Appendix

I. Summary of Envisioning Wilkesboro in 2016 Activity

Cover/Headline Ideas

· Wilkesboro – Where the Mountains Begin w/Picture of Hwy 421 @ Ronda-Clingman Exit (8)

· Historical Old Town with New Vision (8)

· Wilkesboro - Where the Living is Easy

· Wilkesboro – A Walkable Community

· Peaceful Village

· The Wilkesboro Experience

· Wilkesboro – A Town of the Future

· Greenway cross walks over Main Street Wilkesboro

· Town transforms into a retirement center

· Wilkesboro – Western NC scenic destination

· Great State of Wilkes moves forward in the 21^st century

· THE NC Village 2017 (photos)

· 8.5 miles of greenway runs through beautiful City of Wilkesboro.

Feature Story Ideas

Ø Wilkesboro village concept featuring one-stop shopping, Medical Center; Pharmacy, Grocery Store, Restaurants and Historical Museum line streets with history and convenience (9)

Ø Retirees Flock to Wilkesboro, NC fast becoming North Carolina’s hottest resort community. (5)

Ø Wilkes Community College/ Merlefest and Tourism thrives in Wilkesboro (3)

Ø Recreation, Greenways, Pedestrian Friendly and Rich in Parks (3)

Ø Elimination of Overhead Utility lines makes Wilkesboro beautiful city! (3)

Ø Downtown Revitalization and Mixed Use Community (2)

Ø Perfect Town in the perfect retirement area (1)

Ø New Walk-In Medical Clinic Assists Area Hospital in caregiving (1)

Ø Museum

Ø Retirement community thrives in Wilkesboro

Ø Attractions to include historic homes – Heritage Village

Ø Ease of Living – Slow pace

Ø Greenways are an American model

Ø Wilkesboro – two Towns in one.

Ø Pedestrian friendly

Ø Recreation for all ages

Ø Education and Medical thriving

Ø Beautification

Ø Wilkesboro – A Town rich in parks

Ø Revitalized historic downtown includes businesses and mixed use community

Ø Tourism thrives in Wilkes County

Ø Churches and Frescoes

Ø Restaurants

Ø Population reaches 15,000

Ø New 421 bypass effects on Wilkesboro

Ø New walk-in medical clinic assists Wilkes Regional in caregiving

Ø Gas hits $7.00/gallon - New mass transit system running @ 90% capacity.

Ø New Theater opens on Main Street – Wilkesboro walks to the cinema

Highlights of Wilkesboro

v Small Town living (5)

v Quality of Life (1)

v Greenways (1)

v Low Cost of Living

v Wilkes Community College/Merlefest (1)

v Lifestyle Centers (1)

v Top notch Medical Facility (1)

v Heritage Museum thrives with history of Wilkes

v Frescos

v Old Wilkes – Museum

v Restaurants

v Reservoir

v New Housing

v Drug Free Community

v Police Department and Safety

v Beauty

v Maintain strong property values

v New trolley system

v Lifestyle centers

Photo Ideas

q Before and after views of Main Street Wilkesboro after above ground utility lines removed. (12)

q Retirement communities – Laurelmor (5)

q Wilkes Community College and Merlefest (4)

q Fish Dam Creek Bridge – Connecting Wilkes County along 8.5 miles of beautiful, river lined, scenic trail (1)

q Outdoor scene featuring happy citizens of Wilkesboro.

q Trees, Leaves, Mountains and someone fishing (2)

q Water, Boats, Canoeing and Rivers (1)

q Frescos

q Retirement Communities – Laurelmor

q Scenic Byway and new Highway 421 bypass

q Horses and Equestrian Events

q New schools and kids

q Wilkesboro – valley of the Blue Ridge

q Beacon Ridge

Quotes

¨ Wilkesboro – A quaint village in the Blue Ridge Mountains (4)

¨ The view from downtown Wilkesboro is dominated by majestic mountains and church steeples (3)

¨ Wilkesboro welcomes retirees (2)

¨ Service and industry thrive in 200 year old Town (1)

¨ Wilkesboro – Where the new and old meet.

