2016
Impact
Report

New Generations Ventures Program: Helping empower, educate, and care for rural communities in NC

Alicia Parker is owner and director of Royalty Health & Wellness Resources in Eden, NC, and a participant in the Rural Center’s New Generation Ventures (NGV) program. She joined NGV with a vision of starting a home health-care agency after recognizing the aging population in her community and the lack of quality care to assist those individuals.

She built her business with the mission of serving as a community resource where individuals, families, employees, and fellow businesses can gain quality education on a multitude of health and safety topics. She ensures that the disabled adults and pediatric clients experience reliable, competent care. During her time as a NGV client, Parker faced many challenges, however, with assistance from the Rural Center, along with her unfailing determination and deep commitment to her community, she created a successful business. Today, Royalty Health & Wellness Resources has 30 employees and is one of the top home health-care companies in Rockingham County, serving more than 35 clients.

Dixon Social Interactive Services: Rebuilding after Hurricane Matthew

The NC Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program was a partnership of the Rural Center, the NC Small Business and Technology Development Center, and the NC Community Colleges Small Business Center Network.

The Rural Center made the first bridge loan to Derria and Barry Dixon of Dixon Social Interactive Services. The Dixons are a provider of mental and behavioral health services. They offer counseling, day treatment, and therapy to individuals as well as families with offices in Greenville, Kinston, New Bern, and Rocky Mount.

Funds for the Bridge Loan program were raised from the Golden LEAF Foundation, NC’s Electric Cooperatives, BB&T, and Wells Fargo to assist North Carolina small businesses and family farms as they recovered from the devastating effects of Hurricane Matthew. The program provided small businesses like the Dixons a short-term, interest-free loan while federal loans, insurance payouts, and other disaster relief funds were pending approval. 

Following Hurricane Matthew, the Dixons were shocked to find their office in Kinston ruined with nearly a foot of water covering the floor and most of its contents destroyed. The couple heard about the Emergency Bridge Loan Program, applied, and were approved for a loan to help them quickly get back on their feet. 

“This was our first time working with the Rural Center and it has been a beyond pleasant experience, from the quickness in addressing the need our community had, to approving the loan. We are grateful,” said Derria Dixon. Having to cease operations when the hurricane hit was a big blow for the Dixons, but with the bridge loan they were able to bounce back while waiting for their insurance to cover damages.

Servant’s Heart: A success story in Guilford County

Before entering the ministry, Van Tanner was a successful businessman and entrepreneur. 

But one of the most difficult business challenges he ever faced was securing private funding to expand the work of Servant’s Heart, the nonprofit he founded with his wife, Gina, in Greensboro in 1998. The organization provides a wide spectrum of coordinated care for adults with mental and developmental disabilities.

Tanner approached a bank he had done business with in the past to secure a loan to purchase a property to be the organization’s central office and new day center.

Unfortunately, it didn’t work out. Tanner realized translating the expenses and defining the successes of a nonprofit into the standard template of private business lending was not an easy sale. But Tanner persisted, and that’s when NewBridge Bank came into the picture.

“They dug in there and we were able to put the loan together,” Tanner continued. “Then they got The Rural Center involved and that’s what made it happen. “ 

The Rural Center operates the N.C. Loan Participation Program through its Small Business Credit Initiative. The program reduces a private lender’s risk by purchasing up to 15 percent of a loan made to a business or nonprofit.  

With the $560,000 loan in place, Servant’s Heart was able to purchase their new property. 

“The use of the Loan Participation Program for Servant’s Heart is a great example of how the program can be utilized to empower local businesses to reach their financial goals and make a difference in their communities,” said NewBridge Bank Senior Credit Officer LaNell DeLoach.

For Servant’s Heart, it meant a newly renovated building that sits adjacent to the General Green National Military Park in Greensboro. Today, center participants make use of the park’s amenities with their caregivers. 

“Small things are big things to them,” Tanner said. “It provides a new sense of identity and a connection to the community, and reaffirms their identity as a viable part of that community.“

Community Bank of the Year: North State Bank’s customer-centric philosophy

Founded in 2000, North State Bank is a full-service community bank serving Wake and New Hanover counties through seven full-service offices. North State Bank is focused on understanding and serving their customers better than any other bank. This focus drives everything they do — from the experience of the bankers hired, to the products and services offered, to how they determine office locations.

North State Bank is one of the most successful lenders in the NC Small Business Credit Initiative, enrolling more than $25 million in loans that have supported the creation or retention of more than 330 North Carolina jobs. “Supporting small businesses, helping them to grow — including in the creation of new jobs — is one of the best ways to support the communities and the people we serve,” said Larry D. Barbour, president and chief executive officer of North State Bank. “For us, that is what community banking, at its highest and best, is about.”

Thank you to the organizations that supported our Homegrown Leaders in 2016!

Small Town of the Year: Rutherfordton 

Across North Carolina, small towns are finding creative ways to stay alive and relevant in the 21st century. Rutherfordton, one of the oldest towns in the western part of the state, recognizes the importance of connecting with local citizens while concurrently embracing the outside world. Recently, it launched its new brand through marketing collateral, street banners, two new websites, downtown signage, increased social media presence, and trail guides.

Rutherfordton is finding ways to embrace its small-town values, historic character, scenic beauty, and sense of community, while building a prosperous economy. They are connecting outdoor activity and history on the Purple Mountain Greenway, Downtown Historic Walking Trail, and NC Gold Trails’ Gold Mile. Rutherfordton town leaders also understand that partnerships are key to building the community. These efforts include offering STEM activities at KidSenses Museum, STEM programs at the elementary and middle schools, creating an online downtown business development resource, and redeveloping downtown buildings. Next time you are visiting Lake Lure or Chimney Rock State Park, take a detour to this great small town. We guarantee it will be worth the trip.