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Back between 2000-2010, I used to go to Aurora most years and work the Republican Booth at the Fossil Festival. People from all over the country come to the Fossil Festival. It’s a big deal.

While I was chairman of the Beaufort County Economic Development Board, I went to Aurora often with Economic Development director Tom Thompson. Tom was always trying to do something to help all communities in Beaufort County.

At one point, Tom attempted to get a motel in Aurora to house visitors and contractors doing work for what is now Nutrien. The effort eventually failed. Other efforts included downtown renovation, waterfront development, restaurant recruitment and various business ventures.

Aurora had several setbacks to growth including the closing of the Piggly Wiggly in 2016. In 2023, ECU Health closed the medical clinic in Aurora. In April the Aurora Branch of Southern Bank is closing.

Development hasn’t come easy to Aurora until recently. $5 million in funding for the Aurora Industrial Park has changed everything. Much of this funding was obtained with the efforts of Rep. Keith Kidwell. Aurora Mayor Cliff Williams, Aurora Town Board, Beaufort County Economic Development, and Beaufort County Board of Commissioners contributed their efforts to the construction of the industrial park.

About half of the funding is for construction of the Aurora Campus of Beaufort County Community College. Welders, diesel mechanics, pipefitters and others will be trained for skilled high paying jobs in mining and industry. General education courses will be offered for residents of Richland Township and adjacent areas.

Agape Health has stepped up and is bringing healthcare back to Aurora. Beaufort County deeded the land, building and contributed $618,416 to Agape for renovation of the facility. Agape also received a reuse grant of $200,000 from the North Carolina Building Reuse Program. Agape is investing $1,121,142 in the healthcare clinic. Agape presently provides limited medical care in Aurora on Thursdays with their mobile unit.

Good things are happening in Aurora but I was disappointed when I read that the process to close S.W. Snowden School was voted on and approved 7-2 by the Beaufort County School Board. The school would close before the 2025-2026 school year due to declining enrollment.

Public Education is funded by state, local and federal funds. State funding is the largest contributor to education funding. The state funding for education has been inadequate for as long as I can remember. Local funding increases most years but is never able to catch up with the needs of BCS. Charter schools receive a portion of the local and state funding based on the number of enrolled students.

S.W. Snowden suffers from declining enrollment partially due to declining population and lower birth rates. Student transfers, charter and private schools have pulled students away from Snowden. North Carolina Opportunity Scholarships have fueled the growth of private schools.

I remember S.W. Snowden having as high as 195 students when I was a county commission. It is moving quickly to 100 if school projections are right.

On April 16 at 6 p.m., there will be a community forum on the closing of S.W. Snowden at the school. I plan on attending and will write an opinion article after the forum.

Al Klemm is a Washington resident and a former Beaufort County Commissioner.