Local governments are keeping a cautious eye on the future with optimistic attitudes as they enter a new year.

Cooperation among local governments has been effective in the past, and local leaders plan to keep that spirit alive in the coming year.

Richmond County Manager Jim Haynes said he was keeping a wary eye on the state budget and how it will affect local budgets. In the past when the state needed extra revenue, he said it kept certain revenue once given to counties.

“That is a major concern in the coming year for us in determining how we can continue to offer the programs and services people expect without increasing taxes,” Haynes said.

His concerns extend to the business community as well. “We will be wondering and worrying about the impact on the national and global economy on the remaining textile and small industries in Richmond County,” he said.

The recent freeze on certain county spending has not slowed efforts to improve infrastructure.

“Little noticed, but important, is that the services in the county by every department continue with little or no fanfare,” Haynes said.

That includes efforts by the Richmond County Planning and Codes Enforcement Office as it works to improve mill villages and removing unsafe structures and unsightly junk vehicles from view.

“The setting of a zero growth in the tax rate took the efforts of all the departments and, of course, the board of commissioners,” he said. “The successful and fair revaluation of county property was completed last year and implemented in this year’s budget process. And then, the county got a good, clean audit report.”

Haynes said he felt the underlying financial condition of the county was sound for the coming year and any unknown concerns to come. “Credit also goes to the tax office for the work done in its collection effort,” he said.

Many projects are expected to be completed in 2009 or start up, he said. They include the construction of the distribution center by SRB Holdings LLC at the county industrial site, the new judicial center ordered by Richmond County Superior Court Judge Michael Beale and the new shell building. Richmond County Schools will soon begin construction of a new school on Chalk Road.

“We should see the completion of the major improvements at the airport which began several years ago which include a new taxiway, new pavement, new ramp, new terminal building and new hangars,” Haynes said.

He anticipates the county being able to begin construction of an upgrade to the Richmond County Water Treatment Plant on Old Charlotte Highway.

“We will continue to enjoy the newly improved road and transportation network in Richmond County,” Haynes said.

Efforts to inform the public about county government and how its programs and services work for the public will continue, he said.

Rockingham

Rockingham Mayor Gene McLaurin said, “2009 will have some challenging economic times locally, statewide and nationally.” But he is assured Rockingham’s city government will meet the challenges because it is “well-managed with competent, well-trained employees.”

He said during the recent economic downturn employees have “stepped up and reduced expenses thereby improving efficiency without loss of service which our citizens depend on to provide a good quality of life.”

McLaurin said that attitude will enable the city to continue with plans to develop increased residential housing options, including attracting and retaining retirees.

“We will also be evaluating how to better market the city for commercial, industrial and residential development,” he said.

Activities in that took pilace in 2008 set the stage for many future projects in Rockingham. McLaurin said the city has a good foundation for the future and cited the positive audit for the last fiscal year and the maintaining of an “A” rating on financial matters.

The city has cooperated with others on community-wide efforts.

Just recently, the cities of Rockingham and Hamlet entered into an agreement for Rockingham to receive and treat wastewater from Hamlet. “This is a win/win situation for both municipalities and is an example of a cooperative achievement,” McLaurin said.

“The city played an active role in assisting Andy Hillenburg with his venture to bring racing back to Rockingham and Richmond County,” he said. There have already been two major events at the track in May and November with the Polar Bear 150 being held today.

“Rockingham officials and staff were supportive of this positive economic endeavor early on,” McLaurin said. “And, in fact, met with Andy early in the initial process and endorsed his plan to return racing to the Rock.”

He said another “exciting project” is now in the feasibility planning stage. “That is to make Rockingham a destination point. The project will be made public with more details in the near future,” he said.

In keeping with that idea, and with the support of the Cole Foundation, the city took a major step forward, he said, with acquisition of land on Old Aberdeen Road for the Rockingham Recreation Complex to fulfill a recommendation of the Richmond County Civic Index.

“It sets a priority of establishing a multi-sports complex that will serve the needs of the local community as well as be a venue for regional, statewide and southeastern United States youth sports tournaments,” McLaurin said.

The next phase of the project will require significant additional funding, he said, as the city will aggressively seek grants and funds from other sources to move it forward.

He said the city took the lead in pursuing the recommendation with the support of county government, other municipalities and foundations.

In cooperation with Richmond County, the city purchased a 93-foot aerial platform fire suppression truck which has already been put in action. Costs were shared equally with the county. It was needed to protect the new county judicial center.

“The city will continue to work with the Richmond County Economic Team to provide jobs by attracting new opportunities for job creation,” McLaurin said, and he said several commercial projects were in the planning stage including two new hotels.

Hamlet

Hamlet in 2008 wrapped up a five-year Community Development Block Grant South Hamlet revitalization project. It demolished 17 structures, rehabilitated houses, provided credit and housing counseling and spent money on parks, playgrounds and recreational facilities. More than $1.8 million worth of improvements were made in the area.

Now the city is focusing on the Small Town Main Street Program under way. Last year the city was accepted as one of six small towns in the state in competition for the assistance of the program sponsored by the N.C. Department of Commerce, Division of Community Assistance.

In September, the two-year technical assistance program began a process of organization, design, promotion and economic restructuring. At the time, Mayor Jeff Smart said he was happy about the interest in the community. “We’re going to need more volunteers because there is a lot of work to do,” he said as the state coordinators lead the way.

Three volunteer committees were formed to focus on attracting customers downtown, continuing renovations on the opera house and to find more ways to capitalize on the Hamlet Historic Depot.

An economic restructuring committee will work to fill vacant buildings and apply for state and federal incentives and grants.

A design committee will work to link Main Street with Hamlet Avenue.

At one of the meetings, Smart said, “People have been asking for an opportunity to do something for our town. This is our chance.”

He said, “I’m excited about the way this is going,” he said of plans. “I hope the citizens of Hamlet are ready to step up because we’ve got people now who can lead us down the right path.”

In November, city council allocated $20,000 toward a streetscape project to be created on city property by the program volunteers.

Hamlet is also working on a separate project to renovate the old Stinson building beside the depot for city use and to increase historic exhibits in the depot.

Golden LEAF

The Golden LEAF Foundation’s Community Assistance Initiative in Richmond County has been meeting to determine how to use $2 million allocated to the county for community improvements.

Representatives of business and industry and concerned individuals are working to identify programs where the grant can be most effectively spent.

Four areas identified for work are infrastructure, education, quality of life and economic development.

In the end, the local committee will write a grant to suit local needs.

Contact reporter Tom MacCallum at 997-3111, ext. 15; e-mail tmaccallum@yourdailyjournal.com.