First Posted: 2/17/2012

PEMBROKE — Kyle R. Carter, the chancellor at The University of North Carolina at Pembroke, on Friday introduced the board of trustees to a downtown development project the university is spearheading.

The plan is to use private funding to renovate side-by-side storefront buildings on Main Street in Pembroke as a center of business, commerce and student and community enterprise. After applying for a grant from the Golden Leaf Foundation, the university is closing in on raising $225,000 from private donors to purchase the property.

Carter laid out the plan, which he said would give the university a presence in the downtown. The benefits of the 17,000- square-foot building are many.

“This is a transformative project,” Carter said. “And, no state funds will be used in this project.”

The building would combine UNCP’s two business development units — the Small Business and Technology Development Center and the Thomas Family Center for Entrepreneurship. The centers offer professional assistance to new and start-up businesses.

A business incubator for new businesses is also on the drawing board, along with a coffee shop, an arts and crafts showcase and a store featuring UNCP gear.

Wendy Lowery, vice chancellor with the Office for Advancement, is leading the fund-raising.

“This is a fundraiser’s dream,” she said. “There is great interest in our downtown development project, but the time-frame is tight.”

Lowry said an unnamed donor has committed $100,000 as a “challenge grant,” payable on or before mid-March when other donors contribute $125,000.

“It will be a presence in the downtown that says UNC Pembroke,” said Steve Martin, associate vice chancellor for facilities management. “We have successfully completed an environmental and structural assessment.”

“Besides a learning laboratory, two business assistance programs and a business incubator to assist small business start-ups, the center will build academic programs,” said Cammie Hunt, associate vice chancellor for the Office of Engaged Outreach.

Carter said the immediate challenge is to purchase the buildings. He did not name the owners, but he said they were offering the properties via a gift-purchase agreement. Golden Leaf’s and other grant sources’ final decisions are pending the purchase of the building before further consideration of UNCP’s proposals. The Golden Leaf Foundation’s mission is to stimulate enterprise in former tobacco-dependent communities.

In unveiling a new storefront design, Carter said the renovation costs would be approximately $1.6 million.

“I’d love for this to be a showcase for the town and the university,” he said. “I see it a the start of something really positive.”

Student Trustee Brian McCormick asked how students would benefit. Carter noted that no state money or funds from student tuition or fees would used for the project.

“We’re being entrepreneurial about the downtown development project,” Carter said. “It will result in additional opportunities for students.”

For information on the project, call UNCP’s Office for Advancement at 910-521-6252.