For more information contact Dr. Jim Owen,President Piedmont Community College Roxboro, NC

RCCI and the 21 st Century Communities Grants: Two Projects – Same Goals RCCA October 2004 Dr. Susan Scaggs

Some Background Piedmont Community College North Central Piedmont of North Carolina Two County Service Area (District) Caswell County Person County “Big Tobacco Country”

RCCI PCC got on board in 2003 Some Early Decisions Because our Service Area is Diverse A Caswell Project and a Person Project With a unified Steering Committee Targeting – Economic Development, Access to Education, and Civic Engagement

Caswell County and RCCI County steering committee formed Steering committee education process Look at Columbus County, NC Identification of need for Strategic Plan

21 ST Century Communities Caswell involvement began in Fall ‘03 NC Department of Commerce Community-based readiness program Year long strategic planning process

Caswell’s 21 st Century First step was a Situational Analysis Conducted in November 2003 Interviews were conducted with 30 community members Strengths and Weaknesses were outlined

Situational Analysis Results Highlights Strengths People of the County Land/Natural Resources Good Location PCC Rich History Quality of Life Weaknesses No Countywide Vision Workforce (education) Low Tax Base Limited Opportunity No Zoning ordinance Lack of Infrastructure

The College as Leader PCC was identified as a Strength We are able to position to help address weaknesses And to directly impact economic development

Synergy RCCI Economic Development Access to Education Civic Engagement 21 st Century Economic Development Strategic Planning Community Panning Leadership Development Infrastructure Improvement Work Force Development Intergovernmental Collaboration

A Marriage RCCI/21 st Century New joint Steering Committee Monthly Meetings PROGRESS and SUCCESS

Give and Take Benefits $$$$$ Challenges “Getting’ Political”

Where are we now? Some projects in process Tourism and Farmers’ Market High Speed Internet Access Ag-Expo Our greatest successes are not structured or formalized…

Trust Education Collaboration Understanding Communication Real potential for CHANGE

Where are your local opportunities for partnership?