recently, she served as the Project Associate Director for the Industrial Development Authority of Brunswick County, VA, where she played a pivotal role in securing funding, managing large-scale projects and fostering partnerships to revitalize the local economy. Her leadership contributed to business retention and expansion efforts, community development and the promotion of regional assets to attract investment.

Prior to that, Nielsen spent five years with the N.C. Department of Commerce as the Welcome Center manager in Warren County, where she led efforts to promote tourism across all 100 counties in North Carolina, connecting travelers with local attractions, businesses and cultural experiences. She also has experience in outdoor recreation and trail development, having served as the Trail Coordinator for the nonprofit Tobacco Heritage Trail before joining the Department of Commerce.

With a passion for rural economic development, Nielsen has also worked extensively in grant writing, nonprofit leadership, and advocacy.

For more information on the Warren County occupancy tax, visit https://www.warrencountync.com/876/Occupancy-Tax-5.

For information on the Warren County Tourism Development Authority, visit https://warrencountync.com/902/Tourism-Development-Authority.

To contact Cherie Nielsen, email cherienielsen@warrencountync.gov.

Warren County to Hold Community Input Event for Future Community Center

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Warren County will hold a public engagement event on Friday, September 13th, from 6-8 pm on the Warren County Courthouse Square in downtown Warrenton. The goal of this event is to seek input on what residents would like to see in a future community center. This floating event will take place during the 2024 Warren County High School homecoming meet-and-greet.

In 2023, Warren County purchased forty acres on US Hwy 158 Business between Warrenton and Norlina as the future site of a community center and civic complex. The county recently launched its feasibility and initial design work on the project.

For more information about this event, please contact Warren County administration office at 252-257-3115 or email Charla Duncan at charladuncan@warrencountync.gov.

— press release courtesy of Charla Duncan, Director Warren County Community & Economic Development

Annual Governor’s Volunteer Service Awards Nominations Being Accepted Now

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UPDATED: THE VANCE COUNTY DEADLINE TO SUBMIT NOMINATIONS IS FEB. 16, 2024

Do you know someone who makes a difference in the community through volunteerism? Nominations for the annual Governor’s Volunteer Service Awards are being accepted now. Each year, the awards are presented to individuals who make significant contributions to the communities they live in through volunteer service.

An individual or group from the public, nonprofit and private sector may be nominated for this recognition award by a community member. For more information or to make a nomination online or download a nomination form, visit https://www.nc.gov/working/volunteer-opportunities/volunteernc/governors-volunteer-service-awards.  Use this site to locate your county’s contact person to whom you submit nominations. The nominations may be downloaded or completed online.

Some counties have designated specific individuals to receive the nominations from their county. According to information on the state government website, different counties may establish their own deadlines for submission. Vance County residents who wish to send in a nomination should do so by Feb. 16 via email to volunteernc@nc.gov.

Granville County nominations are due by Friday, Jan. 12 and should be submitted to kim@tnvlc.onmicrosoft.com.

In Franklin County, nominations should be submitted by Jan. 31 to Charles Mitchell charles_mitchell@ncsu.edu.

Warren County residents should send nominations by Feb. 1 to Crystal Smith at crystalsmith@warrencountync.gov.

Warren County Farm Tour Oct. 12

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Several agencies are partnering to host a farm-based business tour on Wednesday, Oct. 12 in Warren County. The event is free and open to the public, and will feature three stops that showcase agritourism and agribusiness in the area.

Warren County Cooperative Extension, Warren County Community & Economic Development, Vance-Granville Community College and the VGCC Small Business Center are joining forces for the event, which will begin at 8 a.m. at the Warren County Cooperative Extension Office located at Rafters Lane in Warrenton.

During the tour, which will conclude about 12 noon, participants will visit Matthews Creek Farm, Fowl Play Poultry Farm and Rockin’ E Ranch.

Transportation will be provided and personal vehicles will not be permitted on the tour, according to information from the Warren County Cooperative Extension office. Registration will be capped at 34 participants, so register now to ensure you have a space!

Learn more about the event and register here: http://go.ncsu.edu/wcfarmtour.

For more information, call Cooperative Extension at 252.257.3640 or Warren County Community & Economic Development at 252.257.3115.

Matthews Creek Farm is located on 20 acres near Norlina and its owners offer farm stay experiences, with lodging available or campsite hookups.

