“This was a wonderful meeting of the minds where everybody reviewed the economic development plan that was implemented in 2008,” Elkin Mayor Lestine Hutchens said. “We were able to get information back from people who want to participate in Elkin’s future.
“We invited those residents who have shown an interest in contributing to the future of Elkin and invited the public to come hear the updates and give their input,” said Hutchens
Information was given about the joint efforts of the surrounding area tourism development authorities and visions for future joint efforts made.
Summaries of ideas for possible tourism attractions such as a wine visitor center, a more permanent farmers’ market area, as well as a possible textile museum were topics of discussion.
Local resident Tom Gwyn added the “I Do” industry to the mix.
“I believe that we should market ourselves as an ‘I Do’ destination,” Gwyn said.
Offering his ideas, Gwyn asked Elkin City Commissioner Joe Walker, owner of All-Star Rentals, if he thought there was a market for the area being a wedding destination based on his success with rentals of wedding paraphernalia. Walker shook his head in agreement.
Many couples come to the area to find and host their wedding at a location that places the mountains of the Blue Ridge as their backdrop, said Walker
Lucy Chatham, lifelong resident of the area spoke of the loss of income as well as tourist due to the regulations in the aviation industry regarding length of runways for private planes.
Chatham explained that it would be in the town’s best interest to expand the airport’s runways to accommodate the many CEOs and residents who now have to fly in at surrounding airports to meet the requirements of their insurance.
“This update was to allow us to let everyone know how Elkin has been implementing the plan that was formed in 2008,” Elkin’s Economic Director Leslie Schlender said. “It allowed us an opportunity to hear back from interested people, of their ideas for the future.
“Everybody needs to get involved to help push the process along,” Schlender said. “We want to communicate what our plans are and show the priorities. There are a lot of ideas that fit within the pillars of the plan.”
Area residents who attended seemed pleased to hear of the plans as well as being allowed to give their opinion and make suggestions.
“There were a lot of ideas shared as well as the meeting allowing residents to see what has been done with the plan so far, and have input as to where it going,” said Paulette McCauley, area resident who attended the meeting.
Mayor Hutchens reminded the attendees during the meeting that all board meetings held by the town, ie. commissioners, planning board, advisory boards and any others, are all open public meetings and anyone wishing to attend may do so.
She also told the attendees that when positions become available on one of the advisory boards, anyone interested in sitting on the board only needs to call the town offices for an application.
“We often have a difficult time trying to find someone to sit on the advisory boards,” Hutchens said.
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