¨ Ethnic and cultural diversity being addressed

¨ Best place I have ever lived

¨ Friendliest community I have been in

¨ A gem of a community

¨ No place like home

¨ Happiness begins here

* The number in parenthesis represents the number of votes each item received at the end of the meeting by Wilkesboro Tomorrow Committee members.

II. Summary of Information Gathered at the Land Use Plan Community Forums

Wilkesboro Comprehensive Plan Survey Results

(From Community Forums)

1. How long have you lived in Wilkesboro or its immediate vicinity?

[ 17% ] Less than 2 years [ 5% ] 2-5 years [ 5% ] 6-10 years

[ 6% ] 11-15 years [ 68% ] More than 15 years

2. Are you:

[ 4% ] under the age of 18? [ 0% ] between age 18 and 24

[19% ] between age 25 and 44? [ 47% ] between age 45 and 64?

[ 29% ] over the age of 65

3. How many people live in your household? 2.7

4. Wilkesboro’s estimated population in 2005 was 3,178 people. In the next 20 years, would you prefer the population to:

[ 45% ] Increase Significantly [ 42% ] Increase Slightly [ 8% ] Stay the Same

[1% ] Decrease

5. How do you rate the importance of each of the below issues facing our community over the next 5-20 years?

Very Moderately Not

Important Important Important

55% 40% 1% Preserving the rural areas in and around town

94% 6% 0% Preserving environmental quality (air, streams,

scenic views, trees, etc.)

90% 10% 0% Promoting economic development (jobs)

70% 29% 1% Maintaining the economic vitality of commercial

properties

48% 36% 17% Encouraging a wide range of housing types,

(i.e. low and moderate income, multi-family)

58% 38% 4% Improving the overall quality of all types of new

housing

74% 26% 0% Enforcement of minimum housing codes

Very Moderately Not

Important Important Important

79% 17% 4% Enforcement of town’s ordinances and regulations

(i.e. zoning, signage, landscaping, junked vehicles, high-grass)

70% 27% 3% Providing services to area’s senior citizens

79% 27% 0% Retaining youth in the region

65% 34% 1% Expanding recreational opportunities for all

ages

47% 49% 3% Providing additional recreational facilities

56% 40% 4% Expanding existing greenway system

51% 40% 9% Improving options for pedestrian and bicycle

travel

57% 39% 4% Improving appearance of commercial

thoroughfares

61% 36% 1% Improving appearance of Downtown streetscape

(trees, sidewalks, lights, benches, trash containers,

etc.)

82% 18% 0% Providing cost efficient, high quality public

services (police/fire service, garbage collection,

code enforcement, recreation, land use

administration, etc.)

77% 22% 1% Providing a safe and efficient street system

60% 38% 3% Preserving and reuse of historic resources

6. Please rate to what degree you feel the following types of development should be encouraged or discouraged in Wilkesboro on a scale of 1 to 5.

	Strongly Encouraged				Strongly Discouraged
	1	2	3	4	5
Single-family homes on small lots (less than 20,000 s.f.)	27%	27%	19%	10%	6%
Single-family homes on large lots (1 to 5 acres each)	31%	22%	25%	9%	6%
Manufactured housing	5%	3%	32%	25%	27%
Town homes	32%	27%	23%	9%	1%
Two-family homes (duplexes)	10%	19%	40%	18%	5%
Apartments	14%	30%	35%	9%	4%
Mixed-use development	22%	21%	26%	14%	6%
	Strongly Encouraged				Strongly Discouraged
	1	2	3	4	5
Senior living communities	35%	39%	12%	4%	5%
New Downtown development	47%	30%	14%	1%	0%
Downtown housing	32%	26%	23%	8%	3%
Convenience Stores/ Drug Stores	19%	17%	25%	21%	6%
Personal Services (barber and beauty shops, nail salons, etc.)	14%	22%	42%	12%	4%
Grocery stores	21%	40%	23%	9%	0%
Restaurants	49%	30%	10%	3%	0%
Offices (medical/professional)	35%	34%	18%	3%	0%
Shopping centers	26%	23%	23%	12%	8%
Industry or manufacturing	40%	18%	19%	6%	8%

