BUSINESS GROWTH

HELP CURRENT BUSINESSES

Because of the new bypass around Troy our current businesses are seeing sales decreases of up to 25%. We desperately need signage on that bypass. Both directional signage to point visitors to downtown, the courthouse, TownStage, etc. and signs promoting our businesses located in town away from the bypass are needed now. The town is currently working on directional signage. I propose petitioning the NC Dept. of Transportation for inclusion in the Highway Logo Program that is typically on interstate highways to advertise gas stations, restaurants, lodging, and attractions. If this is not possible we should provide our own signs on private property to advertise our businesses.

In addition, the heart of our town is our downtown. We must keep it vibrant and attractive. I will be personally involved in pursuing businesses downtown. We will study ways to add landscaping and possibly add parking.

We will double down on our North Carolina Main Street Community designation and pursue grants to help create jobs here in Troy.

DEVELOP THE BYPASS

At the busiest entrance to Troy from the bypass, West Main St., the town has purchased 100 acres for development. We need to get infrastructure there as quickly as possible and aggressively market that property to new businesses. FirstHealth is studying a scenario where they would build a new more efficient hospital facility in another location. It will be a high priority of mine to try and keep that facility in Troy, possibly on the bypass. I will also be personally involved in trying to bring a quality hotel to the bypass. Overnight visitors to our area are forced to stay in hotels in Albemarle or Asheboro depriving our town of any economic benefit.

The design of the bypass, which discourages traffic from slowing because there are no traditional traffic lights, will make it hard to attract retail businesses like convenience stores and restaurants. I will work to change from the current U turn design to traditional traffic light intersections for at least two exits.

BUSINESS INCUBATOR

I will work to develop a group of "angel" investors called Invest In Troy who would invest in or provide seed money for local people to start their own businesses.