In a powerful demonstration of community engagement and collaboration, Reginald Speight, the USDA Rural Development State Director for North Carolina, and Pamela Richardson, Tribal Community Liaison, recently made a significant impression during their visit to Halifax. This rural farming town, known for its strong sense of community pride, welcomed them for discussions aimed at addressing key local challenges.
The visit featured one-on-one consultations with local leaders, an insightful tour of the Emergency Management Station (EMS), and a meaningful collaboration with members of the Haliwa-Saponi Tribe. During the EMS visit, Mr. Speight identified a critical issue: while response times and call volume were not concerns, the real challenge is post-response times and data management. He also highlighted the existing barriers created by inadequate and unaffordable broadband access, which hinders the ability to capture and process vital information.
Recognizing these obstacles, Mr. Speight emphasized that the USDA Rural Partners Network (RPN) is here to help rural people and communities obtain financial and technical assistance and collaborate with federal staff. USDA Rural Development Broadband and ReConnect programs can enhance data management’s effectiveness and efficiency. These efforts will not only improve the quality of services provided by EMS, but also enhance the response times in the community. RPN efforts assist in creating jobs, building infrastructure, and enhancing rural communities.
The visit to the Haliwa Saponi Tribe was equally promising. Chief Brucie Ogletree Richardson expressed her gratitude for the support received from the federal and state officials. She pointed out that the community is struggling with a lack of broadband, housing, and medical services, which has led to many tribal members relocating. However, following the engagement with RPN, the tribe is now optimistic about the possibility of improved broadband access and essential services for its members. “This collaboration gives us hope for better communication and resources in our community,” she stated.
Alfred Richardson, a member of the Haliwa-Saponi Tribe and representative of the Metro Sewer District Wastewater Project, discussed ongoing water and wastewater issues. He highlighted the environmental, health, and infrastructure challenges the community faces. Also, he expressed optimism about a recent partnership with Halifax County officials to secure funding to improve individual sewer systems, paving the way for major enhancements. The community is also collaborating with USDA Rural Development and the Environmental Protection Agency and was selected as one of eleven communities nationwide to participate in a wastewater remediation project.
This visit to Halifax demonstrates the power of community meetings as a tool for positive change. By fostering open dialogue and collaboration between local leaders, federal representatives, and tribal communities, significant progress can be made towards addressing challenges that rural areas face.
USDA is striving to ensure that America's rural areas leverage economic recovery resources, generate diversified economic growth, create prosperity and provide opportunities for communities to invest in affordable housing, wastewater improvements, broadband connections and more.
For information about USDA Rural Development, visit www.rd.usda.gov and to learn more about what it takes to deliver broadband to rural communities, visit USDA Rural Development Broadband ReConnect Program. For more information about Rural Partners Network, visit Rural.gov.