CPNI is excited to announce that Francisco, NC is the site of the next CPNI team involvement. Francisco, NC resides in northern Stokes County just north of Hanging Rock State Park (part of the Sauratown Mountains) and about 3 miles south of the Virginia border. And a river runs through it, the Dan River.
Its name is derived from the Francis family who owned and operated the general store there, Francis Company, thus the town name and its pronunciation as Francis Co.
This project involves the Francisco Elementary School which was closed by the County School Board a few years ago. The school had been the core of the community for several generations and its closing spurred a community outcry.
There has been a large outpouring of community support to find ways to repurpose this treasured landmark. Our contact there, Mr. Horace Stimson, has diligently and strategically pulled together energized advocates from all sectors of the area; elected officials, business owners, retirees, families, farmers, etc. all of who have created a life in this part of NC heaven.
The Francisco Elementary School project will be the culmination of a community determined to bridge their past with the future.
CPNI has the honor of being a part of what could become a model for other NC rural areas.
For this visit, the CPNI group will become a part of the community strategic team to brainstorm ways to repurpose the School and to help generate economic activity.
Our visit is scheduled for Wednesday, April 6, 2016 and ends on Thursday, April 7, 2016. Wednesday will begin approximately at 10 AM with an initial meeting with the community followed by a tour of the school. On Thursday morning our team will provide an outline of our observations. The visit will end at approximately noon on Thursday. We will provide a formal report at a later date.
The CPNI team will stay overnight in the area. Details will be forthcoming.