Special to The Randolph Guide
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RALEIGH —
The N.C. Rural Economic Development Center has accepted the Town of Ramseur into the N.C. Small Towns Economic Prosperity Program.
The program, also known as NC STEP, helps revitalize small towns through a combination of community coaching, economic planning and targeted grants. It was launched in 2006.
In June a delegation attended a two-day orientation in Raleigh to initiate participation in the two-year program.
Ramseur is one of 11 communities accepted into the program this year. Others are Maysville in Jones County, Red Springs in Robeson County, Robbinsville in Graham County, Warsaw in Duplin County, Windsor in Bertie County, Burnsville in Yancey County, Canton in Haywood County, Hertford in Perquimans County, Siler City in Chatham County and Star in Montgomery County.
They bring the number of NC STEP communities statewide to 56. The Rural Center received 32 applications for the 2010 class.
As part of NC STEP, the towns will be eligible for planning and implementation grants of up to $125,000.
The N.C. Rural Economic Development Center is a private, nonprofit organization whose mission is to develop sound economic strategies that improve the quality of life in rural North Carolina, with a special focus on individuals with low to moderate incomes and communities with limited resources.
The center operates a multifaceted program that includes conducting research into rural issues; testing promising rural development strategies; advocating for policy and program innovations; and building the productive capacity of rural leaders, entrepreneurs and community organizations.
NC STEP communities must commit to building inclusive, community-wide leadership teams.
Towns are paired with coaches who work with the leadership teams to identify critical needs and community assets, develop potential economic development strategies, prioritize projects and seek out financial resources.
Each town receives an initial planning grant of $25,000 that may be used for assessments, feasibility studies, coordination and other activities.
Leadership team members attend regularly scheduled workshops to share progress reports and receive additional information on strategies and tools.
Training workshops include economic development, futures planning and sustainability strategies.
In addition to their NC STEP training, many towns send delegates to the Rural Economic Development Institute, a leadership development program of the Rural Center.
Each town’s participation in NC STEP can be expected to last at least two years.