Fowl Play Poultry Farm is a free-range chicken ranch in Warren County that focuses on producing a quality product with local feed and tried-and-true techniques.

Rockin’ E Ranch is a horse training and boarding facility in Warren Plains.

Warren Co. Memorial Library

Warren Library Announces Events During Black History Month

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The Warren County Library is promoting several upcoming events as part of its Black History Month celebration.

On Thursday, Feb. 24, the library has scheduled  a virtual meeting featuring celebrated historian Dr. Carlton Wilson. Wilson is dean of the College of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities at N.C. Central University.  The event begins at 3 p.m. on Zoom. Join the live event at www.tinyurl.com/WCMLDrWilson22 or call 301.715.8592 to join by phone. The meeting ID is 834 7607 7501 and the password is 169851. The library also will air the program in its community room.

The N.C. Humanities Council will have a virtual book discussion fand interactive panel conversation on Monday, Feb. 28 at 6:30 p.m. to discuss Thomas Healy’s book Soul City: Race, Equality, and the Lost Dream of an American Utopia. Participants do not need to read the book to attend. The discussion panel will explore the events surrounding Warren County’s own Soul City. This event features author Thomas Healy and Dr. Kofi Boone in a conversation moderated by North Carolina African American Heritage Commission Associate Director Adrienne Nierde. Registration is required. You can register for this virtual program at https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_sunAenwJTpG51JDWIOJ0Vw.

Visit the Black History Month Information Station at the library during the month of February to learn more. The informational display will provide an overview of the history behind Black History Month as well as many relevant books to choose from. Pick up a calendar at the library or visit the library’s website (www.wcmlibrary.org) for more information regarding programs and events. All library programs are free to access. Call the library for more information at 252.257.4990. The library is located at 119 S. Front Street, Warrenton NC 27589.

The Local Skinny! Warren County Tops State In Growth Of Visitor Spending – Two Years Running

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Pandemic or no pandemic, the numbers don’t lie – for the second year in a row, Warren County has grabbed the top spot in the state for growth in visitor spending, according to an annual report released by N.C. tourism officials.

The data comes from an annual study commissioned by Visit North Carolina, a unit of the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina.

Warren County Community and Economic Development Director Charla Duncan points to several reasons why her county has shown positive growth when other counties are posting negative figures, not the least of which is Warren County’s relative proximity to major cities like Richmond, VA and the Raleigh-Durham area, she told WIZS News.

“Warren County has opportunities for day trippers, weekenders, and repeat visitors, and our local economy benefits from that,” continued Duncan.

People tend to overlook the quality of life in a rural county, she said. It’s not less quality of life, but it is a different quality of life that Warren County offers, Duncan said. “I think that people have looked for that a little more over the past year or so. Folks are having a chance to understand what we know to be true.” There’s a lot going on, she said, “it’s just a different kind of thing going on around here.”

“We are fortunate that Warren County’s travel and tourism industry has been able to demonstrate such resilience during a difficult year,” Duncan said. “Individually, many of our businesses have certainly experienced similar challenges as other small businesses across America during this pandemic. The strength in Warren County, particularly during 2020, is that our natural and cultural assets are a stable, safe, and desirable resource for visitors.”

It may be challenging to discern whether the $49.6 million spent in Warren County in 2020 is from visitors, tourists or simply residents who are spending more time within Warren County, Duncan noted. It’s probably a mixture of all three groups.

Duncan said a quick look at sales tax figures show that spending in the county is going fairly well. Gas sales, food and beverage sales, as well as retail and certain recreational spaces all contribute to the numbers, but whether those sales can be tied to a true tourist or a true visitor may be more difficult to track, she said.

Despite this, Duncan said, “this is our second year in a row topping the state in growth. We saw a lot of growth between 2018 and 2019, and the pandemic wasn’t in play.”

Warren County was the only county in its region to see growth; all other counties in the North Central region saw a decrease in visitor spending. The region includes Chatham, Durham, Franklin, Granville, Harnett, Johnston, Lee, Orange, Person, Vance, and Wake counties, according to a press release from Warren County Manager Vincent Jones.

Of the $49.6 million related to visitor spending, $12 million came from lodging, $15.5 from food and beverage, $6.7 from recreation, $4.8 from retail, and $10.6 from transportation, according to the statement.

