Synthesis with NC A&T moves horse park forward
County Manager Tom Robinson says building regional support for the Rockingham County equestrian center is what made the difference in receiving money this year from the General Assembly.
That and a sharp eye from state Rep. Nelson Cole.
The legislature approved $2.4 million to be spent on the Horse Park of the South, the name for a long sought equestrian center slated to be built near the intersection of U.S. 29 and Barnes Street in Reidsville.
Cole succesfully moved more than $2 million from a barn project in Raleigh to be put to good use in Rockingham County. The legislator said that the entire Triad delegation to the state house supported the budget ammendment.
Robinson said that working with folks in Guilford, Alamance and Caswell counties,as well as in Virginia created a wider view of the project.
But the biggest step came when proponents of the park realized that they had a partner in waiting just a few miles down U.S. 29.
According to Robinson, administrators at NC A&T State University had been working on ways to build an equine program into their department of agriculture. When county leaders and university officials began working together, the synthesis paid immediate dividends.
Officials from NCSU's veterinary program have also expressed interest in future collaboration if the local project takes off.
The county now has $5.9 million in commitments for project construction. Robinson said that money in hand should strengthen future fundraising efforts.
It may take a month for local officials to receive a clear idea on how the new state money can be spent. Robinson said he hopes to begin site preparation, such as grading and an initial road, soon after that.
Robinson said interim Provost Alton Thompson of NCA&T had been working closely with local officials. The possibility of providing new students an opportunity to work in the equine field, and related businesses, clearly adds to the projects importance.
With increased state funding and a common sense partnership with a major state university, prospects for the Horse Park of the South are much improved.
Robinson said that working with folks in Guilford, Alamance and Caswell counties,as well as in Virginia created a wider view of the project.
But the biggest step came when proponents of the park realized that they had a partner in waiting just a few miles down U.S. 29.
According to Robinson, administrators at NC A&T State University had been working on ways to build an equine program into their department of agriculture. When county leaders and university officials began working together, the synthesis paid immediate dividends.
Officials from NCSU's veterinary program have also expressed interest in future collaboration if the local project takes off.
The county now has $5.9 million in commitments for project construction. Robinson said that money in hand should strengthen future fundraising efforts.
It may take a month for local officials to receive a clear idea on how the new state money can be spent. Robinson said he hopes to begin site preparation, such as grading and an initial road, soon after that.
Robinson said interim Provost Alton Thompson of NCA&T had been working closely with local officials. The possibility of providing new students an opportunity to work in the equine field, and related businesses, clearly adds to the projects importance.
With increased state funding and a common sense partnership with a major state university, prospects for the Horse Park of the South are much improved.
Robinson said that the county is pursuing several grant and funding paths at various levels.
With eight to $10 million in hand, Robinson believes the project will become a reality.
"If we can get to that level (of funding) I feel very confident this will happen," he said.