N.C. STEP demonstration sites
The Rural Center has selected 20 sites representing 33 communities across the state to take part in the three-year N.C. STEP demonstration program. The sites were announced March 1, 2006.
Individual demonstration sites
Fifteen towns are participating as 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 CountyCluster demonstration sites
Five clusters of three or more towns each also were selected as demonstration sites. Towns in each are participating as a single site under the direction of a lead organization, county or town.
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.
