Robeson County leads North Carolina in solar farms. How many are too many?

By Ben Rappaport benrappaport@borderbelt.org  A shallow thrum can be heard along U.S. 74 in western Robeson County near a 40-acre solar farm that generates enough electricity to power more than 1,000 homes each year. It’s a familiar sound in Robeson, which has 41 solar farms, more than any other North Carolina county. With mild winters, consistent sunshine and relatively cheap land, the southeastern corner of …Read more Continue reading Robeson County leads North Carolina in solar farms. How many are too many?

NC’s Border Belt sees increase in homelessness

By Ben Rappaport benrappaport@borderbelt.org  Ninety-five people in Bladen, Columbus, Robeson and Scotland counties were identified as homeless in 2024, a 90% increase from the prior year.  The local numbers, released by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, reflect a rise in homelessness across North Carolina and the country. The number of unhoused people in the state increased 19% last year compared to 2023, …Read more Continue reading NC’s Border Belt sees increase in homelessness

Divided visions stall progress at Elizabethtown Industrial Park

By Ben Rappaport benrappaport@borderbelt.org  Bladen County wants its money back.  The county gave Elizabethtown $100,000 in April 2023 to create a master plan for a mixed-use project at the town’s industrial park. Elizabethtown then opted to veer from the shared vision of the park and abandon its longstanding relationship with Bladen County’s Economic Development Commission to work instead with a newly formed nonprofit.   The Border …Read more Continue reading Divided visions stall progress at Elizabethtown Industrial Park

‘Worst’ year ever for farms in North Carolina

By Jane Winik Sartwell Carolina Public Press Tropical Storm Helene terrorized Western North Carolina’s farms in late September. Recovering is no easy task. And Helene was the not the first calamity that farmers across the state faced in 2024. Observations about what’s happened are bringing out strong words from the state’s farming experts. “The land is just physically not there anymore,” said Luke Owen, a Buncombe County extension …Read more Continue reading ‘Worst’ year ever for farms in North Carolina

Bladen County spat could hinder progress at thriving industrial park

By Ben Rappaport benrappaport@borderbelt.org  Bladen County and Elizabethtown have worked together for years to spur economic development with help from a local nonprofit aimed at bringing jobs and increasing the local tax base.   But new plans for a mixed-use development of homes and businesses have strained the three-way partnership, raising questions about the project and future collaborations at the Elizabethtown Industrial Park.   Bladen County gave …Read more Continue reading Bladen County spat could hinder progress at thriving industrial park

How young entrepreneurs and town leaders are revitalizing downtown Fairmont

By Ben Rappaport benrappaport@borderbelt.org  Hip-hop music blared from speakers on a humid August Saturday night. People were sweating from dancing, and the lights pulsed to the beat of the music. It’s been a long time since downtown Fairmont has seen this kind of energy. The Robeson County town, where more than half of the 2,500 residents are Black, has struggled since the loss of the …Read more Continue reading How young entrepreneurs and town leaders are revitalizing downtown Fairmont

Two flood-prone NC towns rebuilt downtown districts on higher ground. Did it work?

By Rachel Baldauf rachelbaldauf@borderbelt.org  After Hurricane Florence pummeled Bladen County in 2018, Amanda West had to start over.  West, the owner of Over Yonder Coffee, Teas, & Creamery in Bladenboro, said flood waters were 3 feet deep inside her store. The cooler and refrigerator were destroyed, along with 42 tubs of ice cream. “We lost everything,” she said. “So we just took everything out and …Read more Continue reading Two flood-prone NC towns rebuilt downtown districts on higher ground. Did it work?

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‘Red Whiteville and Blue’ film follows fight for income equality in Columbus County

By Rachel Baldauf rachelbaldauf@borderbelt.org  Patriotic Millionaires, a political advocacy group run by a group of wealthy Americans who want higher taxes for the rich, went to the N.C. Pecan Harvest Festival in Whiteville in November 2022 to ask fairgoers a question: What do you think about the economy? The group was in the midst of launching a pilot program aimed at engaging local voters in …Read more Continue reading ‘Red Whiteville and Blue’ film follows fight for income equality in Columbus County

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Here are some economic development projects to watch for in NC’s Border Belt

By Ben Rappaport benrappaport@borderbelt.org  From a glass company to an IT service firm, the past two years have brought several major economic development announcements in rural southeastern North Carolina. There’s more on the way, local officials say. The Border Belt region — Bladen, Columbus, Robeson and Scotland counties — has announced more than $255 million in economic investment totaling 1,115 jobs since 2022, according to …Read more Continue reading Here are some economic development projects to watch for in NC’s Border Belt

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Jobs are scarce – but hope isn’t – in this Robeson County town

By Ben Rappaport benrappaport@borderbelt.org  Calling Aiesha Wilkinson’s move to Robeson County a struggle would be an understatement. She’s lived in the county for just five months, and she’s already gone through three jobs. Wilkinson said she was recently fired from her job at a manufacturing facility because she couldn’t reliably get to work on time due to transportation issues. She doesn’t own a car, and …Read more Continue reading Jobs are scarce – but hope isn’t – in this Robeson County town