For more information
contact
Dr. Jim Owen,President
Piedmont Community College
Roxboro, NC
336-599-1181
st
21
RCCI and the
Century
Communities Grants: Two
Projects – Same Goals
RCCA
October 2004
Dr. Susan Scaggs
Some Background
Piedmont Community College
North Central Piedmont of North Carolina
Two County Service Area (District)
Caswell County
Person County
“Big Tobacco Country”
RCCI
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PCC got on board in 2003
Some Early Decisions
Because our Service Area is Diverse
A Caswell Project and a Person Project
With a unified Steering Committee
Targeting – Economic Development, Access
to Education, and Civic Engagement
Caswell County and RCCI
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County steering committee formed
Steering committee education process
Look at Columbus County, NC
Identification of need for Strategic Plan
21ST Century Communities
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Caswell involvement began in Fall ‘03
NC Department of Commerce
Community-based readiness program
Year long strategic planning process
Caswell’s 21st Century
• First step was a Situational Analysis
• Conducted in November 2003
• Interviews were conducted with 30
community members
• Strengths and Weaknesses were outlined
Situational Analysis
Results Highlights
Strengths
People of the County
Land/Natural Resources
Good Location
PCC
Rich History
Quality of Life
Weaknesses
No Countywide Vision
Workforce (education)
Low Tax Base
Limited Opportunity
No Zoning ordinance
Lack of Infrastructure
The College as Leader
PCC was identified as a Strength
We are able to position to help
address weaknesses
And to directly impact economic
development
Synergy
RCCI
21st Century
Economic Development
Access to Education
Civic Engagement
Economic Development
Strategic Planning
Community Panning
Leadership Development
Infrastructure Improvement
Work Force Development
Intergovernmental
Collaboration
A Marriage
RCCI/21st Century
New joint Steering Committee
Monthly Meetings
PROGRESS and SUCCESS
Give and Take
Benefits
$$$$$
Challenges
“Getting’ Political”
Where are we now?
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Some projects in process
Tourism and Farmers’ Market
High Speed Internet Access
Ag-Expo
Our greatest successes are
not structured or formalized…
Trust
Education
Collaboration
Understanding
Communication
Real potential for CHANGE
Where are your local
opportunities for partnership?