2
Progress
The Daily Dispatch
Agribusiness
2014
Real Estate/Construction
MARK DOLEJS / Dispatch Staff
MARK DOLEJS / Dispatch file photo
Both large and smaller farming operations in the area include tobacco as one off their crops. In this 2012 file photo, Matt Grissom transfers an armful of fresh cut tobacco leaves at his farm in Gillburg.
Green growth for the Tri-County
“Some farmers are turning to raising vegetables as an alternative. With the farmers market here, that’s an incentive for them.”
BY DAVID IRVINE
Local farmers markets include
• Vance County: 210 Southpark griculture is both big business Drive, off South Beckford Drive, in and small business in the Henderson. Tri-County area. • Granville County: Oxford at Statistics provided by the N.C. the corner of McClanahan and Department of Agriculture and Lanier streets; Creedmoor in the Consumer Ser vices show that CVS parking lot, 612 North Main agriculture generated almost $90 Street. million in the three counties in • Warren County: In Warrenton 2012. Vance County realized $21 at the BB&T parking lot, corner million from agriculture, Granville of Macon and Bragg streets, and County $37.9 million and Warren in Hollister at the Haliwa-Saponi County $30.2 million. Administrative Building grounds, Just as important for quality of 39021 NC 561. life, if not for big bucks, are those Speaking at the Vance County people who engage in agriculture Community Resource Fair in on a smaller scale. March, Bob Etheridge, executive Paul McKenzie, agriculture director of the N.C. Farm Ser vice agent for the Cooperative Agency, said the impact of Extension in Vance and Warren agriculture goes beyond the farm. counties, said in “In North Carolina, addition to small 3 percent of the Paul McKenzie, full-time farmers there population is directly agriculture agent engaged in agriculture, are many part-time farmers. for the but 25 percent is tied “There are dozens into agriculture,” he Cooperative of people who raise a said. Extension in few cows,” he said. “Or To assist America’s Vance and they raise vegetables rural communities, for the farmers market. Warren counties, the U.S. Department The farmers market said in addition of Agriculture initiated is an opportunity for StrikeForce for to small full-time the someone who wants Rural Growth and farmers there are Opportunity Initiative some supplemental income.” many part-time to improve economic Carl Cantaluppi, opportunity and quality farmers. horticulture agent for of life in targeted Cooperative Extension area by leveraging of Granville County, contrasted the resources and collaborating with potential return on investment for stakeholders in the region. large farmers and small farmers. Taking the lead in the “Tobacco growers generally StrikeForce effort is the Farm sell to a tobacco company. The Ser vice Agency. Crudup said her farmer gets paid at whatever the organization can assist farmers going price is,” he said. “If they’re with marketing, conser vation and growing fruits and vegetables other factors in making farming for the retail market, the farmers successful, including help in themselves determine what the applying for low-interest loans. price is. The retail price is higher “Farming is still a livelihood for than the wholesale price would a lot of folks,” Crudup said. “When be. The risk is greater, but the it’s in their blood, it’s hard to get rewards are, too.” away from that.” Cristeen Crudup, executive director of the Vance County office Contact the writer at dirvine@ hendersondispatch.com. of the Farm Service Agency, said,
A
2014-2015
Offering Strength and Support To Your Business and Our Community
Market is moving upward again Activity has increased in residential and commercial areas
Farming is a $90 million business within the region DISPATCH STAFF
Construction crews work on the new Henderson operations facility for Duke Energy Progress on Raleigh Road.
