Images Rocky Mount 2012-2013

2012-13 | livability.com/rocky-mount 速

rocky mount, north carolina

WINDOWS OF OPPORTUNITY New residents have good home choices

ALL IN GOOD FAITH Church community thrives

Seeing Clearly Visioning process brings governments together

sponsored by the rocky mount area Chamber of Commerce

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Rocky Mount

Photo Courtesy of Gary E. Hodges

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2012-13 edition | volume 13 速

Rocky Mount, NC co nte nt s F e atu r e s 10 Seeing Clearly

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Visioning process brings governments together

14 All in Good Faith Church community thrives

19 loving the logistics Transportation grids offer big advantages to companies

26 Windows of opportunity New residents have good home choices

d e pa r tm e nt s 6 Almanac 22 Biz Briefs 24 Chamber Report 25 Economic Profile 30 See the City 34 Local Flavor 37 Health & Wellness 40 Arts & Culture 44 Sports & Recreation 46 Education 49 Community Profile on the cover City Lake Park

By Todd Bennett

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All or part of this magazine is printed with soy ink on recycled paper containing 10% post-consumer waste.

Please recycle this magazine

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What’s Online livability.com/rocky-mount

Photos & Videos See more great photos of Rocky Mount in our online photo and video galleries.

2012-13 | livability.com/rocky-mount ®

rocky mount, nortH carolina

WinDoWS oF oPPortunity New residents have good home choices

all in GooD FaitH Church community thrives

Facts Get the most up-to-date info on cost of living, top employers, schools, population demographics and more.

Living here Learn the basics about local neighborhoods, schools and healthcare providers.

Seeing clearly Visioning process brings governments together

SPonSoreD by tHe rocky mount area cHamber oF commerce

Digital magazine Flip through the pages of this magazine and easily share articles using Facebook, Twitter or email.

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Rock y Mount, NC content Director Lisa battles Proofreading Manager Raven Petty

Frank J. Courts, D.D.S, Ph.D.

Pediatric Dentistry

Content Coordinator Jessica Walker Staff Writer Kevin Litwin Contributing writers Nancy Christie, Spencer Mohead, Joe Morris, Jessica Mozo Senior Graphic Designers Laura Gallagher, Kris Sexton, Jake Shores, Vikki Williams Graphic Designers Erica Lampley, Kara Leiby, Kacey Passmore Senior Photographers Jeff Adkins, Brian McCord Staff Photographers Todd Bennett color imaging technician Alison Hunter Senior Integrated Media Manager ruth martineau Ad Production Manager Katie Middendorf Ad Traffic Assistants Krystin Lemmon, Patricia Moisan Chairman Greg Thurman President/Publisher Bob Schwartzman

SPECializiNg iN DENtiStRy FoR

infants, Children & Patients with Special Needs First visit recommended between 12 months and 18 months

Executive Vice President Ray Langen Senior V.P./Sales Todd Potter Senior V.P./Operations Casey Hester Senior V.P./Client Development Jeff Heefner senior V.P./Agribusiness Publishing Kim HOlmberg

Frank J. Courts, D.D.S., Ph.D. Pediatric Dentist Elizabeth K. Miller, D.D.S., M.S. Pediatric Dentist

V.P./business Development clay perry V.p./External Communications Teree Caruthers V.P./Visual Content Mark Forester V.P./Content Operations Natasha Lorens v.p./Travel publishing Susan Chappell V.P./Sales rhonda graham, herb Harper, Jarek Swekosky Controller Chris Dudley Senior Accountant Lisa Owens Accounts Payable Coordinator Maria McFarland Accounts Receivable Coordinator Diana Guzman sales support Coordinator alex marks

73 Success Ct. Rocky Mount, NC 27804

252-443-7136

Dedicated to Children’s Oral Health We accept most insurance, cash, checks, care credit, debit and credit cards.

sales support project manager sara quint system administrator daniel cantrell Web creative director allison davis Web Content Manager John Hood Web designer II Richard stevens Web development lead Yamel Hall Web developer i nels noseworthy Photography Director Jeffrey S. Otto Creative Services Director Christina Carden Creative Technology Analyst becca ary audience development Director deanna nelson New Media Assistant Alyssa DiCicco Distribution Director Gary Smith Executive Secretary Kristy Duncan Human Resources Manager Peggy Blake Receptionist Linda Bishop

Images Rocky Mount is published annually by Journal Communications Inc. and is distributed through the Rocky Mount Area Chamber of Commerce and its member businesses.

For advertising information or to direct questions or comments about the magazine, contact Journal Communications Inc. at (615) 771-0080 or by email at info@jnlcom.com.

For more information, contact: Rocky Mount Area Chamber of Commerce 100 Coast Line Street, 2nd Floor, Rocky Mount, NC 27804 Phone: (252) 446-0323 • Fax: (252) 446-5103 www.rockymountchamber.org Visit Images Rocky Mount online at livability.com/rocky-mount ©Copyright 2012 Journal Communications Inc., 725 Cool Springs Blvd., Suite 400, Franklin, TN 37067, (615) 771-0080. All rights reserved.

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Serving Eastern North Carolina for more than 100 years

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Bankruptcy

| 2343 Professional Dr. | Rocky Mount, NC 27804 | | 252-937-2200 | www.bwsw.com |

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Almanac

Welcome to Rocky Mount An introduction to the area’s people, places and events

Saving a Life’s Work

Throwing Down the Gauntlet

Braswell Memorial Library visitors can look back through North Carolina history with the Charles S. Killebrew Collection showcasing the work of this Tarboro-born photographer from 1948-1997. The photos document state history, specifically that of Nash and Edgecombe counties. The collection contains 500,000 mostly blackand-white images the library began to preserve and has now transferred ownership to UNC Chapel Hill to complete the project in order to make it available online at DigitalNC. For more information, visit www.braswell-library.org.

Rocky Mount honors North Carolina’s barbecue heritage with the Eastern Carolina BBQ Throw Down each October.

This annual event draws competitors and spectators from across the nation to see who can create the best barbecue. The Special Events Division of Rocky Mount Parks & Recreation sponsors the Throw Down, and it is an official North Carolina State Barbecue Championship and a Kansas City Barbecue Society sanctioned event.

The competition includes several categories, and winners are recognized with awards and prizes.

Find out more at www.bbqthrowdown.net.

Relay for a Remedy Every year, the community turns out in droves for the Relay For Life of Nash County, NC, an overnight relay-style event that raises money for the American Cancer Society and includes food, games and activities. The 2012 relay took place at the Rocky Mount Athletic Stadium and had 990 participants among 79 teams raising $209,247. Besides raising money to combat cancer, ACS also supports cancer patients with services including Hope Lodge, Road to Recovery, and Reach to Recovery, to name a few.

Learn more at www.relayforlife.org.

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Rocky Mount

A Hometown Hit Smith’s Red & White Store & Restaurant is a Rocky Mount legend that regularly draws crowds for its sausage, of which it sells about 6,000-7,000 pounds per week. Smith’s started out as a grocery store in 1954 and has grown to include an adjacent restaurant, which opened in 2010 and offers a traditional Southern meat-and-three menu. While its location has changed over the years, Smith’s has remained a family-run business. In 2009, Smith’s began offering old-fashioned candies in more than 60 flavors. For more information, visit www.smithsredandwhite.com.

