Robbins is getting a $75,000 upgrade thanks to local legislators. Robbins will soon have a brand-new venue to host bands and performances right in the middle of its new downtown greenspace.
The Town of Robbins and Northern Moore Family Resource Center collaborated to improve the appearance of the downtown area and provide educational opportunities for area residents. Thanks to the advocacy of local elected officials, this area will now include a new outdoor stage, recreational facilities, and street scape improvements.
Momentum for this project increased while Rep. Allen McNeill and Town Manager David Lambert were discussing economic development projects for northern Moore County. Rep. McNeill was interested in learning about ways to invest in the Robbins community. Lambert submitted a funding request to Rep. McNeill for the downtown venue and streetscape improvement projects. Rep. McNeill, Rep. Boles, and Senator Tillman worked to ensure that Robbins would be allocated moneys for these important community development projects.
“I still have many fond memories of my time spent in Robbins as a child. My grandparents lived just south of town on 705. So, I traveled through Robbins often and spent time in downtown shops. I am proud to play a small part in the revitalization effort by the Town of Robbins and the North Moore Family Resource Center. Good luck and please invite me to the grand opening,” said Rep. Allen McNeill.
The Town of Robbins has a vision to provide quality public spaces where residents can come together to build community and enjoy high quality entertainment. Robbins hopes to create a community where people will want to live, work, and play. The North Carolina Tier System has made it difficult for towns like Robbins to receive funding for economic projects, but small steps like this can have a large impact.
“Downtown revitalization is essential to the economic improvement of our community. Industry leaders and small business owners want to invest in places that have a good quality of life. Put simply, happy residents make happy customers and employees,” said Lambert.
“I am thrilled to see funds going to this initiative, especially in one of our rural communities. It is always a great day when we learn of monies coming into our communities to help with economic development and growth. Our legislative leaders recognized that money is now available to help in these areas and I applaud them for their willingness to award funding to various projects throughout North Carolina and am elated to know that Robbins was chosen as one of those small towns,” said Rep. Jamie Boles.
The space will also be used by Northern Moore Family Resource Center, a partner with the Town of Robbins on many community development projects. Northern Moore Family Resource center operates a preschool to help improve educational opportunities for many throughout northern Moore County. The greenspace will provide enough outdoor space for them to receive accreditation for their program and allow them to restart their summer enrichment program for area youth.
“The Northern Moore Family Resource Center has worked alongside the Town of Robbins to drive important economic development initiatives. We are thrilled that this funding will allow us to complete the entire space as it was envisioned, particularly since the outdoor space will give us room to accommodate a free summer enrichment program that will likely serve more than 300 children”, says Clare Ruggles, Executive Director.
Robbins is grateful for the support of our state legislators and our partner agencies in this project. Projects like this embody the Town’s vision of “Moving Forward Together.”