commercial activity. Garrett said he has seen numerous commercial properties long sitting on the market go under BY VANESSA SHORTLEY opportunity to pounce. DISPATCH STAFF contract. Building permits McMillen said lowly but surely, have begun picking he’s also seen local things are getting up the pace, as well. businesses expanding or better in Henderson McMillen said the remodeling in addition and Vance County real county has seen some estate. for two lake subdivisions to new ones coming in. “What we’re “On a large-scale, — the Peninsula at Kerr seeing is that existing overall picture, I would Lake and Lakeshore businesses are doing say it is,” said Jordan Plantations — in the last this more and more McMillen, director year or so. — and this has been of planning and “There is still plenty the trend for several development and deputy of land available, but a years — where there county manager. “2006 lot of action is taking was really the start of place in building there,” are existing businesses doing more instead of when our permitting he said. “Hopefully, revenue went down. over the next year, we’ll brand new businesses coming in,” he said. We hit a low point in see more single-family “So that has been one 2012. In the past two homes being built of the focuses of our fiscal years we have because of that.” Economic Development rebounded back to 2006 But Garrett said Commission is levels significantly.” the current market in working with existing Not only have Henderson and Vance businesses. building permits begun County offers real “ … We have seen to increase but also opportunity for those projects. We have seen those indicating people interested in buying a several solar farms are remodeling, which home. on the horizon, the is a reversal, McMillen “I think we’re off performing arts center said. Before the the bottom, and things under construction, a recession, more people are moving up both in bought houses than price range and interest charter school under construction. Those are remodeled them. Now, rates,” he said. “If you the larger type projects. the opposite is true. ever were looking to There is activity. There Mike Garrett, a buy, the opportunity is is construction taking real estate agent with looking you in the face Coldwell-Banker right now. It’s only going place.” Advantage and to keep rebounding Contact the president of the Kerr from here.” writer at vshortley@ Lake Board of Realtors, In addition to said he’s seen sales residential growth, both hendersondispatch.com. Follow her on Twitter: @ all over Henderson Garrett and McMillen and Vance County — said there has also been herding_stets. though Kerr Lake and recruitment from Maria Parham Medical Center remain big draws to the area. “It’s kind of across the board,” he said. “There are a variety of buyers at different market levels that are purchasing now. I would not say that I see more in any one area at this point.” Different people are buying, too. Garrett said he’s seen everyone from Vance County natives who moved away now looking to retire in their hometown to cash buyers who have been waiting for the best
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County of Vance
Progressing Toward New Opportunities
Animal Control ..................................................492-3136 Board of Elections.............................................492-3730 Cooperative Extension ......................................438-8188 County Administration ......................................738-2001 County Commissioners .....................................738-2120 Economic Development ....................................492-2094 Emergency Operations (911) ............................438-8264 Fire/EMS ...........................................................438-6656 Human Resources ............................................738-2014 Information Technology ....................................738-2025 Mental Health ...................................................430-1330 Planning and Development ...............................738-2080 Public Health ....................................................492-7915 Register of Deeds .............................................738-2110 Senior Center ....................................................430-0257 Sheriff’s Office ..................................................738-2200 Social Services .................................................492-5001 Soil/Water Conservation ...................................438-5727 Solid Waste .......................................................492-3036 Tax Department ................................................738-2040 Tourism Promotion............................................438-2222 Veterans Service...............................................438-4619
The Daily Dispatch
Progress
3
2014
Health
Maria Parham Medical Center was recognized recently for its adoption of information technology systems.
Henderson hospital among state’s leaders
Wired for success
that ever y patient has handwriting when a list of medications orders are entered prescribed for them electronically into the on the bedside nurse’s computer. computer,” she wrote David Ruggles, in an email. “When Maria Parham the nurse gets the spokesperson, said the medication out of the hospital’s information automated drug cart, team was recently the software only honored by its parent allows them to get company, Duke the correct meds out. BY SARAH MANSUR LifePoint Healthcare, DISPATCH STAFF When they go to the when it won the 2013 patient, they must scan IT Leadership Award. aria Parham Medical Center in the barcode on the This award patient’s armband as Henderson is on recognizes the the cutting edge when well as the barcode on most outstanding the package that the it comes to innovative performance in medication dose is in. hospital technology. The computer software information technology The hospital was leadership among will give an error recently named along LifePoint’s and Duke message if the wrong with six other North LifePoint’s more than medication, dose or Carolina hospitals or 60 facilities. patient is scanned.” healthcare systems Faulkner said as Hospitals & Health Contact the Networks Most Wired. computerization writer at smansur@ eliminates the problem Hospitals & hendersondispatch.com. of illegible physicians’ Health Networks is considered one of the most trusted and credible management Been In Service For 73 Years publications in the healthcare field and is the leading publication for hospital and system executives. The 16th annual Most Wired sur vey is designed to measure the level of information technology adoption in hospitals and health systems across the countr y, and it is widely regarded as the industr y’s benchmark study. The 2014 Most Wired Sur vey is conducted in Henderson Louisburg Wake Forest Nashville Wendell Spring Hope 252-430-0900 919-496-2011 919-556-1111 252-459-7034 919-365-0520 252-478-4626 cooperation with McKesson Corp., AT&T, the College of Healthcare Information Management Executives, and the American Hospital Association. The four areas of focus for a hospital to be considered one of healthcare’s Most Wired are infrastructure, business and administrative management, clinical quality and safety and clinical integration. Maria Parham Chief Nursing Officer Cindy Faulkner said enhancing the information technology systems — through bar-coded medications 2ALEIGH 2D s 0/ "OX and patient bracelets (ENDERSON .# — provides additional layers of safety. “In regards to 0HONE s &AX medication safety, bar code scanning means
