Asheboro sets agenda for economic programs, RCEDC, local chamber of commerce and DAI

Janet Imrick

Randolph Hub

ASHEBORO— The Asheboro City Council welcomed a new president for the Chamber of Commerce before voting on measures to continue supporting the Chamber and other economic development programs.

Adam Deathe formally introduced himself to the council on Aug. 8. He is the new president of the Asheboro/Randolph Chamber of Commerce, succeeding Linda Brown.

“I’ve worked in this sort of environment for a few years now,” Deathe said, “And I’m looking forward to what I’m going to be able to deliver for the community.” He went on to say he felt privileged to work with the community.

The council then voted on the appropriations for general economic funding development, which were part of the General Fund operating budget they approved for the 2024-25 fiscal year. Asheboro will continue supporting the three organizations they’ve done in the past: the Randolph County Economic Development Corporation (RCEDC), the Chamber of Commerce, and Downtown Asheboro, Inc. (DAI).

RCEDC was allocated $55,000. The Chamber was allocated $75,000. DAI was allocated $73,511. Finance Officer Deborah Reaves said DAI’s allocation is less than the previous year because Executive Director Addie Corder is now a full-time city employee, and her salary and benefits fall under administrative expenses.

Starting this year, DAI will now run Asheboro’s Main Street Program. The city council approved a resolution to transition it from non-profit to quasi-public-private.

Asheboro joined this federal program in 2020, and it was executed by the North Carolina Department of Commerce. Corder said that the resolution recognizes the city as the local director of revitalization efforts to ensure continuity and continued success. DAI will remain a partner and provide stakeholder engagement, as well as opportunities to leverage grant funding not available to the government.

It will form a nine-member board of directors with Corder as a liaison.

Also at the meeting, Corder informed the council that DAI received a $25,000 Duke Energy grant which can be used to sublet to downtown businesses.