QUALITY OF LIFE

Culture & Recreation    Education    Health Care    Local Newspapers    Climate    Accessibility    Taxes

Within the cities and towns of the Carolinas Gateway Partnership region, you will discover an unparalleled quality of life - places with a friendly neighbor-to-neighbor feel, small Images of Rocky Mount - Relocation information for the Rocky Mount Areaenough to be charming and personable, yet large enough to offer the sophistication of the arts, the excitement of sports and recreation, and the security of quality health care and excellent educational opportunities.

COST OF LIVING

The living here isn't just easy, it's affordable as well. The cost of living in the Carolinas Gateway Partnership area is estimated at 88.6% of the national average. Below average costs prevail for housing, utilities and health care items. (Source: ACCRA Cost of Living Index, 1st quarter 2007)

Architectural housing choices range from Colonial, Victorian, Georgian, and English Tudor to contemporary and modern. Many grand historic homes can be purchased at reasonable prices. In Tarboro, Majestic Colonial, Antebellum and Victorian homes surround an eight-acre Town Common. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, it is the only remaining planned town common in the United States, outside Boston. Spring Hope is also listed on the National Register. Patio homes, cluster homes, town homes and apartments are plentiful. What is most impressive about these neighborhoods however, are the neighbors - warm, welcoming people eager to make you feel at home.

CULTURE AND RECREATION

The two-county area has numerous recreational and cultural attractions for visitors and/or transferees and their families. Facilities include golf courses, movies, numerous parks, an active lively arts calendar, museums, and several public libraries. Opportunities are expanded by our close proximity to the extensive recreational and cultural attractions in Raleigh, the state capital, where activities include Carolina Hurricanes Hockey, nationally renowned musical acts at Alltel Pavilion and RBC Center, Broadway shows at Memorial Auditorium, and ACC Basketball.

In addition, the Carolinas Gateway Partnership area is within a 2.5 hour drive from the beautiful North Carolina beaches along the coast of the Atlantic Ocean, including Nags Head and the Outer Banks; a half-day drive from the inspiring majesty of the Appalachians; and a 2.5 hour drive from the one-of-a-kind golf at the Southern Pines-Pinehurst area, the "Golf Capital of the World." Click on this link to get acquainted with North Carolina's many travel attractions - Visit NC. (www.visitnc.com)

EDUCATION

Nash-Rocky Mount School System, (www.nrms.k12.nc.us) the only school system in North Carolina recognized as a "Model of Excellence" for helping students make the transition from school to work; one of only two systems in the state to qualify two teams for The Odyssey of the Mind World Finals; and home of the innovative Rocky Mount Charter School, created in 1992 from two ancestor school systems serving students in Nash and Edgecombe Counties, the Nash-Rocky Mount School System has become a consumer favorite, generating important state and national recognition for academic excellence and instructional innovation. A national front runner in character education, the school system made headlines in 1999 as the subject of an Eye on America segment on the "CBS Evening News." The school system was selected from among 10 model programs across the country recommended to CBS by Dr. Philip Vincent, a consultant on character education.

Significantly, performance indicators for student achievement are on the rise for the school system as standardized test results have repeatedly shown overall improvement. The school system serves more than 22,000 students on 28 campuses.

The Edgecombe County Public School System (http://www.ecps.us) features innovative teaching techniques and utilizes computer technology; honor courses, advanced placement and accelerated curriculum available for the academically gifted; received grants to capitalize on individual learning styles of children, to enhance science, math and technology instruction in grades K-12, and implemented a Montessori concept for ages 3 through 3rd grade; characterized by rising test scores and declining drop out rates. Believing in the motto: "Keys to Success: Home, School & Community," the system is soaring ahead in increasing the levels of student performance, parent involvement and community participation. The 14 schools in the system serve over 9,000 students in pre-kindergarten through grade 12 in a decentralized organization based on high expectations of performance for both students and teachers. Each school has developed a comprehensive instructional plan complemented by many special programs to provide maximum educational opportunities for each child. Teachers, administrators, and supervisors are encouraged to explore innovative methods of teaching and to use modern technology in an effort to meet the individual needs of each student.