M
Quality Construction
VANCE CONSTRUCTION
MARK DOLEJS / Dispatch file photo
MOST WIRED Health Care’s Most Wired Survey, conducted between Jan. 15 and March 15, asked hospitals and health systems nationwide to answer questions regarding their information technology initiatives. Respondents completed 680 surveys, representing 1,900 hospitals, or more than 30 percent of all U.S. hospitals. The following are most wired in North Carolina: • Carolinas HealthCare System • FirstHealth of the Carolinas • Maria Parham Medical Center • Mission Hospital • Vidant Health • Wake Forest Baptist Health • Womack Army Medical Center
VANCE COUNTY SCHOOLS
Educating our Future
• A total of 415 seniors graduated from our high schools in June 2014 and were eligible for $2.5 million in college scholarships. • The Vance County Early High School is located on the campus of Vance-Granville Community College and is a five-year program offering high school students throughout the county opportunities to complete their high school career and take two years of college course work at no cost. • The STEM Early High School is located on the campus of Northern Vance High School serving students throughout the county in grades 6-8 with a focus on project based learning in the areas of science, technology, engineering and math. • The Vance Medical Academy and the Fire and Public Safety Academy serve students throughout the county and are located on the campus of Southern Vance High School. The academies allow students to receive specialized training in a variety of medical fields and fire fighting skills, respectively, earn certifications and receive college credit through the Career and College Promise Program at Vance-Granville Community College while still in high school. • High school students in Career and Technical Education courses can earn certifications in Microsoft applications in business courses, Serv-Safe food safety standards in culinary arts courses and child care certifications in early childhood development courses. • All high school students and students in the STEM Early High School have laptop computers through the 1:1 Initiative Program to use at school and at home to enhance their classroom instruction. • Western Vance High School is an alternative high school for students who are behind academically and to date has graduated approximately 550 students who otherwise may not have completed their high school education. • Our school system is committed to teach students to have strong reading skills, especially in their early years and at all grade levels, so that students are reading on grade level or better throughout their educational careers to enable them to be successful in all subject areas. •Vance County Schools is committed to educating all students to prepare them for lifelong and productive citizenship.
www.vcs.k12.nc.us
4
The Daily Dispatch
Progress
2014
Leisure
Heritage Trail provides drawing card History enthusiasts can see plenty throughout Vance County BY VANESSA SHORTLEY
W
DISPATCH STAFF
hen people in Henderson and Vance County — and beyond — think of how to spend their leisure time, many turn to Kerr Lake and the various campgrounds, boat launches and other amenities there. To be sure, the lake is a big draw. But the county also boasts quite a bit of history — much of it marked on the Heritage Trail, a tour of sites in and around Henderson. “It is a self-guided tour of the historic sites in the town of Henderson and in the county,” said Nancy Wilson, Vance County tourism director. “You can walk it, and you can do it in your car, and the areas are on the map. They are numbered so that you can find the sites that you are looking for. It seems to be very popular. “… There are a lot of history buffs out there who like to explore, and that’s a great way to do it right here in Henderson and Vance County.” Mark Pace, North Carolina Room historian, said the
MARK DOLEJS / Dispatch file photo
St. John’s Episcopal Church was built in 1772 and has a rich history. The church is located just west of N.C. 39 on Stagecoach Road in Williamsboro. Heritage Trail is a great way to get introduced to the history in the area. “You don’t have to go to the other side of the world to look at history,” he said. “Sometimes, it’s in your backyard.” Take, for example, the iconic Henderson Fire Station’s clocktower. Pace said the structure is a rare example of the Italian Revival style of architecture. Henderson Institute Historical Museum — all that
remains of the educational complex where area AfricanAmericans attended school before integration in the 1970s — offers insight into a different side of the both Henderson’s and the state’s history. “It’s a very unique style of architecture that only existed for a short time,” Pace said. “But there’s only four or five examples of it even in the country.” Wilson said the downtown loop tends to be the most
popular because it allows people to see the history that exists within the city limits, right where they live. “A lot of people like to walk the streets of downtown Henderson and look at the buildings, and I think that’s probably most popular. It’s the Henderson sites and the downtown sites,” she said. Still, there are those who like to see what the county has to offer, like the Confederate cemetery in Kittrell.
“There are others who like to explore and go out to the Kittrell Cemetery, and, of course, we have the Henderson Institute, which is downtown,” Wilson said. “And, of course, the architecture, the beautiful buildings in the downtown area. There’s something for everybody.” Contact the writer at vshortley@hendersondispatch. com. Follow her on Twitter: @ herding_stets.
