Chamber presents Western Rockingham Alliance plan to tackle vacancies and youth leadership

Mavis Dillard, representing the Chamber, presented the Western Rockingham Alliance Feb. 12 and asked the Board to support a new 501(c)(3) nonprofit focused on community development, education and civic engagement.

Dillard said the alliance aims to combine regional partners to pursue grants and programming, including a junior leadership academy for middle-school students, volunteer-driven initiatives and a directory and marketing effort to highlight local manufacturers. "Rockingham County is still a tier 1 county," Dillard said, arguing that designation improves grant competitiveness. She noted the group is awaiting a tax ID and has begun fundraising: a local construction company sent the chamber a $1,300 check and a chamber member, Christie Smith, pledged $1,000 as seed money.

Dillard also mentioned plans to pursue a Duke Energy "250" grant and work with local foundations and businesses on partnerships for summer programming. Board members asked clarifying questions about operations and grant use; Dillard said the alliance will operate under the chamber umbrella until its tax ID and formal nonprofit paperwork are completed.

Next steps: alliance organizers will finalize the tax ID, develop a fundraising page and return to the board with further details or grant applications as needed.