Apriori Concepts

According to GNR's insightful Raleigh reporter, Mark Binker, the budget deal reached this week includes $2.4 million in borrowing to get Rockingham County's equestrian center moving forward again.

According to the county's business plan for the center, $3.25 million is in hand for construction costs. This new money will put the county about half-way to the $10 million estimated cost of building the center.

The business plan looks very solid and anticipates a net surplus of revenue generated by the center after three years.

County Manager Tom Robinson has listed this project as one of three critical to the local economy. Robinson has told me that if local leaders could get the horse park and the NC 68 connector projects completed, he believed the county could "stand on its own" in terms of other economic development projects.

I personally believe the equestrian center is a vital point in amplifying the culture of creativity many small business owners have kick started in Eden, Reidsville and the county.

Pursuing the NC 68 connector could kick start a large trend in heavy industrial development in the western half of the county, to provide needed political balance in securing local unanimity on the equestrian center.

This looks like good news.