To discern the growth and accomplishments of the Robeson County Enterprise Community at this turning point of the ten-year strategic plan, an examination of the findings established during the needs assessment phase is necessary at this juncture. In an attempt to describe the vision and strategies created to empower its individuals economically and to address issues relative to human development and growth, an overview of the diversified characteristics of the county is hereby provided. These attributes will give justification and relevance as to the enormous undertaking proposed through the county's approved benchmarks that were to effect positive change.

To start, Robeson County's 948 square miles of land area shows the massiveness of the project area that was to be served throughout the ten year period. While only 29,625 residents of the five census tracts were targeted – the tracks encompassed the total square mileage reaching farthest north, south, east and west. The combined Enterprise Community population, indicative of an almost equally tri-racial mix of Native American, African American, and White, is representative of an impoverished society residing within the boundaries of a county, which to mere visitors, would give the appearance of a more affluent community. Unfortunately, that is not the case; and like most impoverished communities, its people are faced with the everyday challenges and struggles of survival and existence; and its commercial areas are filled with abandoned businesses and buildings. To be commended, Robeson County, as the result of its 1994 and ongoing needs assessments, has identified and acknowledged the county's problems, and have elected to address the issues through various local, state, federal and foundation initiatives.

The Enterprise Community strategies in particular, acknowledges the fact that investment in its people must be of the utmost priority, and is understanding also that subsequently, improvements made of the local economy and economic conditions must therefore be addressed concurrently. Thus, the overall vision for the Robeson County Enterprise program incorporates the federal government's solution of a bottom-up revitalization process whereby the people would seize the opportunity to devise solutions of their own to solve community problems. Therefore, to address specific economic development issues directly effecting the individual townships comprising the five census tracts, funding in the amount of $1.2 million was allocated. Local discretionary projects, to be determined in a collaborative effort between each township and community council, would establish budgeted projections to address specified needs ranging from infrastructure, construction of community buildings, small business development, as well as social problems ranging from alcohol and drug usage, teen pregnancy and child abuse.

More specific strategies to enhance economic development were created to encourage, in particular, small business development growth. While a small business development opportunity was to be provided to realize the strengths and ideas existent within the culturally rich community; a unilateral offer was presented through a community resource center concept that would incorporate a human resource support system that would empower individuals to become self-sufficient. Finally, a close examination of the county's services as well as its service delivery system concluded that the following issues needed to be addressed. The first was the lack of communication and more specifically the vehicle for communication. Secondly, a major issue that effected all programs and the successful delivery of service, was the lack of a sufficient transportation system. The third major and final issue raised was the lack of a vehicle to encourage community participation.

The coordination of economic and human development strategies through the proposed establishment of a community development resource center have become a reality since 1994. As proposed, the creation of the community-based 501(c)(3) non-profit organization in 1997 has provided the vehicle for implementation of the benchmarked activities; and has afforded an opportunity to continue the vision and leverage future opportunity(ies) for economic opportunity and human growth. The Robeson Enterprise Community Development Corporation, Inc. is the realization of a bottom-up revitalization approach, considering the majority of the board is held by community representatives. Its diverse representative Board of Directors has cross representation of community, government, for-profit business, and education as well as representatives of varying socio-economic backgrounds. The basic principles and premises from which the organization was founded dictates the collaborative spirit by which the corporation operates; and thus, has been successful in accomplishing seventy percent of the goals and objectives set forth.

In conclusion, the following describes the most significant accomplishments within the 2001 calendar year as well as provides a cumulative progress of all benchmarks. It takes in to consideration the transitioning of the program to conclude the designation period ending December 31, 2004; and finally, is informative of planned strategies to sustain organizational selected programs and activities.

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