THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, August 21, 1994 TAG: 9408230589
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
SOURCE: BY PERRY PARKS, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CAMDEN LENGTH: Medium: 100 lines
Camden County has received a blueprint for its future, but officials here say they still lack the building materials for construction.
A detailed 106-page report prepared by a team of national experts provides nearly 50 suggestions for growth in the tiny rural county, and community leaders are ready to hit the ground running in a couple of areas.
But despite recommendations in infrastructure, health, economic development, education and recreation, officials say little can be acted on without basics such as a water system in place.
``I think the committee overall was pleased with the report,'' said Winnie Wood, chairwoman of the county's Industrial Development Committee. Wood reported to county commissioners on the plan this week.
``We certainly weren't disappointed,'' Wood said. ``You always wish that things could be done without hard work. And I don't think that's the case now, and never is, I guess.''
The report - sometimes blunt, often vague and occasionally inaccurate - clearly notes Camden's basic development needs, such as a coordinated water system and strong tax base.
Loaded with statistics, background materials and reference lists, the action plan often cuts through local politics to lay possibilities on the line. It even recommends that Camden look at tapping into a Lake Gaston pipeline if one is ever built.
But officials said some economic development suggestions, which include forming business incubators and industrial parks, are unrealistic for the county's resources.
``I don't think it gave us much direction on how to develop industry unless you have a lot of money,'' said County Manager John T. Smith, who also commended parts of the report. ``Some areas I would have liked to have a little more detail, but some areas are really good.''
The county, now working on a water system and two government buildings, plans to begin with the report by tackling issues of health care and recreation. Wood asked the commissioners to appoint task forces on those issues next month.
``We felt there was something in both those areas that was do-able,'' Wood said. ``I think it's important to have some successes.''
Organizers of the 12-member ``resource team'' that visited Camden for three days in May have said all along that no part of the plan will succeed without cooperation among county residents.
Nearly every recommendation includes the appointment of a task force to carry out plans. Wood and others said that galvanizing the community may be among the report's strongest potential benefits.
``The most important thing you need is people working together,'' said Commissioner Sumner K. Midgett. ``If you don't work together and look to the future, it's tough to move along.''
Midgett noted that Camden has a historically strong volunteer base, a point that was also made in the report.
Another major issue that the county will look at soon, with help from a resource team member from the Tennessee Valley Authority, will be solid waste removal.
Reducing the flow of waste and increasing recycling to meet new state requirements have burdened many communities this year, and Camden officials think it will get worse before it gets better.
``We see that as so important,'' Wood said. ``A small county doesn't have but very few options when it comes to reducing its cost.
``I believe that it's going to be a tremendous problem for us to meet the restrictions. That is going to take a lot of education and a lot of information.''
Overall, Wood and the commissioners said they appreciate the efforts of the experts who wrote the report and will work hard to use its best ideas.
``I think that this report can be used by this group to accomplish some things,'' Wood said. ``We've certainly covered the fact that we have some limitations. We have to figure out where we can make progress.''
Camden ``is going to have to kind of invent its own economic development,'' Wood said. ``We have assets. People are choosing to live here. Many people find that it provides a very, very nice quality of life.'' ILLUSTRATION: Graphic
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CAMDEN COUNTY
A team of national experts visited Camden County in May and
recently issued a 106-page report of recommendations in areas of
infrastructure, health care, economic development, education and
recreation.
Each recommendation included ideas for implementation and a list
of resources and helpful agencies.
Among the recommendations:
Improve quality and quantity of drinking water
Upgrade solid-waste collection services
Improve health care access
Develop a comprehensive ecnomic development plan
Develop industrial parks and/or sites
Develop a small-business development plan
Develop an infrastructure plan
Develop a strategic tourism plan
Expand recreation programs for Camden residents
Develop a marketing plan for county resources
by CNB