Dear Editor,

As Richmond County continues to work through the local effects of the national economic downturn, I want to congratulate and recognize our county leadership for their vision in choosing to invest scarce resources in the clearest path to economic stability and job creation: education and workforce development. The recent announcement that FerroFab would locate in Hamlet was directly due to the efforts of Chairman Kenneth Robinette and County Manager Rick Sago, and the availability of a qualified workforce, many of them educated at Richmond Community College.

While other community colleges in our state battle with their county commissioners for funding, Richmond County’s leadership has the vision and foresight to strengthen our college, making our partnership a model for the rest of the state.

I am confident that the aggressive economic development strategy of the county and the college’s efforts to prepare a 21st century workforce will lead to greater job creation and corporate investment in the very near future. Richmond County’s future is bright, and RCC and its employees are committed to making it brighter.

RCC’s recent growth is a direct result of the faith and trust placed in us by our students and their families, and the support provided by the leadership of our county. As president of your college, I am grateful and pledge to prove the county tax dollars are well spent at RCC.

Sincerely,

William D. McInnis. Ed.D.

President of RCC