news-record.com

WENTWORTH — Progress on the Horse Park of the South has largely stalled because of lack of funding, not for lack of trying, said Rockingham County Manager Tom Robinson.

Is this a worthy investment? Join the discussion at the Debatables blog.

“We have done quite a bit of homework already trying to reach out to representatives and senators in the General Assembly and build support here locally among various politicians and business leaders and equestrian experts to make sure they know about our project and are supportive of it,” Robinson said.

The proposed park would provide a venue to host regional horse competitions and shows, as well as educational and training opportunities.

State Rep. Nelson Cole , D-Rockingham, said he will file a bill this week asking for $5 million to go toward the equestrian center.

“It’s to be used for construction of the Horse Park of the South,” Cole said Tuesday.

Robinson and area leaders have spoken frequently with Cole and other legislators about the importance of the equestrian center, touted as a project that could create hundreds of jobs in Rockingham County and have a far-reaching tourism impact.

It would cost about $13.5 million to build the 400-stall facility on 152 acres of land near U.S. 29.

The county has $3.5 million, including $1 million from the General Assembly, as well as money from the Golden Leaf Foundation and other funds that have been kicked in locally.

After learning about Cole’s plans to boost the horse park, the Rockingham County Board of Commissioners quickly gave Robinson the go-ahead Monday night to investigate hiring a lobbyist to advocate for the park on the county’s behalf.

More money for the park could be on the way, Robinson told the commissioners Monday, offering vague details about two other sources of funding. He said the county was in the running to get both.

Robinson declined to talk about those sources of funding Tuesday but said he is optimistic that they would pan out.

While Rockingham County officials are hoping the equestrian center will boost its economic outlook, their neighbors to the south at N.C. A&T are thinking about the educational opportunities the center could bring.

The county plans to partner with the university on the project.

Alton Thompson, dean of the School of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, said A&T’s equine program started about two years ago.

Thompson said the program helps meet the needs that Guilford County’s large horse population presents and enhances the university’s animal science program.

Although the park proposal has a sound economic development and business

plan, Thompson said, the university adds a whole new dimension.

“We would add the education and research component to it,” he said.

Thompson said interest in the equine program is growing among students .

A&T has an equine judging team that has been involved in competitions across the country, he said.

Once the project gets over the funding hump, Cole said, companies will clamor to make commitments to it.

“I just think it’s got a lot of benefits,” he said.

Robinson, too, believes that if you build it, they will come.

He has had discussions with representatives of hotels and restaurants who have let him know that if the horse park becomes a reality, they want to buy in.

“We think that we’ve got a good case, and we’ve got a good prospect,” he said.

Contact Jonnelle Davis at 627-4881, Ext. 126, or jonnelle.davis@news-record.com