Rutherford College eyes local business growth, downtown upgrades

Working with local economic development “experts,” including town resident Mike Watts, was named as a vital goal for Rutherford College at a joint planning session Monday night with the Town Council and Planning Board.

Noting that the small town does not really have the large tracts of land available to attract new industry, several council members spoke about the necessity of continuing to attract new small businesses to the town.

Council and board members also agreed that everything possible must continue to be done to promote and support existing local businesses

Watts, who is the CEO of Berkshire Hathaway in Morganton and who has shown consistent success as a developer of both commercial and residential properties, lives not far from Town Hall in Rutherford College.

Other goals that drew widespread support from council and board members included:

• New sidewalks for some town streets as well as possible widening of the sidewalk along busy Malcolm Boulevard.
• Installation of more aesthetically pleasing lighting in the downtown business district.
• More visible town signage on U.S. 70 near its intersection with Malcolm Boulevard.
• A lighted billboard along Interstate 40 near exit 113.
• Working to educate town property owners about the Burke River Trail and what property easements to allow the trail to advance really mean.

Other goals that drew support were building a long “super slide” at the Greenway Park behind Town Hall, and “taking good care” of Public Works employee Zeke Leger.

Also discussed at the meeting were possible monthly concerts on the permanent outdoor stage nearing completion, methods to slow down traffic on Malcolm Boulevard, additional Christmas lighting and decorations, and more activities for senior citizens.

Town Manager Jessica Bargsley said she will use the goals enunciated at Monday’s meeting and see how they can be accommodated in the town budget for the upcoming 2026-27 fiscal year.

Also, 2027 will mark the 50th anniversary of the town’s re-incorporation back in the summer of 1977.

Bargsley said a budget workshop for the council will be held at Town Hall on the evening of Monday, May 18.

Asked about the success of the joint planning session, Mayor Yates Jensen said, “It’s always good to get the Council and the Planning Board together to share ideas on ways to improve the town.”

“Tonight, we were basically compiling a wish list,” Jensen added. “Now we have to look at the budget numbers and prioritize where we want our spending to go.”