With hopes of bringing business back to town, some Roseboro business owners and residents have gotten together to rejuvenate the town’s own economic development board.

Judy Stone, a downtown business owner, explained that the group, which is formally called Roseboro Area Economic Development (RAED), is similar to a town’s Chamber of Commerce.

“It works like a chamber to draw in new business, particularly in the downtown area,” said Stone.

She advises that by having putting more focus on Roseboro’e economic development, people who come through will be more willing to bring their spending money to the area.

Stone advises that without focus on the town’s business and allowing buildings to remain empty, visitors are less likely to give the town a chance.

“When people see empty businesses, people question it,” said Stone.

And, one of the first things that she and the rest of the board have planned for the town is to set up an official RAED office. Right now, she is hoping to talk to the town board next Tuesday about setting up that office in the old jail facility, which is located on Broad Street.

Right now, Stone commented, “No one knows that (RAED) exists.” But, if approved, she says that people will then have a centralized location for the group whose main focus is to bring business to the area.

“People will know that business is important,” said Stone.

And, the RAED group does not just apply to the town itself. Stone says that the group will also focus on the economic needs of neighboring towns such as Salemburg and Autryville.

As to how RAED plans to help bring business and industry to the area, Stone advises that the part of the answer can be found in events that would help bring focus onto community involvement.

“We have festivals in the works and events that will help bring the community together,” said Stone.

The current and outgoing chairman of the group, Tim Butler, explained that leading the group for the last 14 years has been something of a roller coaster ride in that it has seen some highs and lows. The highs he referred to were the opening of two banks and two grocery stores, and the lows included the loss of two significant industries— a cotton mill and sewing factory.

And, even as he plans to step down as chairman of RAED, he has hopes for what he would like to see happen to the area.

“I would like to see industries come that have substantial jobs. Providing 100 new jobs would definitely give the town a boost,” said Butler.

And if the town has these jobs to employ their residents, then people will not be willing to drive to Cumberland County or Clinton to spend their money.

Butler also stressed that he would like to see Autryville benefit from the BRAC (Base Realignment and Closure) movement that is predicted to help the area.

“I would live to residential housing area within the outskirts of (Roseboro). And, Autryville would be in a perfect position to benefit from this.”

Katie Holland can be reached at 910-592-8137, ext. 136, or by e-mail at silife@myclintonnc.com.