Red Springs

The Red Springs

STEP Leadership Committee

presents a plan for building

Economic Prosperity

January 3, 2012

Sunday, December 11, 2011

In the spring of 2010 Red Springs was accepted in the third cohort of STEP communities by the NC Rural Center. This program is a grass

roots initiative to assist economically depressed towns by educating citizens and developing long term strategies to support local

economic development and a spirit of entrepreneurism.

A little history...


A STEP Leadership Team was invited

to the Rural Center for orientation and

soon after began meeting in

Red Springs to lay the ground work

for STEP to kick off in our community.

Restoring vitality to North Carolina small towns

N.C. Small Towns Economic Prosperity Program


A STEP Leadership Team was invited

to the Rural Center for orientation and

soon after began meeting in

Red Springs to lay the ground work

for STEP to kick off in our community.

Restoring vitality to North Carolina small towns

N.C. Small Towns Economic Prosperity Program

Early on, the ever-growing STEP Leadership Committee adopted the following Vision and Mission Statements to guide the course:


Red Springs is an energetic, warm, robust,

family oriented community , embracing the diversity of its citizens; seeking economic opportunities as we work in

unity for continued progress and prosperity.

The Red Springs NC STEP Leadership Committee is a group of committed citizens working to serve, enrich, and empower the greater Red Springs community

by investing today for tomorrow’s prosperity through

sustainable economic development.

Vision Statement

Mission Statement


RED SPRINGS CITIZEN

SUGGESTION BOARD


*A building for the youth to get them off the streets

RED SPRINGS CITIZEN

SUGGESTION BOARD



*After school programs: story-telling, reading, art, music and dance

RED SPRINGS CITIZEN

SUGGESTION BOARD




*Leadership seminars

RED SPRINGS CITIZEN

SUGGESTION BOARD




*Leadership seminars *Make jobs, more entrepreneurial things

RED SPRINGS CITIZEN

SUGGESTION BOARD





*Help more elderly with programs

*Make jobs, more entrepreneurial things

RED SPRINGS CITIZEN

SUGGESTION BOARD







*Revitalize downtown area

RED SPRINGS CITIZEN

SUGGESTION BOARD




*Youth based community activities





RED SPRINGS CITIZEN

SUGGESTION BOARD








*Better places and cleaner


RED SPRINGS CITIZEN

SUGGESTION BOARD






*Restaurant and evening events (have in community center)





RED SPRINGS CITIZEN

SUGGESTION BOARD


* Have fun activities for families










RED SPRINGS CITIZEN

SUGGESTION BOARD







*Regular community events






RED SPRINGS CITIZEN

SUGGESTION BOARD








*Coffee shop, community meeting area






RED SPRINGS CITIZEN

SUGGESTION BOARD













*Keep Red Springs clean & green


RED SPRINGS CITIZEN

SUGGESTION BOARD















RED SPRINGS CITIZEN

SUGGESTION BOARD

*Places to meet that are comfortable and friendly












*Youth employment project “rent a kid”




RED SPRINGS CITIZEN

SUGGESTION BOARD

















*More teacher, parent and community involvement. Together we stand.

RED SPRINGS CITIZEN

SUGGESTION BOARD











*Red Springs needs to help the community by helping people!!







*More teacher, parent and community involvement. Together we stand.

RED SPRINGS CITIZEN

SUGGESTION BOARD



So we got to work!!

Since the Kickoff event the STEP Leadership Committee has met monthly and sometimes several times a month.

All Red Springs area citizens have been invited to participate in the first year planning phase of this program.

The STEP Committee analyzed the economic situation of Red Springs and we developed FOUR STRATEGIES

as guiding principles to help move our community back to being a thriving and inviting town.


Broadening Education



Energizing Entrepreneurship




Leadership




Leadership

Physical Design


Along with the FOUR STRATEGIES

we developedFOUR PROJECTSto begin to make positive changes

to our town.

