Town of Scotland Neck
Economic need
In Scotland Neck, the past five years have only worsened 20 years of economic decline. Located in tier 1 Halifax County, the town (population 2,300) has a poverty rate of 32 percent, more than twice the state rate. The manufacturing base and agriculture have been eroding, and much of the workforce must commute to Tarboro or Roanoke Rapids. The population has been declining, and those remaining are disproportionate older and poorer. The county's unemployment level is 7.6 percent and more jobs are disappearing with 673 lost in the past three years.
History
Settled in the 18th century by Scots in the "neck" of the Roanoke River, Scotland Neck is working to turn its fortunes around in the 21st century. Townspeople recognized the vulnerability of relying exclusively on manufacturing recruitment as an economic development hook and four years ago launched the Developing Our Own Resources (DOOR) initiative. It seeks to encourage sustainable development, through a balance of ecotourism, small business and industry.
As part of DOOR, the town partnered with N.C. Wildlife Resources to improve the boat ramp on the Roanoke River, a major attraction for anglers. It encourages hunting on nearby gamelands and hosts a Hunters Appreciation Dinner and Banquet every January. Cycling is being promoted on rural roads. Birding also has potential to be big business. The Roanoke basin supports one of the most profilic breeding populations of songbirds on the East Coast, with more than 200 species, and significant rookeries of waterfowl. Another birding attraction will be the Sylvan Heights Waterfowl Center. The North Carolina Zoo has been cooperating to turn the center, a world-renowned facility for breeding and studying rare and endangered waterfowl, into an attraction that could draw 80,000 visitors annually. On the other side of the equation, a small manufacturing cluster—lured in part by local incentives—has brought 92 jobs and $13.5 million in private investment.
Vision/Goals/Expectations
Despite its successes, the town acknowledges that its economic development efforts have operated on a trial-and-error basis. Through STEP, it seeks to develop a more disciplined approach that will continue to encourage economic diversification. One key will be to encourage workforce training and entrepreneurial development through partnerships with a local youth career center and Halifax Community College. The town also seeks to broaden community involvement and cooperation in these efforts.
Contact
Nancy Jackson, Town Administrator
P.O. Box 537
Scotland Neck, NC 27874-0537
Phone: 252-826-3152
Fax: 252-826-2107
E-mail: scotneck@earthlink.net
