Published in the Courier-Tribune on April 26, 2011
by Hugh Martin
STAR — Star STEP committee co-chair Marilyn Phillips is excited about the future of her community.
“I am encouraged with the interest and participation we have had at the STEP meetings,” Phillips said. “It is becoming clear that the little town of Star can be a center of innovation and creativity while continuing to offer a unique small town quality of life.”
Star is the third town in Montgomery County to be accepted into the Small Towns Economic Prosperity Program, which is administered through the N.C. Rural Center. The towns of Candor and Mt. Gilead are also in the planning processes.
Phillips and co-chair Donna Strong have been working with other town citizens to plan for the next phase.
“We are now a little more than halfway through the STEP planning process. The planning stage takes a year,” Phillips said.
Accomplishments that the committee has completed include:
• Defined Star STEP leadership and its mission.
• Involved the public through a kick-off event.
• Developed a PowerPoint community profile.
• Discussed the economy and demographics of the town and county.
• Identified community assets and limiting factors for economic development.
• Developed a vision of Star 10-20 years in the future.
• Identified strategies for economic development.
The Star team is coached by the N.C. Rural Center’s Art Jackson, who has led the group through the process of developing their mission, which is “to preserve the heritage of our town as well as encourage, support and provide revitalization opportunities to new and existing businesses so the community will prosper.”
Phillips said that the ultimate goal of STEP is to support the town of Star in economic recovery and revitalization. The next two months will be vital for the planners.
In this time they hope to:
• Respond to strategies and propose projects.
• Review proposed projects and prioritize a list for implementation.
• Develop the implementation plan.
• Present a proposed economic development plan to the town board.
• Submit a plan to NCSTEP management at The Rural Center
If the team’s plan is accepted by the Rural Center, the town will receive a grant of $10,000 to implement the plan.
The grant would support the goals of the team, which are to:
• Support and assist existing local commercial businesses, agriculture, industries and new businesses.
• Market and develop Star as an innovation hub and entrepreneurial community.
• Develop quality of life facilities and amenities that will attract regional workers and retirees to Star.
• Strengthen tourism.
• Develop a coordinated branding, promotion, and communications program.
“In preparing our vision statement for the year 2020, I couldn’t help but think that with each successive meeting our vision has become more 20/20,” Phillips said. “As projects are selected, it is vital that all business owners make an effort to attend.”
Star Mayor Susan Eggleston has encouraged the town’s Board of Commissioners to be involved with the STEP process.
STEP meetings are held the third Monday of each month from 6-8 p.m. at the Star Municipal Building, 222 S. Main St. All citizens of Star are encouraged to attend.
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