FOUR STRATEGIES

FOUR PROJECTS


Broadening EducationThis strategy focuses on a carefully crafted, ongoing plan to establish and evolve wide ranging, comprehensive educational and creative cultural programs that will result in economic growth and a renewed sense of community pride for all citizens. We will work together to enhance opportunities in Red Springs by providing creative and technology rich educational places and spaces.



As a community we must address such issues as our young people moving away to seek employment, the rising drop out rate, and decreasing graduation rates. Our young people need opportunities to become successful as young entrepreneurs through creative programming right here in Red Springs.




Our unemployed, under employed and senior citizens need access to computers for work force development, filing unemployment and filing medicare paperwork online.





Defining and enabling facilities that are designed as enhanced creative, educational spaces for the greater Red Springs community will, over time, result in a town that is more conducive to economic growth and new businesses development.





Defining and enabling facilities that are designed as enhanced creative, educational spaces for the greater Red Springs community will, over time, result in a town that is more conducive to economic growth and new businesses development.

We believe that continuous community involvement, relevant educational programs and cultural opportunities are the key.


Create a center for creative computing, education, and the arts that will be a jumping off point for many kinds of community activities. This would stimulate interest in our business district and would help by bringing new people downtown to see and enjoy the arts and take informal education classes. It would be a space for people to interact and foster new kinds of community relationships. It would revitalize the downtown area by creating exciting experiences for residents and visitors alike.

Budget from STEP funds: $65,000$3500. Tables, seating etc.$1500. Internet, projector, screen, stage$15,000. Programming: After school programs, arts & musical performances$30,000. Project Director: $30,000 $15,000. Maintenance, utilities

Additional in kind contributions:$25,000 - 30,000. Robeson Community College will supply approximately 20 computers to hold its classes in the center and they will to be used by members of our community for after school programs$30,000. Project Director will contribute i.e. 1/2 in kind salary

Project: Broadening Education


Create a center for creative computing, education, and the arts that will be a jumping off point for many kinds of community activities. This would stimulate interest in our business district and would help by bringing new people downtown to see and enjoy the arts and take informal education classes. It would be a space for people to interact and foster new kinds of community relationships. It would revitalize the downtown area by creating exciting experiences for residents and visitors alike.

Projected Additional funds: Jumbo Arts International, Inc. will open a student-based Design Studio for creating logos and business promotional materials for local businesses and beyond. Fees and grants will support the studio, staff and interns. This will be run by the creative computing center director.

A virtual business incubator is under consideration with Robeson Community College to generate funds. It will be an online marketplace for virtual businesses who need technical assistance and training.

Project: Broadening Education


Energizing EntrepreneurshipThe strategy of “Embracing Entrepreneurship” focuses on recreating that entrepreneurial environment in which, once again, small businesses can be inspired, fostered and grown capitalizing on our location, identity and cultural diversity.



Branding Red Springs and Finding our identity and marketability (arts, tourism, convenience, charm) “Red Springs… History, Re Imagined” or” History working to reinvent itself” or “Putting Unity in Community” as quick examples




Revamping the entrepreneurial culture - work to create a seamless system for entrepreneurs of all ages and all stages. Create a path for success from small business inquiry to mentoring to partnering with town officials to engage with prospective small business owners. We will seek resources to include Youth Entrepreneurship and youth financial literacy.





We have to redefine and reinvent ourselves, unify around that new identity and create small business opportunities based on the experience folks will have here.






Our project will change and grow as we move beyond creating the foundation, as the pipeline of entrepreneurs builds with education and leadership, as pride is restored through aesthetics and as unity is rebuilt in our community, as the core committee grows, as success breeds success.





We can reimagine what is possible, work to make changes now and create a new future for ourselves and impact seven generations to come.


Our project will change and grow as we move beyond creating the foundation, as the pipeline of entrepreneurs builds with education and leadership, as pride is restored through aesthetics and as unity is rebuilt in our community, as the core committee grows, as success breeds success.