7. What is the one thing that gives Wilkesboro its identity and makes it unique?

· Small rural village atmosphere in Downtown. Slow pace of life.

· Tory Oak – old courthouse area

· Its rural atmosphere.

· It is a good place to live and also friendly people.

· Old courthouse.

· Living style.

· Affordable – utilities.

· Quality of life – low crime.

· Small town atmosphere/the idea that not much has changed in Downtown/the volunteer nature of the citizens.

· Slow living pace.

· Not much stuff to do.

· Small town with a strong heritage. Lowe’s was founded in Wilkes Co., Tyson (formerly Holly Farms) began in Wilkes. Wilkes is known for apple orchards, brushy Mtn. Apple Festival. Unfortunately is in only remembered for moonshine.

· The old structures like the historic courthouse.

· Small town feel, beautiful mountainsides.

· Quiet – not a lot of traffic.

· Small town feeling; unique.

· I find Wilkesboro to be a very confusing city – a broken up feeling; very few good restaurants.

· Diversity; a bad image when you go past Tyson.

· Diversity.

· Location.

· Location to mountains and ocean.

· Kerr Scott Dam; some Downtown charm.

· Foothills, MerleFest.

· Small town atmosphere; quaint appearance.

· The good people working for this town and their leadership.

· Apples; hometown feeling; people friendliness.

· The county seat.

· Small; friendly officials; clean, well-maintained.

· The quaintness; the people, its history.

· The location, water and beautiful mountains.

· Heritage Museum complex.

· One of Tyson Foods’ largest plant complexes providing employment for 3000+ persons.

· Small town flavor.

· The Wilkes Heritage Courthouse in the center of town.

· Historic section, parks and recreation.

· Small town charm.

· It’s the gateway to the mountains.

· Small town atmosphere with all the convenience.

· Size; friendly people.

· The beauty of the mountains and peacefulness.

· Historic charm and small town feel with progressive ideas.

· Politics.

· Small town lifestyle with big city amenities.

· It’s heritage.

· The great people.

· Friendly little town.

· Its history.

· Small town feel.

· Old town quality.

· Heritage – Nascar/Moonshining.

· Small town Christian values.

· Attitude of people.

· Quality of life.

· Friendly home town feel; historical; land diversity – mountain, flat, river.

· Historic district; museum; prestigious older homes.

· Old buildings.

· Historic Wilkesboro; courthouse and Main Street.

· Small town friendly place.

· Quality town elected officials and staff.

· Small town feeling.

8. What are the 2 most positive characteristics about Wilkesboro that you would like to see preserved?

· Easy traffic; small town atmosphere.

· Small town friendly people/government. Good year around climate.

· The historical district; additional development of the museum.

· Good police department

· Good schools; lake and activities.

· Single family housing; Main Street – historic.

· Natural resources; skilled people.

· Main Street; Downtown living.

· Greenways and lake.

· Lake and town.

· Downtown, Brushy Mtn.

· Small town feel

· The land and old Downtown.

· Downtown, older homes.

· Courthouse.

· Untouched land; old Downtown.

· Atmosphere; quaintness.

· The fact that a “vision committee” is active to hear the desires and needs of the community. A desire to improve the image and revenue in Wilkesboro.

· The Edge Skatepark and the YMCA.

· Cannot think of any.

· History.

· History.

· Small town ‘feel’; friendly people.

· Reservoir and greenway.

· Preserving history; greenway.

