Business
Warren County Tops State in Visitor Spending Growth in 2020
For the second year in a row, the county’s growth rate was the highest in North Carolina compared to all other counties from the year 2019 to 2020. Domestic and international visitors to and within Warren County spent $49.6 million in 2020, an increase of 32% from 2019.
Of the $49.6 million related to visitor spending, $12 million came from lodging, $15.5 from food and beverage, $6.7 from recreation, $4.8 from retail, and $10.6 from transportation.
Warren County was the only county in its region to see growth; all other counties in the North Central region saw a decrease in visitor spending (including Chatham, Durham, Franklin, Granville, Harnett, Johnston, Lee, Orange, Person, Vance, and Wake counties).
The data comes from an annual study commissioned by Visit North Carolina, a unit of the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina.
“We are fortunate that Warren County’s travel and tourism industry has been able to demonstrate such resilience during a difficult year,” stated Charla Duncan, Director of Warren County Community & Economic Development. “Individually, many of our businesses have certainly experienced similar challenges as other small businesses across America during this pandemic. The strength in Warren County, particularly during 2020, is that our natural and cultural assets are a stable, safe, and desirable resource for visitors.”
“Warren County has opportunities for day-trippers, weekenders, and repeat visitors, and our local economy benefits from that,” continued Duncan.
“It is great to see this positive news, as we adjust to the long-term impact of the pandemic,” stated County Manager Vincent Jones. “We hope that this new energy we are seeing as people discover and rediscover the charm of Warren County is sustained going forward.”
According to Visit NC data, the Warren County travel and tourism industry directly employs 231 people; this is an increase in employment-related to visitor spending since 2019. The total payroll generated by the tourism industry in Warren County in 2020 was $10.1 million.
In 2020, state tax revenue generated in Warren County totaled $1.6 million through state sales and excise taxes, and taxes on personal and corporate income. Approximately $3.4 million in local taxes were generated from sales and property tax revenue from travel-generated and travel-supported businesses.
These statistics come from the “Economic Impact of Travel on North Carolina Counties 2020,” which can be accessed at partners.visitnc.com/economic-impact-studies. The study was prepared for Visit North Carolina by Tourism Economics in collaboration with the U.S. Travel Association.
“We are extremely gratified that tourism thrived in 20 counties in the face of pandemic shutdowns and other impediments to travel,” said Visit NC Director Wit Tuttell. “And despite the bad news for North Carolina as a whole, our ranking at No. 5 among states for visitation is a position of strength for rebuilding our tourism economy. Given the state’s resilience and vast appeal of its natural beauty, our creative cities and our authentic experiences at every turn, we’re confident that we’ll regain what has been lost and exceed the spending records of the recent past.”
Warren County has seen an increase in visitor spending every year since 2016.
Statewide highlights include:
- Domestic and international travelers spent $19.96 billion in North Carolina in 2020. The spending marks a 32 percent decrease from the $29.22 billion spent in 2019.
- Fourteen of the state’s 100 counties saw gains in visitor spending: Warren, Greene, Yancey, Clay, Stokes, Polk, Northampton, Pender, Ashe, Alleghany, Rutherford, Jones, Currituck and Tyrrell.
- Visitors to North Carolina generated nearly $3.0 billion in federal, state, and local taxes in 2020. The total represents a 26.6 percent decrease from 2019.
- Twenty counties had increases in employment-related to visitor spending in 2020: Warren, Greene, Clay, Stokes, Ashe, Yancey, Alleghany, Pender, Macon, Northampton, Jones, Polk, Rutherford, Montgomery, Tyrrell, Dare, Carteret, Madison, Currituck, and Swain.
- Direct tourism payroll decreased 24.5 percent to $6.4 billion.
- Visitors spend more than $54 million per day in North Carolina. That spending adds $4.9 million per day to state and local tax revenues (about $2.4 million in state taxes and $2.5 million in local taxes).
- Each North Carolina resident saves on average $170 in state and local taxes as a direct result of visitor spending in the state.
- North Carolina hosted 37 million visitors in 2020.
Business
VIDEO: A Look at “Warren County, NC: From the Ground Up”
In partnership with Capitol Broadcasting Company, Inc., Warren County Community and Economic Development released a video today highlighting several businesses in the area.
In partnership with Capitol Broadcasting Company, Inc., Warren County Community and Economic Development released “Warren County, NC: From the Ground Up,” a video highlighting our diverse businesses and organizations in the area.
Warren County’s passion and commitment to building and thriving locally are the driving force behind our community’s success and culture. It’s that dedication and commitment to community that has been the backbone of our county for years. Hear from some of our small businesses about our community’s values that are the foundation for success.