Piecing Porsches Together Porsche owners and mechanics across the U.S. turn to a company right here in Rocky Mount when faced with the often difficult and expensive task of finding replacement parts for these luxury cars. dC Automotive is the largest indoor recycling facility for Porsches in the country, and has a massive inventory of parts ranging from mechanical items like engines and transmissions to body parts like wheels and interior trim. Besides recycled parts, dC also has a selection of new parts as well as an engine-rebuild program run by Bruce Abbott, a respected Porsche mechanic with more than 30 years of experience.

Learn more at www.dcauto.com.

A Day for the Derby Each May, fans across the nation cheer on their favorite horses in the Kentucky Derby, and horse racing enthusiasts in the Rocky Mount area have a special place to watch it and celebrate among friends – Stonewall Manor, which hosts the annual Stonewall Manor Derby Day Party. Attendees go all out with their attire, dressing up in sundresses and classic wide-brimmed hats for ladies and classic seersucker suits for men. Guests can also tour the Manor, which was built in 1830 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Go to www.stonewallmanornc.org for additional information.

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Rocky Mount

Sweet Success

Fast Facts

Barnes Farming is the product of Carson Barnes’ dedication, working to increase an initial 8.3 acres of tobacco and sweet potato crops into 800 acres of sweet potatoes in only nine years.

That growth enabled him to form Farm Pak Products Inc., and build a 45,000-square-foot packing facility.

Since then, Barnes’ farming operations have grown to include more than 5,000 acres of sweet potatoes, 1,500 acres of flue-cured tobacco, 1,800 acres of peanuts and 1,000 acres of wheat. This empire makes Barnes the largest sweet potato grower in the state and one of American Vegetable Grower magazine’s Top 100 U.S. Vegetable Growers. Read more at www.farmpak.com.

n Rocky Mount has the distinction of having twice been named an AllAmerican City by the National Civic League, first in 1969 and again in 1999.

Rocky Mount At A Glance POPULATION (2010 estimate) 57,477

the Tuscarora Indians, but the town wasn’t formally established for another 155 years.

LOCATION Rocky Mount, in the state’s heartland region, intersects I-95 and U.S. 64.

That intersection claims the No. 1 traffic count along the I-95 corridor in North Carolina.

BEGINNINGS European settlers first arrived in Rocky Mount in 1712 after years of battling

FOR MORE INFORMATION Rocky Mount Area Chamber of Commerce 100 Coast Line St., 2nd Fl. Rocky Mount, NC 27804 Phone: (252) 446-0323 Fax: (252) 446-5103 www.rockymountchamber.org

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Whitakers

NASH Dortches

E D G E CO M B E

301

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Nashville 64

To Raleigh eigh h

Rocky Mount 43

Tarboro

Sharpsburg 258 42

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n If you like barbecue, don’t miss the Eastern Carolina BBQ Throw Down that takes place the second Friday and Saturday in October. n The Twin Counties region comprises Nash and Edgecombe counties. Rocky Mount is the largest municipality in the region. n The Rocky Mount train station is part of the city’s historic district. n The farmers market in Rocky Mount’s Historic Mill District is open on Fridays and Saturdays from April through November. n The city is investing approximately $6.5 million in downtown Rocky Mount through the Downtown Streetscape Project, which will improve and enhance the area’s buildings, sidewalks and more. n The Douglas Block in downtown Rocky Mount is being restructured through the Douglas Block Redevelopment Project, which has created new offices, shops and homes.

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Seeing Clearly Visioning process brings governments together to develop region

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Rocky Mount

Story By Joe Morris Photography By Todd Bennett

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o the ultimate benefit of the people in this region, the governments of Rocky Mount, Nash and Edgecombe counties have come together to craft a shared vision that will move each and all of them forward.

The Twin Counties Visioning and Strategic Plan Process focuses on both economic and community development, recognizing that business growth and quality of life are tied together, officials say. That kind of all-encompassing approach will highlight the strengths of the entire region, as well as showcase the strengths of each stakeholder.

Rocky Mount, the largest city, will The Edgecombe County Courthouse in Tarboro

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display its redeveloped downtown, for example, while the two counties will elevate the profiles of their industrial areas, businessdevelopment programs and more.

Plan Identifies Opportunities “An article in Forbes a few years ago put us at the bottom of some lists, and that really set our elected officials into motion,” says Charles Penny, city manager for Rocky Mount. “They began to look for opportunities for improvement, and that broadened into some study circles all around our area that began to look at specific areas of concern. Education was seen as an issue right away, but several items were listed as necessary to do in order for our region to prosper.”

The process itself has been almost as valuable as the outcomes

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Rocky Mount

that already are emerging, simply because it got everyone onto the same page, says Bob Murphy, county manager for Nash County.

“Just getting these different groups together, putting our case before the entire community, had real value,” Murphy says. “I think it’s good for any community to periodically take a step back, take a good honest look at its strengths and weaknesses and then develop a description of programs and facilities that lets you put your time, money and energies where they are needed the most.”

Unified Vision Key to Success The plan’s message, both to its stakeholders and to businesses and families looking at the area, is that this community cares about its present – and its future.

“This unified vision is really our brand, and we are completely in unison as we chart our course,” Penny says. “We always need to be working on this plan, advancing it, so that as our community evolves we know what is best for it, and work to make those changes happen. It can’t be a one-time process, and we know that.”

Some projects on the wish list have immediate financial constraints, but that doesn’t mean the entire effort is just dreaming, Penny adds.

“Road improvements, new schools: these things cost money,” Penny says. “But we know we have to have the infrastructure in place for businesses to come here. It just takes planning.”

Strong resident participation in the study circles also shows the entire community’s willingness

to back improvement efforts, Murphy adds.

“We know what we need to improve, and we want to address those areas,” he says. “That sends a positive message to companies that might be looking to locate here, and that’s what we want to do.”

Bottom left: The revitalized Douglas Block in downtown Rocky Mount Bottom right: A woman walks her dog through the Town Common in Tarboro, which covers 15 acres.

What’s Online For more stories on the people, places and events that define Rocky Mount, visit livability.com/rocky-mount.

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Englewood Baptist Church in Rocky Mount is home to more than 2,400 members.

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All in Good

Fai h Rocky Mount’s churches contribute to a thriving faith community

Story By Jessica Mozo | Photography By Todd Bennett

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ome Sunday in Rocky Mount, residents pack the pews of area churches for inspiration, encouragement, thanksgiving and celebration. But here, churchgoers don’t stop there – the city’s faith community serves the community beyond the walls of its churches.

Englewood Baptist Church Englewood Baptist Church was organized in 1965 and has grown to include more than 2,400 members. The church sponsors sports ministries for children, and also has a new student building called The Edge, which provides a safe gathering place for youth.

“We believe the church is the only organization that exists for those who are not members,” says Englewood’s Pastor Michael Cloer.

“People will not care how much we know until they know how much we care. As the visible body of Christ, we have to show the world we really care.”

In 2011, Englewood assisted needy families and individuals in the region with more than $20,000 in aid as well as hundreds of pounds of food. The church also hosts support groups such as Divorce Care and Grief Share. In addition, they have a Pregnancy Care Center and Hispanic ministry.

