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South Piedmont Community College President John McKay and Steve Leary
look on as SPCC Trustee Anne Covington Leary expresses her appreciation
during the dedication ceremony for the Covington Wing of the
Lockhart-Taylor Center in Wadesboro. |
SPCC holds triple header celebration at Lockhart-Taylor Center
(May 11, 2007) -- Guests filled the South Piedmont Community College Lockhart-Taylor
Center in Wadesboro, Wednesday evening (May 9) for a triple header
celebration.
The SPCC Foundation’s Investment for Tomorrow major gifts campaign
surpassed its goal of $3 million in February and is expected to conclude
the active phase soon. “The campaign has generated much needed funds
for the college and we’ve made many new friends along the way,” SPCC
President John McKay said. He led guests in celebrating their success
with a sparkling grape juice toast in commemorative glass flutes. Chuck
Horne, general campaign chair for Anson County, said the response to the
fund raising effort in Anson County had clearly demonstrated the
community’s commitment to the college.
The Anne Covington Wing was dedicated in honor of longtime college
trustee Anne Covington Leary. In his presentation, SPCC Board of
Trustees Chair E. Lynn Raye spoke of Leary’s distinguished leadership
and commitment as she has served continuously on the college board since
1991. McKay and Don Altieri, retired SPCC president, both noted that
Leary had been a part of the decision to hire them as presidents of
SPCC.
 The New Ventures Artisan and Business Center, Anson County’s first
business incubator, held its grand opening in conjunction with the
campaign celebration and Covington Wing dedication. A sign for the
facility was unveiled by New Ventures Executive Director Don Altieri and
Wadesboro Town Manager John Witherspoon following the dedication of the
Covington Wing. Guests toured the 8,100-square-foot facility located in
the Covington Wing of the Lockhart-Taylor Center. The corridors were
filled with art work and artists and craftsmen provided demonstrations
in the center’s two large studios.
Major Gifts Campaign
As of March 31, the Investment for Tomorrow major gifts campaign
counted receipts and pledges totaling $3,089,594.
Retired SPCC President Don Altieri serves as honorary chair of the
campaign and Chuck Horne and Charles Norwood are general campaign
co-chairs. Lead gifts chairs are Ken Collins, Hoy Lanning, Harvey
Leavitt and Max Melton. Anne Covington Leary and Lois Crumpler chair the
Cultivation and Awareness Committee. Other members of the campaign
executive committee are McKay, Frank Carpenter, Lynn Raye, Johnny Pigg,
John Hendley, Fred Sparger and Hayne White.
Anne Covington Leary
Leary served as Board of Trustees chair from 1994-98, and has served
continuously on the Executive Committee since 1994. Her time on the
board includes the period when Anson Community College was folded into
SPCC, the new regional community college chartered to serve both Anson
and Union counties. In addition to serving on the SPCC Board, Leary has
been a member of the Executive Committee of the North Carolina
Association of Community College Trustees.
Leary established two endowed SPCC scholarships, one in memory of her
late husband, W. Dunlap Covington, and another in memory of her
granddaughter, Catherine Elizabeth Covington. Leary was presented an
honorary Associate in Arts degree by Anson Community College in 1997.
Leary is president of Thrift Management, Inc. She has served as chair
of the Uptown Wadesboro Board of Directors. Leary has been a member of
the Wadesboro Town Council and chaired the town’s Planning Board. She
has served on the Anson Community Hospital Foundation board and is a
member of First United Methodist Church, Wadesboro.
She has long been active in the Anson County Chamber of Commerce and in
1991 was named Anson County’s Small Business Person of the Year.
New Ventures
The New Ventures Artisan and Business Center is housed in SPCC’s
Lockhart-Taylor Center, a former textile mill that today houses the SPCC
Continuing Education Center. New Ventures provides two large
studios for
artists and craftsmen along with a display gallery and a commercial
kiln.
To foster new business development, New Ventures provides seven private
offices at a reduced cost to clients. Amenities include office
furniture, personal computers with DSL Internet connection, facsimile
service, copiers, a conference room and a receptionist. Onside technical
support is provided, and utilities are included.
