Uwharrie Bank boosts Agri-Civic Center campaign

The ongoing campaign to raise funds for the Agri-Civic Center grew by several thousand dollars last week and continues to grow.

Uwharrie Bank in Wadesboro has donated $12,000 to date for the planning and design phase of the building, presenting the check to center representatives on Friday.

“Uwharrie Bank is always supportive of communities in a big fashion, and they’ve continued to do that,” said Lee Roy Lookabill, resource development chairman for the center. “We’re pleased they’ve decided to be a part of this project.”

Nicole Williams, Uwharrie’s vice president of marketing, said this was a way to pay it forward to the county.

“We’re very committed to making a difference in the community we service,” Williams said. “This is one way we’re fortunate to give back to Anson County.”

Janine Rywak, director of the Anson County Cooperative Extension office, said the project is still in the large gifts and corporate industry phase of the fundraising. While residents can make their own contributions now, Rywak said the center will begin focusing on individual gifts in the next phase of the project. She expects that part of the campaign to begin by the end of the year.

Rywak said that overall, she is pleased with the campaign’s progress, even though the project will cost more than originally estimated.

The total project will cost roughly $10.5 million, according to information provided by Rywak.

So far, $1,264,840 has been committed to the center. That figure includes the land purchase and feasibility study. The campaign has raised $710,040 of that total.

The county will cover 75 percent of the project, but the center relies on the community for the remaining 25 percent.

Several organizations have made direct donations, while others have made pledges over the next 10 years.

The county bought the land for the center in 2014, and began the design phase last year. This year, the center will focus on site development.

Construction of the building is scheduled to begin sometime next year.

Reach reporter Imari Scarbrough at 704-994-5471 and follow her on Twitter @ImariScarbrough.

Imari Scarbrough | Anson Record Uwharrie Bank in Wadesboro donated $12,000 to the Anson Agri-Civic Center on Friday. Pictured from left are Kyle Eudy, Uwharrie investment adviser, Mandi Rogers, bank senior vice president and ag industry specialist, Anne Flynn, Uwharrie vice president and branch manager, Janine Rywak, director of the Anson County Cooperative Extension, and Lee Roy Lookabill, capital campaign and resource development chairman for the Anson Agri-Civic Center.

https://ansonrecord.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/web1_Uwharrie-Ag-Center-donation-2.jpgImari Scarbrough | Anson Record Uwharrie Bank in Wadesboro donated $12,000 to the Anson Agri-Civic Center on Friday. Pictured from left are Kyle Eudy, Uwharrie investment adviser, Mandi Rogers, bank senior vice president and ag industry specialist, Anne Flynn, Uwharrie vice president and branch manager, Janine Rywak, director of the Anson County Cooperative Extension, and Lee Roy Lookabill, capital campaign and resource development chairman for the Anson Agri-Civic Center.