ELLERBE — The fourth forum for the “For A Better Richmond County” group found itself at the north end of the county as the meeting took place inside the Ellerbe Springs Inn and Campground.
With the first three forums in the books, this meeting was a chance for those involved to look at what the opportunities are to help make the community vibrant in the future.
An online survey conducted at the beginning of the process asked questions such as “What does the community of Richmond County do exceptionally well, and what could it do better?”
Susan Kelly of the Richmond County Cooperative Extension office led the discussion by asking those involved to take those answers and discuss which challenges are addressed and what strengths are enhanced by this opportunity.
All of those results, as well as results from each forum meeting, will be posted on FABRC’s Facebook page.
Some of the answers included Richmond County’s geographic location, but not just in the sense of being located close to metropolitan areas.
“If we could utilize our God-given resources, we’ve got some really good opportunities on these rivers for businesses,” said Mark Buckeridge, co-owner of the Ellerbe Springs Inn. “I wish there was a business that could take our guests on a canoe trip or a hunting trip and bring them back.”
Another answer was finding activities and places to go for kids in grades 6-12, an age group that is often overlooked, according to the group.
“We need to fully utilize what we already have. It should bring some vibrancy to what we already have for kids grades 6-12,” said Tavares Bostic. “We want to change the narrative about Richmond County by highlighting our youth.”
A lack of support for local events was brought up by Denise Sullivan, a Rockingham City Council member. Using the upcoming Springfest event on Saturday, she said that if people don’t show up, then those events won’t get better.
Also in that same realm is making people more aware of local businesses and at the same time removing the stigma of there being nothing to do, said Jimmy McDonald, a local business owner himself.
“If people are aware that more is taking place, it can get rid of the negative attitude,” said McDonald.
With jobs always being a main topic among these forums, Sharon Nichols said the county should help support budding business owners.
“We need to create more entrepreneurs,” she said. “Not just ‘We need more jobs.’ We need to go back to the beginning and create entrepreneurs to create those jobs.
Calling the opportunity for the county a “business incubator,” Nichols also mentioned dilapidated buildings, especially in downtown Rockingham.
“If the buildings were more attractive, it wouldn’t seem to those passing through that we’re abandoned,” she said.
Once the groups finished their discussion, the two most popular suggestions were the business incubator aspect and finding things to do for students grades 6-12 who don’t necessarily participate in sports.
Finally, Kelly asked the group, “Who can do this?” Who in the community can take it upon themselves to make sure these potential strengths can be met?
Under businesses, Richmond Community College, Richmond County Economic Development and the county’s Chamber of Commerce were listed.
For teenagers’ activities, municipalities, local scouts and the county’s 4-H were named as groups that could help. Ellerbe Mayor Lee Berry said the 4-H is not utilized as much as it should be. He said his son, Coleman, who is not active in sports, has developed his own businesses buying and selling $1,000 goats through his involvement with 4-H.
As far as suggestions moving forward, the group put forth an idea of continuing with meetings in the future where everyone brings three to five people with a positive attitude in order to get those who wouldn’t normally be involved in on the discussion.
Bostic also recommended going into communities in the county that need a voice, such as East Rockingham, Little Philadelphia and South Hamlet, and creating a grassroots effort.
Kelly called this Rockingham City Councilman John Hutchinson’s “brainchild” and said even he wasn’t sure what the outcome of these meetings would be. In the near future, the group hopes to keep the discussion open online via its closed-group Facebook page.
Reach reporter Matt Harrelson at 910-817-2674, follow him on Twitter @mattyharrelson and listen to him at 12:30 p.m. Mondays through Fridays on G-104.3 FM.
Matt Harrelson | Daily Journal During Monday’s “For A Better Richmond County” meeting held at the Ellerbe Springs Inn and Campground, groups discussed which opportunities can be met going into the future.
http://yourdailyjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/web1_DSC_0540-1.jpg
Matt Harrelson | Daily Journal During Monday’s “For A Better Richmond County” meeting held at the Ellerbe Springs Inn and Campground, groups discussed which opportunities can be met going into the future.
Matt Harrelson | Daily Journal Pat Halligan places her red dot on which she thinks is the most pressing need for Richmond County’s future going forward during the “For A Better Richmond County” forum at Ellerbe Springs Inn.
http://yourdailyjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/web1_DSC_0547-1.jpg
Matt Harrelson | Daily Journal Pat Halligan places her red dot on which she thinks is the most pressing need for Richmond County’s future going forward during the “For A Better Richmond County” forum at Ellerbe Springs Inn.
By Matt Harrelson
mharrelson@civitasmedia.com