“Several years ago, we had an

Operation Saturation project, in which our members gave a Bible to every resident of Rocky Mount,” Cloer says. “We partner with an elementary school to provide afterschool tutoring. And each year, we host a Senior Fair that provides more than 40 vendors as well as seminars that speak to the needs of senior citizens in our community.”

Church on the Rise In June 2012, Church on the Rise opened its new Peacemakers Family Center. Among other things, the center hosts a program called Freedom School for lowincome children that focuses on academic development and more. l i va b i l i t y. c o m / r o c k y- m o u n t

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“We love to do things that get us out of our four walls,” says Church on the Rise Lead Pastor Richard Gurganus. “We really have a heart for [South Rocky Mount] – we have done Vacation Bible Schools there, and we built a stage there for programs. We were excited to buy an abandoned building there to create the Peacemakers Family Center.”

Word Tabernacle Church Word Tabernacle Church has experienced tremendous growth since it began in 2005. Today its membership exceeds 2,300. In just seven years, Word Tabernacle has seen 1,000 people baptized and the development of 45 ministries.

“One of my goals when I arrived in Rocky Mount seven years ago was to make going to church attractive again, and that is happening,” says Word Tabernacle Pastor James Gailliard. “We are seeing several churches with increasing memberships. At WTC, we recognize that no one church can be all a city needs. The important thing is we grow collectively, work together and enhance our community in a compassionate way.”

Churches in Rocky Mount often join forces to further impact the community. For the past five years, 10 to 15 churches have joined together every Sunday night in July for unity services.

“All the offerings benefit some effort in the community,” Gurganus says.

Though they come from different denominations, many of Rocky Mount’s pastors are friends.

“There are some of the greatest pastors here I have ever met,” Gurganus says. “We believe the local church is the hope of the world, and we have the ability to bring unity to the city, solve problems and minister to people.”

Clockwise from top right: Englewood Baptist Church; Word Tabernacle Church; Cross at The Church of the Good Shepherd; The Church of the Good Shepherd

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Rocky Mount

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aSPIre

… to save others’ lives, while shaping your own.

What We are Made Of

Hospira Inc. is the world’s leading provider of injectable drugs and infusion technologies.

Through its broad, integrated portfolio, Hospira is uniquely positioned to Advance Wellness™ by improving patient and caregiver safety while reducing health care costs. The company is headquartered in Lake Forest, Ill., and has approximately 14,000 employees. Learn more at www.hospira.com.

The Rocky Mount operations has more than 2,700 employees and is one of the largest manufacturers of generic specialty injectables, including small and large volume parenterals, in the world.

What We are PrOud Of

We at Hospira Inc. feel rewarded by our hard work and take pride in knowing we’re on our individual career paths with a shared goal:

Advancing wellness™ through the right people and the right products

As an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer, Hospira Inc. embraces diversity of thought and cultural perspective and fosters an environment of empowerment, fairness, and respect.

Business

Loving the

Logistics Transportation grids offer big advantages to companies

Story By Kevin Litwin | Photography By Todd Bennett

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eorge Bolts believes Rocky Mount is the most ideally located city in Eastern North Carolina for transportation and distribution companies.

Bolts is president of McLane Carolina, which trucks grocery food supply products to convenience stores, supermarkets, drug stores and military posts throughout North Carolina and parts of southern Virginia and northern South Carolina.

“Our truckers serve 2,400 stores and drive millions of miles each year. Rocky Mount’s location at Interstate 95 and U.S. Route 64 is perfect, plus there’s convenient access to Interstate 40 and U.S. Route 264,” Bolts says. “Our McLane distribution center is only 2 1/2 hours from the Atlantic Coast, and 3 1/2 hours to the western tip of North Carolina. Rocky Mount is an ideal logistical location for us.”

Workers load, unload, repackage and store products at Kanban Logistics.

And a Railroad, Too Besides the convenient highway system, Kanban Logistics also operates a rail yard with CSX tracks that run alongside the company’s huge warehouse.

“We can actually load and unload boxcars inside our building to get out of the weather,” says Harold Hobgood, Kanban Logistics business development manager.

“Our company ships all kinds of products – food, steel, computers – all over the world. We are close to the ports of Norfolk, Wilmington and Charleston, and couldn’t be headquartered in a better place than Rocky Mount.”

All About Reducing Miles Dewey Clark, executive director of strategic planning at MBM Corporation, says a key goal for their food distribution operation is to reduce transportation miles as much as possible. For that reason, Rocky Mount has been the company’s headquarters since 1947.

“We have 22 national customers that include Chick-fil-A, Burger King and Hardee’s, with MBM hauling every food-related product to all of their restaurants throughout the country,” Clark l i va b i l i t y. c o m / r o c k y- m o u n t

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Discover the cost-cutting secrets of outsourcing.

You name it. We can do it!

Tri-County Industries 1250 Atlantic Ave. Rocky Mount, NC 27801

(252) 977-3800 (866) 605-7765 Toll-free (252) 977-2283 Fax

ISO 9001 and AS9100C Registered

www.tciworks.com

ASSEMBLE IT. BOX IT. CLEAN IT. COLLATE IT. CONNECT IT. COUNT IT. CUT IT. DELIVER IT. DE-RIVET IT. DISASSEMBLE IT. DRILL IT. FAX IT. FILL IT. FOLD IT. GLUE IT. INSPECT IT. LAMINATE IT. MAIL IT. NAIL IT. PACKAGE IT. PAINT IT. POLISH IT. RECYCLE IT. REPAIR IT. REWORK IT. SAND IT. SAW IT. SEAL IT. SHIP IT. SLIT IT. SOLDER IT. SORT IT. STAMP IT. STAPLE IT. STRIP IT. TAPE IT. TEXT IT. WAREHOUSE IT. WEIGH IT. WELD IT. WIRE IT. WRAP IT.

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Call 1-800-996-4100 or log onto www.stjude.org to learn how you can help.

Finding cures. Saving children.

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Rocky Mount

says. “From our three Rocky Mount distribution centers, we easily serve markets in Virginia Beach, Richmond, RaleighDurham, Wilmington, Outer Banks, Fayetteville and the Research Triangle. Being near the 95/64 intersection is huge for us.”

Future Retail Hub That key intersection also has Alan Matthews smiling. Matthews is the director of business recruitment for the Rocky Mount Area Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the City of Rocky Mount, and says there are retail plans for vacant acreage that sits adjacent to the 95/64 intersection.

“We want to grow our local economy beyond our population base by establishing a major retail destination in one or more of the current empty land quadrants that border the intersection,” Matthews says. “Besides attracting regional shoppers, constructing a highly visible retail destination could capture consumers who travel from New York to Florida along 95, plus travelers from west of Rocky Mount like Charlotte and Raleigh who are driving to the Atlantic Coast.”

Matthews says in order to make the 250 acres of vacant land accessible, an interchange must be constructed at Sunset Avenue about three-quarters of a mile away.

“This is all still in the planning stage, to ultimately draw 1.7 million residents within a 60-minute radius of that intersection,” he says.

“We’re hoping within the next 3-5 years to be well-positioned for this retail economic development opportunity. It will be a major economic boost for Rocky Mount, Nash and Edgecombe counties, and Eastern North Carolina – all because we are fortunate enough to have 95/64 in our community.”

What’s Online Pay a visit to livability.com/ rocky-mount/nc to learn more about Rocky Mount’s business climate.

