The staff and department heads of the Town of Elkin are in preparation stage of developing the 2010-2011 budget.

At 6 p.m. on April 26, department heads will meet with the town board to discuss the request for funding in each department and any special requests for projects the town board would like to include.

The meeting will be the first of three, held at 6 p.m. at the Elkin town hall and is open to the public.

Rumor of new business bringing jobs to Elkin

Lloyd Payne, Elkin's town manager, spoke of having no knowledge on a report that included a statement by Paul Johnson, Surry County Commissioner, that the county board of commissioners would be voting on Monday night concerning an incentive package to a company bringing in excess of 350 jobs to Elkin.

"We speak to companies almost weekly, but many are only in the information gathering process," Payne said. "I'm not aware of a particular company with the promise of coming to Elkin at this time. The Surry County Economic Development Partnership is working hard to bring business to the area and may have a particular company they're working with, but we have no knowledge of it at this time."

Tennis courts

As residents ask about the prospect of the new tennis courts at the Elkin Municipal Park, Payne spoke of the progress of the project.

"After a commitment from the town board to help fund the new tennis courts, Adam McComb, Elkin's Recreation and Parks director and I contacted the private sector regarding funding for the project," Payne said. "We've also taken our request for funding to the Elkin City School system. We have not heard back from the school board, nor do we know what, if any, amounts from the private sector might be at this time.

"We will be making a presentation to the Surry County Commissioners on April 19 to request funding for the tennis court project. We're also seeking funding from the USTA (United Sates Tennis Association)."

Banners on C. C. Camp Road

Welcome to Elkin and Visit downtown Elkin banners were placed along C. C. Camp Road off exit 85 to draw tourist into downtown Elkin last week.

"The banners are specific for exit 85," Payne said. "The traffic coming off the bypass will now see the banners as they travel along C. C. Camp. and hopefully travel to downtown. The banners will allow visitors to see that there are additional shopping areas other than what is located on the bypass."