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Tuesday, June 23, 2009 4:22 PM Transportation top growth issue By Rochelle Moore | Times Staff Writer Transportation is the most pivotal need in planning for population growth in the Wilson area and the surrounding region, Pam Wall, executive director of Triangle Tomorrow, told a group of Wilson area officials Tuesday. Wall was in Wilson to present the results of a economic development exercise called Reality Check that took place in Raleigh in February and included participation from Wilson and 14 other counties. "Wilson is going to grow over the next 20 years," said Jennifer Lantz, Wilson Economic Development Council director. "What it should tell us is we should be prepared because things are going to change." Wilson became involved in the planning process due to its growth locally and its ties to the regional growth spilling over from Raleigh and the Triangle area. Wilson-area government, business and elected leaders are interested in being in the loop for regional planning in infrastructure, transportation, land use and quality of life. Many people also commute to work from other areas into Wilson County. In 2008, 13,000 people left Wilson for work in other outside communities and 17,000 people commuted into Wilson from surrounding areas. And those numbers have been increasing since 1990, Lantz said. "Our in-migration of workers is actually growing," Lantz said. Wall's presentation included several areas of focus that resulted from the Reality Check exercise, where 300 people in the 15-county region took half a day in February to pinpoint needs and solutions. Some of the main areas of interest include transportation to link people to jobs and other nearby communities, the need to properly mix residential and commercial growth and the preservation of land and natural resources. Collaboration between communities, support from local government and public education about the process were also mentioned as necessary to plan the region's growth. Barriers identified to accomplishing the area's goals include more funding to pay for infrastructure needs and educating the public on the importance of planning and making investments for the future. During the Reality Check exercise, 91 percent of participants voted in favor of the idea of raising taxes to meet regional transportation needs. "Transit is, across the board without a doubt, the number one issue," Wall said. Since February, an action team has continued to meet in an effort to move the process forward. Several smaller groups focusing on the main issues will also work toward solutions. The group plans to ask local units of government to support the effort. About a dozen Wilson-area government, business, education and economic leaders took part in the Reality Check event, and more participation from Wilson is being sought for future planning. "It's refreshing to hear us begin to want to be connected to progress rather than staying where we are," said Wilson City Councilman A.P. Coleman. "If we stay where we are, we'll get behind." Coleman said that the Wilson area is primed for growth because of its natural resources, including water, and its recent launch of high-speed broadband service. "Wilson and Wilson County have invested in infrastructure, water, sewer and broadband," Lantz said. "These things have made Wilson grow far better than other communities. That's one of the reasons the Raleigh area is looking to our region." rochelle@wilsontimes.com | 265-7818 |
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Reality Check This said...
Lantz said: "...These things have made Wilson grow far better than other communities....." Grow Where?? MOST of Wilson looks like a Dying City. A Ghetto. This is more nonsense mirroring Vision2020 2030 and all the other do nothing groups that just milk taxmoney for their leaderships' bank accounts. Bring jobs here and stop playing house and using "Transportation" as an excuse for ineptitude.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009 at 6:37 AM
Air said...Lantz said: "...These things have made Wilson grow far better than other communities....." Grow Where?? MOST of Wilson looks like a Dying City. A Ghetto. This is more nonsense mirroring Vision2020 2030 and all the other do nothing groups that just milk taxmoney for their leaderships' bank accounts. Bring jobs here and stop playing house and using "Transportation" as an excuse for ineptitude.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009 at 6:37 AM
This article... where's the beef?
Tuesday, June 23, 2009 at 6:19 PM