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Progress
The Daily Dispatch
5
2014
Tourism
Surge in revenue continues
Economic impact just shy of $43 million in latest statistics BY DANIELLE HAIRSTON
in 2009 when revenues sunk from $40.64 million to $36.10 ourism revenue in Vance million. County has increased for In 2012, the county a fourth year. celebrated a 7.81 percent The N.C. Department increase in tourism revenue of Commerce released when reports for 2011 were numbers Aug. 15 showing released — revenues jumped the county’s visitor earnings from $38.74 million in 2010 increased 0.2 percent from to $41.76 million. 2012 with revenue totaling Wilson said such recovery $42.83 million last year. was a result of strong, steady Nancy Wilson, the Vance marketing campaigns, in County Department of which television, print and Tourism executive director, radio ads — along with said she was excited to see increased use of social media another increase. — highlight recreation areas “We often hold our breath and events. because we don’t know what “It increases visitation they are going to be,� she to the area, the events and said. “I was hoping that it attracts interstate travelers,� was going to be up, and I am she said. glad that it is. I hope that we Vance County fell to can continue to attract more 63rd in travel impact people here every year.� among North Carolina’s The county saw a 2.36 100 counties, just behind percent increase in revenue Granville County, which from 2011 to 2012, taking the maintained its spot at 61. county’s tourism gains from Granville’s revenue $41.76 to $42.75 million. earnings were $44.43 million Tourism income has been and Warren County $25.65 trending positively since million. 2010, making up for much Vance County Chamber of the economic downturn of Commerce president John DISPATCH STAFF
T
MARK DOLEJS / Dispatch file photo
Satterwhite Point recreation area is a popular day use area for visitors to Kerr Lake. Barnes said good trends will continue because of amenities found here. “Vance County is lucky to have the crown jewel of the area, which is, of course, Kerr Lake,� he said. “And then we have the car show that happens every year.� Wilson said rooms are already booked for the annual Show, Shine, Shag & Dine event scheduled for Oct. 17-19. The event brings out more than 30,000 people each year, and she said expects the same this year.
“The good part about it is that it doesn’t matter how far they have to travel, they plan on being here every year,� she said. “It’s like a big reunion for them.� She said 2013 events went very well, despite renovations to many hotels — like the Knights Inn and the Quality Inn — which have a limited the number of rooms available for occupancy. Wilson said gas prices could have also effected numbers. In North Carolina, they
peaked between April and July this year, hitting a high of $3.67 per gallon in June, according to the Daily Fuel Gauge Report. Wilson said she hopes to keep Vance County numbers increasing. “We will keep marketing Henderson, Vance County and Kerr Lake,â€? she said, “because you know, tourism is the purest form of economic development.â€? Â
Contact the writer at dhairston@hendersondispatch. com.
Downtown
Developing historic main arteryÂ
Commission soldiers forward through changing landscape
their job have a limited amount of hours to dedicate to the DDC,� he said. “We rely on the Main Street manager to carry out the vast majority of work our board is purposed for. The additional duties of the Main Street manager By SARAH MANSUR DISPATCH STAFF includes providing a one-stop shop for any ver time, the facades information regarding in downtown downtown. If a person Henderson wants to open a business have transformed MARK DOLEJS / Dispatch file photo and so has the local Downtown Henderson recently lost its Main Street in downtown, they Downtown Development Manager position due to budget cuts. The position is see the Main Street Commission — the part of the Henderson-Vance Downtown Develop- manager who can then organization tasked with ment Commission, a nonprofit organization formed direct them to available promoting the historic in 1986 with a mission to develop the central busi- locations, where to apply main artery of the city. ness district of downtown Henderson as a visually for permits, information Formed in 1986, attractive and commercially successful center of on zoning, who to call and visit in a step-by-step the Henderson-Vance community life. process.� Downtown Development He said Hester Commission is a The DDC is part of $10,000 to keep the DDC was the sole staff nonprofit organization the North Carolina Main afloat. member for events with a mission to Street Program, which Some downtown like downtown trick or develop the central provides resources to business owners, treating for Halloween business district of eligible communities like Phil Hart, were — which grew from 28 downtown Henderson as that have a full-time disappointed to see the participating businesses a visually attractive and downtown manager. position defunded. in 2012 to 48 in 2013 commercially successful Henderson resident Hart, who owns — and the Christmas center of community life. Pam Hester took over Dataforge on Garnett parade, which grew from For the first time in the role in 2012, but Street, is also the 78 entries in 2012 to 98 2012-13, the city provided funding for the position chairman of the funding in its budget for was cut in the 2014-15 Henderson-Vance DDC. in 2013. The Halloween and a full-time Main Street fiscal year budget. “Our board consists Christmas events are in program manager. The city maintained of members that due to
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The Lotus Lounge, said Hester helped her network in order to establish clients for catering. â&#x20AC;&#x153;She was a great benefit to the community and we hope someone will step up to fill the void in her absence,â&#x20AC;? she said. Â Contact the writer at smansur@ hendersondispatch.com.
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limbo now that Hesterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s position is gone. Tonya Burrell, who has owned a cafe downtown for three years, said Hesterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s departure will have a real impact on Garnett Street. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We need someone to bring people and businesses to downtown and that is what Pam did,â&#x20AC;? she said. Burrell, who operates
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