The “Dunbar Village @East Spencer” lies within the East Spencer corporate city limits, which is within Rowan County, North Carolina The city is designated as a Opportunity Zone, as well as a Federal HUB and as a “Jump team” community, a designation provided by the USDA-Rural Services division, making it eligible for low-interest loans and grants from the USDA.
The above-mentioned designations make “The Dunbar Village @ East Spencer” ideal for businesses, developers, and investors seeking low-risk opportunities, strategically located within the rapidly growing Atlanta-Charlotte region. East Spencer is also centrally located within the state, boasting ideal geographical proximity to Charlotte (45 miles), and Raleigh (150 miles). East Spencer is approximately 280 miles from Atlanta, and 360 miles from Washington. It is bordered on the western front by the Southern Railroad and on the eastern front by the Interstate 85 corridor, an ideal location for companies desiring access to the fastest growing economies in the southeastern part of the United States.Read More
Dunbar High School was the first, “all Black” school in rowan County, North Carolina. The school provided the nucleus for the East Spencer, a predominantly Black Township, which boasted about its high levels of resiliency and cultural heritage. The school was closed due to integration, becoming the location of an integrated effort for nearly 30 years. Finally, after numerous
redistricting efforts by the local school system, the facility was abandoned and used sparingly to assist the community. Today the school sits in ruin, after a fire destroyed a large majority of the facility. Rowan County Airport is only 7 miles from East Spencer. It boasts a 5800 foot by 100 foot runway, and has hangar space available. Just 6 miles north, Lexington, North Carolina has an airport constructed by NASCAR driver, Richard Childress.
Childress’s airport has the capacity for leer jets and available hangar space. Major airports within 45 minutes are Charlotte- Douglas and Greensboro Regional. To promote business, the facility is only minutes from Interstate 85. East Spencer is also
located close to routes U.S. 29, 52, 70, 601, and N.C. 150. Within that geographical area, more than 3.5 million people live within 90 miles of East Spencer. 1.8 million live within 55 miles, and approximately 61% of the American population are within an 8 to 12 hour drive. “The Dunbar Village @ East Spencer” collaboration is designed to spur economic and community development opportunities.
The project promises to feature the Essie Mae Kiser Foxx Charter School, as educational hub that prepares students and adults for access to high-tech positions within a regional workforce. The strategic plan indicates a soaring need for affordable
housing, small business development, and increased community entrepreneurs. The collaboration has determined that the highest priority should be the focus on educational alternative with a “placed-based” approach, offering housing for the newly
launched charter school, anchoring a “Live-Work-Play” development with a circular economic model.