Build the pipeline of entrepreneurs through Youth Entrepreneurship Camps To be held two times per year with 30-40 youth participants per session

Budget from STEP funds: $5,000$1500 Administration and materials (first year) $3,500 Program facilitation

Project: Energizing Entrepreneurship

Additional in-kind contributions:In kind for 50% facilitation costs UNCP Regional Center and the Southeastern Entrepreneurial Alliance


Leadership


LeadershipThe leadership strategy will build community pride and instill the desire to see Red Springs move forward in a healthy and positive fashion by building life leadership skills, entrepreneurial skills and critical thinking skills.



By developing leadership skills earlier in our youth we will empower them to take control of their destiny and impart a sense of hope and pride.




By developing leadership skills our community will benefit from more actively involved residents who want Red Springs to grow and thrive





By developing entrepreneurial leaders we will help create local jobs that spawn creative job development and attract other job creation opportunities






By developing leadership skills we will bridge the racial and cultural divide that has long held our community back by forcing us to think along boundaries rather that thinking of whole of the community.






By developing leadership skills we will bridge the racial and cultural divide that has long held our community back by forcing us to think along boundaries rather that thinking of whole of the community.

This is a lifelong learning process, one that once begun will have no end, just a better foundation to build upon.


Red Springs ReadyReady to Learn, Ready to Lead, Ready for the FutureRed Springs Ready offers citizens of Red Springs the opportunity to acquire knowledge of the community and to develop leadership potential. It offers citizens an opportunity to become personally and professionally acquainted with town as well as county structure and life, which can benefit their present and future leadership.

Budget from STEP funds: $10,000

Honoraria for leaders, books supplied, copying costs, meeting room costs, if any, stipend for Red Springs Ready Facilitator, plaques for graduates, graduation dinner for class members and leadership team.

Additional in kind contributions:Each participant or employer of the participant pays $200 to increase buy-in and valueTown of Red Springs budget line itemRed Springs Chamber budget line itemDonations from community businesses and leaders

Project: Leadership


Physical Design


Physical DesignAn attractive and well maintained Red Springs will be more conducive to economic growth and new business development



An attractive and well maintained Red Springs will help to develop a sense of community pride




The community’s improved appearance will make it more desirable for people looking to move into the area





New people coming to town will add to community pride and will enhance our intrinsic community values and provide economic benefits



Certain projects such as landscaping, development of community parks, and an improved downtown appearance may be viewed as one time but much of this strategy will be ongoing and must have community buy in and involvement over time to be successful.






Certain projects such as landscaping, development of community parks, and an improved downtown appearance may be viewed as one time but much of this strategy will be ongoing and must have community buy in and involvement over time to be successful.




The town’s physical appearance is not just in the attractiveness of the buildings but also the pride and involvement of the residents.


Implement the “Master Land Use Plan” for improving streetscapes, parks, greenways, entrance signage, springs, etc. that is being developed by Coaly Design.

Budget from STEP funds: $20,000 Additional steps:

Continue to utilize the “Clean Teams” Develop public art in vacant store fronts and on visible sides of downtown buildings

Project: Physical Design


The STEP Leadership Committee has voted unanimously to fund these Four Projects supported through our

Four Strategies to enable Red Springs to begin to hold traction against economic erosion.



Leadership

Physical Design

65,000

5,000

10,500

20,000

$100,000Total for projectsSunday, December 11, 2011

Red Springs is our town and it is our responsibility to redevelop and maintain her beauty and community pride.


We will continueour efforts to communicate

and grow in new ways and makeRed Springs an energetic, warm, robust,

family oriented community, embracing the diversity of its citizens; seeking economic opportunities as

we work in unity for continued progress and prosperity.

Our doors are “OPEN” on Facebook and on the Blog!


The STEP Team asks the Town Commissioners to

adopt these recommendations and asks it to appoint a

long term steering committee consisting of three key

members of the citizen STEP Team, plus two council

members and the Town Manager to guide the

progress of STEP in Red Springs and

continue the development of the program.


Thank you! Questions?


Red Springs

Business

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