2001 Annual Report Executive Summary
Hertford-Bertford Champion Community
2001 has been a positive year for the region. Forging new alliances and strengthening existing partnerships has offered the opportunity to expand economic development efforts. The Partners of the Hertford-Bertie Champion Community region, officially known as The Roanoke Chowan Partners for Progress (RCPP) founded by Roanoke Electric Cooperative in 1998, met 2001 aggressively with the development of a new vision and a new strategic plan. Building on the foundation of coordinating economic development efforts of non profits, local governments, nonprofits and community-based organizations; county lines continue to be erased and we are embracing our new millennium. Community residents, businesses, nonprofits, CDC¡¦s and local governments are collaborating. There is a new strategic plan as the result of countless volunteer hours assessing needs, goals, objectives and above all; agreeing to disagree with positive outcomes. A first-ever for the region celebration recognizing area businesses, local governments, individuals and grassroots organizations hosts an awards Gala for best practices in economic development. More than 300 attend what will become an annual black tie affair to honor communities by communities. Hertford-Bertie Champion Communities along with Gates and Northampton Counties are recognized with the prestigious National Association of Development Organizations (NADO) 2001 Annual award for Innovation for collaboration efforts to prepare a USDA Round III Empowerment Zone application. There is new hope among the helpless, vision of change; now welcome. Our communities recognized strengths and weaknesses and are willing to meet the challenge necessary to achieve prosperity in the Tier 1 communities.