Tag Archive for: #warrencountyeconomicdevelopment

Warren County Gets $950,000 In CDBG Funding To Help Rehab, Repair Homes

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— information courtesy of Warren County Community and Economic Development

Warren County has received a $950,000 award from the N.C. Dept. of Commerce Rural Economic Development Division for the Community Development Block Grant Neighborhood Revitalization program. Funding does not require a local match.

“We are excited to bring CDBG funds back into the county organization, and I am proud of the work Rose Ponton, our Community Development manager, has been doing to grow our focus in this area,” said Charla Duncan, director of Warren County Community and Economic Development.

“Applying for CDBG housing repair funds has been a goal of this department as a part of our transition from economic development to community and economic development, and this is a big step in realizing that goal,” said Duncan.

These funds benefit low- and moderate-income residents. Activities include housing rehabilitation and emergency repairs with the possibility of relocation and reconstruction in severe circumstances. These funds are managed as a 0 percent interest, forgivable loan with a term of up to eight years.

Warren County worked with a Wilmington firm that specializes in CDBG programming; recipients of CDBG funds were identified as a part of the county’s application.

Applicants must own and live in their home and be able to document that they are not delinquent on any property taxes to date, with a clear title to the property. This program is designed to address housing needs that include severe structural deficiencies or severe water and/or sewer needs.

Warren County’s Duncan Among 20 “Trailblazers” Honored For Work In Small Towns

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Warren County’s Community and Economic Development Director, Charla Duncan has been named a “trailblazer” by Business North Carolina magazine.

Duncan is among a group of 20 young leaders identified in the October issue of the magazine for their efforts in improving some of the state’s smaller cities.

“On behalf of the county, I would like to congratulate Ms. Duncan on this well-deserved recognition. We are looking forward to her continuing to help us move forward into a bright future ahead for Warren County,” said County Manager Vincent Jones, in a press statement announcing the honor.

This award focuses on identifying and recognizing thriving business owners and professionals under the age of 40 who work in N.C. cities and towns that have fewer than 100,000 residents.

The magazine received nominations through July 15, 2022 for leaders who were under the age of 40 as of June 30, 2022.  Nominations included short statements supporting these influential business leaders, citing key accomplishments in the last two years and basic biographical information including age, title, hometown, and number of years spent in their current community.

Duncan’s profile, where she shares her perspective, is featured in the October edition of the magazine. She served as interim director for about seven months before the Warren Board of Commissioners appointed her to fill the job in April 2021.

Harry Mills, economic development director in Granville County, called Duncan “a real rising star” in the area of economic development in North Carolina. Mills told WIZS News Friday that he loved Duncan’s passion for what she does and her compassion for people and her community. “She is a real trailblazer,” he added.

Find the article here: Trailblazers: 20 young leaders focused on improving the state’s smaller cities – Business North Carolina (businessnc.com)

Warren Residents Asked To Weigh In On Comprehensive Development Plan Update

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-Information courtesy of Warren County Community & Economic Development Director Charla Duncan

Warren County is starting a new phase in its comprehensive development plan process. These comprehensive development plan updates are a ten-month process that will result in updates to the existing 2002 plan, which was meant to run through 2022.

Public participation will play a key role through these conversations and feedback. The comprehensive development plan will help to shape the vision and priorities for the future of Warren County.

Warren County’s comprehensive development plan team is conducting a survey that will be available to through the end of March 2022. Find a link to the survey via the county’s website warrencountync.com.

The survey can also be found online at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/WarrenCo_CLUP_Survey.  Hard copies of the survey can also be found at the Warren County Administration Building (602 W. Ridgeway St., Warrenton), Warren County Memorial Library (119 Front St., Warrenton), and the Warren County Senior Center (435 W. Franklin St., Warrenton).

Participants may fill out the survey and either scan, mail or return their responses in person to the Warren County Planning and Code Enforcement office located at 542 West Ridgeway Street in Warrenton, NC 27589. If you would like to scan the copy of a survey, please email your completed copy to compplan@warrencountync.gov.

​The comprehensive development plan will update the 2002 land development plan and address new issues and priorities that have come forward in the years since then. The plan may address several topics as determined by the community but generally a land use plan addresses land use, housing, infrastructure, transportation, economic development, agriculture, recreation, and natural resources. This is a guiding document upon which land use decisions are based.

To follow along with the comprehensive plan process, visit planwarrencountync.com. For more information, contact the Warren County comp plan team at compplan@warrencountync.gov.

 

Glen Raven Announces $82 Million Expansion At Norlina Plant

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Glen Raven, Inc. Custom Fabrics, LLC, in Norlina announced today (Wednesday, July 21) an $82 million capital investment plan that will create 205 new jobs.