The renovation of New Ventures was funded by a $400,000 Community
Development Block Grant through the N.C. Rural Economic Development
Center. The incubator is one of several facilities across North Carolina
funded by the e-NC Authority.
A partnership between New Ventures Business Development, Inc., SPCC and
the Town of Wadesboro made the renovation possible. The town served as
the grant applicant and fiscal agent while Hobbs Upchurch and Associates
served as grant administrator.
Rosemary Britt
Director, Marketing and Communications
South Piedmont Community College
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Hayes Supports Ag Disaster Assistance Bill
(May 12, 2007) -- On Thursday, May 10, 2007, Congressman Robin Hayes (NC-8)
voted to send disaster assistance funding to the Ag community. Hayes
supported the Agriculture Disaster Assistance and Western States Emergency
Appropriations Act, H.R. 2207. Farmers in Anson County may qualify for this
funding.
"I am pleased to announce that farmers and producers in Anson County may
qualify for funding included in the Agriculture Disaster Assistance
legislation the House passed this week," said Hayes. "Farmers and producers
must endure ever-changing threats from weather and pests. This bill was
tilted heavily toward Western growers, however, and I would like to have
seen more assistance linked to the Southeast. Especially after much damage
was sustained during our early spring freeze, this assistance will help our
North Carolina farmers."
North Carolina Farm Bureau President Larry Wooten commented: "The North
Carolina Farm Bureau thanks Congressman Hayes for supporting this disaster
assistance and working on behalf of the state's farmers and producers during
this difficult time. While there are limitations to receiving this funding,
this is a good first step to ensure the North Carolina Ag community can
withstand some difficult growing conditions."
North Carolina producers who suffered significant damage as a result of the
2007 Easter freeze could qualify for this funding. The freeze was one of
the most serious to affect the state in fifty years. North Carolina's
apple, grape, and peach crops were almost completely destroyed.
Approximately 40% to 50% of the state's blueberry production was lost.
Strawberry producers and nursery operators also suffered significant damage.
The state's winter wheat crop also sustained significant damage. The North
Carolina Department of Agriculture (NCDA) estimates that, as of May 9, 2007,
North Carolina experienced almost $99 million in crop losses.br>
Specifically, this legislation provides farmers and other producers, like
nursery operators, with assistance in coping with damage suffered during the
2005, 2006, and 2007 crop years. To be eligible for this assistance, a
producer must have suffered a crop loss of 25% or greater and have purchased
crop insurance or participated in the Non-Insured Crop Assistance Program
(NAP). Under the bill, producers may elect to receive this disaster
assistance for only one crop year. To receive assistance in the 2007 crop
year, a producer must have planted or been prevented from planting his or
her crop before February 28, 2007.
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Exclusion of Berry Amendment Weakens Bill To Authorize Homeland Security,
Hayes Says
(May 12, 2007) -- It is a national security issue to require the Department of Homeland
Security to buy American products, Rep. Robin Hayes (R-N.C.) said May 9.
Hayes unsuccessfully sought to have Berry Amendment language included in a
DHS authorization bill (H.R. 1684) that passed the House May 9. Berry
Amendment language would prohibit the Department of Homeland Security from
procuring items directly related to national security, unless the item was
100 percent domestically produced.
Hayes said H.R. 1684 failed to sufficiently protect the U.S. manufacturing
base--specifically U.S. textile workers.
"It's important to keep America's jobs and important to maintain the ability
to supply our troops and our border patrol and TSA agents," Hayes said on a
conference call.
The bill as passed did include a provision requiring domestic production for
uniforms, protective gear, badges, and identification cards, but Hayes said
that language was merely a good first step. "The vast majority of the
content of DHS uniforms can be imported from any country in the
world--China, Mexico, Pakistan, you name it," Hayes said.
Hayes said that he would work to get the Berry Amendment included in any
Senate bill.
The National Council of Textile Organizations, American Manufacturing Trade
Coalition (AMTAC), and American Apparel and Footwear Association said they
were disappointed by the exclusion of the Berry Amendment language from the
House bill. Auggie Tantillo, executive director of AMTAC said that the
exclusion was "a lost opportunity to help expand an important domestic
procurement program that would ensure the preservation and protection of
American jobs and homeland security."
