Star STEP Program Town of Star PO Box 97 Star, NC 27356

November 1, 2011 July 31, 2013

Marilyn H. Phillips 910-428-4723 mphillips88@embarqmail.com

Program Summary

The Star STEP Program was established on July 8, 2010, and a steering committee was appointed. Thus began the year-long planning process for Small Town Economic Prosperity (STEP) which included forming a community leadership team that encompassed different ethnicities, ages, socioeconomic groups, etc. Under the direction of Art Jackson and the North Carolina Rural Center, this team would spend months taking a hard look at their town through visioning, profiling, assessing, strategizing, and dreaming. After reviewing previous planning efforts and studies, accessing current economic data, and identifying economic opportunities and hindrances, the STEP leadership team developed its plan and focused on four broad strategies: 1. Support and assist existing local commercial businesses, agriculture, industry, and new endeavors. 2. Develop quality of life facilities and amenities that will attract regional workers and retirees. 3. Strengthen tourism, and market Star as an entrepreneurial community and innovation hub. 4. Develop a coordinated branding, promotion, and communications program. The plans goals were to create conditions and activities that would ultimately result in jobs and wealth creation, improve standards of living for all residents, and encourage additional public and private investment. The planning process took approximately sixteen months. On October 10, 2011, the Star Town Board approved the following projects: 1. 2. 3. 4. Park Update National Historic District Designation Retail Renovation/Faade Grants The Pink House/Agri-business

The projects were implemented in a timely manner through the hard work of sub-committees as they sought to leverage the STEP grant with other grants and gifts in-kind that included materials and countless hours of volunteer labor. To date, all projects are complete with only one three-month extension granted for retail renovation in the amount of $10,000.

Star STEP Program Final Report

The North Carolina Small Towns Economic Prosperity (NC STEP) Program was designed to support economic recovery and revitalization in small towns adversely affected by structural changes in the economy or recent natural disasters. Star was chosen to participate in this program not only because it was economically distressed due to the loss of several textile mills; but, because the community showed an understanding and a degree of readiness to transition into something new. The STEP process allowed the community to tap its full leadership potential and enhance the skills of its residents and business owners while seeking new opportunities for economic growth. Early on, the need for marketing and branding was recognized. The first project, which was completed during the planning phase, was to market the Town of Star through website development, and quarterly newsletters. This proved to be the foundation for keeping all citizens and interested persons informed. The Star STEP facebook page was created for the same reason; and, a company that provides free automated phone notifications was used to remind the leadership team about meetings. Local newspapers were eager to report positive news about the program. Good communication was key to the success of project completion and positive community involvement. Many of these marketing tools will continue to be utilized in the future. Leadership team members attended training and education events held throughout the state that allowed them to not only gain knowledge but network with other community leaders. Included in these events was NC STEP Orientation, Rural Partners Forums, REDI, Regional Peer Learning Meetings, Small Towns Creating Opportunities Workshop, Small Business Forum, Historic Preservation Workshop, EDC Site Visits, Center for Documentary Studies, Old Buildings/New Uses Workshop, Energizing Entrepreneurship Workshop, Public Service Internship Program Orientation, HandMade in America Gathering, Economic Leakage Workshop, NC League of Municipalities Conference, and STEP mayors meetings. The only formal study funded by this grant was done by Heather Wagner, historic preservation consultant. Wagner provided an inventory list, map, and nomination for a portion of Star to be included on the National Register of Historic Places. If included, this designation will offer commercial and residential tax credits, loans, and consultation for those wanting to take advantage. To date, the Star Historic District has been recommended for nomination by the State Historic Preservation Office. Final action will come from the National Park Service. Partnerships and collaborative efforts with other organizations and individuals were ongoing throughout the STEP process. Through the donation of materials and other goods, partners were formed with the following companies: AC&W Railway, Uwharrie Lumber Company, APAC Inc., DR Reynolds Co., and Kellam Mfg. Co. Several organizations also had a hand in the planning/implementation process including Montgomery Co. Economic Development