Business

Hospira is planning a $100 million expansion that will take place over the next two years and create several hundred jobs.

Opportunity Knocking Several local companies highlight business strength

T

hey mean business in Rocky Mount, with several companies doing well these days.

Here are some examples:

Hospira Hospira, the world’s leading provider of injectable pharmaceutical drugs, is planning a $100 million expansion over the next two years. Marty Nealey, the new plant manager in Rocky Mount, will help oversee the expansion process and job creation. The company’s large portfolio of products is used by hospitals, clinics and home health-care providers.

Nomaco Insulation Tarboro-based Nomaco Insulation is the global leader in manufacturing polyethylene foam insulation products used in residential, commercial and industrial refrigeration applications. Meanwhile, the company’s Zebulon facility is the world leader in producing synthetic corks for wine bottles under the Nomacorc brand. Major international wineries now purchase the company’s synthetic corks as a solution to the long-standing problem of cork taint in wine.

Cummins-Rocky Mount Engine Plant Cummins-Rocky Mount Engine Plant remains busy, having recently added 500 jobs and planning to add more in the near future. The manufacturing facility has assembled nearly 3.2 million engines since opening in 1983, with those engines used in agricultural, automotive, construction, generator and marine applications. The plant has 1,500 employees who build 400 engines a day.

PNC Financial Services Group PNC Financial Services Group in late 2011 acquired RBC Bank, a longtime community bank in Rocky Mount.

PNC officials say that in the next few years, the bank expects to hire aggressively in certain business areas such as corporate banking. PNC is the nation’s sixthlargest bank based on assets and has performed well during the recent economic downturn, while many other banks have struggled.

American Computer Development Inc. American Computer Development Inc. produces electronic circuit boards and moved in April 2012 from Maryland to a plant in Nashville that was formerly occupied by Fawn Industries. ACDI has increased its staff from 50 to 70, and the company recently developed a separate and distinct process for prototype assembly of circuit boards.

– Kevin Litwin l i va b i l i t y. c o m / r o c k y- m o u n t

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Business

Biz Briefs Businesses – both large and small – that help define Rocky Mount’s economic climate

Scorecard Business At A Glance

$1 billion Annual Retail Sales

$17,632 Retail Sales Per Capita

$150 billion Annual Hotel and Food Sales

3,998 Total number of firms Source: U.S. Census QuickFacts

StoneworkS Biz: Countertop supply company Buzz: StoneworkS carries more than 150 varieties of granite, marble and quartz countertops. In addition to importing stone slabs from locations all around the world, the company offers design and installation services. Clients range from homeowners and interior designers to commercial and residential general contractors. www.go2stoneworks.com 22

Rocky Mount

Battle, Winslow, Scott & Wiley, P.A. Biz: Law firm Buzz: One of the oldest law firms in the state, Battle, Winslow, Scott & Wiley, P.A., was created in 1911 and recently celebrated 100 years of service. The firm handles business and corporate law, estate planning and administration, bankruptcy, insurance litigation and more. www.bwsw.com

Pitstop Shoppe Biz: Frozen yogurt and sorbet Buzz: Customers at Pitstop Shoppe choose from 60 rotating frozen yogurts and sorbets, as well as toppings such as fruit, candy and more. Customers serve themselves, coming up with custom combinations of flavors and toppings.

The shop also offers coffee, tea, cider, Italian soda and smoothies. www.pitstopshoppe.com

Fishing Creek Flower Farm Biz: Cut-flower grower and supplier Buzz: The 300-acre Fishing Creek Flower Farm sets aside 20 of those acres for its seasonal flowers, which it delivers. Varieties include tulips, lilies, sunflowers and more. The O’Briens, proprietors, also sell sparkling hard cider made from apples grown on site. www.fishingcreekflowers.com

02 Energies Biz: Solar power plant development company Buzz: Cornelius-based O2 Energies, has brought Nash County its first Solar Farm just off I-95. The company has clients throughout the southeastern U.S. and handles project identification, site evaluation and approval, project planning and financing, and more. www.02energies.com

P.O. Box 789 7253 NC Hwy. 48 Battleboro, NC 27809 (252) 972-2500 Ph (252) 973-6791 Fax www.mclaneco.com ABOUT US McLane Company is one of the largest and fastest growing nationwide distributors of grocery and general merchandise products in the country.

OUR MISSION To become the world's premier logistics company.

OUR PEOPLE McLane Company has, for well over 100 years, been built on a heritage of honesty, integrity and high Christian principles, both in our customer relationships and teamwork of our employees.

OUR TENURE McLane Company is celebrating 15 years of service to our customers and the community in the Rocky Mount area.

OUR AFFILIATIONS United Way • Children's Miracle Network

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Business

Chamber Report new relocation tool kit helps promote community

N

ewcomers to the Rocky Mount area will find a very active chamber that enjoys great business involvement in its work and through its events, such as the annual Fall Membership Outing at scenic Rose Hill Conference Center.

Meanwhile, the Chamber, through a partnership with the

Carolinas Gateway Partnership and the support of the Rocky Mount Community Foundation, has launched a Relocation Tool Kit Video Series to help businesses recruit new employees to the region as well as attract new businesses considering relocating.

“The videos can also be used for tourism purposes,” says Lige

Daughtridge, Rocky Mount Area Chamber of Commerce Chairman.

“For example, Rocky Mount Sports Complex attracts about 100,000 people a year for leagues and tournaments, and out-oftowners often want to do other things during down time between ball games or soccer matches.

People can view these videos to find several quality-of-life attractions in Rocky Mount.”

The videos can be copied to flash drives or CDs to hand out at job fairs, business expos and trade shows. Businesses can also use them to educate employees about spreading the word among their contacts who might be interested in moving to Rocky Mount.

“The Relocation Tool Kit not only showcases the diverse history and recreation opportunities in Rocky Mount, Nash County and Edgecombe County, but also highlights phenomenal businesses and entrepreneurial efforts in our area,” Daughtridge says. “Studies show that businesses scour the Internet when relocating, and Rocky Mount now has a resource to showcase the area.”

Vimeo and YouTube The videos can be accessed via Vimeo and YouTube. The Vimeo features six films under a banner of Living in the Twin Counties Region, while 25 YouTube videos can be accessed at www.youtube. com/user/rockymountchamber.

“All videos range in length from 2-4 minutes, and local companies are welcome to pass them along to their web developer to add to their own website,” Daughtridge says. “Businesses can even overlay their logos and messages on individual videos.”

Visit rockymountchamber.org or call the Chamber at (252) 4460323 for more information.

– Kevin Litwin

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economic profile Business climate The Rocky Mount region has a thriving small-business sector.