By Amy Tsui
Contact Rep. Hayes at 130 Cannon House Office Building, Washington D.C., 20515 or 137 Union Street
South, Concord, N.C., 28025.
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From left to right, Councilman Steve Whitlock; Marty Morton Jr., Lilesville Volunteer Fire Department assistant fire chief; Lilesville Police Chief Kevin Mullis; Councilman Hampton Downer; Town Clerk Lynn Whitlock; Mayor Richard Harrington; Councilwoman Bernice Bennett; Matt Walker, Lilesville Public Works supervisor; Lynn Edwards, Anson County Chamber of Commerce executive director; and Councilwoman Juanita Williams. |
Lilesville holds park groundbreaking
(May 16, 2007) – Town of Lilesville and Anson County dignitaries were in attendance for the official ground-breaking ceremony for the planned Hatcher Park.
Mayor Richard Harrington said Town Council has named the park to honor Mack and Pauline Hatcher, who donated the land to the Town of Lilesville. He said the building that sits on the land was the Hatcher homeplace, but that it will be moved off the property by Mike Goodwin at Circle G Arena.
Harrington said the Town has been awarded a “small grant” for construction and that the Town will look for donations to help fund the construction.
Anson County Sheriff Tommy Allen, who chairs the Anson County Chamber of Commerce’s Board of Directors, said, “I congratulate the mayor, the staff, council and citizens of Lilesville for undertaking this task.”
Anna Baucom, who chairs the Anson County Board of Commissioners, said, “I congratulate the Town of Lilesville for its faith in the community … and for this investment for the future.”
The 3.02-acre park site, located on North Cowan Street, includes a parking lot across the street and, once completed, will include a walking trail that will lap the park. To secure the acreage, the Town of Lilesville purchased a lot from James and Bonnie McCormick and a lot from the Bill Evans heirs. In addition, Mike Goodwin donated a parcel to complete the 3.02 acres.
For more information, call the Town of Lilesville at 704.848.4711. Donations for Hatcher Park may be mailed to Town of Lilesville, P.O. Box 451, Lilesville, N.C., 28091.
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| Front row, left to right, Pauline and Mack Hatcher. Back row, left to right, Councilman Steve Whitlock, Councilman Hampton Downer, Mayor Richard Harrington, Councilwoman Bernice Bennett and Councilwoman Juanita Williams. |
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Anson's unemployment rate at 6.9% for April
(May 30, 2007) –Anson County’s unemployment rate slipped to 6.9% in April – marking the second straight month for a decline. Anson’s jobless rate was 7.0% in March; 7.3% in February; and 6.9% in January.
In April, Anson County’s labor force numbered 11,271 (down 16 from March); the number of employed people was 10,492 (down 6 from March); and the number of unemployed people was 779 (down 10 from March).
The April breakdown for Anson’s neighboring counties:
- Montgomery – 12,057 labor force; 715 unemployed; a rate of 5.9% (up .1% from March).
- Richmond – 19,959 labor force; 1,477 unemployed; 7.4% rate (up .1% from March).
- Stanly – 30,255 labor force; 1,434 unemployed; 4.7% rate (down .1% from March).
- Union – 87,664 labor force; 3,290 unemployed; 3.8% rate (up .1% from March).
For April, the state’s unemployment rate was 4.5% – unchanged from March. North Carolina’s labor force numbered 4,506,090 in April with 202,901 people jobless.
Statewide, Scotland County had the highest unemployment rate at 10.2%.
The civilian labor force estimates for all 100 counties are available on the Employment Security Commission's website at www.ncesc.com. For local information, call the ESC office at 704.694.6551 or visit www.ansonjoblink.com.
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New Ventures to receive $75,000 grant from USDA
(May 30, 2007) -- Congressman Robin Hayes (NC-8) has announced that New
Ventures Business Development, Inc. (NVBDI) will receive a $75,000 grant from the United
States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Program.
"I am pleased that New Ventures Business Development will receive this
important funding," Hayes said. "This new funding will establish a
certified kitchen for the Artisan and Business Center while providing a new
resource for Anson County. New business development is critical to Anson
County, because new economic development ultimately means more jobs and more
opportunities in Anson and across the 8th District."