In addition, people who have vacation homes or retirement homes on both Kerr Lake and Lake Gaston may figure in the positive numbers for Warren County since the onset of the pandemic. “If they were going to be allowed to work from home, they were going to do it from their lake house,” Duncan said.

The appeal of agritourism and agribusiness also contributes, she said. For example, Seven Springs Winery near Norlina opened for business right about the time that the pandemic was shutting everything down.

“That business has been incredibly successful, despite challenges that face small businesses. People were looking for more things to do outside, she said, and Seven Springs provides that opportunity. “They opened up at a time when that was a sought-after thing,” she added. “They’re a great asset for us. They are achieving their dream – they have a great story to tell.”

“It is great to see this positive news, as we adjust to the long-term impact of the pandemic,” stated County Manager Vincent Jones. “We hope that this new energy we are seeing as people discover and rediscover the charm of Warren County is sustained going forward.”

According to Visit NC date, the Warren County travel and tourism industry directly employees 231 people; this is an increase in employment related to visitor spending since 2019. The total payroll generated by the tourism industry in Warren County in 2020 was $10.1 million.

In 2020, state tax revenue generated in Warren County totaled $1.6 million through state sales and excise taxes, and taxes on personal and corporate income. Approximately $3.4 million in local taxes were generated from sales and property tax revenue from travel-generated and travel-supported businesses.

The breakdown by county is available at partners.visitnc.com/economic-impact-studies. The study was prepared for Visit North Carolina by Tourism Economics in collaboration with the U.S. Travel Association.

Warren County has seen an increase in visitor spending every year since 2016.

Deadline To Get Help To Remove Abandoned Manufactured Homes Extended To Feb. 2022

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Warren County residents who want help getting rid of abandoned manufactured homes have some extra time to do so – the deadline to participate in the grant program has been extended until Feb. 25, 2022.

The current grant cycle opened on March 1, 2020.  Cost to eligible property owners is $305.00 for a singlewide unit ($35.00 demolition permit and $270.00 landfill tipping fees) or $575.00 for a doublewide unit ($35.00 demolition permit and $540.00 landfill tipping fees).  County-approved contractors will be reimbursed through the state grant program, which is administered by the county.

The NC Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), through the State Solid Waste Trust Fund, previously awarded Warren County a $10,000 grant to assist in the deconstruction of abandoned manufactured homes as part of the enforcement of the County’s abandoned manufactured home ordinance.

The county commissioners adopted the original ordinance in May 2008 and then adopted an amendment in September 2009. From 2010 to 2017, Warren County was awarded three grants in three separate cycles through this program to aid eligible property owners in the legal deconstruction and disposal of abandoned singlewide or doublewide units.  These grants totaled $89,500 over the seven-year period and resulted in the removal of approximately 50 units from the county.

For more information or to apply to the County program please contact Planning and Zoning Administrator Ken Krulik at 252.257.7027 or KenKrulik@warrencountync.gov. Forms also are available at the Planning/Zoning and Code Enforcement Department, 542 West Ridgeway Street Warrenton, NC 27589.

Water Treatment Plant Project May See $3.5 M In Federal Funds

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The regional water plant improvement project continues to move forward, but so far, it’s more like a steady trickle than a blast from a firehose. Rep. David Price visited the water treatment plant last week and met with officials from the area to share that there likely will be $3.5 million in federal funds appropriated for the project, which has an estimated price tag of $66 million.

Henderson Mayor Eddie Ellington said Price toured the Flemingtown Road facility and spoke with the tri-county delegation about the project, which will double the daily treatment capacity when it’s completed.

The KLRWS serves Henderson, Oxford and Warren County; Henderson is the managing partner at 60 percent and the City of Oxford and Warren County each have a 20 percent stake.

Ellington told WIZS News Tuesday that the visit  gave Price a chance to meet with mayors and managers to see first-hand how federal funding would be used.

“As the demand for water from our neighboring counties, new customers, as well as the growth we are experiencing, this is vital to our future,” Ellington said in an email. “I spoke with Rep. Price as he was leaving and he assured me he’s confident that this would make it through Congress for this fiscal year.”
Others on hand for the visit in addition to Ellington were KLRWS Chief Operator Steve Gupton, Henderson City Manager Terrell Blackmon, Oxford City Manager Alan Thornton, Warren County Manager Vincent Jones, Oxford Mayor Jackie Sergent and others, according to Ellington.