While some startup businesses remain small by design, many local companies have experienced rapid growth and now employ hundreds of people. Large corporations like BoddieNoell Enterprises and MBM Corp. are headquartered in the area.

top employers Nash-Rocky Mount Public Schools Hospira Inc. Nash Health Care Systems PNC Bank Cummins Rocky Mount Engine Plant Edgecombe County Public Schools QVC Rocky Mount Inc. CenturyLink Universal Leaf North America City of Rocky Mount Sara Lee Bakery

INcome

workforce

$22,440

54%

Per Capita Income

White-Collar Jobs

$55,247

46%

Blue-Collar Jobs

Average Annual Household Income

education

Transportation

8%

Amtrak 101 Hammond St. Rocky Mount, NC 27804 (252) 446-3646 www.amtrak.com

Associate Degree

12%

Bachelor’s Degree

Tax Structure

Rocky Mount-Wilson Regional Airport (RWI) 7265 Air Terminal Drive Elm City, NC 27822 (252) 446-7057 rwiairport.com Highway 97 between Rocky Mount and Wilson

Residential Property Tax Property Taxes for 2011-12 (per $100 valuation) are $.94 in Edgecombe County, $.67 in Nash County and $.58 in the City of Rocky Mount.

The closest international airport is Raleigh-Durham International (RDU), which is approximately 70 miles west of downtown Rocky Mount.

5.3%

Advanced Graduate Degree

Distance to major Cities Charlotte, 220 miles Greensboro, 135 miles Raleigh, 60 miles Durham, 69 miles This section is sponsored by

If a great education is a “must have” when you relocate, then so is Rocky Mount Academy!

PreK-12th grade independent school for college-bound students.

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welcome

HOME

New residents take their pick among established historical neighborhoods and new developments

Story By Nancy Christie

N

ew residents will find a diverse selection of homes in the Rocky Mount area including established historical neighborhoods with tree lined streets and azaleas galore to neatly planned developments still under construction.

Here’s a sampling of some of the larger and most often talked about neighborhoods within the community.

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Rocky Mount

West Haven “A 70-year-old neighborhood that’s still vibrant, in [the] heart of a city yet with a suburban feel.”

That’s how longtime resident Sam Johnson describes the 25-block area in Rocky Mount known as West Haven.

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the neighborhood has many restored Colonial Revival-style homes set on spacious lots, complemented by

nearby attractions such as City Lake and West Haven parks.

Mill Village Located near the Tar River in Rocky Mount is the 74-acre Historic Mill Village. The houses, originally built for employees of the local cotton mill, are recognized by the National Register of Historic Places with covenants in place to protect their historical integrity.

Todd Bennett

This Colonial Revival-style home is located in Rocky Mount’s West Haven neighborhood.

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Falls Road Historic District A well-preserved residential historic district, Falls Road in Rocky Mount offers a range of architectural styles including the Queen Anne, Colonial Revival, Neoclassical Revival, Georgian Revival and Craftsman styles.

Candlewood Just west of downtown Rocky Mount, Candlewood offers 2,000-plus-square-foot homes on lush green over-sized lots, some situated along scenic Stoney Creek.

Tarboro Located in Edgecombe County, Tarboro is a blend of heritage and modern living, with a renowned historic district, low cost of living including affordable housing and convenient access to nearby metro areas like Raleigh and Greenville.

Real estate options range from

stately and architecturally significant structures to custom homes, condominiums, apartments and town houses.

Nashville Just 10 miles from Rocky Mount and 40 miles from Raleigh, Nashville is the county seat of Nash County. Founded in 1780, the city has retained its charming smalltown atmosphere, despite being the fastest growing city in the county.

Belmont Lake Preserve The 1,400-acre Belmont Lake Preserve, currently in development, is located on the eastern edge of Nash County on US 301, adjacent to North Carolina Wesleyan College and the Gateway Technology Center. In addition to 1,200 wooded homesites, the private gated community includes a 22,000-square-foot clubhouse, an 80-acre private lake and is

Todd Bennett

Greystone For Rocky Mount resident Ginger Maynard and her husband, the beautiful landscaping and friendly neighbors were part of the reason why they moved to this neighborhood. Many of the homes are brick or stucco on lots “large enough for friends and family to enjoy,� Maynard says.

Downtown Rocky Mount Downtown Rocky Mount is in the midst of a revitalization, with Main Street buildings being restored to their original architecture. Douglas Block is the first completed phase, featuring six historically significant buildings, all of which were the first African American business district of the early 1900s. Only a few residents have renovated structures downtown into permanent homes, but those who have love it, and more are expected to follow suit.

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Rocky Mount

adjacent to an 18-hole championship golf course owned by Traditional Golf Club.

“We are very excited to have the opportunity to develop and market Belmont Lake Preserve in the City of Rocky Mount,” says Stephen N. Fleischman, vice president, The Halle Companies, which recently purchased the development from another company.

Preservation 101 Besides many beautiful homes and neighborhoods to choose from in the Rocky Mount area, historic property DIY types (or those looking to become one) have a remarkable resource in their own backyard at Edgecombe Community College. It’s one of only five community colleges in the nation that offers a program in historic preservation – and

Green Options Rocky Mount also has options for residents seeking energyefficient homes – an interest that has grown in the past few years.

“There’s no question that people are more conscious of energy conservation and use of sustainable and recyclable materials,” says local developer Charles Mullen of Mullen & Company.

One of his company’s developments is a 50-lot subdivision called The Oaks at Hunter Hill, featuring all Energy Star qualified homes and five certified green homes.

the only one in North Carolina.

Classes include such studies as preservation of farm structures, plaster repair, timberframing, millwork, chair caning and even blacksmithing.

The historic preservation program is supported by the Golden LEAF Foundation. For more information, visit edgecombe.edu.

Rocky Mount Area Relocation Relocating is more than just about changing houses. It is about all the parts of your life that make a home. Nancy Liipfert Associates understands.

Please let us help.

We are a member of North America’s leading independent broker network.

Whether you are moving to or from Rocky Mount, please call on our team of trained professionals.

Left: Belmont Lake Preserve Below: The Edgecombe Historic District, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, features homes with historic architecture.

Helen Williams

HannaH JOnes

nanCY liiPFeRT

Dean Janke

A Leader in Corporate Relocation for 23 Years An All Broker Office

Staff Photo

Nancy Liipfert Associates Inc.

3709 Westridge Circle Dr. Rocky Mount, NC 27804-0218 (252) 937-7000 • (800) 831-0114 nancyliipfert.com

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See the City

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Rocky Mount

Highway Diner in Rocky Mount Staff Photo

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See the City

Nash County War Memorial outside the Nash County Courthouse in Nashville Photo by Todd Bennett

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Rocky Mount

See the City

People enjoy a warm sunny evening walking around City Lake in Rocky Mount, NC. Photo by Todd Bennett

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Local Flavor

Eat Well, Stay Local Rocky Mount residents have easy access to locally grown foods

W

ith several local restaurants with tasty menu items, a prosperous farmers market and foodcentered festivals, Rocky Mount’s food lovers have a full plate.

The area also features local businesses that produce and distribute popular food items throughout the nation.

Restaurants at Westridge Shopping Center

Westridge Grill provides a casual atmosphere where diners sip craft beer and dine on lighter fare like sandwiches, wraps and other grill standards. A popular lunch spot, the grill’s outdoor patio is usually packed when it’s warm outside.

Food-Focused Festivals

Photo Courtesy of Russell Proctor III

Both retail and restaurants lure people to Westridge Shopping Center, where there are several

spots to enjoy great meals.

Crepe World serves breakfast, lunch and dinner and has sweet and savory crepes as well as paninis. For drinks, expect coffee, tea, hot chocolate and smoothies as choices.

HoneyBaked Ham Company & Cafe is also located in the shopping center, and its lunch menu includes sandwiches, salads and desserts. Box lunches are popular here, and the business offers catering services, fully-cooked hams and turkeys, ready-to-serve side items and more.

