I By
I GENE WARREN
I Director of
Public Information
PROPOSAL FOR COUNTY WIDE STRATEGIC
PLANNING FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
OUTLINED
Sixteen representatives of chambers of commerce or
interested citizens from Lumberton, Pembroke and
Rowland met for a dinner meeting Monday night at PSU
where a proposal was presented for Robeson County
wide strategic planning for economic development
Ibis information will be shared with chambers from
Furmont, Red Springs and St Pauls, which were also
invited to send representatives.
Dr. Bruce Mattox, director of economic development at
PSU, outlined the proposal which he described as "a
fabulous opportunity for this county."
Don Metzger of Lumberton, president of the Robeson
County Committee of 100 who presided at the meeting,
praised the proposals as "something really exciting."
Mattox's definitive outline included such topics as (1)
purpose, (2) resources, (3) process, (4) responsibilities,
(5) proposed roles for chambers of commerce, and (6) a
target schedule.
One of the greatest strengths of the proposal is that the
Fayette ville Regional Office of the Division of Community
Assistance, which is under the N.C. Department of
Economic and Community Development, is willing to
provide free overall coordination of the plan. That office
will also provide staff for two task forces to assist in the
project
"Hie Division of Community Assistance was looking
for a project, and the time is right, according to them, to
help us," said Mattox. "All they will need from us will
be a minimal amount of financial support for travel back
and forth to our county."
Nancy Roy, community development specialist from the
Division of Community Assistance, was present at the
meeting and was enthusiastic about the proposal.
Other organizations providing free assistance to the
project would include the Lumber River Council of
Governments, based in Lumbeiton, and the PSU Office of
Economic Development, directed by Mattox. Each would
provide staff for two task forces. Robeson County officials
would also help, including Hunter Poole's Economic
Development Office.
Aside from travel expenses, only other financial
assistance needed would be primarily for printing, said
Mattox. No money will be needed for salaries, he stated.
Purpose of this strategic planning, pointed out Mattox,
would be "to spur economic development by (1)
understanding current reality and trends, 12) creating a
common vision, (3) producing specific goals and
objectives, (4) improving cooperation and organization,
and (5) refining attitudes and skills."
Mattox enthused: "We have the resources to do the
work. All we need is the commitment of the people in the
chambers to get the job done."
The propoeed roles for the Robeson County chamber of
commerce would include helping to form a stewing
committee for the endeavor and "soliciting the
endorsement and financial support of the Robeson County
Board of Commissioners."
The group meeting Monday unanimously adopted this
proposal for strategic planning with Ronald Tbompeon,
chairman of the Economic Development Committee far
the Lumberton Chamber of Commerce, making the
motion, and Mayor Mitchell Walker of Rowland making
the second. The group plans to have its representatives
meet August 4 with the County Commissioners for their
endorsement Next organizational meeting of the graf
is at 7 p.m. August 18 at the office of the Lumber River
Council of Governments in Lumberton.
Steps will be taken to contact the chambers without
representation Monday. The importance of having the
entire county involved was emphasized.
"We are not just talking any more," said Matioz, who
noted he has been at PSU for two yean. "We now have
specific goals and objectives to get this done. W^-ars
willing to commit to this. Jim Martin (the county
manager) is on board, having expressed his strong
support"
Metzger said, "If we don't take advantage of this
opportunity, we are pasting up something very rare?like
foiling out of the sky. All it takes is commitment from the
various chambers throughout the county."
One of the first actions of this group will be to
appoint a chairperson of the steering committee. "This is
critical," said Mattox. "This person should be dedicated,
have the time, and get people behind the project for a
relatively long period of time. It is important to constantly
keep this on the front burner publicity-wise."
The time table proposed for this process is as follows:
AUGUST Chamber of commerce prepare list of steering
committee nominees; Division of Community Assistance
begins environmental scan; SEPTEMBER-Chambers of
commerce select steering committee members and
chairperson; PSU public forum; OCTOBER-- Steering
committee selects strategic issues; NOVEMBER
Strategk issues announced tc public; nominees sought for
task forces; DBCEMBER-Task force members announc
ed; JANUARY- Task forces begin meeting; MID
APKlLr- Task force's final reports due for editing and
combination; MID-MAY--Final report.preaented to
steering committee.
