Archive for March, 2021

Signage installed to direct public to new county facilities

Signage has now been erected on Hwy 96 South in Oxford, directing the public to Granville County’s new Law Enforcement Center and Animal Shelter on New Commerce Drive. The sign was installed on March 27, after final approval by the Department of Transportation (DOT).

The Granville County Law Enforcement Center, located at 525 New Commerce Drive, includes the Sheriff’s Office, Detention Center, 9-1-1 Emergency Communications Center and Magistrate’s Office. A phased move-in schedule had enabled each department to make the transition from their previous site on Williamsboro Street, with the Sheriff’s Office making their move to the new facility this past August. The Detention Center, 9-1-1 and the Magistrate’s Office followed and were all in place by December of 2020. The new facility totals more than 88,000 square feet and allows all operations to be housed under one roof.

The new 8,500-square-foot Animal Shelter, constructed next door to the Law Enforcement Center, was opened in October of 2020, more than doubling the size of the previous site on Cornwall Road. The new design allows the Animal Shelter and Animal Control to work together from one building and Includes kennel space for 40 to 60 dogs and 40 to 60 cats, along with a spacious outdoor exercise area and a fenced-in area for the temporary containment of larger animals such as roaming livestock. The objective of the larger space, located at 515 New Commerce Drive, is to increase adoptions and to decrease the number of animals euthanized, due to space restrictions.

“This signage will allow members of the public to more easily find the new county facilities, which are off of the main road,” said Sandy Woody, Addressing /Street Sign Coordinator for Granville County. “We have been working with DOT on the completion of this project and hope it will be helpful in directing citizens in finding the services they are looking for.”

To contact the Granville County Sheriff’s Office by phone, please call 919-693-3213. The Animal Shelter can be reached at 919-693-6749.

Enrollment for NC Medicaid Managed Care now open

The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) will transition most beneficiaries to NC Medicaid Managed Care statewide on July 1, 2021. Under NC Medicaid Managed Care, the State is contracting with insurance companies, called Prepaid Health Plans (PHPs).

Medicaid services will be administered and reimbursed by health plans. Beneficiaries will be able to choose a health plan and primary care provider with the help of an Enrollment Broker. Medicaid services will not change, but health plans may offer enhanced services to plan members. Medicaid eligibility rules and processes will not change because of Medicaid Transformation.

The Granville County Department of Social Services will have materials to share with beneficiaries about the changes. Current beneficiaries will receive information by mail that outlines actions to be taken, when to take those actions, and who they can contact for assistance.

Enrollment for NC Medicaid Managed Care is now open. Beneficiaries can enroll in a health plan by:

• * Selecting a Primary Care Provider (PCP) and health plan through the Enrollment Broker (1) By calling 1-833-870-5500 (toll free); (2) online at ncmedicaidplans.gov; (3) by completing and returning a paper enrollment form by fax to 1-833-898-9655 or by mail to PO Box 613 Morrisville, NC 27560; (4) by using the NC Medicaid Managed Care mobile app, or
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• * Being auto-enrolled beginning May 15, 2021, in a health plan and PCP if one is not selected by the deadline (deadline is May 14, 2021).

Granville County beneficiaries will be offered five (5) health plans from which they can choose to enroll:

• * WellCare
• * UnitedHealthcare Community Plan
• * Healthy Blue
• * AmeriHealth Caritas
• * Carolina Complete Health

Beneficiaries required to enroll in a health plan have a 90-day choice period from the start of the enrollment date (July 1, 2021) to change health plans for any reason. Exempt beneficiaries can change health plans at any time.

For more information, please contact the Granville County Department of Social Services at 919-693-1511 or visit https://medicaid.ncdhhs.gov/.

March brings attention to “essential” social workers

March is “Social Work Month,” a time to celebrate the professionals who are essential to the well-being of our communities. In 2021, the theme for this observance is “Social Workers are Essential,” a timely description of the services provided every day, especially during challenging times such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Across the United States, there are more than 700,000 social workers at work, with the Bureau of Labor Statistics identifying social work as one of the fastest growing professions in the country.

The Granville County Department of Social Services employs a team of 92 professionals who assist our residents in improving their quality of life. Through economic assistance, foster care/adoptions, assistance to the impaired, referrals, the monitoring of child support, enrollment in Medicaid/food stamps, protection from abuse and neglect and many more services, our social workers have been on the front lines to assist and enable individuals and families in becoming self-sufficient.

In a proclamation issued on Feb. 25, 2021, North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper issued a proclamation honoring our social workers and designated the month of March as “Social Work Month” in North Carolina, stating that the “Social Workers Are Essential” theme embodies the heroic contributions of the social work profession, and that the work and dedication of our social workers has helped improve the quality of life of our citizens.

Granville County Commissioners followed by issuing a local proclamation, approved during their March 15 regular meeting. The official presentation was made during the March 23 meeting of the Social Services Board, with a call for all residents to join in a show of support for the social work profession and for our “essential” Granville County team.

To view the Governor’s proclamation, please click here.

To view the County proclamation, please click here.

It’s “Small Farms Week” in North Carolina

North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University’s annual tribute to small-scale agriculture, Small Farms Week, will be held March 21 through March 27, 2021. This year’s theme is “35 Years: Resilience. Strength. Diversity.” Virtual events held during the week will offer a variety of educational programs to inform the public and provide research-based information to support small farmers.

A virtual kickoff was held Friday, March 19. The event highlighted agriculture in Avery County, home of 2020 Small Farmers of the Year. Virtual programming continued on March 22 with sessions about health benefits of community gardening and ways to boost the immune system during the pandemic.

