There are numerous challenges to successful economic development in rural northern Moore County. Robbins, and to a lesser degree Carthage, are geographically removed from the robust economic activity in southern Moore. Both towns lack substantial economic catalysts, and Robbins in particular sees very little direct benefit from the southern end’s prosperity.
Partners in Progress (PIP) is the nonprofit economic development organization serving all of Moore County. From our perspective, one challenge is how to recruit new industries to the northern half when the area lacks high-capacity water and sewer service and has no natural gas service. We know that many manufacturing industries require these utilities.
Northern Moore County has three major assets that could be tapped if investors were made aware of them: (1) the Deep River could be dammed, providing cheap hydroelectric power and another lake for recreation and for those who enjoy living on a lake; (2) underneath the region there are known reserves of natural gas and coal - fracking might make this economically viable to extract, creating many high-paying jobs and cheap natural gas for industry; (3) the area had many mines where millions worth in gold, silver, molybdenum and other valuable minerals have been extracted since the 1830s. Oceania’s Haile mine near Lancaster, part of the same formation, yielded a quarter billion in gold last year and has known reserves of many billions more.
Incubators are not a bad idea for startups, but if they are not self-sustaining they generally die when grants run out. Infrastructure is indeed important. Gas is a problem though also in southern Moore County, with the high capacity gas line ending in Aberdeen. I have had some business experience with the Lee County Commission and Central Carolina CC during the past decade. What is clear is that they have a strong focus on manufacturing. CCCC’s machining and welding programs are among the best in the state. Caterpillar, Magnetti Marelli and GKN benefit greatly from these. The County has done a good job of marketing its large airport as a Jetport amd it continues to grow. They added self-service fuel there years ago, something still missing at our airport, which ought to be renamed to Pinehurst Jetport or similar.
Somehow Lee County continues to attract new business and new jobs. Moore County allocates $105,000 in it's budget to promote economic development. Lee County allocates more than $400,000. Is there a cause and effect?
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(4) comments
Installing fiber optics would immediately bring in all kinds of internet-based businesses. I think the county should really push this for everyone.
Northern Moore County has three major assets that could be tapped if investors were made aware of them: (1) the Deep River could be dammed, providing cheap hydroelectric power and another lake for recreation and for those who enjoy living on a lake; (2) underneath the region there are known reserves of natural gas and coal - fracking might make this economically viable to extract, creating many high-paying jobs and cheap natural gas for industry; (3) the area had many mines where millions worth in gold, silver, molybdenum and other valuable minerals have been extracted since the 1830s. Oceania’s Haile mine near Lancaster, part of the same formation, yielded a quarter billion in gold last year and has known reserves of many billions more.
Incubators are not a bad idea for startups, but if they are not self-sustaining they generally die when grants run out. Infrastructure is indeed important. Gas is a problem though also in southern Moore County, with the high capacity gas line ending in Aberdeen. I have had some business experience with the Lee County Commission and Central Carolina CC during the past decade. What is clear is that they have a strong focus on manufacturing. CCCC’s machining and welding programs are among the best in the state. Caterpillar, Magnetti Marelli and GKN benefit greatly from these. The County has done a good job of marketing its large airport as a Jetport amd it continues to grow. They added self-service fuel there years ago, something still missing at our airport, which ought to be renamed to Pinehurst Jetport or similar.
Somehow Lee County continues to attract new business and new jobs. Moore County allocates $105,000 in it's budget to promote economic development. Lee County allocates more than $400,000. Is there a cause and effect?
John Misiaszek
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PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
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Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism that is degrading to another person.
Be Proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
Comments that violate any of the rules above are subject to removal by staff.