Dr. Don Altieri, executive director of NVBDI, said that the funds will be used to upgrade the kitchen off the Ingram Room at South Piedmont Community College's Lockhart-Taylor Center to certified commercial status. Certification is done by the health department, and will allow for sit-down meals as in a restaurant. The projected cost for the project is estimated at around $130,000.00, Altieri said.
The grant will be used as leverage to go to new funding sources; and to start on the infrastructure and purchase basic equipment, Altieri said.
"We knew we didn't have the dollars to create a full commercial kitchen, but we could provide caterers a kitchen in which to get started," Altieri said. Only two local caterers have commercial kitchens, which limits what entrepreneurs are able to do, he said. "This will give them an opportunity to expand their business. They will be able to prepare their meals on the site and carry them to the event."
Altieri said the upgraded kitchen will give caterers more flexibility. "It will help create and expand locally-owned businesses. This is hand-in-glove with NVBDI's business incubators."
NVBDI is working with the Anson County Extension Center and local caterers in planning the kitchen, said Chester Caulder, NVBDI's manager.
"We will try to determine priorities to provide the equipment they (caterers) need most to expand their business," Caulder said. And, the Extension Center can use the kitchen to hold classes such as preserving foods and baking, he added.
Caulder and Lois Crumpler, NVBDI Outreach Coordinator, have discussed with Janine Rywak, director of the extension center, the possiblity of working with local farmers to produce locally-grown crops and products to be marketed in the Anson County Artisan and Business Center at the Lockhart-Taylor Center.
"This grant is critical for the development of small businesses as we update
this facility so we can continue providing Anson County with more jobs and
opportunities for entrepreneurs which is the mission of New Ventures. I
want to thank Mr. Randy Gore, USDA Area Director and his staff and
Congressman Robin Hayes for working with us," said Altieri.
"The AEDC (Anson Economic Development Corporation) is re-inventing itself and will look for opportunities to provide for the recruitment of new businesses, retention and improvement of existing businesses, and entrepreneurship. This is the 21st Century strategy for rural counties," Altieri said.
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Anson farmers may qualify for emergency funding
(May 30, 2007) -- Congressman Robin Hayes (NC-8) has announced that the U.S.
Department of Agriculture has designated 47 North Carolina counties primary
natural disaster areas due to abnormally low temperatures and freezing
conditions that occurred from April 6, 2007, through April 9, 2007. Farmers
in Anson County may qualify for emergency funding due to this designation.
"I am pleased to announce that farmers and producers in Anson County may
qualify for funding," said Hayes. "Farmers and producers must endure
ever-changing threats from weather and pests. Especially after much damage
was sustained during our early spring freeze, this assistance will help our
North Carolina farmers."
North Carolina producers who suffered significant damage as a result of the
2007 Easter freeze could qualify for low interest emergency (EM) loans from
USDA's Farm Service Agency (FSA). The freeze was one of the most serious to
affect the state in fifty years. North Carolina's apple, grape, and peach
crops were almost completely destroyed. Approximately 40% to 50% of the
state's blueberry production was lost. Strawberry producers and nursery
operators also suffered significant damage. The state's winter wheat crop
also sustained significant damage. The North Carolina Department of
Agriculture (NCDA) estimates that, as of May 9, 2007, North Carolina
experienced almost $99 million in crop losses.
Eligible farmers in Anson County have eight months from the date of the
declaration to apply for loans to help cover part of their actual losses.
FSA will consider each loan application on its own merits, taking into
account the extent of losses, security available and repayment ability. FSA
has a variety of programs, in addition to the EM loan program, to help
eligible farmers recover from adversity.
USDA has also made other programs available to assist farmers and ranchers,
including the Emergency Conservation Program, Federal Crop Insurance and the
Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program.
Interested farmers may contact their local USDA Service Centers for further
information on eligibility requirements and application procedures for these
and other programs. Additional information is also available online at:
www.fsa.usda.gov/FSA/webapp?area=home
www.fsa.usda.gov/FSA/webapp?area=home&subject=diap&topic=landing
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