NEW CASE STUDY UPDATES LIVE ON HOMEGROWN TOOLS

Homegrown Tools tells the story of communities that have successfully stimulated private investment and job creation. The tool connects public officials, practitioners, and researchers to successful economic development strategies and inspires communities to leverage their unique assets. Homegrown Tools is managed by NCGrowth, an EDA University Center at UNC Chapel Hill, in partnership with the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond, the UNC School of Government, the NC Rural Center, and the UNC Department of City and Regional Planning

https://homegrowntools.unc.edu/


Pembroke rings in new while celebrating its past

An update from Pembroke, a 2016 CPNI town workshop.

Title: Pembroke rings in new while celebrating its past
Article Published: 3/6/2020
Publication: Robesonian

Click here to read the article.


That’s a Wrap for Badin, NC

CPNI just wrapped up the Badin workshop and could not be more pleased with our experience. Such a welcoming and friendly town and the citizens made us feel right at home. Rachel, our NCGrowth Analyst is working on the final report now. After the report is finalized, select CPNI workshop leaders will present the findings and recommendations to Badin. 

Click here to read a letter to CPNI from the Mayor and Town Manager of Badin, NC.


Banner Elk Offering Enrichment Classes

Beginning in Spring 2019, the Mayland Enterprise Corporation will be offering enrichment classes in the Mayland classrooms at the Historic Banner Elk School in downtown Banner Elk. Click the link below for a list of upcoming classes. For additional information about each class, including cost and description, please click on the title of the class. The link will take you to EventBrite, an online platform to browse or register for the class.

https://www.mayland.edu/be

CPNI visited Banner Elk to asses the school in December 2015.


An Eye on the Future

Check out the article written by Holly Taylor in the Roanoke-Chowan News Harold on the CPNI & NCGrowth return visit to Murfreesboro. A recommendation trip to present the workshop report was made on February 13, 2019 by workshop team members.

https://m.roanoke-chowannewsherald.com/2019/02/27/an-eye-on-the-future/

 


Erwin Officials Hear Findings Of Growth Study

As printed in The Daily Record, Dunn. April 11, 2018

Erwin Officials Hear Findings Of Growth Study

By LAURA PATTERSON
Of The Record Staff

Members of the Erwin Board of Commissioners were given a presentation last week at the regular monthly meeting regarding the NCGrowth and CPNI study.

Back in November 2017, the Town of Erwin hosted a two-day workshop with NCGrowth and CPNI (Construction Professionals Network Institute Inc.) which was attended by various town representatives, business owners and members of the community.

During the workshop, participants discussed the revitalization of town assets as well as promoting economic growth and development.

On Thursday night, Jim Schenck an attorney in Raleigh and representative with CPNI, along with NCGrowth representatives, Carolyn Fryberger, economic development manager, and Martine Aurelien, an analyst, gave a report of their findings.

Mr. Schenck explained that CPNI is a statewide group of construction industry professionals, including city planners, architects, engineers, contractors, lawyers, insurance agents and some lenders.

“Several years ago our group began offering free workshops to small towns in the state just as a public service,” Mr. Schenck said. “We gather six or seven volunteers to make a diverse group.”

CPNI, with the assistance of representatives from NCGrowth, present these workshops and compile a report with their recommendations.

“We visit the town for a couple of days, discuss the town’s strategies primarily for the use and reuse of underutilized or abandoned buildings and other built assets in the town,” Mr. Schenck said. “Almost every town in the state has some buildings or factory, something, that the they would like to put to better use.

“We recognize that and we come to towns to kind of provide a sounding board as to how they can use these buildings,” he said.

During their study they focused on the historic Erwin Mill; the historic mill housing stock; education, school infrastructure and the future of Erwin Elementary School; the old Good Hope Hospital; recreational assets; marketing and branding for the Town of Erwin; and the U.S. 421 transportation corridor.

“We zoomed in pretty quickly on the old mill,” Mr. Schenck said.

The mill property sits on 52 acres of land and is comprised of 13 buildings that sum to just under 1 million square feet. Currently, approximately 90 percent of the buildings are being used for storage. It is currently on the watch list for historical preservation.

In a submitted study report, possible uses for the mill was to be utilized as a mixed-use property where education, housing and innovation can thrive and help revitalize Erwin through such outlets as: student housing for students at Campbell University; health care including senior living or an urgent care; education opportunities, such as collaborating with local higher education institutions such as Campbell and vocational departments; a maker’s space such as incubator spaces for growing industries and businesses; commercial use, such as a brewery or movie theater; and rezoning so that the property can be used for mixed use.

Ms. Aurelien discussed marketing and branding for the town, saying Erwin could increase opportunities for economic growth and development by capitalizing on its character, charm and heritage. She said this could be done by using its history as the “Denim Capital of the World.” It was recommended that events, marketing and branding should be driven toward Denim Days.

The report of the study included the following recommendations: Create a Comprehensive Master Plan that includes a historical designation for the original mill and mill village, or a designation of the entire mill property as an overlay district for mixed use; engage in a publicprivate partnership with Campbell University and Central Carolina Community College; leverage the local nonprofit Harnett community group; and conduct analyses of and site visits to the former mills and facilities.