· Downtown hometown atmosphere with additional stores, traditional and update sidewalks.

· Historic and small town atmosphere.

· History and its uniqueness.

· Scenic views; weather.

· Landscaping and greenway / park system.

· Quiet and respectful of the rights of our neighbors and visitors.

· Greenway; river frontage.

· Cleanliness and originality; need design standards and requirements.

· Restoring and preserving historic properties.

· Recreation and parks.

· History (courthouse), size (nice people).

· History; size.

· Quaint Downtown and friendly people.

· Wilkes Community College

· History; churches

· Small town atmosphere; beautiful area.

· Historic buildings – museum, Smithy Hotel, etc., cleanliness.

· Rural land; forests; nature; natural areas; animal habitats; friendly folks.

· Rural atmosphere; walking trails.

· The history of the town; small town atmosphere.

· Natural areas; high-quality police department.

· Small town feel; beautiful scenery.

· Small town USA; southern hospitality.

· Diversity; historic sites.

· Downtown; college.

· Old town quality; low tax rate.

· Lumber industry, moonshining

· Keep adding recreational facilities; Lowe’s corporate offices – keep as many jobs here as possible.

· Main Street; pedestrian friendly.

· Quality of life; government representatives/town manager and staff.

· Small town feel; historical aspects.

· Historic structures, small town atmosphere; parks.

· Preserving old building; new buildings.

· History; old courthouse.

· Heritage Museum and community college.

· History.

· History; parks (greenway).

9. What are the 2 most negative characteristics about Wilkesboro that you would like to see improved?

· Overhead lines in Downtown Wilkesboro. Ugly entrances to Downtown area.

· Amount of traffic on Main Street. Condition of sidewalks – need improvement.

· Streets in old parts of town.

· Streets paved in all areas (please).

· Lack of large companies; need better roads.

· Multi family housing; bars – adult entertainment.

· Where does Wilkesboro begin? Need a point to welcome people.

· Corridors 268, 421, 16/18; affordable housing.

· Downtown housing.

· Restaurants and junk cars on property.

· Ranked lowest in graduate degrees by 2005 census; ranked lowest avg. median income by 2005 census.

· Image

· Properties with junk cars.

· Bury power lines Downtown; landscape around Tyson.

· Tyson.

· Properties with junk cars, fridges, etc.

· Need trees back!

· Drug abuse in school and youth; low quality of education/drop out rate.

· Not enough recreation and drug problems due to that.

· Roadways – travel on existing roads is dangerous and directions are unclear. Rundown buildings – it seems there is an abundance of abandoned, mistreated buildings.

· Education levels.

· Education levels.

· Street design (flow); good restaurants needed.

· Factory facilities next to Downtown; bury utility lines through Downtown area.

· Streets cleaned and well maintained as well as houses behind old Gray Brothers.

· Bury those power lines in Downtown!

· The lower income drug area; more business – more jobs.

· Busy dangerous intersection 421/421 Business.

· Capitalize on overall beauty and keep promoting its history.

· Schools – incentive to graduate and qualify for good jobs. Traffic – there will be a need for better flow of traffic as industry comes!

· Trash at businesses and loud signage.

· Street littering and unsafe drivers.

· Poor run down houses; poor run down neighborhoods.

· Some of the housing units are in need of repair, multiple vehicles, etc.

· Removal of power lines, etc. in Downtown would have a major effect. Improving the fronts of Downtown businesses – having a common theme.

· Low rent housing (almost slum like).

· Christmas decorations.

· Downtown appearance; more restaurants and/or delis.

· Downtown utility poles and dilapidated properties.

· Service; all-purpose store; drug store

· The Cub Creek area; drug deals.

· Lower income housing areas; lack of dining choices.

· Care of animals should be improved; smell of Tyson; Downtown appearance (exposed power lines, temporary signs, etc.).

· Better usage of vacant buildings.

