Summer 2007

Around the Town
Development Activities in Snow Hill

Beautification
NCDOT roadside landscaping unit completed new tree and shrubbery plantings at three highly visible locations: 1. along the top of both high embankments framing Kingold Blvd. west of Greenridge Rd., 2. at the town welcome sign north of town, and 3. at the intersection of N. Greene Street/US258 & NC13, Kingold Blvd. and SE. Second.

The Tree Board recently hosted a Tree-Friendly Development presentation by Arborist John Sugg. Snow Hill will seek its fifth consecutive Tree City USA Award and its fourth Growth Award.

New Projects– Snow Hill–plenty of activity:

1. YamCo, LLC a new food product manufacturer is completing renovations and modernization of the former Goshen Rubber Co. Plant complex at 310 Kingold Blvd. YamCo will be a state-of-the art sweet potato food products company.

2. SmartPlay USA anyone watching the US Open Tennis Tournament saw Wilson US Open Tennis Tournament balls that were imprinted right here in Snow Hill. SmartPlay USA purchased the former Paxar Manufacturing plant located at 310 Kingold Blvd from Greene County nine months ago. The 55,000 square feet building is completing a makeover as the company expands its operations.

3. TideTamer, Inc. has completed its commitments to increase jobs and renovations as part of its growing business in Snow Hill at its US 258S boatlift and boat docks manufacturing facility. The Town of Snow Hill assisted the company with a portion of the necessary building renovation costs through a $50,000 grant by the Rural Center¡¦s Building Reuse Program. Contentnea Development Partnership, Inc. provided technical assistance to TideTamer and the Town in managing the Rural Center project. Annexation, via voluntary petition, took place in late 2006.

4. Worth Products, LLC has also met its employment and building renovation goals ahead of schedule. Renovations are complete to the 32,000 square feet building located next to the 50,000 square feet Tide Tamer building on US258S. Worth Products received assistance from the Town of Snow Hill through a $50,000 Rural Center Building Reuse Grant with help of the Contentnea Development Partnership. The company, also voluntarily annexed in 2006, is a computer numerical code machining and fabrication facility.

5. Construction is underway at Taylor¡¦s Shopping Center. The main building will house half a dozen shops with the new ServeWell meat market as the main store. Project developer is Snow Hill¡¦s own Bobby Taylor, Jr. Out parcels are planned for this newest retail center.

6. The Town Board of Commissioners awarded Burney & Burney Construction, Inc. of Greenville, NC the contract to renovate and expand the Community Center at 814 W. Harper Street. A groundbreaking ceremony is set for 4:00 p.m. Friday September 14, 2007. Architect Mark Smith is overseeing this phase of the project, which will result in a 5,450 square feet multi-purpose community center. Later phases will include a new parking lot, ADA compliant walking trail, fitness and playground equipment, and volleyball court. A Parks & Recreation Trust Fund Grant is funding half of the $423,000 project. More than $57,000 in local donations, $105,000 of Community Development Block Grant funds, and $25,000 each from Greene County and Town of Snow Hill are committed for the other half.

7. Major earthworks are underway at the Greene County Recreation Complex. Access to the new park and its five play fields will be via the recently paved northern extension of Perry Drive.

8. New Life World Outreach Ministries of Snow Hill received site plan approval from the Planning Board and a Special Use Permit from the Board of Adjustment. The five-acre site located on the West Side of Hull road will soon see construction of the new 7,500 square feet church.

9. Tender Love Child Care, Inc. 896 Hwy 258N received Planning Board approval of an 1800 square feet addition.

10. Concrete will replace the old asphalt tennis courts on the fenced property the Town of Snow Hill has leased from Greene County for a Skateboard Park. The Recreation Commission is finalizing skateboard equipment design layouts and equipment selection. The Public Works & Utilities Department is assisting with renovations and readying the new facility for fall opening.

11. Advance Auto¡XRich & Rich Co, Washington NC. Bartlett Engineering and Surveying of Wilson NC received Planning Board site plan approvals for development of an Advance Auto store on 1.33-acre tract immediately south of the US Post Office.

12. Genesis Hills¡XBuilding activity has increased in Genesis Hills, Snow Hill¡¦s newest subdivision located on the western edge of town. Developer Wilson Community Improvement Association has seen sales and construction increasing again this year with 19 homes complete and five under construction. Bradshaw & Co. of Wilson, NC is the homebuilder.

13. Holden Ridge Section One¡XDeveloper Ronnie Pridgen has received approvals to develop a 10-lot subdivision in the extraterritorial area a half mile south of Kingold Blvd. off Greenridge Rd. Barrow & Barrow PA of Snow Hill prepared the subdivision plans.

Historic Preservation

The Snow Hill Historic Preservation Commission is sponsoring a study expected to result in an expansion of the Snow Hill National Register Historic District. Architectural Historian Michelle Michael of Fayetteville, NC kicked off the work August 29, 2007 with a public gathering at Town Hall. Her presentation came before a similar presentation on a separate but related study initiated by the Rosenwald Center. Historic preservationist Nancy Van Dolsen of Wilson, NC presented ¡§The Corner¡¨ a proposed second National Register Historic District. The Town Board included funds in this year¡¦s budget to support these studies.

Distinctive street signs have arrived for placement throughout the Snow Hill National Register Historic District. The Historic Preservation Commission will soon unveil the new street signage that look similar to the ones in the Snow Hill Cemetery.

More Pedestrian Friendly
Dana Hill, Public Works & Utilities Director is overseeing the first section of Phase II of the town¡¦s sidewalk construction program. Lanier Construction, Inc. is the contractor. The 1500 feet long 5-feet wide sidewalk will extend from the LCC Learning Center to Hull Road. NCDOT is providing $20,000 and town¡¦s Powell Bill street funds the balance of this $35,000 project. Section two, of Phase II funds are being sought from NCDOT to complete a stretch of sidewalk along SE Second Street from Gregory Avenue to Kingold Blvd.

Submitted by Bob Clark, AICP
Town Administrator/Planner