NC STEP Participating Towns

2006-2009

Twenty sites representing 33 communities were selected to take part in the initial, three-year demonstration (phase 1). The sites were announced March 1, 2006.

Individual demonstration sites

Candor, Montgomery County

Columbia, Tyrrell County

Grifton, Pitt and Lenoir counties

Marion, McDowell County

Marshall, Madison County

Maxton, Robeson County

Mount Gilead, Montgomery County

Pinetops, Edgecombe County

Plymouth, Washington County

Robbins, Moore County

Scotland Neck, Halifax County

Sparta, Alleghany County

Swan Quarter, Hyde County

Valdese, Burke County

Yanceyville, Caswell County

Cluster demonstration sites

High Country Small Towns Cluster – Bakersville, Mitchell County; Crossnore, Avery County; West Jefferson and Todd, Ashe County. Lead: Handmade in America.

Western Small Towns Cluster – Bryson City, Swain County; Chimney Rock, Rutherford County; Hayesville, Clay County; Mars Hill, Madison County. Lead: Handmade in America.

Surry County Cluster – Elkin, Dobson and Pilot Mountain in Surry County. Lead: Surry County Economic Development Partnership.

Bladen County Cluster – Bladenboro, Clarkton, Elizabethtown and White Lake in Bladen County. Lead: Bladen’s Bloomin’ Inc.

East Columbus County Cluster – Bolton, Columbus County; East Arcadia, Bladen County; Sandyfield, Columbus County. Lead: Town of Bolton.

2008-2010

Twelve more towns joined the program on June 24, 2008. These phase 2 towns are participating in a two-year demonstration.

Andrews, Cherokee County (joining the Western Small Towns Cluster)

Bayboro, Pamlico County

Boonville, Yadkin County

Erwin, Harnett County

Forest City, Rutherford County

Franklin, Macon County

Lansing, Ashe County

Old Fort, McDowell County (joining the High Country Small Towns Cluster)

Rowland, Robeson County

Tabor City, Columbus County

Weldon, Halifax County

Whitakers, Edgecombe and Nash counties

2010-2012

Eleven towns joined NC STEP on June 8, 2010. The program has now been honed into a two-year process.

Burnsville, Yancey County

Canton, Haywood County

Hertford, Perquimans County

Maysville, Jones County

Ramseur, Randolph County

Red Springs, Robeson County

Robbinsville, Graham County

Siler City, Chatham County

Star, Montgomery County

Warsaw, Duplin County

Windsor, Bertie County