By Jeff Aydelette

BAYBORO – The county’s nine towns and its unincorporated areas are likely to benefit from a state-sponsored economic development initiative, originally snared by the Town of Bayboro.
More than a year after Bayboro officials nailed down a $30,000 planning grant from the North Carolina Rural Economic Development Center, a coordinator for the Small Town Economic Prosperity (S.T.E.P.) program told a group of approximately 30 local citizens Wednesday night that Bayboro officials, particularly Mayor pro tem Joe Himbry Jr., should be commended for their foresight.
“Most towns want to focus only on themselves,” explained Chilton Rogers, “but from the start Bayboro has been unique in that they wanted to be all-inclusive. They believe that including everyone in a small county like Pamlico will be productive. We at the Rural Center think this is a model that can be expanded upon.”
Rogers described the first phase, soon to be concluded, as “strategic,” in which “a team of local leaders is empowered by the town and committed to a long-term economic development effort.”
She stressed that the effort is not a “top down” approach. Currently, 45 small towns across North Carolina are involved with similar programs.
By the end of March, four distinct groups of citizens, each working on separate entrepreneurial projects, are expected to receive seed funding, which could total as much as $100,000, intended to be “leveraged,” according to Rogers, during an “implementation phase.”
Although the projects are still evolving, earlier planning sessions have determined four broad outlines:
1) Identify three ‘core business’ capabilities, either existing or proposed, upon which to expand.
2) Attract more tourists.
3) Attract more retirees.
4) Attract “commuters,” defined as those who live in the county but who travel to their occupations in nearby areas.
“Most of my towns have two or three projects, but you guys have four,” joked Rogers. “Remember though. Projects are supposed to come and go, but the strategies remain. That is my mantra.”
Committees working on each of the four endeavors would welcome more volunteer participation. To enlist, e-mail Rogers at crogers@ncruralcenter.org, or call her at (919) 250-4314.