· South Street area; scenic entrances to town.

· Chain restaurants/strip development; appearance of businesses/signs.

· Lack of restaurants; loss of jobs.

· Traffic on 421 West around Walmart; overhead lines Downtown.

· Vacant warehouses etc.

· Low paying jobs; closed businesses opened.

· Overhead power lines Downtown.

· Mentioning Lowe’s leaving (way too much).

· Lowe’s moving; North Wilkesboro and Wilkesboro should be one town.

· Junk cars, trashed houses.

· Storefronts; water intake.

· Needs to be a little more progressive; visual appeal needs to be improved Downtown.

· Housing area east of town from Main to Cub Creek Park.

· Tyson; the old dairy.

· More job opportunities; shopping malls and restaurants.

· Bury power lines and Downtown renewal.

· Trash/junk cars; poorly maintained mobile homes.

· Sign ordinance (placement, height, etc.).

10. Are there any issues that you feel the Town of Wilkesboro must address in the next 20 years?

· Remove overhead power lines in Downtown Wilkesboro. Control growth along 421 corridor.

· Traffic – traffic – traffic

· Traffic up 421; work on the new water intake above the dam.

· Work on the streets that have not been paved in over 20 years.

· Must continue to improve water, sewer, roads, and transportation.

· Drainage – run-off – waste water.

· Too many old buildings (non historic) should be removed; designate an industrial area to attract new business.

· Future pop. Growth; the ability to service the elderly; housing; what type of community we want to become (tourism, retiree, commercial, industry).

· Traffic.

· Jobs.

· Job development for our future. Prevention of high school drop-outs, teen pregnancy.

· Affordable housing; low cost, efficient transportation; entrepreneurship and econ. Development.

· Controlled growth – strong building and zoning requirements.

· Bury power lines.

· Jobs – more activities for children such as indoor skateboarding facility.

· More jobs; beautification.

· I want to see a first class facility (directed to the use of the teenage community) where they can gather for positive social and physical activity. I want to see a quality indoor skate park and activity center where kids can be safe, supervised, and encouraged in life values.

· I want to see a wholesome place for teenagers to gather, grow in skills and socialize in a positive environment like an indoor skate park/café/ and activity center – maybe drug use would go way down.

· Recreation! More needs to be done for the youth. Drug use is out of control. Travel – streets, roadways, and access to highways could greatly be improved. Quality of Education is poor, and the drop out rate is incredibly high!

· Jobs and housing for elderly.

· Jobs and housing for elderly.

· Youth center; unity with N. Wilkesboro – “The River Unites”.

· Population growth; economic decline.

· Industry; tourism; restaurants; getting new residents.

· Jobs; meeting community needs; visitation center.

· Industry growth.

· (Controlled Growth) Water - that we will be prepared in event of terrorism and that we plan to have enough in case of drought. That we have adequate sewer.

· Encourage the young people to stay. Have retired people involved in education and tutors and mentors. Traffic. Old and empty buildings.

· Architectural heritage in Downtown and extending sewage and water to extraterritorial areas. Need to expand city limits westward toward lake.

· Preserve (even better than presently) our natural resources and encourage the growth of our employment opportunities.

· Again, must develop and enforce design standards for buildings and facilities.

· Tourism; encouraging our young people to stay here and/or return after they are educated.

· Parking, commercial development.

· We need a by-pass built to avoid so many wrecks on 421 Business, the congestion is terrible.

· Get away from the “good ’ol boy” government; take citizen’s requests more seriously; keep taxes on individuals low; better X-mas decorations soon.

· The growing population of retired people and part time residents and the needs they require. Changes from an industrial base to a service based economy.

· Manufacturing jobs and housing boom.

· Water.

· Economic growth to keep jobs in the area to retain residents.

· Historic preservation.

· Animal care issues.

· Housing; business; accommodating the change to retirement economy.

· Animal control; leash laws.

