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NC S.T.E.P. Grant Information

NC STEP grant NC Rural Center

Click here to visite the NC Rural Center site for even more info on the STEP Grant

 

Our Vision of Lansing in 2020

 

At the January 23, 2009 meeting, the Lansing Tomorrow Commission (LTC) discussed their 10-year vision for the community. The following description of Lansing in 2020 is a summary of the group’s vision.

The current population of Lansing is approximately 150 people. The LTC anticipates modest growth in the town population to approximately 200 in the year 2020. However, the retiree and second home population in the surrounding area will grow substantially. The commercial/business district is envisioned as a small retail village that reflects a village atmosphere with sidewalks connecting the town to the current park and walking trail and leading into residential areas, benches along the sidewalks in downtown, and appropriately “quaint” solar-powered street lights consistent with the concept of Lansing as a green community. Parking will be available so that townspeople, area residents and visitors can park and walk within the town to obtain basic needs and services. The village theme will be European or Early American, and property owners will be encouraged to develop and maintain their downtown property consistent with the theme. The town will continue to have a low crime rate and will have a variety of interesting shops and restaurants, and will have no vacant downtown structures.

Lansing is envisioned as an interesting place for townspeople, area residents and tourists visiting the High Country to spend time and socialize with their neighbors and other visitors to the town. As outdoor recreation opportunities increase in northwestern Ashe County, Lansing can become the “gathering and kick-off” place for participants in those activities. Continuation of the Ola Belle Reed Festival and implementation of one or two similar events during other parts of the high season will enrich the town’s reputation as a fun place to be. The old football field and the park along Horse Creek can anchor festival activity on each side of town, which will encourage visitors to stroll through the downtown area. The LTC envisions the Rock School as an asset that will include some combination of residential and commercial activity.

The LTC vision of Lansing in 2020 includes a community center, in or near the downtown, with exercise/recreation facilities, a community meeting space and activities for area residents of all ages. The community center will not just be a “Lansing” facility, but will serve all of northwestern Ashe County. It will include sufficient parking to allow area residents and tourists to walk into the village.

Lansing is seeking prosperity and a comfortable life for area residents more than it is seeking growth. Prosperity in 2020 will be reflected by higher average incomes, a higher quality of life, and the opportunity for youth to find suitable employment in Ashe County and the surrounding region. Lansing will not be a major retail and service center for Ashe County, but slowing the rate of income leakage and capturing some of the growing tourist dollars in the region will support the small village envisioned by LTC.

To achieve this dream, LTC recognizes the need for knowledgeable active citizen participation in government and civic activities. In 2020, area residents will take great pride in their community and assume responsibility for its continuing success. Moving forward, the task for the LTC is to identify strategies and develop projects that will lead toward achieving the prosperous community reflected in this vision.

 

 

N.C. STEP

At the heart of the Small Towns Initiative, the North Carolina Small Towns Economic Prosperity (NC STEP) Demonstration Program is testing ways to encourage small town revitalization through services, educational opportunities and grants. It is made possible by $11.9 million in legislative appropriations.

A total of 45 communities are currently participating in the program. Twenty demonstration sites were selected in 2006 as part of the initial three-year demonstration (phase 1). The 20 sites represent 33 communities. Of these 33 communities, 15 are individual demonstration sites, and 18 are participating in one of five clusters of cooperating communities. In 2008, twelve more towns were selected for a two-year demonstration (phase 2). Two of those towns joined existing demonstration clusters. The others are operating as individual demonstration sites.

The program has three primary goals: 1) to support economic recovery and revitalization in small towns adversely affected by structural changes in the economy or recent natural disasters; 2) to test a comprehensive model of technical assistance and grantmaking to aid in revitalization efforts; and 3) to provide information vital to the development of public policies that support long-term investment in the economic vitality of North Carolina’s small towns. It is made possible by $11.9 million in legislative appropriations.

Each N.C. STEP site is eligible for:

  • Training scholarships. Demonstration sites receive scholarships that allow representatives to attend the Rural Economic Development Institute, a leadership development program of the Rural Center. Phase 1 sites also received up to three scholarships for small town leaders to attend a one-day economic development leadership-training program conducted by the Institute of Government on March 10, 2006.
  • Coaching assistance. Demonstration sites are paired with community development “coaches” who work with leadership teams within the communities to identify critical needs and community assets, develop potential economic development initiatives, prioritize projects and seek out financial resources.
  • Planning grants. Each site received a planning grant to use in the development phase of the demonstration. The grants could be used for assessments, feasibility studies, coordination and other activities. Planning grant were $20,000 in phase 1 and $30,000 in phase 2.
  • Project implementation grants. Sites are eligible to receive additional grants to implement priority projects developed through this demonstration. Implementation grants could total up to $200,000 for phase 1 communities and $100,000 for phase 2. Each quarter sites also receive a funding newsletter outlining other financial resources available for economic development initiatives.
  • Priority consideration in other Rural Center grants programs. If competitive, demonstration sites receive priority consideration for grants programs within the Rural Center during the demonstration period.
  • Participation in a global rural network initiative. Sites will be able to connect through an Internet-based program to other small towns and rural communities across the nation and throughout the world that are addressing economic transition and revitalization.
  • Opportunities for further training and shared learning. Site leadership team members attend regularly scheduled workshops to share project progress and receive additional information on strategies and tools. Training workshops include restoration strategies, futures planning, tools for measuring progress and sustainability strategies. Information workshops include “how to” sessions on specific issues facing small town demonstration sites, such as brownfield and grayfield redevelopment, historic preservation, building reuse, physical infrastructure issues, financing mechanisms, funding strategies and grant resources. Sites are linked through a list serve or weblog.

 

Lansing's town profile from NC Rural Center (.pdf)

 

 

Lansing Tomorrow Commission (LTC) Strategies

Target Audiences

•       Traditional local area residents

•       Current and future 2nd home and retiree populations

•       High Country visitors (tourists)—especially those interested in outdoor recreation and eco-tourism

•       Regional markets for wine and craft manufactures

 

Strategies

•       Capture more local spending

•       Capture more tourist spending

•       Grow the area retiree and 2nd home populations

•       Support and encourage business development

 

Next steps

•       Community meeting

•       Divide into strategy subcommittees

•       Subcommittees develop project proposals for presentation to LTC

•       LTC prioritizes projects

•       Implementation plan

•       Formal presentation to Town Board

Submit plan to NCSTEP

 

 

 

 

 

Contact site designerEnvelope Symbol &nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp Special thanks to Mauvine Shephard and all of the town members that helped with the information.

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