Randolph County Achieves Balance Between Business, Pleasure
business, culture, dick heckman, randolph county, uwharrie national forest,
Nestled in the center of the state‚ tucked against the breathtaking Uwharrie National Forest‚ lies a haven for nature lovers‚ business owners and families looking for a quality way of life.
Randolph County succeeds in striking just the right balance for a surprisingly diverse range of interest groups‚ with its vibrant economy‚ eclectic arts community‚ friendly atmosphere and proximity to larger urban areas such as Raleigh and Charlotte.
“ This really seems to be a good family-oriented place to be‚” says Dick Heckman‚ who moved to Asheboro last summer to assume the presidency of Randolph Community College.
“ The people have been very warm and welcoming toward us. They’ve made us feel right at home.”
Longer-term residents say the community is supportive without being intrusive. Artists‚ writers and well-known auto racing personalities find the freedom to pursue their dreams.
“There’s an independence about Asheboro and Randolph County and a stark beauty‚” says Jerry Bledsoe‚ the celebrated author who owns a home and business in Asheboro.
“ It’s a place where you can be yourself.”
Visitors often are impressed by the vibrancy of the area‚ says Becky Quigley of the Randolph County Tourism Development Authority.
Those who come specifically to visit the North Carolina Zoological Park or the pottery center at nearby Seagrove quickly realize there’s much more to keep them busy in Randolph County‚ Quigley says.
“We attract a lot of people because we’re rural‚ not a theme park. And that’s different.’’
Four area lakes provide boating‚ fishing and swimming. The nearby Uwharrie National Forest attracts nature watchers‚ campers‚ hikers and hunters who enjoy the lush vegetation and animal life. And‚ as throughout much of North Carolina‚ there is plenty of golf.
Other popular attractions include the Richard Petty Museum‚ Caraway Speedway‚ the Asheboro Classic Motorcycle Museum and the War Plane Museum.
Visitors find Asheboro the ideal base for a multi-day visit to North Carolina’s heartland because of its central location‚ Quigley says.
“ We’re within 1 hour of Charlotte or Raleigh‚ and within thirty minutes of Greensboro‚” she says. “People can stay here and be within easy reach of all these places.”
While tourism is welcome‚ its easy accessibility also makes Randolph County attractive to manufacturing and other types of businesses‚ says Bonnie Renfro‚ president of the Randolph County Economic Development Corporation.
Economic growth has pushed local unemployment rates well below the national average. Three major interstates run through Randolph County: I-85‚ I-40 and I-95. With the impending completion of I-73 and I-74‚ area businesses can easily add Michigan or South Carolina to their distribution lists.
“ We have an export-based economy‚ which means we produce goods that are sold across the U.S. and around the world‚” Renfro says.
“We’ve maintained our traditional manufacturing base of furniture and textiles‚ but increasingly‚ through our industrial recruitment and existing industry program‚ we are diversifying our economy.”
The county’s largest employer is Klaussner Industries‚ a world leader in the manufacturing of upholstered furniture.
Other major players drawn to the area include Goodyear‚ Energizer and Timken Company‚ which makes tapered roller bearings for industrial use.
Many new residents who have been drawn to the area by the wealth of employment opportunities have found themselves pleasantly surprised by the quality of life.
Families with children are well served by two public school systems‚ yet they also have plenty of parochial and private school choices.
Randolph Community College offers post-secondary learning. The local arts activities are well supported and encouraged by the Randolph Arts Guild.
As for health care‚ the 145-bed Randolph Hospital serves the entire community‚ with a region-wide reputation in cancer services‚ cardiopulmonary rehabilitation and other specialties.
With almost 125‚000 residents in the county‚ the area has managed to maintain its “small town” warmth while offering services and diversions usually found only in larger cities.
From its strong‚ diversified job market to its natural beauty‚ from affordable housing to outstanding schools‚ Asheboro and Randolph County certainly earn an “A” when it comes to quality of life.
Story by Cindy Sanders
Photo by Theresa Montgomery
