NC STEP Leadership Team
NC STEP Leadership Team Participants in the North Carolina Small Towns Economic Prosperity Program (NC STEP) NC Rural Economic Development Center belief small towns can Value the best of the past Preserve & enhance important resources Seek out new economic opportunities Respect & engage the community members Goals of program Economic recovery & revitalization through job creation, business activity & leveraged investments Implement a comprehensive model of local leadership capacity building, technical assistance and grant writing Provide vital information to develop public policies
NC STEP Leadership Team Chilton Rogers, our facilitator and coach 264 People participated in developing Team mission statement Community vision Community profile Community assessment Strategy identification Four strategy committees proposed projects Detailed in our Economic Development Strategic Plan & Implementation Strategy
Retirement Strategy: Make Siler City a Destination For Active Retirees Seek active adults over 50 with disposable income to settle in Siler City. Each active adult couple spends 70K in the local economy and creates 3 jobs (Kiplinger). Live in the peaceful country and visit the attractions rather than live in the attractions and visit the country. Two key components missing in establishing Siler City as a preferred retiree destination: Recruitment. Providing open space and areas to walk.
Retirement Projects: Recruitment Form Retirement Attraction Committee. Develop marketing plan. Develop content and visual graphics for: Web site allowing targeted direct internet marketing. Print media. Publicity programs. Position Siler City to apply as a Certified Retirement Community. Benefits: Establishes Siler City as a destination for retirees with disposable income.
Retirement Projects: Creation of Open Space and Paths Numerous surveys have shown a positive connection of open space, natural areas, trails, and walkways with the relocation of active retirees, good health, property values, business development, and esthetics. Three projects to meet these needs. Creation of a pedestrian walkway plan for Siler City. Creation of a nature trail along the Rocky River. Creation of an open-field park downtown. Benefits: influx of active retirees, influx of daytrippers, increased opportunities for better health, safer city walkways, greater interest in CCBP.
Retirement Projects: Creation of Open Space and Paths NCDOT Pedestrian Planning Grant. Creates safer downtown walkways and encourages walking. Rocky River Nature Trail. Makes a beautiful natural area accessible to locals and tourists, alike. Boling Chair Lumber Yard Park. Takes unused open space and turns it into a park for the enjoyment of Siler City residents.
Arts (Creativity) Strategy Further develop & build on existing arts community engaging local population groups; expanding creativity into more aspects of community life; and, utilizing arts & creativity to create meaningful work, expand community wealth and improve our economy in a way that benefits our grandchildren.
Approach Exposure to & teaching of creativity Expand/explain/apply Buy Local local business, local product, local materials Celebrate, appreciate, promote creativity Surround residents with art & creativity Inspire existing creatives to new heights
Initial Creativity Projects Central Park downtown Multiuse market, public art, festivals, water Film Festivals (visitors, new $) Host Milo Holt one day festival Develop our own unique weekend festival Local Products Guide Showcase what we make, where to buy
Future Arts Projects (no initial funds requested) Creativity in Business Awards House of Culture with Programs Public Art Competition (Chatham Rabbit) Student Creativity Mentorship/Camp
Siler City Central Park
Business Development Strategy The business development strategy is designed to revitalize Siler City by bringing more visitors and shoppers to town and by supporting the growth of new businesses. The strategy will help revitalize downtown and the Highway 64 corridor, will support new business formation, will help create new employment opportunities, will help create wealth for new business owners.
Business Development Projects Downtown Façade Improvement Grants Improve downtown one building at a time Business Corridor Wayfinding Signage Attract customers to the business district Downtown Master Plan Design guidelines for development
Business Development Projects Bridges & Seeds Learning & Microfinance Garden Food production jobs and entrepreneurship Plugging Money and Energy Leaks/Homes Energy efficiency savings for Siler City
Business Development Projects Welcome Center/Incubator Welcome 18,000 people in vehicles that pass by Siler City on Highway 64 every day featuring local products
Future Business Projects (No NC STEP funds requested) Entrepreneurship Club Income Development Center
Marketing Committee Focus on Assets Create a one-stop web resource for local information that promotes Siler City for business, living, retirement and entertainment: VisitSilerCity.com Incorporate branding logo and slogan, Delightfully Unexpected, in official Town and marketing materials.
Marketing Projects VisitSilerCity.com Web services from Chatham Co Economic Dev. Corp. Branding Implementation NC DOT signage: Welcome To Siler City Redesign Town of Siler City website to incorporate branding and update graphic look Update pole banners, vehicle stickers, Town business forms
Future Marketing Projects (No NC STEP funds requested) Feathers and Furs downtown Festival
NC STEP Committee Funding Requests Art Committee $ 21,800 Business Committee $ 61,600 Retirement Committee $ 12,100 Marketing Committee $ 4,500 Grant Total $100,000
NC STEP Leadership Team Consider our proposal Listen to our suggestions Participate in our activities Make an investment in the community Thank you for the opportunity
NC STEP Leadership Team