The expansion at the Warren County manufacturing plant will add about $6.5 million in annual salaries, according to a press release from Warren County. Governor Roy Cooper also announced on Wednesday that a performance-based grant of $1 million from the One North Carolina Fund will help facilitate the expansion.

The Glen Raven Norlina plant opened in 1984. It produces the synthetic yarn used in performance fabrics, including their well-known flagship Sunbrella brand.

Glen Raven plans to renovate the existing building, constructed in 1970, as well as add new buildings and new equipment.

“Glen Raven has been an indispensable fixture of our business community for 37 years. To take part in the company’s realization of their strategic growth doesn’t just feel good; it feels right,” stated Charla Duncan, Warren County economic development director.

“As a halo county of the Triangle, we look very different than our urban and more populous neighbors, and we’re ok with that because we know that Warren County, too, can be a place for sustainability, growth and vitality,” Duncan stated in the press release. “It’s our goal to be a part of the Glen Raven family as well, knowing that in turn, we are also supporting our families here in the community.”

The Warren County Board of Commissioners unanimously voted to approve a local incentive package to compete for the expansion of the existing Warren County industry.

The total local incentive package offered to Glen Raven includes 10 annual performance-based grants equaling 60 percent of the paid tax liability for the year and a fee waiver of up to $150,000 in county building and inspection fees. The grant will not be issued until the year’s property taxes have been paid.

“This project is a trajectory changer for Warren County. Glen Raven has recognized the value in Warren County, the workforce we can attract, and how that will positively impact their bottom line,” commented County Manager Vincent Jones. “I have to commend our board of commissioners for pushing us as county staff for results, as well as our Warren County team that helped us through this economic development process, especially our community & economic development director, Charla Duncan, who led our efforts.”

“With the devotion and commitment of the county commissioners, coupled with the hard work of our staff, we were able to secure this much-needed economic growth,” stated Tare “T” Davis, chairman of the Warren County board of commissioners. “This expansion speaks to what the citizens have been asking to happen in Warren County — good paying jobs and good opportunity for people to advance. We look forward to a continued partnership with Glen Raven.”

The average salary of the jobs that will be created is predicted to be $31,710, which exceeds the median income for Warren County. Of the total $82 million capital investment, $58 million is in real property and $24 million is in personal property.

“Glen Raven has been an anchor in our local, regional, and state business community for decades. We are thrilled that they have called Warren County home for so long and that they believe our community can help in the growth of their company,” said Victor Hunt, vice-chair of the Warren County board of commissioners and member of the economic development commission board.

Glen Raven, a 2020 Governor’s Export Award Winner (NC), is a global company headquartered in North Carolina, recognized by the state for being a Top Large Business Exporter. Founded in 1880, Glen Raven is a provider of performance fabrics with sales in more than 120 countries.

Duncan, herself a Warren County native, said she hasn’t known a day of her life that Glen Raven hasn’t supported working families in the region.

For more information, contact the Warren County Community & Economic Development Director at 252.257.3114 or charladuncan@warrencountync.gov.

Warren Co. Flag

Warren County Launches Public WIFI at Two County Parks

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— press release

Warren County now has public WIFI at two of its parks – the Warren County Recreation Complex in Warrenton and the Magnolia Ernest Recreation Park in the Soul City community.

The service at the Warren County Recreation Complex, located on the Hwy 158 Bypass, was funded directly by the county using CARES Act funding for equipment and installation; the county will cover service costs.

The WIFI zone at the Magnolia Ernest Recreation Park is a part of Governor Cooper’s NC Student Connect Initiative with the NC Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. The program provides 12 months of unlimited data service for each site.

Those using the WIFI at the park in Soul City, located on Duke Drive, should park in the pull-off area in front of the pool house for the best service.

“This public WIFI initiative is especially important in the midst of the Coronavirus pandemic. As a rural community, these additional options are a great start until our countywide broadband efforts are realized,” said County Manager Vincent Jones.

“We appreciate the partnerships and support from Interim EDC Director, Charla Duncan, and the Governor’s Office in helping our residents.”

The NC Student Connect program is designed specifically to help students who live in areas that are inaccessible for broadband and cell service. These students, especially during the pandemic, are struggling to maintain quality education due to lack of internet. While students are the top priority, the broader communities can also benefit from the service.

The device will not be password protected; however, the WIFI is content filtered and is CIPA compliant. This means that users will not be able to access inappropriate content.

“Providing access to internet is a priority identified by the Warren County Board of Commissioners,” stated Jones.

