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Katy Nicholson, Herald Staff Writer
ROANOKE RAPIDS - The community celebrated small local
businesses Wednesday at a luncheon in their honor.
Richard Fuqua, senior director of business development for
the North Carolina Rural Economic Development Center, spoke to
the audience about the center and its resources for local
businesses.
“When you have an economic upswing, a lot of times it takes a
long time for rural communities to really reap the benefits, but
on the other hand, when you have an economic downturn, a lot of
times it's those rural communities that are hit the hardest,”
Fuqua said.
Because of this, it is important to have incentives for
business owners to open up shop in rural areas. The center has
established such programs as the N.C. Microenterprise Loan
Program, which provides loans for the start-up or expansion of
small businesses by people with sound business ideas who do not
qualify for bank loans, and the Rural Venture Fund, which meets
the capital needs of growing entrepreneurial businesses located
in severely-distressed rural counties.
Fuqua outlined the four most important factors of economic
development: A ready and able work force, business development,
civic and social infrastructure, and physical infrastructure.
Many rural communities in the state still do not even have water
and sewer, he noted.
“We still have areas in North Carolina where, if a business
were to come in, they'd say, ‘Well, I like the community, but I
can't create my business here.'”
It's the start-up companies and small businesses that are
integral to the growth of a community, he said, so The Rural
Center is there to help them find the partners and resources
they need to thrive and create new jobs for local people.
The luncheon, attended by state and local elected officials
including state Rep. Angela Bryant, state Rep. Lucy Allen, state
Sen. Ed Jones and state Rep. Michael Wray, was sponsored by
Rainbow Realty.
Winners of the Roanoke Valley Chamber of Commerce's Small
Business Awards were also announced at the luncheon. Recipients
were nominated by their peers and chosen by a group of volunteer
business leaders.
Patsy Ray, winner of the Woman in Business Award, owns The
Cuckoo's Nest, which features handmade cypress birdhouses and
feeders. Ray, who had never worked in retail, opened her
business in a building that had been vacant for 10 years. She is
a 20-year member of the Humane Society who enjoys educating the
public on birds and their habitats, and is active with the Women
in Action group at Calvary Baptist Church.
Tamarra B. Wright, winner of the Minority in Business Award,
owns Wright Home Health Care Agency. The agency offers various
services to the aging population, including a mentoring program.
Wright enjoys helping people, and has served as a Chamber
Ambassador and youth volunteer and is president of the Usher's
Board.
Michael Lynch, winner of the New Business of the Year Award,
owns Buffalo Wings and Rings. At age 25, Lynch, with the help of
friends and family, received a small business loan and opened
the restaurant, which combines his love of sports and good food.
The restaurant has already held several fundraisers for the Boys
and Girls Club.
Phil Hux of First Carolina Agency received the Small Business
of the Year Award. Hux built his insurance agency from the
ground up. He has served as chair of the Halifax Economic
Development Commission, Halifax Horizons Board of Directors,
Caswell Development Center, Angel's Closet and N.C. Care. He has
recently been appointed to North Carolina's Northeast Commission
and The Roanoke Rapids Theatre Advisory Committee.
Some recipients were caught off guard by the awards.
“This is truly a surprise,” Wright said. “I think my mom knew
about this, but I didn't.”
Lynch also said the award was unexpected.
“I thought I was coming to support my dad today in an award
he was getting,” he said.
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