The study group said next steps for the town would be to create a task force; focus on projects that are manageable; continue a partnership with CPNI in association with NCGrowth to provide support where needed; and lobby and advocate for a new school building.

“Can you give us ideas on how to attract families?” Commissioner Billy Turnage asked.

Mr. Schenck talked about assets in the town like the mill, which was such a dominant part of the strageic plan and how it could grow the town and keep the town vital. He also suggested to keep the schools nearby, keep medical services nearby and to have employers come here.

Commissioner Randy Baker asked for some key points that would help the town to move toward the comprehensive plan that were used by other towns involved in the study.

Ms. Aurelien said that most of the other towns had some sort of institutional partnership, such as when Duke partnered with Durham during its revitalization.

Erwin Background

The Town of Erwin was known as Duke, named after the Duke family members who were prominent stakeholders in the newly-constructed Erwin Cotton Mill completed in 1904. In 1926, when Trinity College in Durham became Duke University, the town’s name was changed from Duke to Erwin.

Erwin has a population of 4,931; medium age is 42.8; poverty rate is 22.2 percent; median household income is $35,170; number of employees are 1,763; and median property value is $89,000.

The report listed Erwin’s amenities and attractions to include: access to the Cape Fear River, the Dunn-Erwin Rail Trail runs downtown, home to the historic Erwin Denim Mill and downtown structures are limited to two stores.

About NCGrowth/CPNI

NCGrowth works with local governments, businesses and community organizations to tackle outcome- based economic development and entrepreneurship projects. Its mission is to help businesses create good jobs and to help communities create sustainable and equitable opportunities for their people.

CPNI is a nonprofit initiative focusing on the construction industry and community service throughout the State of North Carolina. CPNI volunteers its members’ design and construction expertise as a catalyst to empower communities across North Carolina to improve their physical and economic environment.


CPNI 2018 Promo Video

See what we’re about!
CPNI has accomplished so much since it was founded by CPN of NC in 2010. We’re still changing and adapting to each new project/town we take on. We’ve done work in over 14 rural towns throughout NC and are proud to showcase some of the projects we’ve done, people we’ve met, and volunteers who have given their time to help with the initiative. 

Check out our video to find out more about us, our partners, and our accomplishments.


NCGrowth Conducts Workshop in Roseboro with the Construction Professionals Network Institute 5/2017

NCGrowth partnered with the Construction Professionals Network Institute (CPNI) to conduct a two-day economic development workshop in Roseboro, NC, on April 6th and 7th. CPNI is a statewide membership organization of business and professional leaders in the design and construction industry. The organization holds workshops to help communities improve their physical and economic environment, providing recommendations on how the built environment can be leveraged to improve a town’s economy. For the last two years NCGrowth has partnered with CPNI to provide research and logistical support for these workshops.

During the Roseboro workshop, NCGrowth and the CPNI met with Roseboro town leadership and key community stakeholders to assess the economic conditions of the town. The group toured structures of interest in the downtown core and looked at possible areas of redevelopment and room for growth potential. CPNI provided recommendations for the town to help meet their economic development goals.

Construction Professionals Network

NCGrowth is currently compiling a document composed of those recommendations that will be distributed to the Town for their use. In addition, there are key follow-up areas where CPNI and NCGrowth will be providing the town with access to contacts and resources for implementation. Click here to view article.

Ashley Tucker is an NCGrowth analyst and dual master’s candidate in UNC Chapel Hill’s Department of City and Regional Planning and School of Government.


Windsor Update

One of CPNI’s first completed projects was the Town of Windsor. CPNI was requested by the Town of Windsor, NC to compile a team of experts in development, design and construction to help them evaluate and develop a comprehensive strategy to better utilize existing buildings as part of the NCSTEP Program established by the NC Rural Economic Development Center is May of 2011.

On Saturday, April 18, 2015, Allen Castelloe, Windsor Town Administrator and Billy Smithwick, Marketing Tourism and Fire Chief, attended the CPN Annual Conference in Colonial Williamsburg to give an update on the Town of Windsor since CPNI’s original visit.

IMG_0638The town of Windsor is making positive strives using the river located in town as a center point. Tourism has picked up thanks to water activities like canoeing. New store fronts have opened up downtown such as a women’s clothing boutique that is selling clothes across the country, a thrift store, and future plans for a classic ice cream shop. The sign at the entrance of town has been redone and is more visually appealing. And the tv show tree house masters has future plans to film an episode in town.

The Town of Windsor has some exciting future plans in the making – we can’t wait for the next update!


CPN Gives Back 2014 Siler City

The 2014 CPN Gives Back project was the Siler City “Little Free Library” held on Friday, March 21, 2014. CPN provided “bird house” book boxes located around the city, setting up a network of books that will be freely exchanged among people in the area. CPN members had the opportunity to enjoy art, music, and food at the Siler City Ark Walk, and socialized with other members and new people. Thank you to everyone who sponsored a box!