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Rocky Mount

Perhaps the city’s biggest culinary claim to fame is the Eastern Carolina BBQ Throw Down, a major barbecue cook-off every October. The contest is an official North Carolina State Barbecue Championship as well as a sanctioned competition of the Kansas City Barbeque Society.

The Spring Hope National Pumpkin Festival is a fall favorite in the town of Spring Hope. There are contests for all ages including a pumpkin weigh-in, recipe competition, pumpkin queen pageant and a pumpkin creation contest. It doesn’t just stop at the pumpkins, though. Other activities include a street dance, crafts show, antique car show, music, carnival and parade.

The Tar River Wine Festival combines wine tastings and fundraising for one of the most popular charitable events in

Eastern North Carolina.

Participants enjoy an evening of Southern cuisine and wine.

Food Products From the Rocky Mount Area

Left: Eastern Carolina BBQ Throw Down Right: Westridge Grill features live music on its outdoor patio.

Todd Bennett

For fresh produce and some meats, the Rocky Mount Farmers Market sells fruits, vegetables, herbs, jams‚ country meats and more. The market takes place in two buildings on Peachtree Street in the historic mill village, and operates on Saturdays from April until Thanksgiving, as well as on Wednesdays during the months of June, July and August. The market is open from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m.

Peanuts are big business in the region. Aunt Ruby’s Peanuts and America’s Best Nut Company both sell and distribute gourmet nuts nationwide.

Braswell Foods in Nash County produces Eggland’s Best eggs, which are sold at stores such as Walmart, Costco and other grocers across the country.

Eggland’s Best eggs have 25 percent less saturated fat than other eggs, and are available in white, organic and cage free.

Atlantic Natural Foods LLC in Nashville produces health and natural foods like tofu.

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Health & Wellness

Wealth of Health Residents have multiple health-care options

T

consolidate all of our cardiology services into one facility,” Chewning says. “Those services are currently all over our campus.”

Other excellent medical-care options in the region include:

Vidant Edgecombe Hospital Heritage Hospital in Tarboro is now Vidant Edgecombe Hospital, thanks to the January 2012 rebranding of all facilities from the former University Health Care Systems to the current Vidant Health.

Vidant Edgecombe Hospital has 117 beds and 20 physician specialties and includes a family birthing center, cancer center and chronic heart failure clinic.

Boice-Willis Clinic The physician-owned practice opened in 1914 and covers 16 different medical specialties. Boice-Willis

Todd Bennett

he doctor will see you now at many health-care facilities throughout the Rocky Mount region.

One of the top facilities is Nash General Hospital, which is undergoing an extensive expansion.

The hospital’s main expansion means a new emergency department and heart center being constructed onto the Nash General Hospital campus.

The facility opens in 2014 and will be three stories, with the Nash Heart Center on the two top floors.

The current emergency department can handle 45,000 patients, but an estimated 68,000 people will be treated in 2012, according to Nash Health Care CEO Larry Chewning. The new emergency department will be able to accommodate 80,000 visits a year and will include a sectioned-off pediatric emergency area with its own entrance, to treat patients ages 17 and younger.

“As for the heart center, we will be able to

Vidant Edgecombe Hospital, located in Tarboro, provides nearly 120 beds and offers services such as audiology, cancer care, home health, mammography, neurosurgery, psychiatry and more.

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Staff Photo

Health & Wellness

Above: Nash General Hospital is expanding to include a new emergency department and a heart center.

Right: Family Medical Center of Rocky Mount, located near Nash General Hospital, offers a wide variety of services.

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Rocky Mount

Richard T. Fritz, MD Tillman Bailey III, MD Ivan Y. Peacock, MD Gerald W. Capps, MD Allen M. Johnson, MD Linda L. Willis, MD

Todd Bennett

Todd H. Duncan, MD

has seven locations and services that include a women’s imaging center, physical therapy and health- and diabetes-education departments.

Carolina Quick Care The Carolina Quick Care clinic treats minor injuries and non-life-threatening illnesses including sprains, lacerations, sore throats, coughs and colds, flu, sinus infections, burns and rashes.

It is open seven days a week, and patients never need an appointment.

Eastern North Carolina Medical Group

All Board-Certified Radiologists providing diagnostic imaging interpretation as well as vascular and interventional radiology services at Nash General Hospital, Nash Day Hospital, Nash Open MRI, Nash Breast Center and Hardees Heart Center.

• Diagnostic Radiography • Fluororadiography • Digital Mammography • CT Imaging • MR Imaging • PET Imaging • Ultrasound Imaging • Nuclear Isotope Imaging • Image Guided Biopsy and Drainage • Image Guided Vascular Access • Catheter Directed Angiography • Therapeutic Spine Injections • Vein Ablation • Uterine Fibroid Embolization

131 Roundabout Ct. • P.O. Box 7946 Rocky Mount, NC 27804 • (252) 443-4024 (252) 443-5021 Fax • www.nashxray.com

Department of Imaging Services – Nash General Hospital: (252) 962-8083 Department of Imaging Services – Nash Day Hospital: (252) 962-8946 Cardiovascular and Interventional Services – Hardees Heart Center: (252) 962-8202

Eastern North Carolina Medical Group has two locations in Rocky Mount along with one in Nashville, plus offices in Wilson and Zebulon. All offices are open Monday-Friday with services that include oncology, pulmonology, pediatrics, ultrasound, bone density screenings, CAT scans and foreign travel vaccines.

Family Medical Center of Rocky Mount Established in 1983, services at the Family Medical Center include complete family care, women’s health, a coagulation clinic and diabetes education classes. The Center was awarded The Chamber’s 2012 Small Business of the Year Award.

LifeCare Hospital LifeCare was formed in 1992 and has 50 licensed beds and a medical staff of 35 physicians. The hospital is accredited with The Joint Commission and the College of American Pathologists, and specializes in the treatment of medically complex patients who require extended hospitalization.

OIC Medical Center OIC Medical Center services include family care, women’s health and imaging. Hours are 8:30 a.m.5 p.m. Monday-Friday, Thursdays until 9 p.m. and three Saturdays each month from 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m.

– Kevin Litwin

Susan Watson MD

Tom Bill Robertson Shepherd MD OD

Charlotte High OD

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(252) 443-1006 • (800) 241-2015 400 Nash Medical Arts Mall Rocky Mount Visit us at www.watsoneye.com

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Arts & Culture

Enjoy the View Arts and culture scene offers plenty to see

T

hose who appreciate art of all types will find plenty to see and do in the Rocky Mount area, which has numerous music, dance and theater performances plus a handful of cultural centers and galleries with visual arts exhibits.

Art in Schools Arts appreciation starts at a young age here, with kids in the Edgecombe County Public Schools system celebrating “Artsplosion� each April.

Students in all grades submit juried artworks

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Rocky Mount

that are displayed at Edgecombe Community College, and the overall event culminates with a BandFest concert at ECC made up of select middle and high school band students from across the district.

