Club Business
President Dick O’Donnell convened our Zoom meeting. Ed Woodall offered a prayer and led us in the pledge of allegiance to the US flag.
Announcements
- Dick announced that our club meet live and in person next Tuesday at Noon at Burlington Beer Works. Brooke will lead the meeting. Our in person meetings will also have a Zoom component for those unable to attend in person. On alternate weeks we will be entirely in the Zoom format or as otherwise indicated.
- Dick announced recent and upcoming birthdays and anniversaries.
- He shared some historical trivia items of interest.
- District training is this Thursday. We can register at the district website.
- Rick Moore – Rotary Minute. Rick shared that a friend from Montana asked him to write an article about finding our club. Rotary unites the world.
Program: Peter Bishop – Burlington Economic Development Director
Peter has been with Burlington for two years. Before that he lived in Currituck on the Outer Banks for about ten years. He was a founding member of the Currituck Wild Goose Rotary Club. According to Mack Williams, who introduced him, Peter’s role is expanding with the city. Economic development is a big umbrella.
Peter opened by saying that soon Burlington is going to restart doing events and youth and adult sports. Park facilities will be available for rental by private parties within a couple of weeks. Currently fifty people can meet together outside, but most meetings are still being conducted via Zoom. We are seeing some recent increases in sales tax income, indicating that the economy is rebounding. Burlington was up 12% in September over August. This gives the city more room in the budget. The North Park pool project is nearly complete, which is a three million dollar project. The Arboretum is moving along nicely. The path and bridges are complete. The veterans’ memorial plaza is being done now. The Elon downtown bike path is bringing more students to downtown Burlington. On the negative side, the Maple Avenue Corridor Plan did not receive a federal grant as hoped, which unfortunately has delayed that project indefinitely. Maybe next year. The Chamber and local businesses have supported that initiative.
At tonight’s city council meeting there will be a presentation announcing ten new businesses coming to downtown. Most are restaurants and bars. A cultural culinary district is forming. Existing tenants have purchased buildings during the pandemic after having seen business increase during Covid-19.
Six new residences are being built above the businesses. People are snapping them up. There is a demand for downtown living arrangements and for local eating and entertainment venues. Several buildings recently have come available, which has provided space for incoming tenants. Moseley – Robinson has developed four buildings and remains bullish.
Six new businesses received Downtown grants. Annually the federal government sends Burlington a check to help with economic development. The city has created a micro-economic development program to make use of these funds.
The economic development department is launching a strategic plan for the city as well. A consultant will help with this project. Peter hopes for input from numerous business leaders in the area.
Publix is still waiting for their demolition permit. Then we will have a better idea of when their store will be ready. Publix’s presence will no doubt benefit the entire mall. Liedl will be built where the the bowling alley used to be. Pregos will also be torn down. Peter said he hopes the restaurant will move downtown.
Elon University has made a commitment to be more involved with the community in partnership with the city of Burlington, as are many universities in their localities. The Elon-Alamance Health Partnership has been a good one. ACC also has a significant downtown facility.
Susan Watson acknowledged Burlington’s help in working with women. She hopes to see a business incubator started. Peter says the local economy is doing well in general; although he acknowledged that some businesses have suffered during coronavirus restrictions.
Mack asked what infra-structure news there is. Peter indicated that DOT has delayed some things, such as the Hwy 62 widening, the South Church expansion to four lanes from St. Marks to University Dr., and the Chapel Hill Rd from Church St. to Harden widening. The city applied for funds to expand sewer lines and airport facilities.
Amazon built a fulfillment in Kernersville. They proposed another one in Whitsett. At this point there is no distribution center, but we do have a staging center.
Conclusion
Dick reminded us to invite new members and concluded by leading us in reciting the Four Way Test.