Small businesses featured (in order of appearance):
AF Wake (https://afwake.com);
Working Landscapes and ByWay Foods (https://bywayfoods.com/);
Brown Family Farms (https://brownfamilyfarmscsa.com);
Kings Fitness (https://www.kingsfitnessnc.com/);
Lake Gaston Outfitters (https://www.lakegastonoutfitters.com/)
Rockin’ E Ranch (facebook.com/rockin.e.ranch)
Business
‘Biz Kidz’ Shine at Warren Farmers Market
The Warren Farmers Market was abuzz with youthful energy and entrepreneurial spirit as young business owners took center stage at the first “Biz Kidz” event.
This past weekend, the Warren Farmers Market was abuzz with youthful energy and entrepreneurial spirit as young business owners took center stage at the first “Biz Kidz” event. These aspiring entrepreneurs, many of whom were seasoned in the art of business, proudly displayed their products, impressing customers and vendors alike.
The following businesses were: Jaques, Jameya, Jaqeim, Jamaya, Jamara, and Jaquae Oliver of Oliver Kids Collection (decorated signs, and all natural, scented play-doh); Thea and Zoey Taber of Taber Treasures (crocheted coasters and potholders, bracelets, necklaces, keychains, bookmarkers); Jayden Andrews of JayRock’s Creations (hand-painted rocks); Kinsley Henderson of Sisterly Dreams Co. (cotton candy), and Olivia Burrows, who assisted as a 4H volunteer.
Whether we see them again at the Warren Farmers Market or at local festival, we look forward to seeing what these kidpreneurs do next!
Business
Duke Energy Foundation Grants VGCC $50,000 to Support Small Business Growth
The Duke Energy Foundation recently announced it has granted $50,000 to The VGCC Foundation to support small businesses in Vance, Granville, Franklin, and Warren counties.
The Duke Energy Foundation recently announced it has granted $50,000 to The VGCC Foundation to support small businesses in Vance, Granville, Franklin, and Warren counties.
The grant is part of $700,000 in new funding made available to North Carolina small businesses in partnership with community development organizations like the Small Business Center at Vance-Granville Community College. Small business grants ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 will be distributed through 20 community organizations to support retail shops, restaurants, and other small businesses looking to expand, upgrade technology, and improve downtown storefronts.
Now in its fourth year, the program has provided over $2 million in funding to small businesses since its inception during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The Duke Energy Foundation’s small business grant program has helped fuel a resurgence of entrepreneurial small businesses ranging from bookstores to restaurants in our state,” said Kendal Bowman, North Carolina State President for Duke Energy. “These small business grants ensure Main Streets across North Carolina are well positioned to benefit from our state’s unprecedented economic growth.”
Such businesses play a critical role in the state’s economic health and employ nearly half of North Carolina’s workforce, according to the U.S. Small Business Administration.
“Small businesses remain the backbone of the U.S. economy, and in rural areas, they also serve as the heartbeat of our local economies,” noted VGCC President Dr. Rachel Desmarais. “This monetary commitment enables Vance-Granville Community College to promote the entrepreneurial mindset and support budding small business ideas into real businesses within our larger community.”
The VGCC Small Business Center will select grant fund recipients through a series of workshops, one based in each of the four counties the College serves. Each workshop session will span four evening classes (10 total hours of instruction). The sessions will culminate with a five-minute pitch contest, after which five of the session’s 10 participants will receive a $2,500 award to support their small business.
Workshop dates and locations are as follows:
Sept. 16–19: VGCC South Campus
Sept. 30 – Oct. 3: VGCC Main Campus
Oct. 7–10: VGCC Warren Campus
Oct. 14–17: VGCC Franklin Campus
To learn more about this program and participant requirements, contact VGCC Small Business Center Director Carolyn Perry at (252) 738-3240 or perryc@vgcc.edu.
For more information on the Duke Energy Foundation and its initiatives, visit duke-energy.com/Foundation.
-
Local2 months agoPHOTOS: Ridgeway Cantaloupe Festival 2024
-
Community2 years agoPHOTOS: National Day of Prayer 🙏
-
Entertainment2 months agoPHOTOS: Jazz on the Farm @ Heritage Cultural Farm
-
Arts + Culture2 years agoLocal Poets Usher in the Vernal Equinox
-
Food2 years agoFLASHBACK: Mill Hill Brewery Grand Opening 🍻
-
Local1 month agoPHOTOS: Warren County Schools New Staff and Teachers Tour
-
Community2 years agoPHOTOS: Warren County Farmers Market Holiday Event (November 5, 2022)
-
Local2 months agoHecks Grove Community Center Receives Grant