Tourism in NC Breaks Records

Governor Pat McCrory announced Monday that North Carolina tourism generated record visitor spending in 2015 with a total of $21.9 billion, a 2.7 percent increase over 2014 which outpaced the national average for growth last year of only 2.1 percent. Additionally, tourism industry-supported employment topped 211,000 jobs to set another record for the state.  Governor McCrory, who proclaimed May 1-7, 2016, as Tourism Week in North Carolina, applauded the growth in direct tourism employment, which was up 3.2 percent over 2014. Payroll income grew even more, increasing 6.5 percent to top $5 billion for the first time.  The figures are from research conducted by the U.S. Travel Association.  Tourism Week in North Carolina is part of National Travel & Tourism Week, which also runs May 1-7. The state’s nine Welcome Centers will host activities throughout the week. 

Proposed County Budget Presented at Commissioners' Meeting

The Wilkes County Commissioners met yesterday morning for their first regular meeting of the month.  As the new fiscal year begins July 1, the 2016-2017 Proposed Budget for Wilkes was on the agenda. County Manager John Yates delivered the recommendations for the new budget.  The budget was submitted with a proposed tax rate of 69 cents per $100 of assessed valuation.  Appropriations for the Wilkes County School System is $14.8 million including $11.7 million for current expense/operations and $650,000 for capital outlay and improvements.  This school system appropriation reflects a 3 percent increase in operational funding and an 8 percent increase in capital funding.  The proposed budget for the schools also includes a one-time $500,000 to help with the roof replacement at Mulberry & Wilkesboro Elementary Schools.  As for Wilkes Community College, the budget recommendation is $3.8 million which is a 3 percent increase from the current $3.3 million.  As County Manager Yates explained, a 2 percent salary increase has been recommended for all full-time employees which equates to an increase of $375,000 including benefits.  The DSS appropriation increases $221,000 to $6.5 million.  The county pays nearly 36 percent of the DSS 15.8 million dollar budget.  The Sales Tax Revenue is budgeted at $14.3 which reflects a 6.8 percent increase over last year's projected collections.  The increase is projected due to new sales tax laws and a small amount of projected growth.  The Airport budget is recommended at $3.6 million, the Landfill at $2.6 million, Sheriff's Dept at just over $5 million with the Jail at $3.2, and EMS at $4.3 million.  Two fire districts requested an increase.  Austin requested 5 cents increase for equipment and facilities and Champion requested a 3 cents increase to build a fire station.  County Commissioners will hold a budget work session next week and a Public Hearing on the 2016-2017 Proposed Budget for the County has been set for May 17th at 6:30 in which the public can respond.

SAFE Kids: Bike Rodeo is Saturday

The 14th annual Seth Teague Memorial Bike Rodeo and Safety Day kicks off Saturday morning at West Park in North Wilkesboro.  The free event is 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and is hosted by Safe Kids Wilkes. Children are encouraged to bring a bike and helmet. Bicycle helmets will be given away to children who are accompanied by parents and family members.  Children are invited to ride their bicycles and learn safety tips. There will also be safety displays, free hot dogs and drinks, plus fire trucks and other emergency vehicles on display. Minor bike adjustments and repairs will be available. The event is named in honor of young Seth Teague, who lost his life in a June 2003 bicycle accident at a bridge on Colvard Road in the Wilbar community. From its inception, Wilbar Fire Department has been one of the main sponsors of the event along with SAFE Kids of Wilkes County and other community partners.  For more information on the Seth Teague Memorial Bike Rodeo this Saturday, call Kevin Bounds with SAFE Kids of Wilkes at 336-921-7534.

Dailey & Vincent at Walker Center

The Walker Center, on the campus of Wilkes Community College, will present Dailey & Vincent with Jimmy Fortune on Saturday, May 14, at 8 p.m. This performance is sponsored by Hampton Inn of Wilkesboro, Holiday Inn Express of Wilkesboro andvisitwilkesboronc.com.  Award-winning Dailey & Vincent and legendary 21-year Statler Brothers member Jimmy Fortune join forces to provide audiences with a unique and spectacular show. Collectively, this collaboration has accumulated multiple Grammy nominations, Dove Awards, and 3 Number 1 Songs. A limited number of tickets are available for this performance. For more information, or to purchase tickets, contact the Walker Center Box Office at 336-838-6260 orwalker.boxoffice@wilkescc.edu. 

