Little did they know, they’d soon be faced with larger fears like two wars, gas shortages, natural disasters, industry failures and an economic recession.
Here in Richmond County there have been more than a few changes.
In the last decade, Richmond County saw more of the textile industry slip away through its fingertips with the closings of UCO Fabrics and Hanesbrands. Totaled, that was more than 500 jobs lost.
In the process, NASCAR left the speedway, Trane Industrial Sheet Metal closed leaving 125 people unemployed and Rexam closed it’s doors letting go more than 200. Other closings included WinnDixie and Harris Teeter.
The good news was that the county’s economic development picked back up with the addition of Big Rock Sports and Ritz Craft in the Richmond County’s industrial park.
And in the last two months Richmond Specialty Yarns and Knit Rite, owner of Therafirm in Ellerbe, announced expansions and a renewed commitment to doing business in Richmond County, adding about 200 jobs total.
The county also broke new ground on its new judicial center, which has been controversial in its own right, but it’s added jobs in the creation of a state-of-the art courthouse.
Racing also came back to the speedway thanks to Andy Hillenburg. The county began it’s East Rockingham cleanup project which has begun cleaning up East Rockingham by fixing up or tearing down, old dilapidated, or condemned homes.
County Planner James Armstrong said since 2000 the county has also worked on all of its land use regulations.
“This work involved community meetings, which in all, were attended by approximately 1,000 citizens,” Armstrong said. “Also, the county adopted its first zoning ordinance without any opposition. The county also appointed a Planning and Zoning Board of Adjustment. This board has become very respected for its professionalism.”
Armstrong said the county has also put a lot into its Geographic Information System (GIS).
“The Return on Investment has been seen in many areas, such as tax mapping, economic development, and so forth,” Armstrong said. “This effort continues to allow the county to operate more efficiently.”
Also during the last decade, Progress Energy announced a powerplant expansion project which will generate about $3 million in additional tax revenue for the county.
Here is a list of 10 things, in no particular order, that defined the last decade in Richmond County for County Commissioner Chairman Kenneth Robinette:
Selling the $3 million in bonds and the development of the Richmond County Industrial park
Continued expansion of four lane highways through Richmond County.
Adoption of zoning/land use planning
Continued upgrades at the airport; including the new terminal, parallel taxiway, and new hangar space.
Expansion of the water system in the southeastern portion of the county with the help of the EPA grant
Construction of the Progress Energy and NCEMC power plants
The shell building program
Receiving over $7.2 million in grants to help with various economic development projects thanks to partnerships with the NC Department of Commerce, North Carolina’s Southeast, the Rural Center, NCDOT, and the Golden Leaf Foundation.
A Golden Leaf Grant to begin the Ellerbe, Rockingham, Richmond County Wastewater Regionalization Project
Various economic development announcements including Trinity Manufacturing expansion, Progress Energy expansion, Big Rock Sports distribution center, Laticrete, Ritz-Craft, APG Meridian, Richmond Specialty Yarns, Therafirm expansion, Impact South, Perdue expansion.
For Commissioner Thad Ussery, there was some overlap with Robinette’s list, but his include:
The development of the industrial park on Highway 74 bypass. Also, the continued development of the Rockingham West Park. The renovations of the airport, also the new terminal building and new airplane hangers.
Economically: Initially, Progress Energy’s new power plant and also the announcement of the new addition that is being built now and the new transmission line being built through the county.
Touchstone Energy’s new $90 million power plant
Ritz Craft plant locating in Richmond County was a $10 million investment in the tax base of the county. It also brought some good jobs to the county. Big Rock Sports Distribution Company locating in Richmond County was a $10 million investment along with 150 new jobs.
Something that was not so good for the county was the losing the NASCAR race. However the county was fortunate to see the track sold and racing has begun again in the county.
One of the mandates the state has finally taken off the county’s tax burden is Medicaid, this is a saving of about $4 million to the tax payers in Richmond County. There have been some changes in the sales tax as well as some other mandates the state has required the county to pick up, so we will not really realize the total saving of the amount we were paying for Medicaid. The trade off is still happening with the county having to pick up the state child support office and workers.
The new Judicial Center is being built at a cost of approximately $20 million.
Water contamination in the Fox Road area and elsewhere. The Fox Road contamination came from chemicals used in peach orchard farming. The county is in the process of building water lines to the area to service those residents.
County Manager Jim Haynes who had been with the county since 1996 retired last year.
“He had done a great job in managing the county and getting the county back in financial good shape,” Ussery said. “He was just what this county needed as it was approaching new crossroads and directions when he came here in 1996. Mr. Haynes was the one who along with the Commissioners brought Rick Sago to the County as our Engineer for our water and solid waste. Rick has done and still is doing a great job with our infrastructure. Rick was later hired as our economic developer, and has been responsible for a big portion of the economic growth in the county. This year the board of commissioner hired Rick as the manger of Richmond County. Rick is well qualified for the job and is doing a great job for the county in his new position.”
Post a Comment