The city of Oxford is in Price’s district and he received a request for funding from city government officials; Warren County and Henderson are in G.K. Butterfield’s district and Henderson city officials requested funding on behalf of those entities. City Manager Blackmon said each congressional district was given the opportunity to submit the 10 best projects to be considered to receive federal funds in the 2022 Interior Appropriations Bill. This project represents a collaborative effort from both congressional districts, Blackmon said.

“This appropriation is only a small part of the total funding for the expansion project,” Blackmon said. The current funding commitment from the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality SRF Program for the expansion project is more than $45 million, leaving a gap of about $20 million. The $3.5 million appropriation will assist in filling the funding gap for this project, he added.

Price issued a press statement in June about his efforts to fund projects in his home district. “Clean water is not a luxury – it’s fundamental to the health and safety of our communities, but our aging water infrastructure urgently needs funding,” Price stated. “I’m pleased that the House Appropriations Interior and Environment Subcommittee included these critical projects in their annual funding bill, bringing them one step closer to reality with the passage of the House bill in Subcommittee.”

In addition to making repairs and forming expansion plans, the overall price tag is heftier because costs simply have gone up. The funding gap is preventing the project from getting underway.

One option would be to raise water rates slightly to cover the increased project cost.

In January 2021, the Henderson City Council approved a revised project cost of $57 million for upgrades to the regional water system, which serves 15 municipalities in three counties. At that time, Council member Garry Daeke, who also serves as the KLWRS advisory board chair, told WIZS that council’s action would allow the project to continue, but if additional grants or other funding streams couldn’t be secured, it could mean a rise in water rates.

Since talk of the project first began several years ago, there have been several challenges to overcome, including purchase of a new pump and rising construction costs. The original price was estimated at close to $40 million, but by the fall of 2020, the cost had risen considerably.

Warren County Appearance Assessment Rates Community For Litter, Clutter

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Results from a recent assessment in Warren County about overall community appearance have been released and local officials are using the information to help with the Fall Litter Sweep, which takes place during the month of September.

The Keep Warren County Beautiful Committee used the Community Appearance Index, a tool  designed by the national Keep America Beautiful organization. The local committee is a committee within the public works department. The assessment was conducted between May and mid-June, and visually assessed the overall presence of litter, illegal signs, graffiti, abandoned or junk vehicles and outside storage, according to a press release from county officials.

Supplies for community members are now available at the Warren County Board of Elections office at 309 N. Main St., Warrenton in the John Graham Annex building.

A team of community, business, and government representatives conducted the visual analysis using a scoring system ranging from 1 to 4, where 1 is minimal to no litter and 4 is extremely littered.

“We are thankful for the efforts of dedicated community members like our Keep Warren County Beautiful committee, and those that have participated in litter cleanup efforts in the past,” stated Warren County Manager Vincent Jones. “Our county’s roads are not simply thoroughfares; they are gateways to our community for visitors and businesses. Our roadsides are a big part of our landscape. Keeping them litter-free reflects on us all.”

Here is a breakdown of each district’s score:

  • District I (East and West Warrenton precinct including Axtell and outlying communities from Warrenton) at a 1.91.
  • District II (Sixpound precinct including Macon, Vaughan, Church Hill and Lake Gaston including Roanoke and River Precincts) came in at 3.10.
  • District III (Smith Creek precinct and Nutbush including Soul City, Wise and Oine communities) measured a 2.16.
  • District IV (Sandy Creek precinct including the Afton community) measured a 1.65.
  • District V (Fishing Creek precinct including the Hollister, Arcola, and Inez communities) measured a 2.73.

“Involving community representatives in the process is important to achieve partnership solutions and to promote individual responsibility, ownership, and pride in results,” said Warren County Committee Chair, Debbie Formyduval.

Warren County government has partnered with NCDOT to conduct countywide litter sweeps in the spring and fall since 2017; staff and volunteers also provide resources for trash collection year-round, and promote continued awareness through local radio, newspaper, and social media about the efforts of Keep Warren County Beautiful.

The Keep Warren County Beautiful Committee was established in 2020 when citizens shared concerns with the Warren County Board of Commissioners. Members of the Keep Warren County Beautiful Committee are: Marshall Brothers, Debbie Formyduval, Paula Pulley, Laura Tucker, April Moss, Angela Hyson, Alaina Pulley, and Austin Brothers.

For more information about the Keep Warren County Beautiful committee, contact Marshall Brothers, the Director of Warren County Public Works, at marshallbrothers@warrnecountync.gov.

