That opportunity came today through the Roanoke Valley Chamber of Commerce's annual State of Our Community luncheon, which its CEO, Allen Purser, said was the best attended in the seven-year history of the event.
Halifax County Board of Commissioners Chairman James Pierce led off the slate of three speakers — see related story — and spoke not only of the struggles of putting this fiscal year's budget together, but some of the economic development successes the county has experienced.
“This was one of the most difficult budgets we've had to develop in the past 12 years,” he said. “You may be glad to hear that for the eleventh consecutive year, there was no tax increase. The main reason for that is the great work done by our tax department. We cannot budget anymore than they collect.”
He also credited the sheriff's office in helping to collect nearly 97 percent of the county taxes due. “That is among some of the better collection rates in the state. In that budget, I'm glad we were able to maintain the same average daily membership funding level for the school districts. We did not have to cut any county services.”
The biggest regret, he said, was not being able to give county employees a cost of living adjustment. With the upcoming property re-valuation going in place in January, Pierce said, “The property tax rate will most likely be adjusted next fiscal year based on the outcome of that re-valuation.”
There are, he said, a number of economic development projects ongoing. The Klausner Lumber II project on Highway 301 in the Enfield area is expected to be completed in the first quarter of next year, representing a $110 million investment and putting 350 people to work.
He mentioned the Geenex and ET Capital solar farm currently under construction at the old airport. “The most exciting part of this project, I think, is the Solar Center of Excellence scheduled to be completed in May, 2015. This will be the base of operations for Geenex as well as a research education facility supporting solar and renewable energy technologies.”
Meherrin River Forest products, located at the old Coastal Lumber facility, has hired 41 people thus far, he said. “This project is a real shot in the arm for the Roanoke Valley economy.”
Pierce said the Halifax-Northampton Regional Airport is working toward becoming self-sustaining. “Last year, with increased air traffic from local pilots, some military traffic and company planes, the airport generated over $100,000 in fuel sales.”
An agreement to allow Geenex to install solar panels on some unused portions of the airport property should generate additional revenue for the facility he said.
Carolyn Hawkins
In what can only be described as a disjointed speech, which offered little insight into the progress or achievements made, Hawkins, chair of the county board of education, encouraged people to be thermostats instead of thermometers.
“I'm a thermostat,” she said. “You can control your environment.”
Hawkins listed her resume, jobs in the Roanoke Rapids Graded School District and others, as well her past designation as Miss Halifax Community College. “You can't tell me I'm not you and you are not me,” she said.
Barbara Simmons
The mayor of Enfield, Simmons told the audience, the town is making progress despite having a short staff.
The town, she said, has been awarded some $5 million in grants to help fund projects such as water system improvements. The old Highway 301 fairgrounds have been renovated into a community park and three other parks have been enhanced through KaBoom!, as well as assistance through Kate B. Reynolds. “We're going to prosper through Klausner employment,” she said, adding later 19 new businesses have located in town over the last five years. “A volunteer group has helped clean up the town and they have done a good job. We've hired three police officers in the last couple of weeks.”