Warren County is currently awaiting the end of the quiet period for the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund auction from the FCC. On February 1st the county’s plan is to move forward in discussion with the winner of that federal funding for Warren County unserved census tracts.

For more information, contact the Warren County Manager’s Office at 252-257-3115 or Charla Duncan at Warren County Economic Development at 252-257-3114.

Filming Opportunity Available for Warren County’s Small Businesses 

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100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm

-Press Release, Warren County Government

Warren County Economic Development will be filming local businesses in Warren County on Wednesday, February 12, 2020. The footage will be used to market the companies within Warren County and to attract new businesses.

If you would like your business included, please email StacyWoodhouse@WarrenCountyNC.gov and put “filming” in the subject line. Please provide the name and address of your business and a phone number where you can be reached. If you do not hear from the EDC office within two business days, please call 252-257-3114 to confirm we have received your email.

For more information, contact Stacy Woodhouse, Director of Warren County Economic Development, at 252-257-3114 or at StacyWoodhouse@warrencountync.gov.

Woodhouse, Economic Development Director, Talks Growth in Warren Co.

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Stacy Woodhouse, economic development director for Warren County, was on Wednesday’s edition of WIZS’ Town Talk program to discuss the strengths and challenges facing the rural area.

“When people ask me how do you market rural America and rural counties, I tell them it’s a very different story for every county,” Woodhouse said. “We have strengths and weaknesses. A lot of our weaknesses are the same: rural school systems and density by definition; we have a lack of density.”

What is unique about Warren County, according to Woodhouse, are the strengths. “Warren County has access to two beautiful lakes, a thriving downtown, a new brewery coming the first of the year and beautiful, rolling land that’s very comparable to the $30,000 an acre horse farms you see in Northern, VA.”

Woodhouse said people are often pleasantly surprised by the low prices in the area. “When people come down here from the North and see the value of land they get for the price, access and quality of life, they’re just shocked.”

Woodhouse himself was sold on the value when he was looking to relocate his family from bustling Charleston, SC six years ago. With a background in commercial real estate at his advantage, Woodhouse purchased a 90-acre farm in Warren County with the goal of raising his three children in a more rural setting.

As economic development director, Woodhouse’s responsibilities include tourism, recruitment and industry retention. Although he cannot release detailed information at this time, Woodhouse is encouraged by upcoming projects that will grow the area’s economic base and provide job opportunities.

One such project includes a manufacturing operation that will provide 10 jobs initially, with a total of 30 expected within a five-year time period. “For us, getting those jobs is a big deal. Us getting 30 jobs is like Raleigh getting Amazon,” Woodhouse laughed.

Other projects in the works include discussions with a medical firm and the construction of the brewery expected to open in downtown Warrenton early in 2019. According to Woodhouse, demolition for the brewery project began a few weeks ago.

Woodhouse emphasized the importance of retail, especially in a small community. “A lot of economic development directors in larger cities don’t even bother with retail, but retail is a big part of our community and sales tax.”

The group responsible for the future brewery, Table Top Media, is an example of Woodhouse’s next point of discussion, the importance of attracting entrepreneurs to the area. “Table Top Media is an amazing marketing company that does everything from high-end hotels to restaurants,” Woodhouse explained.

The company is a perfect example of the type of business Woodhouse hopes to attract to the area. “They were looking for quality of life and value around the Raleigh area and found Warren County!”

To continue the upward trend of business and industry moving to the area, Woodhouse said it is important to keep an open mind. “When you’re trying to create economic development in a small community you have to be very creative. You cannot take anything off the table.”

To listen to the interview in its entirety, please click here.

6th Annual Small Business Summit – October 24th

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The summit is designed to help you make the holidays pay off for your business.

“I am pleased to announce that the Small Business Center at Vance-Granville Community College will host its 6th Annual Small Business Summit next Tuesday, October 24 from 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the Lake Gaston Lions Club. This year’s theme is Making the Holidays Pay Off,” said Tanya Weary, director of the Small Business Center at Vance-Granville Community College.

Registration includes a free lunch and discussions on the following topics:

  • Shop Local – Buy Local – Invest Local to Gain More Business for You and Your Area
  • Holiday Event Planning for the Small Business Owner
  • Take Photos Like a Pro to Get More Business with Your Social Media
  • Get Social! Grow Your Business!

To register and for more information including a map, click here, https://www.ncsbc.net/workshop.aspx?ekey=530370043.

Weary told WIZS News in her email, “Event brought to you in partnership with VGCC’s SBC, CenturyLink, Chamber of Commerce of Warren County, the Warren County Economic Development Commission, and the Lake Gaston Regional Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Center.”