On Thursday, Jerry Presley, Executive Director of the Pine Hills Neighborhood Improvement District (NID), discussed with Derrick Wallace, one of the candidates in the race for Orange County District 6, and the area’s business leaders, the role of NID and the programs and projects currently underway. He also shared some of the challenges facing local businesses and the obstacles to attracting new investment to the Pine Hills area.
Regarding ongoing programs, Presley highlighted the Business Association that had been formed, which now has an active membership of 200 persons; the Business Assistance for Neighborhood Corridors (BANC) Program that provides grant assistance for facade improvements for businesses located on Pine Hills Road between Colonial Drive and Silver Star Road and the Pine Hills Pillar Initiative, a grassroots effort aimed at building broad-based community support for effecting positive change in the community.
“Restoring the Pine Hills area is not a short-term project, people have to be engaged for the long haul…it’s a long-term project of about 15-20 years.” he said. “The big thing is, we have to make sure those who are coming into [elected] office know who we are and what we do…helping to transform the community into a place that feels like home and that they could be proud of.”
Listen to Jerry Presley discuss NID and the challenges of the area.