Speaking of musical instruments, the Northern Nash High School band program has historically produced one of the best band programs in North Carolina. The school offers marching band and concert band, with both regularly receiving high ratings at competitive events.

photos by Todd Bennett

Left: Visitors browse through the art for sale in the Imperial Centre for the Arts & Sciences’ Galleryshop in downtown Rocky Mount. Above: The Keihin Auditorium’s Mobley Atrium at Edgecombe Community College in Tarboro

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What’s Online

Staff Photo

Staff Photo

Read more about Rocky Mount’s arts and culture scene at livability.com/rocky-mount. Click “Things To Do,” then Attractions.”

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Rocky Mount

Dunn Center for the Performing Arts

Nash Arts Center

Dunn Center for the Performing Arts on the North Carolina Wesleyan College campus is best known for its stage performances and top-notch sound and lighting systems. The center seats more than 1,200 in its Minges Auditorium, and 133 in its intimate Powers Recital Hall. The center has two visual arts galleries: Mims Gallery with professional and international art and Civic Gallery with locally made art.

Imperial Centre for the Arts & Sciences The 135,000-square-foot Imperial Centre for the Arts & Sciences in downtown Rocky Mount exhibits visual arts and includes a children’s museum, science center the Cummins Planetarium and performing arts theater, a destination to see more than 100 productions annually.

Keihin Auditorium The two-story‚ 70‚000-square-foot Keihin Auditorium at Edgecombe Community College in Tarboro seats 1,029. Located in the college’s Fleming Building, the auditorium has a 70-foot-wide stage, acoustic paneling and a cutting-edge lighting system. BB King, Taylor Swift and Doc Watson are top talents who have performed there.

Nash Arts Center, housed in a former First Baptist Church built in 1914, was slated for demolition in 1983 to become a parking lot, but the structure was saved by the arts community and has remained an important venue for performing arts since. Nash Arts Council and the North Carolina Arts Council operate the center, which seats up to 200 people for performances by local musicians, as well as plays written and directed by North Carolina playwrights. The center also has a small exhibit space for local visual art.

Harambee Festival Families in the community unite to celebrate African-American heritage and culture through music, arts and crafts at the annual Harambee Festival each May. The two-day festival, which takes place between the historic Douglas Block and Harambee Square in downtown Rocky Mount, is free and draws attendees from across the region.

– Kevin Litwin Top left: A visitor checks out Mims Gallery in the Dunn Center at North Carolina Wesleyan College in Rocky Mount. Bottom left: The Dunn Center for the Performing Arts, located at North Carolina Wesleyan College, features concerts, theatrical productions and more.

Caring for You in All the Stages of Your Life

Diplomate American Board Obstetrics and Gynecology Frederick G. Kroncke, Jr., M.D., FACOG

Douglas D. Boyette, M.D., Retired

Dennis J. Van Zant, M.D., FACOG

Matthew T. Collins, M.D., FACOG

Ingrid S. Bullard, M.D., FACOG Christina R. Peyton, M.D., FACOG

www.nashobgyn.com

Mel W. Fryar, M.D., FACOG Christopher D. Chandler, M.D., FACOG

200 Nash Medical Arts Mall • Rocky Mount, NC 27804 (252) 443-5941 or (800) 521-5199

Sports & Recreation

Recreation Reigns Fun indoors and out keeps community active

R

ocky Mount’s parks, trails and waterways provide plenty of opportunities for exploration, while the city’s sports complex offers athletic events sure to grab each spectator’s attention and a YMCA, as well as a Planet

course, six youth baseball fields, four dual-use baseball and softball fields, a championship regulation baseball field, four soccer/football fields, basketball courts and a walking trail.

According to Rocky Mount City Manager Charles Penny, the complex is impacting the area’s economy hugely, bringing in about $8.5 million a year and attracting 100,000 tourists annually.

Fitness facility, keep residents fit and healthy.

Rocky Mount Sports Complex At the 143-acre Rocky Mount Sports Complex, residents take their picks among a disc golf

USA South Spring Sports Festival Those who enjoy watching athletic competitions are in luck the next couple of years. Through a partnership with the USA South Athletic Conference, Rocky Mount hosts the USA South Spring Sports Festival in 2013 and 2014.

The event takes place at North Carolina Wesleyan College, which is expanding its tennis complex to prepare for the event.

The four-day event includes sports such as baseball, softball and tennis, and is expected to draw more than 800 athletes and $1.8 million in economic impact.

Sunset Park

Todd Bennett

Sunset Park has several unique activities for kids such as a miniature train, historic carousel, a skate park and a spray park with 10 computer-controlled water spray fountains within a traditional playground structure.

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Rocky Mount

Left: City Lake Park in Rocky Mount Right: Champions at NC Wesleyan’s 2011 USA South Tournament

The outdoor skate park features ramps and hills for kids of all ages including halfpipe, rails and quarterpipes.

City Lake Rocky Mount’s City Lake is the ideal place to walk, jog, feed ducks, fish or just lounge on the sun-soaked grass. In the winter months, Christmas lights are reflected on the lake’s placid surface. A planned trail will join City Lake to the Tar River Trail.

Tar River Trail The Tar River Trail, a paved walking/bike path, links four miles of parks from City Lake to Martin Luther King Park. Along this verdant stretch of the Tar River you’ll find a miniature train and tennis courts in Sunset Park, the falls of Tar River, the historic homes of Mill Village and Battle Park, the site of the town’s “rocky mound” namesakes.

Tar River Waterways Following the Tar River and Stony Creek, these gentle Class I canoe and kayak trails wind through downtown Rocky Mount.

For an extended river experience, or just an afternoon picnic, camping platforms are available along the river trail in the Rocky Mount Reservoir and Battle Park.

Visit www.rockymountnc.gov for information about campsite reservations and canoe rentals.

Harrison Family YMCA

visit our

advertisers

Harrison Family YMCA members enjoy day camps, athletics and special events.

The YMCA organizes activities for adults in swimming, rock climbing, karate, basketball and volleyball groups, while youth activities range from preschool tumbling to flag football and soccer. The YMCA also has youth clubs like Teens in Philanthropy and offers child care before and after school, plus a summer daycare program.

Battle, Winslow, Scott & Wiley P.A. www.bwsw.com Bobby Murray Toyota www.bmurraytoyota.com Carolinas Gateway Partnership www.econdev.org Edgecombe Community College www.edgecombe.edu Falls Road Baptist Church School www.fallsroadbaptist.org Frank J. Courts DDS PHD

Sylvan Heights Bird Park

Hampton Inn www.rockymount.hamptoninn.com

For activities like birdwatching, residents make a brief drive to nearby Scotland Neck to Sylvan Heights Bird Park, a sanctuary and successful breeding center for rare birds. The park echoes with the calls of more than 180 species of waterfowl and tropical birds that can be observed from a tree house observation deck.

Apart from the main waterfowl enclosure, the park houses 1,500 birds in its breeding area. Here, rare and endangered species like the Madagascar teal and the African pygmy goose are coaxed back from the edge of extinction by park founders Mike and Ali Lubbock. Park hours and admission can be found at www.shwpark.com.

