The small town of Roseboro, N.C., is experiencing a transformative period. The development is fueled by funds from the North Carolina Department of Commerce aimed at breathing new life into the town’s downtown and supporting future growth.
Between a Rural Economic Development Grant and a Rural Transformation Grant, Roseboro received over $1 million to cover the costs of revitalizing a vacant downtown building. The space will soon be home to a retail tenant on the first floor and two studio apartments on the second floor. 

The town purchased 109-C Roseboro St. in downtown Roseboro in 2022 with plans for renovating it and outfitting the space to accommodate new tenants. It had been vacant for decades, so they knew it was in desperate need of renovations. 

“[The building] had been vacant for probably over 30 years, so it was in very bad shape. It needed a new roof... It needed a lot. It had no air, no heat, no plumbing, none of that,” remarked Roseboro Mayor Alice Butler.

The building is approximately 3600 square feet in size. Construction is in progress. All the framing is done and they’ve begun placing the windows. HVAC and electrical is being done by the local company Terry Long Electrical, and construction materials are being purchased at the local hardware store whenever possible, with the intention to continue to pour back into the community across all aspects of the development process. The estimated completion date for the project is mid-January 2026. 

Historic designation is also part of the project goals. “The town didn’t just want to tackle revitalization by buying a building and fixing it up. A part of the rural transformation money also went to a consultant for the historic nomination so we could become a historic downtown,” explained Director of Roseboro's Small Town Main Street initiative Tyler Wise. 

The town will know the verdict on their historic nomination on Oct. 9. If approved, the designation will enable business owners to receive significant tax benefits from federal, state and local programs that incentivize the rehabilitation of historic properties. 

Roseboro has been on the path towards growth for several years now. Town leadership have paved the way for new businesses to set up shop in the area and new residents to come in and call the small town home. In their Economic Development Implementation Plan for 2023-2026 developed alongside NC Main Street & Rural Planning, Roseboro identified their vision to be “a destination on your journey with social and cultural experiences and unique dining and shopping.”

“We also want people to move here. It’s such a great, tight knit community where you will feel like family, and so if they are looking to just invest in a building or things like that. There’s opportunity there, but there are also houses going up too where people can also move into this community,” added Wise. 

“We’ve had more houses built in the last three to four years than in the last 20 years… they’re building them where people can afford them – $230,000-$260,000 homes, beautiful, brand new homes,” added Butler.

Proximity to Fort Bragg and remote employment opportunities have helped contribute to the growth in Roseboro. The town has laid the groundwork for a boom in visitors and residents by updating infrastructure and evaluating the needs of current and potential business owners. One example of recent updates includes their water treatment plan being expanded to 700,000 gallons per day. They also have a brand new fire department with five double bays. 

“These aren’t dreams that the town has pulled out of the sky. They have looked at data. They’ve had groups like [Construction Professionals Network Institute] CPNI. They’ve had a retail gap analysis that’s come from N.C. Commerce that has also helped in driving a lot of what’s occurring right now,” shared Wise. 

Many of the town’s upgrades serve more than just residents. Investment in green space and event venues has further encouraged both economic and social vibrancy. Additions such as the aLive in the 'Boro concert series draw visitors from neighboring towns as well, driving economic impact through visitor spending. The Mountains-to-Sea Trail also passes through Roseboro, enhancing local tourism.

The work will be far from over once 109-C is finished. The town also purchased the adjacent building within the last couple of months and plans to apply for additional grant funding to revitalize that space as well. 

With construction proceeding rapidly and the energy of residents, officials and newcomers alike, Roseboro is poised for a new era of prosperity. The town is committed to revitalizing and filling vacant buildings and bringing new business to the area, securing a rosy future for Roseboro.