NC Ranks 1st in Nation

Governor Pat McCrory announced this week that for the second year in a row, North Carolina ranks first in the nation on a closely watched measurement of state business competitiveness. Site Selection magazine’s 2015 ‘Prosperity Cup’ is awarded based on ten factors of economic performance, including the total number of new and expanded facilities in the state, capital investment and total number of new jobs created. “This ranking confirms once again that North Carolina is an outstanding place to do business,” said Governor McCrory. In the rankings, North Carolina was tied with Texas and followed by Tennessee, Kentucky and Georgia. Also, in recently released data from the U.S. Department of Commerce Bureau of Economic Analysis, North Carolina’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) posted a 13.4 percent increase since 2013, the fastest in the United States.

F-35's Built in NC

Governor Pat McCrory joined aerospace, defense and government leaders recently at Carolinas Aviation Museum for a firsthand demonstration of the Lockhead Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighter that will be built, maintained and based in North Carolina. “The F-35 project builds on North Carolina’s lasting legacy as a leader in aerospace innovation,” said Governor McCrory. “We are proud to be on the forefront of protecting our country, while creating jobs and economic opportunity across our state and beyond.” North Carolina has 12 first tier aerospace suppliers in the F-35 program supporting more than 1,220 high-paying jobs and generating over $103 million in economic impact.  Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point in North Carolina is expected to receive 94 F-35 Lightning II aircraft, more than any other single Marine Corps air station in the country. 

More Fake 20's in Wilkesboro

It's another case of funny money here in Wilkes, Police are once again investigating the passing of fake 20-dollar bills.  Wilkesboro Police were contacted by Yadkin Valley Bank concerning a counterfeit bill found in the night drop of the Habitat for Humanity Restore.  Police went the Restore to interview the staff there.  There is no information or suspects at this time about when or who used the fake cash at the store.  A couple weeks ago, Wilkesboro Police were call to the Chic Fil A.  Restaurant management had video surveillance of the 3 white males that arrived in a brown Jeep Grand Cherokee.  Each of the three purchased some food and paid for the purchase with a fake 20-dollar-bill.  The investigations of the counterfeit 20's passed at stores in Wilkesboro is continuing.

Thousands Attend Merlefest

In sunshine and rain, thousands attended Merlefest over the weekend.  MerleFest, considered one of the premier music festivals in the country, is an annual homecoming of musicians and music fans held on the campus of Wilkes Community College in Wilkesboro.  Early estimates show that from its start on Thursday, April 28, to its close on Sunday, May 1, aggregate participation over the festival’s four days was approximately 74,500 participants.  Over 100 incredible performers contributed to the success of MerleFest 2016. The festival was founded in 1988 in memory of the son of the late American music legend Doc Watson, renowned guitarist Eddy Merle Watson. The musical event is a celebration of "traditional plus" music, a unique mix of music based on the traditional, roots-oriented sounds of the Appalachian region. The festival hosts a diverse mix of artists on its 13 stages during the course of the four-day event. The annual event has become the primary fundraiser for the WCC Endowment Corporation, funding scholarships, capital projects and other educational needs. MerleFest 2017 will be held at Wilkes Community College on April 27-30.

Farm News: Loans for Portable Storage

Attention Wilkes County Farmers:  The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will provide a new financing option to help farmers purchase portable storage and handling equipment. Farm Service Agency (FSA) Administrator Val Dolcini announced changes to the Farm Storage Facility Loan (FSFL) program last week. “As more communities reconnect with agriculture, consumer demand is increasing for food produced locally or regionally,” said Dolcini. “Portable handling and storage equipment is vital to helping farmers get their products to market more quickly and better maintain product quality, bringing them greater returns...." The microloan option is expected to be of particular benefit to smaller farms and ranches, and specialty crop producers who may not have access to commercial storage or on-farm storage after harvest. To learn more about Farm Storage Facility Loans, visit www.fsa.usda.gov/pricesupport or vist the Wilkes FSA county office.

Get Your Absentee Ballots Now for June 7th Primary

The Wilkes Board of Elections reminds everyone that we have yet another primary in June here in Wilkes and all of NC.  Absentee voting began last month in 16 congressional primaries across the state after a federal court in February ordered legislators to redraw district lines.  Election day is June 7 and will include a statewide primary for N.C. Supreme Court. The State Board of Elections is encouraging voters to consider participating by mail in what is expected to be a low-turnout election.  The state’s stand-alone congressional primary in 1998 drew only 4% of registered voters. Citing the unexpected nature of the June Primary, members of the State Board ordered counties to carry-forward absentee ballot requests from the March Statewide Primary. County officials are now mailing more than 55,000 ballots, with more requests expected before the civilian deadline on May 31.  For more information, call the Wilkes County Board of Elections at 336-651-7339.