Markers located on US 74 at county line and state line of I-26

Polk County and Advantage West officials unveiled a sign on U.S. 74 on Wednesday, Oct. 12 marking Polk as a Certified Entrepreneurial Community (CEC). In addition to the U.S. 74 sign, located at the Polk/Rutherford county line, another sign was placed on I-26 at the N.C./S.C. state line.

Polk County is one of fewer than 10 communities to be designated as a CEC.

The CEC program is currently unique to Western North Carolina, but other states have recently expressed interest in developing the certification.

Ambrose Mills, former Polk County Economic Development Commission chair and CEC team leader, said the certification is an assessment of the county’s resources, or a blueprint for how the county will seek economic development in the coming years.

“Polk County has always been a beautiful and welcoming community,” Mills said in the Advantage West annual report. “But by going through the CEC process with Advantage West, we now have the resources, leadership and strategic plan in place to truly say we are entrepreneurial-ready.”

Polk County’s certification took three years to acquire. Team leaders for the CEC effort came from the county’s former economic development commission, which has now been merged into the Polk County Economic Tourism Development Commission (ETDC). Team leaders for the certification included Mills, county manager Ryan Whitson, Polk County Agricultural Economic Development Director Lynn Sprague, Craig Hilton, who was recently named the new (ETDC) chair; Libbie Johnson, who was recently named the new ETDC director; and Bob Morgan.

Being certified as an entrepreneurial community means that Polk gets the permanent highways signage and will be included in a new CEC website. The county will be included in a co-op marketing campaign through Advantage West to attract new businesses. Polk will also be eligible for funding through grants.

Much of Polk County’s recent entrepreneurial growth has come from its agricultural center, located at the former Mill Spring School. The center has quickly become a resource for agricultural development, farmland preservation, education, community service and business development. The center already includes several entrepreneurial businesses, including artists, an herbalist, a woodworker and a soil and water conservation company.

Advantage West CEO Scott Hamilton joined Polk County officials Wednesday to unveil the U.S. 74 sign. Hamilton said Polk County is a unique destination with the certification. Polk joins the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians, Black Mountain, and the counties of Haywood, Burke, Mitchell, Watauga and Transyvlania counties. Hamilton said Advantage West anticipates three other communities will receive the certification and six other communities are in the process of being certified.

The CEC website at awcec.com describes Polk County as follows:

“Wine, horses and high-tech

“Located in the isothermal belt tucked under the Blue Ridge, Polk County is blessed with temperate climate and diverse terrain that attracts many retirees and businesses — the equestrian and wine business and alternative farming thrive here.

“Tryon, Saluda, and Columbus are the primary towns in the county. All these offer lively downtown areas with local shopping, dining, and friendly people. These towns are surrounded by beautiful mountains, waterfalls, and parks.

“Education and volunteerism are highly valued. School systems are well funded and highly rated. Large numbers of volunteers, especially in the rich, diverse art community that thrives here, help the area prosper.

“Entrepreneurs are welcomed enthusiastically and there are many resources that help them succeed. Close proximity to larger markets such as Greenville – Spartanburg in SC and Charlotte simplify doing business in the area.

“The combination of delightful weather, good access to larger markets, great schools, an active, involved retiree population, and a growing agri-based economy creates a vibrant quality of life for area residents.”