Additional events include virtual education forums and pannel discussions on the following dates:

• * March 23, forum on plant production, farm management, high tunnel winter production and livestock production. A panel of N.C. A&T students will also discuss the wide variety of career opportunities available in agriculture and related fields;
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• * March 24, forum on marketing and agribusiness. The day also includes the virtual Small Farmers’ Appreciation Program, with a keynote address and the announcement of the 2021 Small Farmer of the Year;
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• * March 25, opportunities for young people in agriculture, panel discussion by A&T students.

In Granville County, the local Cooperative Extension Office is planning a series of events to support small farmers and make the public more aware of the importance of agriculture:

• * Drop by participating stores in Granville County this week to pick up wildflower seeds packets, recipe cards and popcorn kernels to grow your own popcorn;
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• * Join in on a Lunch N’ Learn workshop (via Zoom), on Tuesday, March 23. “Your Foods: Fibs and Facts” will be held at noon to learn more about your food, organic food, GMOs, food waste, etc.;
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• * Drop off canned goods for a local food pantry. The Granville County Cooperative Extension office recently participated in a Food Drive and will be delivering donated items during Small Farms Week;
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• * Thursday, March 25 is “Thankful Thursday.” Thank a local farmer for all that they do;
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• * On Friday, March 26, winners of the 4-H Poster Contest (middle schools) will be announced; and
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• * On Saturday, March 27, everyone is encouraged to download the “VisitNC Farms” app onto their smart phones while making plans for a family outing to support a local farm.
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For more details about “Small Farms Week,” please click here.

Granville County Tax Administrator sworn in

After being appointed by the Granville County Board of Commissioners, Jennifer S. Griffin was sworn in as County Assessor and Tax Collector on March 16.

The Tax Administration Department is responsible for the listing, appraisal, assessment and collection of taxes on real and personal property for Granville County, which includes the City of Oxford, the City of Creedmoor, the Town of Butner, the Town of Stovall and the Town of Stem. As Tax Administrator, Griffin will be responsible for oversight of the Granville County Tax Office as well as tax listing/tax collection functions, managerial and administrative planning, and the real property appraisal process.

Griffin’s certifications include County Personal Property Appraiser I and County Real Property Appraiser I. She served as Property Appraisal Supervisor (formerly called the Deputy Tax Administrator) in the County’s Tax Office from 2014 until her appointment.

The Granville County Tax Office is located at 141 Williamsboro Street in Oxford.

Pictured is County Clerk Debra Weary, administering the County Assessor/Tax Collector oath to newly-appointed Tax Administrator Jennifer Griffin. Holding the Bible is Granville County Manager Michael Felts.

Commissioners to tour G.C. Hawley Middle School

A quorum of the Granville County Board of Commissioners may be present for a tour of G.C. Hawley Middle School, located at 2173 Brassfield Road in Creedmoor.

Tours will take place on Monday, March 22, 2021 at 9:30 a.m. or Tuesday, March 23, 2021 at 1:00 p.m. No action will be taken.

For more information, please contact the County Manager’s Office at 919-693-5240.

Granville County Tourism featured in 2020 annual report

Granville County Tourism was recently featured as a “hero” in the 2020 Annual Report of the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina (EDPNC). The recognition is the result of a partnership with Visit NC to promote the Granville Haunt Farm this past fall.

While other events across the state were cancelled – due to the COVID-19 pandemic – the Granville Haunt Farm drew nearly 18,000 visitors as it transitioned to a socially-distanced drive-through event in 2020. Granville County Tourism used $10,650 in Visit NC co-op marketing program credits to promote Granville Haunt Farm and safe visitation to our county. These credits were made available through the Count On Me NC public health initiative, which provided safety training to the hospitality industry and promoted “safe” traveling across the state. As part of the campaign, Visit NC issued cooperative marketing credits to local tourism offices. 

“Visit NC Co-Op Marketing helped us promote our Granville Haunt Farm in a tight budget year,” said Granville Tourism Director Angela Allen. “We are honored that our community was chosen to highlight some of the successes in tourism during COVID.”

On behalf of the state, the EDPNC operates under contract to the North Carolina Department of Commerce. The 2020 report highlights its work to recruit new business to the state, as well as its activities in critical areas contributing to the state’s economy.

To view the annual report, please click here.

Notice of special joint meeting

All interested persons please take notice that the Granville County Board of Commissioners and the Granville County Board of Education will hold a Special Joint Meeting on Monday, March 29, 2021 at 4:30 p.m. at the Mary Potter Center for Education at 200 Taylor Street, Oxford, NC.

The Boards will hear a presentation from the architect from L3P regarding possible renovation scenarios for G.C. Hawley Middle School.

Contact the Board of Education Office at 919-693-4613 for more information. 

March 14 through March 20 is “Sunshine Week”

County is represented at 2021 N.C. Rural Summit

Granville County was represented during the 2021 N.C. Rural Summit as Pratt Winston, founder of Winston International, LTD in downtown Oxford, was featured in a session on entrepreneurship. The annual Summit, held “virtually” from March 15 through March 17, focused on issues and priorities impacting the people and places of rural North Carolina. Topics included healthcare, broadband, infrastructure and regional collaboration, along with many other needs of rural communities.

Granville County Economic Development Director Harry Mills also helped lead a discussion on small business development from his office at 310 Williamsboro Street in Oxford.

Winston is the creator of the 8-track/AM-FM portable unit called the Weltron Model 2001. The 1970s invention led to an entire line of “futuristic” home entertainment pieces. Winston’s instructive “storytelling” session was centered around his life as an entrepreneur, inventor and corporate citizen.

Winston International, located at 200 Hillsboro Street, was founded in 1980 and specializes in servicing computer, electronic and electrical distributors nationwide.