Corporation, FirstHealth, Montgomery Co. Council on Aging, Busy Bees 4-H Club, Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts, Star Heritage Committee, State Historic Preservation Office, Montgomery Co. Agriculture Extension Department, NC Food and Drug Administration, Montgomery Co. Farmers Market Association, Star Elementary School, Center for Documentary Studies at Duke University, NC Cooperative Extension, and Ameri-Corps VISTA. Countless other individual partners were formed as they donated time and supplies necessary for project completion. Additional funding sources were obtained and used as matches or additions to the STEP grant. A Parks and Recreation Trust Fund (PARTF) grant was used as a matching grant for the park. The Town of Star received an AmeriCorps grant which was used to hire a director for the Pink House. Rural Advancement Foundation International USA (RAFI) provided funds to do the initial work on The Pink House. On two occasions, Star Elementary School donated funds from the Twinkle Toes 5K Run to be used for the park. A local Main Street business held a car wash with proceeds going to the park project. Montgomery Co. Council on Aging received a grant from the Golden Leaf Foundation which allowed them to proceed with plans for a commercial community kitchen. Individual project outcomes are summarized below: 1. Park Update In addition to general cleaning, the town park gained a tot lot with a beautiful piece of new play equipment, accessible parking, disc golf course, cornhole games, volleyball court, refurbished old equipment, sand box, rearranged fencing, new gate, picnic tables, horseshoe pits, handicap signage, refurbished putt putt course, and flower beds. Work on a fitness/walking trail is ongoing. The goal of this project was to enhance the quality of life for all people of Star and the surrounding community. It has done just that. This sub-committee plans to continue with regular meetings and make updates to the park as funds become available. 2. National Historic District Designation - By having Star listed on the National Historic Register, generous tax credits, loans, and consultation services would be available for the approximate sixty owners who choose to comply. It would also boost tourism and encourage preservation as period homes and buildings from 1896-1963 are featured. To date, the Star Historic District has been recommended for nomination by the State Historic Preservation Office. A final decision will be made by the National Park Service. If chosen, funds are being retained to purchase signs that will mark the district. NCDOT will also be contacted for signage that will direct travelers to the area. 3. Retail Renovation/Faade Grants The retail renovation grants were designed for new retail. The faade and sign grants were to encourage existing businesses to improve the appearance of their property and therefore the overall appearance of the town. The goal was to create three or more new downtown retail businesses and to improve facades on three or more businesses. Three matching retail renovation grants were awarded. The new Council on Aging commercial kitchen and event center created five new jobs. Approximately 300 to 400 meals are served weekly on site. In addition, 500 meals on wheels and an additional 1200 contract meals are prepared at the facility and delivered

throughout the county. The center helps to support three local food pantries as well as being available for emergency food assistance. The community room is open for events, and the Montgomery County Cooperative Extension office is working with farmers and others to rent the commercial kitchen to those wanting to produce local food products. The meal sites are currently being expanded with hopes to add five to ten new sites by the end of the year. The second retail renovation grant was awarded to two young entrepreneurs who plan to open a new wood-fired pizza restaurant that has a promise to add three to four new jobs. Work has been completed on a new roof with the grant money awarded. An architect is in the process of drawing plans for this innovative restaurant/showroom that will be located in one of the historic buildings on Main Street. The third retail renovation grant was awarded to STARworks Center for Creative Enterprise to be used for retail space located in their historic building, circa 1800, which once housed a school and later a textile mill. This grant will create a minimum of two new jobs and offer the public an opportunity to purchase art created at STARworks. Unfortunately, there have been some roadblocks with the architect, zoning, code regulations, etc. STARworks respectfully asked for a three-month grant extension. The new deadline for completion is October 29, 2013. The committee awarded six matching faade grants, all located on Main Street. They are all complete with positive results. A detailed grant chart is attached to this report. The NC STEP investment of $44,781 resulted in $295,960 new economic investment for the town of Star. In order to sustain the efforts of the Star Design Committee, the members will be encouraged to join an independent group, Star Central, organized several years ago with similar goals and activities. The future of this committee remains bright with an already created rainbow list of possible future projects. 4. The Pink House/Agri-business The goal of this project was to rebuild an historic farm structure into a marketplace where local farmers could sell their produce and local crafters could sell their crafts. There was to be a meeting room and a teaching/certified kitchen. The business plan called for it to become self-sustaining. The construction portion of the project was completed in a timely manner using STEP funds and volunteer labor; however, there were challenges that ultimately proved impossible to overcome. The director resigned to further her education. The AmeriCorps VISTA grant that supplemented the directors salary ended with her resignation. One of the initial investors, the Montgomery Co. Farmers Market Association, decided to take their market elsewhere. Meeting the licensing requirements for a certified kitchen was determined to be too expensive. Public apathy and the lack of desire to shop local proved to be a huge pitfall. We now have, sitting on town property and adjacent to the town hall, a quaint historic structure fondly known as the pink house. It has two meeting/sales rooms, kitchen,

accessible bathroom, and office. It is wired for internet. Adjacent, is an old chicken house that has been converted into a rustic open-air performance hall that includes a stage and a serving area. The grounds have been recently landscaped. With several ideas for future use, it is now in the hands of the town commissioners to decide what to do with this interesting piece of history located in the center of Star. The mission of the Star STEP Program was to preserve the heritage of our town and encourage revitalization projects with new and existing business so the community will prosper. Stars heritage has been preserved with the restoration of the pink house, faade upgrades to historic buildings, and the strong potential for being included on the National Register of Historic Places. Revitalization projects have made a visible aesthetic difference in town with the public park upgrade, three retail renovations, and six faade improvements. During the grant period, the community saw the addition of four strong and viable businesses that created nineteen new jobs. Under the remaining two revitalization grant contracts, five more jobs are promised. Only one established business closed during the period losing only one job. An additional business employing ten people relocated to another town. Three other small businesses were short-lived, opening and closing within months. It is with mixed feelings that this grant period draws to a close. It has been hard work that has paid off in so many ways: new friends, new partners, new businesses, heightened community spirit, a beautiful park, preserved heritage, a community kitchen, Main Street facelift, the strong possibility of being listed on the National Register of Historic Places; and, of course, economic recovery and prosperity that has begun in the town of Star with one step and one job at a time. Thanks to the state of North Carolina and the North Carolina Rural Economic Development Center, the town of Star is embracing change and taking charge.