NC STEP (North Carolina Small Towns Economic Prosperity) is a demonstration project of the N.C. Rural Center -- a three-year program to see what can be done to help the state's small towns overcome economic loss and find greater prosperity.
Robbins won one of 10 coveted slots. Soon the town will have a coach, who will guide its progress over the three-year period.
Town Clerk Debra Cockman found the Rural Center has a related opportunity called "North Carolina Small Towns Main Street Program."
Robbins will be applying for that as well, Commissioner Theron Bell told the crowd.
"She did this on her own," Bell said, referring to Cockman. "This would fit in perfectly with NC STEP, but they are only going to pick two towns."
Robbins wants to be one of those two. Main Street could help the town improve appearance and prospects.
"It started four years ago," Bell said. "We will make 'streetscapes' -- do photos and document how we are, so we can show how we change. They said they want 'the good, the bad, and the ugly' in those pictures."
At first (if Robbins is chosen), advisers might come to town every week to meet with leaders, business operators and townspeople.
"They will be looking for vision, mission, objectives and organization," Cockman said. "They will look at ways to improve the fronts of buildings, at basics of a town; they will help promote things like next year's Spring Music Festival. They will help with image building."
Bell laid out the initial budget for the first part of the NC STEP grant. Of that $20,000, $4,000 will go for personnel and a Web site. Another $2,000 will buy a good digital camera system. Another $3,000 will be used to cover travel expenses, including some incurred since March.
Robbins will spend $1,000 on a kick-off celebration during Farmers Day for invitations, banners, posters and so forth.
"We want to plaster the town," Bell said. "We have to design our banner first."
Cockman showed the design for the Rural Center's NC STEP banner, a 2-by-4-foot tall flag. Robbins will have one in the same shape, but in a design yet to be determined. She noted the names of volunteers willing to work on that design. They will meet next week and get to work on it, and on a town seal.
"Robbins has never had a town seal," Bell said. "We have some ideas people have sent in (holding up one), and we would like more."
The biggest part of the $20,000 -- nearly half -- will be used in conjunction with the N.C. State School of Design.
"Three professors will come here," Bell said. "They'll come in, and they will be folks who look at this town not in our eyes. We are used to what we see. They will take a fresh look at how we look."
Everybody was talking about the sense of drive and energy springing up in Robbins.
"We really want to celebrate being chosen as an NC STEP site," said Commissioner Mark Garner.
His chance finding of a discarded flyer about that program led to the town's successful bid.
Mayor Mickey Brown introduced Brent Sikes, who will supervise public works including operation of the water plant starting next month.
"He will have cards soon with his phone number," Brown said. "So, if you have complaints, you can call him up."
Sikes stood for a round of applause.
"I am excited," he said. "I am excited about the excitement. I feel there is a different air in the town than there was before."
Bell urged anybody who wants to be part of the next three years' excitement not to hold back.
"If you are shy -- like some people I know -- just meet me after the meeting," she said. "Or send e-mail to us (townofrobbins@earthlink.net) -- we can get e-mail."
John Chappell can be reached at 783-5841 or by e-mail at jchappell@thepilot.com.