For more information about the September Litter Sweep, contact Debbie Formyduval at 252.257.2114.

Warren County Seeks New Local Management Entity/Managed Care Organization

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– press release –

Warren County is now included in the group of counties that have made a decision to move to a new Local Management Entity/Managed Care Organization (LME/MCO).   These organizations are responsible for providing behavioral healthcare services in North Carolina.  Warren County is currently served in the Cardinal Innovations Healthcare catchment area, which extends from Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, to the Virginia border at Warren County.

Effective August 3rd, Warren County will provide notice to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Cohen of the County’s intent to disengage from the Local Management Entity/Managed Care Organization, Cardinal Innovations Healthcare, and realign with Eastpointe.

The Warren County Board of Commissioners approved a resolution and disengagement plan and will be seeking stakeholder and citizen feedback.

For more information, contact the County Manager, Vincent Jones, at the Warren County Manager’s Office at 252-257-3115.

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– Additional information provided by Warren County:

WARREN COUNTY PLAN TO DISENGAGE FROM CARDINAL INNOVATIONS AND JOIN EASTPOINTE LME/MCO.

On August 2nd, 2021, the Warren County Board of Commissioners voted to seek permission from the Secretary of the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Service (DHHS) to disengage from Cardinal Innovations Healthcare, a Local Management Entity/Managed Care Organization (LME/MCO) managing mental health, intellectual and developmental disabilities and substance use services. North Carolina statute 122C-115(a3) permits a county to request disengagement from a LME/MCO and to join another LME/MCO. In light of the impending merger between Cardinal Innovations Healthcare and Vaya Health, Warren County has chosen to join Eastpointe LME/MCO. The Board of Eastpoint voted to accept Warren County as a member.

We do not know how quickly this change will occur. Warren County and Eastpointe LME/MCO have requested an effective date of October 1, 2021, subject to the approval of DHHS.

  • Actions Taken in Conjunction with Resolution: The Warren County Board of Commissioners adopted a resolution to disengage from Cardinal Innovations and join Eastpointe. A letter making the request was sent to Secretary Cohen of DHHS on August 3rd, 2021.
  • The Eastpointe Board voted to accept Warren County as a member on August 3rd, 2021 and sent a letter to Dr. Cohen that same day.
  • Warren County has notified the other counties served by Cardinal and the Co-Chairs of the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee of the North Carolina Assembly of our decision.
  • Warren County and Eastpointe have jointly developed this plan to ensure a smooth transition for Warren County residents and providers which will ensure the continuity of service as the county transitions to Eastpointe.
  • Warren County affirms that it has no outstanding financial liabilities to Cardinal Innovations Healthcare.
  • Warren County affirms that there is no real property impacted by this proposed change.
  • Warren County will remain a member of Cardinal until the effective date of its realignment with Eastpointe, thereby ensuring no loss of services to residents.
  • Warren County has determined that Eastpointe meets the population requirements for a LME/MCO outlined in NC Statute and that its disengagement from Cardinal will not cause Cardinal nor Vaya to fall below those requirements.

Actions to be taken immediately:

  • Warren County and Eastpointe will publish this plan on their respective websites.
  • Warren County will issue a press release and post to its website and Facebook page a notification of its plan to disengage from Cardinal and join Eastpointe and will solicit public comment on the plan for sixty (60) days. Warren County will post the public comments on its website for thirty (30) days following the end of the public comment period.
  • Warren County will specifically request public comment from providers, consumers, advocated, self-advocates and the State and Local Consumer and Family Advisory Committees.
  • This same press release will serve as written notification to all Warren County providers of this proposed change.

Actions to be Taken Upon Approval by DHHS:

  • Eastpointe will hold Provider Fairs to enter into contracts with all providers in good standing currently serving Warren County residents. Eastpointe plans to contract with all current providers.
  • Eastpointe and Warren County will hold public meetings at least one of which will be in the evening to introduce Eastpointe to consumers, families and stakeholders and answer any questions about Eastpointe and this change.
  • Eastpointe and Warren County will hold at least one public meeting targeted to other public agencies in Warren County, such as schools, Department of Social Services, Law Enforcement, Courts, Public Health etc. to discuss the change and answer any questions.
  • Eastpointe will assess the current gaps in service in Warren County and recruit providers to address any identified gaps.