Latest population figures from the U.S. Census Bureau indicate Beaufort County is suffering from lack of growth with some areas of the county having long-term trends of negative growth. This is particularly true in the eastern portions of the county and specifically Belhaven. Belhaven’s population peaked at 2,430 in 1980. The latest update number from the U.S. Census Bureau indicates a population of 1,603. Similar declines have taken place on the other side of the river.

It’s pretty hard, in my opinion, to successfully reopen and run a financially sound hospital when a town and area of the county is in visible decline. Maybe someone has a plan that will enable Pungo Hospital to reopen; I wish them luck and success. On the positive side, Vidant has built a very nice and costly 24-hour clinic to serve the people.

Rural areas in general are under severe stress. Many rural hospitals are closing and several are merging with larger hospital companies to survive. People are moving to the urban areas and rural areas are the losers. Most rural areas seem to be dying a slow death. Opportunity in rural areas is declining.

In this environment, rural communities have a choice. They can just let things progress and do nothing or they can chose to grow. This is true of all of Beaufort County. Growing isn’t easy.

The rural area must be strategically located where there is opportunity for growth, and/or have natural resources, activities and attractions that attract people to their community.

There must be a desire to grow.

Beaufort County is fortunate in many ways. In addition to manufacturing, which is still the county’s largest employer, the western part of the county is becoming a bedroom community for Greenville, which is growing quickly. The entire county has highly desirable natural resources, plenty of water and lots of attractions and activities when they are added together. Put everything together, I believe there is opportunity for growth.

Beaufort County’s economic development department is led by Executive Director Martyn Johnson. Activity in economic development has increased rapidly. The biggest hold-up is the lack of any good industrial buildings. New and expanding industry prefers good existing buildings of which we have none. When you have none, they go elsewhere and find one.

In the past, the county has built two industry-ready buildings. Both are occupied, employ workers and contribute to Beaufort County’s economy. Large spec buildings are costly and take time to fill. In this environment, smaller incubator units are desirable to attract business and industry. As they grow, the business can build a larger facility. Maybe this could be successfully accomplished through a private, county or county/private partnership venture.

On the brighter side, several companies in Beaufort County are expanding employment. Beaufort County Economic Development is working aggressively to help existing business and industry.

Of concern here and in most other areas of the country is the quality of the workforce and availability of skilled employees. Johnson leads a collaboration of resources that include Beaufort County Community College, Beaufort County Schools, NCWorks, Region Q Workforce Development, Washington-Beaufort County Chamber of Commerce and the Committee of 100. Additional resources are called in as needed. The main focus of this group is workforce development and addressing the specific skill requirements that are needed in Beaufort County.

Travel, tourism and retirees are also economic development and the main opportunity for growth in the eastern part of the county in my opinion. Interest and activity has picked up in both Belhaven and Aurora. The Beaufort County Board of Commissioners allocated funds in the 2015-16 and 2016-17 budgets. In the new budget, $15,000 is allocated to tourism. To receive any of these funds, a match is required. Someday there might be a coordinated countywide tourism initiative.

County tax revenue has been negatively impacted making the budget process more difficult for the 2016-17 budget. Growing the economy expands the tax base; Beaufort County does not need a contracting tax base. An expanding tax base also provides employment opportunities for our citizens.

As a citizen, I believe a countywide coordinated effort to grow travel, tourism and hopefully settle more retirees in Beaufort County would be beneficial to economic growth in the county.

In this era of general decline for rural areas, it is important that everyone works together for the benefit of the community. Industrial/business economic development, travel, tourism and retirees are keys to economic growth and increasing the tax base. Increasing the tax base tends to lower the tax rate.

A little growth could make Beaufort County a very prosperous place to live and grow. Maybe more of our children could stay here and prosper instead of moving away to the urban areas.

Al Klemm is a retired Beaufort County commissioner.