· Make sure that we take advantage of industry we have and will have.

· Basic infrastructure.

· Loss of business.

· Promote new businesses; traffic; safety/crime.

· Possibly forced annexation.

· Encourage activity with speedway; welcome newcomers; clean up bad junk areas in the county.

· Attract retirees to the foothills and mountains; keep college age graduates in the area; no trailer parks; more aggressive drug enforcement; encourage legitimate small business growth.

· Water; public transportation.

· Adequate water; air quality; controlling not stopping growth.

· Jobs – you have to employ your population; change to suit your old population; attract retirees with better amenities.

· Utilities; traffic flow on Main Street; housing availability; services for Downtown residents, i.e., drug store, small grocery, coffee shop, library, art center, senior center satellite area.

· Street widening.

· Bringing in more business and job opportunities.

· Planning and zoning.

· Control of negative aspects of growth.

· Infrastructure (ETJ); industry; planned commercial sites; solid enforcement – zoning, watershed, subdivision ordinances; economic development and incentives.

Small Group Discussion Responses to the following question: What do you consider to be the most important development issues facing Wilkesboro in the next 20 years? (The center column represents the number of votes the statement received at the conclusion of the meeting from all forum participants).

Employment	9	Attract industry, jobs (high tech)
& Economy	5	Economic development
	7	Develop job opportunities
	3	Locally owned businesses and restaurants
	3	Higher salaries and higher quality jobs
	3	Support grass root businesses, as well as, new businesses coming to Wilkes or are founded here
	3	Encourage small business development
	2	Entrepreneurial opportunities
	2	Local financing incentives for existing businesses and new businesses
		Improve commercial opportunities
		Expansion of local funding options (endowments, foundations)
Youth	14	First class indoor skate park for youth
	8	Retention of youth
	2	Youth services
	1	Young adult recreational opportunities (need to publicize)
Appearance	8	Cleaning up of property (Public nuisances, Need stricter ordinances)
& Image	3	Bury overhead power lines
	2	Beautification of Town to bring more people to area
	2	Branding our community
	2	Development of tourism economy and sites
	1	Update sign ordinances including billboards
	1	Better and more attractive signage
	1	Right-of-way signage requirements enforced
	1	Improve Town’s Christmas decorations
	1	Add street trees to Main Street
	1	Develop tourism market
	1	Tourism increase
	1	Attracting retirees and tourists
	1	Maintain rural and small town quality of life
	1	Preserve small town appeal
		Image – What do we want it to be?
		Promote positive image of the area (plan to merchandise/market)
		Work on Town Ordinances in terms of beautification of Wilkesboro
		Junkyard ordinance
		Sidewalks with curb appeal
		Advertise, market events that are held in the county
		Enhance the appearance of streetscapes for all properties
		Wider sidewalks
		Cleaner roads
		Corridor & streetscape planning
Growth	9	Controlling and planning for growth
	3	Land use plan
	2	Enforcement and creation of new zoning laws
	1	Coordination between Wilkesboro, North Wilkesboro and Wilkes County (growth)
	1	Control of what type of business growth comes to Wilkes County
	1	Downtown commercial (retail) development
	1	Decent up-scale rental property (residential)
	1	Annexation (towards lake) Hwy. 268
		Maintaining what we currently have in the area (hold Town meetings)
		Infrastructure planning for new growth
		Plan for growth along 421, 16, 268 corridors – promotion of these areas
		Maintaining small town atmosphere
		Having available sites for business development
		Look at ETJ for development and investment
		Growth around WCC
		Lack of development
		Land use regulations for County
		Better infrastructure (roads, technology, wireless, water, sewer, green spaces, curbs)
		Converting vacant industrial buildings into other uses
		Zoning laws in county
		Zoning, subdivision and development regulations
		Wilkesboro and North Wilkesboro working together
		Accommodating new residents
		Spanish speaking population