– Spencer Mohead

Holiday Inn www.holidayinn.com/rockymountnc Hospira www.hospira.com MBM Corporation McLane Company Inc. www.mclaneco.com Nancy Liipfert Associates Inc. www.nancyliipfert.com Nash Community College www.nashcc.edu Nash Health Care Systems www.nhcs.org Nash OB/GYN Associates www.nashobgyn.com Nash X-Ray Associates www.nashxray.com Nash-Rocky Mount Public School System www.nrms.k12.nc.us North Carolina Wesleyan College www.ncwc.edu Rocky Mount Academy www.rmacademy.com Rocky Mount Public Utilities www.utilities.rockymountnc.gov

Photo Courtesy of NC Wesleyan

Suddenlink Communications www.suddenlink.com

TCI Works www.tciworks.com Vidant Edgecombe Hospital www.vidanthealth.com Watson Eye Associates www.watsoneye.com

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Education

STEP by STEP Partnership initiative looks to expand education efforts for region

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ocky Mount and Nash and Edgecombe county leaders are united in a new initiative to strengthen the educational foundation for the region’s students. The initiative brings together the school systems, local colleges and universities, the business community and elected officials behind this goal, with the understanding that each is a stakeholder in the region developing a welleducated workforce.

The Strategic Twin Counties Educational Partnership, or STEP, began during the city and counties’ recent visioning process examining opportunities for economic development and quality of life throughout the region.

community and others are working to improve learning for kids in both counties; it’s really unique and exciting. You don’t often get elected officials involved in something like this, so it’s very unusual.”

Burns compliments Ken Anderson, former chairman of the Rocky Mount Area Chamber of Commerce’s Business and Industry Division, with bringing resources from Cummins’ Rocky Mount Engine Plant, where Anderson was manager, to the table.

“He and our other business leaders recognize that education is necessary for a strong business community, and they want to give back,” Burns says.

focusing on K-12

With early childhood support structure through the Down East Partnership for Children and a multitude of choices in the Twin County region that include public schools, private schools, and now two charter schools, students enjoy excellent programs and academies that are already directing career paths.

“It is addressing the many needs of K-12 education in both counties, and you’ll have everyone working together,” says Dr. Del Burns, past interim superintendent of Edgecombe County Public Schools. “Both boards of education, the municipalities and the business

Support is Strong

That coupled with the inclusion of modern technologies, the growing popularity of early college programs in both public school systems, and strong community partnering efforts at work in this strategy will enable students and businesses alike to realize the fruits of this labor as the entire region works strategically to develop the area’s future workforce.

Building on that support, the STEP process should allow the schools to retool their operations to be more efficient and provide more targeted education programs, adds Dr. Anthony Jackson, superintendent of NashRocky Mount Public Schools.

“We definitely have the support throughout the region to build quality school systems, and this will help move us toward even better and stronger outcomes,” Jackson says. “Our graduates will have higher test scores and more connections with higher education, so they will be well-prepared for the needs of the workplace.”

– Joe Morris

What’s Online

Photo courtesy of Gary E. Hodges

Read more articles about Rocky Mount’s diverse learning environments by going online to livability.com/rocky-mount.

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Rocky Mount

Home Sweet Homeschooling Local families share tips

H

omeschooling isn’t viable for all families, but a supportive network exists here for those who choose this path.

Charlie and Martha Wells of Rocky Mount say that homeschooling their daughter, Rachel, brought their family closer and was the best method for teaching her.

Their efforts paid off, as Rachel was recently granted a full scholarship to East Carolina University in the honors college program.

“A key aspect of homeschooling is that it allows the teacher to tailor an education curriculum more toward the child’s interests and individual learning style,” says Martha, who was Rachel’s homeschool teacher.

“Some people say a drawback to homeschooling is that the child doesn’t develop social skills, but Rachel has transitioned ideally to college life.”

Martha says the experience was also good for her personally as a teacher because she learned a lot of things she didn’t pick up when she attended school.

Michael and Shelley Haymore of Rocky Mount are also homeschooling their children, with son Zachary having completed 10th grade, while twins Abby and Sam are now in seventh grade. Shelley points out that Rocky Mount has a good community of homeschooling friends in place.

“A strong organization is CHARM – Christian Homeschoolers Association of Rocky Mount – which has 150 families involved,” Shelley says. “Every member must serve on a committee, which is great for organizing extracurricular events. For example, there’s a committee for graduation ceremonies, a field trip committee, sports committee and a band committee. There is even a family that offers a testing service and tutoring services, which is important since it’s mandatory in North Carolina that homeschooled children take a national standardized test each year.”

Shelley says North Carolina is considered a homeschool-friendly state.

“As for activities, area libraries offer helpful outings for young children, and the local YMCA hosts physical education classes twice a week specifically for homeschoolers,” she says. “Teaching tools like Curriculum in a Box and other programs on the Internet are also easily accessible. Tons of opportunities are available these days.”

–Kevin Litwin

Ad Index

5 Battle, Winslow, Scott & Wiley P.A.

8 Nash Community College

C2 Nash Health Care Systems

C4 Bobby Murray Toyota

43 Nash OB/GYN Associates

13 Carolinas Gateway Partnership

39 Nash X-Ray Associates

47 Edgecombe Community College

8 Nash-Rocky Mount Public School System

C3 Falls Road Baptist Church School

4 North Carolina Wesleyan College

5 Frank J. Courts DDS PHD

25 Rocky Mount Academy

1 Hampton Inn

1 Holiday Inn

24 Rocky Mount Public Utilities

13 Suddenlink Communications

18 Hospira

35 MBM Corporation

23 McLane Company Inc.

29 Nancy Liipfert Associates Inc.

20 TCI Works

36 Vidant Edgecombe Hospital

39 Watson Eye Associates

Top 10

Pet-Friendly Cities Eugene Oregon louisville Kentucky nashville Tennessee Albuquerque New Mexico Rocky Mount North Carolina boulder Colorado Santa Cruz California

Rocky Mount made the list.

Top 10 Pet-Friendly Cities See more Top 10 lists at Livability.com.

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community profile Snapshot The Rocky Mount area is located in Nash and Edgecombe counties. The region offers a small-town feel and charm but bigcity amenities such as sophisticated arts and culture, abundant sports and recreation, and the security of quality health care and excellent educational opportunities.

Cost of Living

$43,350

54%

Median Household Income

Married

$91,400

46%

Median Home Price

$582

Median Rent for a Two-Bedroom Apartment

Climate

MARITAL STATUS:

Single

ETHNICITY:

49.5% White

Household Information

44.6%

AGE:

39.9

5.5%

January Low Temperature

Median Resident Age

44”

26.5%

3.4%

19 and Under

Other

45.3%

TRANSPORTATION

27.7%

16 minutes

89°

July High Temperature

30°

Annual Rain Fall (vs. National Average Annual Rain Fall of 37”)

20-54

time zone Eastern

55 and Over

Black

Hispanic

Median Travel Time to Work

This section is sponsored by

Falls Road Baptist Church School

113 Trevathan St. Rocky Mount, NC 27804 252-977-2401

Serving the greater Rocky Mount area for more than 40 years.

Preschool through 12th grade.

Affordable tuition, fine arts, sports, computer lab, excellent academics, all in a nurturing Christian environment.

www.fallsroadbaptist.org l i va b i l i t y. c o m / r o c k y- m o u n t

49

Bobby Murray

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Be

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nt

943 N. Wesleyan Blvd.

Rocky Mount, NC 27804 (252) 977-0224 Toll-free: (800) 745-2686

t of Rocky r a e

Mou

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TOYOTA

Service: (252) 977-0225 Fax: (252) 442-2448 Email: sales@bmurraytoyota.com

at Bobby Mu

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