The system has supplemented a comprehensive curriculum with many special programs to facilitate learning for all children. Each campus has modern computers equipped with the latest educational software and linked to the Internet. Advanced placement and honors courses are available on the high school level, which utilizes a concentrated scheduling known as "4x4."

Private Preparatory Schools

Local Schools of Higher Learning

  • Edgecombe Community College - two-year programs leading to Associate in Applied Science degrees; technical, vocational or college transfer programs; Networking Technology Program for Certified Network Engineers; telecourses offered through North Carolina Information Highway grant.
  • Nash Community College - two-year programs leading to Associate in Applied Science degrees; vocational programs; continuing education; certification and pre-licensing programs.
  • North Carolina Wesleyan College - four-year coeducational liberal arts college; also offers adult degree programs; ADVANTAGE program provides accelerated business administration degree.
  • Shaw University - extension campus of Raleigh university; professional school, liberal arts college, pre-baccalaureate program; offers CAPE (Centers for Alternative Programs for Education).

Area Colleges and Universities Other colleges and universities located within a short drive of the Carolinas Gateway Partnership region include:

HEALTH CARE

When deciding to move to a new community, one of the most important factors in the decision-making process is health care. This is why the Nash-Edgecombe area health care providers have placed such an emphasis on facilities and services to help the public find quality care at reasonable prices. Our area's medical hospitals and specialized health centers provide a variety of health care options for the area's residents.
  • Nash Health Care Systems - Includes Nash General Hospital, Coastal Plain Hospital and Counseling Center and Nash Day Hospital; comprehensive treatment and technologically advanced equipment in all departments; community outreach.
  • Vidant Edgecombe Hospital - Located in Tarboro, is a 117-bed fully accredited acute care facility, and part of the Vidant Medical Center and East Carolina University School of Medicine. It offers comprehensive services and community outreach.

LOCAL NEWSPAPERS

CLIMATE

North Carolina's Sun Belt climate offers moderate temperatures accentuated by four distinct seasons that provide plenty of opportunities for outdoor activities. Winter weather rarely interferes with business operations, and ample rainfall provides abundant water resources. 
Average summer temperature:    82.3 degrees F.
Average winter temperature:    42.6 degrees F.
Mean annual temperature:       61.9 degrees F.
Annual rainfall:               46 inches
Percent of possible sunshine:  75 percent

ACCESSIBILITY

Nearest Major Cities (100,000+ population):

Raleigh, NC         60 miles
Cary, NC            68 miles
Fayetteville, NC    95 miles
Winston-Salem, NC  163 miles
Durham, NC          69 miles
Greensboro, NC     135 miles
Charlotte, NC      220 miles
Richmond, VA       125 miles
Norfolk, VA        120 miles

TAXES

Basic business taxes in North Carolina include a franchise tax of $1.50 per $1,000 on issued and outstanding stock allocated to North Carolina operations, a 7.25% tax on corporate net income (allocated by sales, payroll, and property), and a sales tax (4.25% to State and 2.5% locally, where applicable) with reduced rates for certain industrial purchases. No state tax on real or personal property has been levied for years.

While all property (real and personal, including intangibles) is subject to local taxes in North Carolina, inventories of manufacturers are specifically exempt. In the Carolinas Gateway Partnership area, taxes on real estate typically equate to no more than 1.5% annually on market value. (Real estate tax abatement is prohibited by state constitution.)

Property Taxes for 2011-12 (per $100 valuation)

Edgecombe County      $.86    Nash County          $.67
Town of Tarboro       $.41    City of Rocky Mount  $.55 
Town of Pinetops      $.33    Town of Nashville    $.56
Town of Macclesfield  $.37    Town of Sharpsburg   $.525
Town of Whitakers     $.72    Town of Spring Hope  $.57
Town of Conetoe	      $.16    Middlesex            $.55
Town of Speed         $.30    Town of Bailey       $.61

Sales Tax

State   4.25% 
Local   2.5% 
Total   6.75%