		To be more welcoming to newcomers – more tolerant
		Diversifying population
		Adjusting to Hispanic population
		Increased population - demand for new services
Commercial	4	More shops and restaurants needed
	2	Drug store needed
		Downtown amenities – pedestrian, drug stores, movie theater, galleries, library, accessible, senior center – “state of the art”
		Additional shopping opportunities
Natural	10	Water (intake)
Resources	5	Animal habitat, natural resources
	3	Water availability
	1	Water
	1	Protect the environment
	1	Ecology – recycling
Housing	4	Affordable and low cost housing
	3	Affordable mixed-use housing
	3	Housing and services for seniors, elderly and retired persons
	2	Homestead tax exemption for seniors
	1	Downtown housing
		Tighter manufactured housing regulations
		Middle income housing
		Condo building bust
Historic	3	Historic preservation
	2	Expand effort for downtown historic districts – more shops/restaurants. “Revitalization” – potential destination of tourist / bury overhead cables.
	1	Preserve historic appearance with HDC guidelines
		Proud of our heritage
		Nascar history – home of Benny Parsons, Junior Johnson
		Preserve historical sites
Infrastructure &	2	Infrastructure
Transportation	2	Improve existing downtown parking
	1	Adequate and affordable public transportation
	1	Limit traffic control bypass
	1	Traffic flow
		Adequate municipal services with low taxes
		Rising cost of energy
		Replacement of existing water and sewer lines
		Garbage, landfill???
		Utilize resources, buildings, etc.
		Further develop public transportation system
		421 Bypass – should it happen?
		Remodeling 421W – safety/aesthetics
		Improve transportation connectivity between Towns
		Drainage and road repairs near Bojangles
		US 421 Bypass
		Support loop around Wilkesboro and North Wilkesboro
		Traffic impacts with new development
		Bike lanes within roads
		Transportation alternatives
		Traffic and road improvements
		Good roads, maintain streets
		Expand PART transit to Boone and Greensboro
Parks/Recreation/	2	More pedestrian access and bike lanes
Cultural	2	Parks and recreation
	1	Create a plan for the speedway
	1	Increase and maintain local and state parks
		Entertainment/leisure activities for retirees migrating to Wilkes County
		Activities/Entertainment for youth
		Intramural sports
		Swimming pools, tennis, golf courses
		Attract movie theater
		Greenway expansion
		More recreation
		Youth center to keep kids doing positive activities
		Horse trails and associated businesses
		Promote music and other arts
		Strengthen cultural arts
		Parks and recreation – continue improvements (greenways)
Education	1	Education
	1	Increase higher education opportunities
		4-year university (expansion of 2-year institution)
		Creating a desire for education; children want to further education
		Improve workforce skill level
		Improve graduation rate
		Education – provide good schools
		Government and community support for education and community college system
		Motivate, educate youth to stay in Wilkesboro and provide skills for jobs
		Utilize College, Benton Hall, Heritage Museum, etc.
Healthcare	1	Good walk-in medical clinics
		Improve and increase health care options for seniors and others (affordable and preventive)
		Increased healthcare services
		More health programs to educate youth on social issues
		Medical facilities – Class A hospital facilities, general practitioners
Seniors		Retirement communities, planning for the elderly population
		Accommodations for seniors: transportation (trolley), wide sidewalks and crosswalks
		Elderly care quality programs and facilities, recreation, employment
Safety	1	Police protection – welfare for all (children/abused women)
	1	Removal of known drug houses
		Improve security and safety of citizens
		Maintain or improve public service levels for police, fire, water, roads, sidewalks, etc.
		Enforcement of speed limits
		Training for Public Safety agencies (new tech) satellite fire station/police

Visual Preference Survey Results

Survey participants were asked to rate the following images on a scale from -5 to +5 with +5 being the very desirable and -5 being very undesirable for Wilkesboro. The image number is located in the upper left corner and the average rating is in the lower center of the image.