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Roanoke Valley Chamber of Commerce President Allen Purser, the host of the annual event, told an audience at Kirkwood Adams Community Center the organization received its Work Ready Community Certification.
Its serves as a way to measure skill base in the job applicant pool and serves as a measure for business growth and education. “That’s what this does for us,” he said. “The schools have done a fantastic job and we have 60 employers onboard. I think the community ought to congratulate itself. It will be tough to maintain but it speaks to the people in our community.”
This year’s State of Our Community featured Hugh Credle, chair of the Weldon City Schools Board of Education; John White, mayor of Halifax; Ervin Griffin, president of Halifax Community College; and Vernon Bryant, chair of the Halifax County Board of Commissioners.
Credle told the audience Weldon City Schools has had its ups and downs. New superintendent Anitra Wells “has hit the ground running.”
Credle said “there is success for little ones in the land of giants” and the school system is introducing programs which can help those who can’t afford to go to college succeed. “We’re trying to make Weldon the best it can be. Each and everyone of us tries to do the best we can for our children. The community must participate. We encourage everyone to help Weldon, Roanoke Rapids and Halifax County to be the best you can be.”
White spoke of the reinvestment occurring in Halifax. “Halifax has always been a small town, but it’s always been an important town. Even in Colonial times its population was only around 1,000. The town has always been the county seat for Halifax County and the center for our local government.”
He credited Patterson Wilson with changing preconceived notions about the town. “She has been a godsend with her centerpiece being The Hog and the Hen restaurant. She has the vision and the wherewithal to make this, and her other projects in town successful and has shown that Halifax is a place where the right developers with the right plan can do very well.”
Griffin touted the college’s male mentoring program as well as the announcement of other programs which continue to focus on adult education.
Its early college program, he said, has seen 50 percent of its students earn associate degrees or certificates. “All students earned transferrable credits. We are excited about working with the Northampton County early college. We are looking at starting a program in Roanoke Rapids.”
Bryant said the county plans to do more for its employees in the coming year.
He addressed the announcement of the Safelite closing in Enfield. “This was one of the hardest things we had to deal with,” he said. “We do have plans to help those workers.”
Bryant said the county is hopeful it can see some benefit from the CSX Intermodal Terminal planned for Rocky Mount. “It also presents employment opportunities for our citizens in the southern end of the county. It’s 20 miles from our corporate park, however, our county will benefit.”
Bryant said the county continues to work on a countywide recreation plan. “It is a work in progress. Funds are tight but we are committed to providing recreational opportunities for all citizens of Halifax County.”