Staff report
LUMBERTON — A major state magazine is reporting in its latest edition that Robeson County has more people living under the poverty level than any other county in North Carolina with a population of greater than 65,000.
“Business North Carolina” is basing its report on 2012 poverty figures provided by the North Carolina Justice Center.
“A study of the state’s 39 counties with populations greater than 65,000 reveals that 10 have at least 20 percent of residents living below the poverty level,” the magazine says. “Half of these are in the East.”
According to the report, 30.4 percent of Robeson County’s population lives below the poverty level. This includes 43 percent children.
Other counties on the “top 10 list” in that population range, with poverty levels ranging between 20.4 and 28.3 percent, are: Wilkes, Pitt, Wayne, Surry, Caldwell, Burke, Brunswick, Durham, and Nash.
The poverty level for a family of four in 2012 was $23,050. Robeson County is considered by the United States Department of Agriculture to be one of 535 “persistent poverty” counties, with 20 percent or more of the population having been below the poverty level in each census since 1960.
To help with economic development and job creation, Robeson County is designated by the state as a Tier 1 county, meaning it is economically distressed and at the front of the line for a variety of state funding opportunities that are available to assist in economic development.
Tier designations determine how much tax credits are available for job creation and business property investment in a number of industries, according to the N.C. Department of Commerce. These industries include manufacturing, motor sports, aircraft maintenance and repair, air courier services, warehousing, customer service call centers, research and development, electronic shopping and mail order houses, and wholesale trade and information technology.
“With all the government programs we have (to fight poverty and create jobs), it is obvious something is not working,” said Lumberton businessman Bo Biggs.
Already plagued with high unemployment and difficulty in recruiting new industries, Robeson County’s No. 1 poverty listing in a prominent magazine targeted to the business community is another obstacle to overcome when trying to convince business owners that Robeson County is a good place for them to do business.
“This makes it very hard for Greg to do his job,” Biggs said, referring to Greg Cummings, Robeson County’s economic developer in charge of industrial recruitment.
Cummings told The Robesonian on Thursday that the cause of high poverty and jobless rates in Robeson County can be attributed to one thing — the global market.
“We have been losing jobs to China, Mexico, and Central America,” Cummings said. “Companies are shutting down. New businesses aren’t locating here, and existing businesses can’t compete.
“The problem is with the federal government and how it is dealing with imports and exports,” Cummings said.
Ronnie Hunt, the interim executive director at COMtech Park in Pembroke, agrees that negative reports in magazines and other written publications can make it hard for industrial recruitment.
“Businesses owners read this and assume all kinds of reasons why people here have no jobs and the poverty level is high,” he said. “But if they take time to look, they see that we have a good rail system, four-lane highways that run to the north, south, east and west, and an airport.”
Hunt said that more help is needed from state officials in promoting Robeson County as a good place to do business.
“If they give us in the county an opportunity to meet with businesses wanting to locate in North Carolina, we’ll sell ourselves,” he said.
When leaders have no vision and are corrupt you can't work with them. When they say I don't care how it is done in other counties that is where the blame needs to be.
So you need to call your boss on this one and ask him for proof. He plain old lied to you.
ps. That's how those people (who ain't from here) are....
There is a reason for this...........
level...let's not idly blame globilazation or state officials...let's identify sources of revenue to help our county to progress for ALL the people who live here...let's form some diverse groups or panels to work on it...IT IS TIME...let's write grants and start BUILDING and MOVING FORWARD!! If we don't believe GREAT things can happen then who will? How did we get Campbell Soup? Quickie Manufacturing? Contempora Fabrics? What is the VISION for the FUTURE of Robeson County? This obstacle identified in the article was already there before it was printed. Some folks are more concerned with holding onto their own power that their VISION for OUR county is blurred it seems.
Do something to improve your lot in life... don't wait for someone else (or the government) to help you. Jeez!!! Educate yourself, encourage your kids and their kids to educate THEMselves and then do something to help the local economy other than bitch about those who have made it or are making it.
I believe ol Bosomkerchief has wealth envy. How does "well off" people make it harder for our county? Without the "well off", there'd be no jobs Bosom. When's the last time a poor person has hired someone for anything? Grass cutting, gutter cleaning, car washes, etc... The poor don't hire, the "well off" as you put it, do. You said "we got people in poor conditions".. Well ask yourself, how'd they get there. "pay day comes and goes around".. Only if you have a job, Bosomkerchief.....
ps. If you hate the well off so much, refuse to do business with them. A car, something from the store, a place to eat, etc. Ask if the owner is well off, if they say yes, walk out and go spend your money at a poor persons place of business, yea right, where?
To be recognized as the least effective at one's job in an entire state ought to give that person's employer a hint that maybe the person and the job are not a good fit, just saying.
You're right about the attitude of some in our workforce but at those levels they aren't very different from other areas are they?
Blaming globalization, the federal government, and magazine articles for this county's poverty problem is just excuse making meant to shift blame away from the real causes. No one wants to say it, but the major cause of poverty in this county is cultural acceptance. Many of those in poverty may complain about it, but they do nothing to help their situation. They don't promote education to their children. The number of students I've taught over the years that actually told me they plan on living off the government like their parents is astonishing. They see that mom does little besides stay home, dad makes money off the books (legally or illegally), and they still have video games, cable, and food. Where's the incentive when everyone around them is in the same boat, and there is no shame associated with their situation? I'm not describing every single person in poverty in Rob Co, but it's a large percentage.
It's easy to say education (or lack thereof) is a major cause of poverty in Robeson County. It's true. In spite of the pieces of paper the high schools pass out every spring, there are a lot of dropouts or functional illiterates with HS diplomas. Part of this problem comes from federal involvement in education irrationally promoting a college education for every person in the country. While a four year degree goes a lot farther than a HS diploma, it's not realistic or necessary for everyone. The local education system needs to place a special focus on vocational training. There are many respectable, good paying jobs that do not require a four year degree and have more appeal to those less academically inclined. Offering a hands on automotive classes and cosmetics courses is a lot more effective and practical at curbing dropouts and preparing students for the future than online remediation.
This report gives every man, woman, and child in Robeson County a good reason to support the FairTax as well. Google FairTax FAQ for more info.
I could go on, but I'll stop. I hope the leaders in this county see this article as a call to action rather than a call to repeat the same tired excuses.