Lansing Commission Discusses Ways to Benefit Community

By Allison Canter

At the Jan. 23 meeting, the Lansing Tomorrow Commission (LTC) discussed their 10-year vision for the

community. The current population of Lansing is approximately 150 people. The LTC anticipates modest growth in the town population to approximately 200 in the year 2020. However, the retiree and second home population in the surrounding area is expected to grow substantially.

The NC STEP (North Carolina Small Towns Economic Prosperity) Demonstration Program brings a comprehensive revitalization effort to 45 communities across the state, including Lansing. The "Lansing Tomorrow Commission," made up of residents and interested members of the Lansing community, met Feb. 20 at 6 p.m. In the discussions at that meeting the group looked at three different ways they want this grant to benefit: the residents of Lansing and the surrounding areas; retirees moving to the area; and tourists they want to attract to the area.

To achieve this dream, LTC said they recognize the need for knowledgeable active citizen participation in government and civic activities. "In 2020, area residents will take great pride in their community and assume responsibility for its continuing success," said a statement issued from the group. Moving forward, the task for the LTC is to identify strategies and develop projects that will lead toward achieving a prosperous Lansing community.

Lansing is seeking prosperity and a comfortable life for area residents more than it is seeking growth. Prosperity in 2020 will be reflected by higher average incomes, a higher quality of life and the opportunity for youth to find suitable employment in Ashe County and the surrounding region, according to the group's statement. Lansing will not be a major retail and service center for Ashe County, but slowing the rate of income leakage and capturing some of the growing tourist dollars in the region will support the small village envisioned by LTC.

The program has determined their three main areas of concentration and at the next meeting will come up with different ideas for each of these goals, and plan to narrow it down.

The striping of the streets and parking areas is one of the major concerns. Better use of parking spaces will benefit the local businesses and cut down on congestion in the town. This is one of the things they are considering for use of the grant money. The group believes this will help new businesses to come as well.

The group is also looking at the possibility of another restaurant coming to the town, as well as other businesses. The LTC has been working on the project so far, and on Friday, April 3, they will have a meeting that is open to the community to get everyone's input, opinions and ideas. At this meeting food will be served starting at 5 p.m. with the meeting following dinner. Anyone interested in helping with the process can attend the meeting and all interested people are welcome. The N.C. STEP meetings are held in the meeting room of the Lansing Volunteer Fire Department monthly, usually on a Friday. The meeting dates and times are posted on Lansing's town blog at blog.lansingnc.com. The next scheduled meeting will be at 6 p.m. on Friday, April 6.

For more information on the N.C. STEP grant program, contact Nita Church at churchsconst@skybest.com or call (336) 384-4576.