Those attending Monday's meeting included:
PEMBROKE--Greg Cummings, LRDA; Lindsey Locklear
president of Pembroke Chamber of Commerce; Bruce
Mattox, PSU Office of Economic Development; Bob
Reiaing, Pembroke Chamber of Commerce; Gene
I Warren, PSU public information director, ROWLAND
Jerry Owen, Southern National Bank; Rob Price,
president of Rowland Chamber of Commerce; Mitchell
Walker, Mayor of Rowland; LUM BEKTON-Don Metzger
president of the Committee of llQ; John Nicholson,
president of Lumberton Chamber at Commerce; An
Perry, chief administrator for the Lumber River Council of
Governments; Hunter Poole/ Robeson County Economic
Development Office; Jane Smith, regional planner for
Lumber River Council of Governments; Ronald Thomp
son, chairman of the Economic Development Committee
of the Lumberton Chamber of Commerce; Betty West,
associate executive director of the Lumberton Chamber of
Commerce; FAYETTEVTLLE-- Nancy Roy, Division of
Community Assistance.
K1 WA MS
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Program chairman Dorsey Lowry
was the Tuesday night speaker at ?
the weeldy meeting held at the Town
and Country Restaurant His topic
was the trip he and Mrs. Lowry took
this summer to Juneau, Alaska. "It
was a trip to places they had never
seen bis Trans-Candian Railway and
by ferry ship to Juneau, The trip took
two months planning and 19 days to
complete. Am trek does not go into
Canada as we drove to Toronto to
eatch the Canadian Railway in
Toronto. They have no dollar bills in
Canada so they have a metal coin
equivalent to our dollar. We arrived
in Toronto on July 7, an amazing
place with its castle right in down
town. Also there is a large tower with
a restaurant at the top. There is a
high akywalk from the Union Station
to the Stadium. We got on the train
at 11:90 at night on July 7 and j
headed across Canada 700 miles at
pine, oak forest and white popular. I
like to talk with folks and they told>
me they had no running water or
electricity and had outside privies,
the train being there only transporta
tion. They had plenty of fish * game
and moose. Die moose could be seen
in the vmter and just their noses
showing for breathing. Die unde
veloped country produced train loads
of cedar wood. In the Winnepeg area
we saw many large farms of wheat,
corn and grains. We saw the
rodeo in Calgary, arrived in Jasper
with the snow capped mountains,
and finally we arrived in Prince
Rupert, 2960 miles from Toronto and
four days, and 4 nights. Boarded the
Cruise ship at Prince Rupert which is
just north of Vancover. We saw huge
Totem poles in Kitchener, bald
eagles and whales along the way. It
?TQ..S line t{fp of 8,060 miles, snitlfl
days. And I recommend the railway
and enisle ship vacation, ft was great
fun."
Clayton Maynor announced the
Rescue Squad is holding a fund
raising golf super ball tournament
September 1 at the N.C. Indian
Cultural Center. Eiitry fee is 120.
Ron Sutton announced that thia
Thursday night is Kiwanis night at
Strike at the Wind. All area clubs
have been invited and we hope we
get a good turn out Presiding- Ron
Sutton; Invocation- Garth Locldear,
Song Leader Ed Teeta; Reporter
Ken Johnaon.
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GNAA Plans 14th Annual
Pow- Wow September 21-22
The traditional sound of Native American music
welcomes you and your family 10 a festival of
celebration of our heritage. Guilford Native
American Association is holding their 14th annual
pow wow at the Guilford County Fairgrounds, off
Penny Road, in High Point. NC. September 21 and
si
Name Americans limn acioss lb- si.ue ami ii.i
lion Mill compete in dance competition loi more
than $4,QUO in pri^e money lor dancers and drums,
l hc Running Water Singers ol l ayetteville, NC will
be the host drum. Many tribal dancers Mill be pre
sent, including the Eastern Band of Cherokee,
I .urnbees, Haiiwa-Saponi, Wuccamaw-Sjouan,
Coharie, l uscarora, Cheyenne, Ei?n-Occaneeehi,
Sioux, Seminole, Western Bund ol the C herokee
and others. Dancer registration Mill be held l-riday,
September 21, between 5-7 p.m. and Saturday bct
weeti IU a.m. and noon. Opening ceremonies ami
uiund entries will be 7 p.m. I riday; I and 7 p.m.
Sal ui uay.
Gospel singing lor your enjoyment will be
featured Saturday from II a.m. until 12 noon. In
dian traders and craftspeople from all over the
rcgion will oiler their art for sale and Native cooks
will keep you filled with fry bread, Navajo taeos
and other delicious foods. Camping space lor tents
and tipis and plenty of parking is available. Admis
sion is S2 per person, SI for Senior Citizens and
children si\ and tiudci admitted tree. I he general
public is welcome.
Since sealing is limited, ilic public is advised 10
bring.blankets, lolding chaus, etc.
We respectfully request that no alcoholic
beverages or illegal drugs be brought to I lie festival
grounds, lor further information com act, Guilford
Native American Association, Inc. in Greensboro
at 9I9-27.VS686.
This pow wow was made possible with a grant
from the Greensboro Area Visitors and Convention
Bureau.
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