A delegation of business and civic leaders were in Washington recently to share Scotland County concerns with federal officials.
The group, including County Manager Kevin Patterson, Laurinburg Councilman Drew Williamson, Chamber Chair Becca Hughes, Scotland Healthcare Foundation Director Kirsten Dean, businessman Allen McLaurin, County Commissioner Bob Davis and businessman David McLamb. The Scotland group came on behalf of the Scotland County Chamber of Commerce to attend the two-day North Carolina Business & Economic Development Summit. It was held Sept. 10 and 11.
The annual event is hosted by Rep. Larry Kissell and other members of the North Carolina delegation.
“The folks in Scotland County have never stopped working to help better the community, despite the challenges we’ve faced along the way,” said Kissell. “The hard work and great ideas that are required to get our country back on track will come from local communities.”
The summit began with an address by the government affairs director of the NC Chamber followed by an executive leadership panel comprised of corporations and business owners from across the state.
The delegation also heard official briefings by the hosting North Carolina U.S. representatives including Kissell and Reps. Mike McIntyre, G.K. Butterfield, Renee Ellmers, Walter Jones, Patrick McHenry and Mel Watt.
The chamber delegation was also able to hold face-to-face meetings with the offices of Sens. Richard Burr and Kay Hagan,
“Events such as this are designed to help people who work on the front lines of economic development and job growth to come to Washington and tell us what works, and what doesn’t,” Kissell said. “Washington should listen more and talk less, and I am pleased to have people from Scotland County continuing to take part in that conversation.”
Patterson thanked Kissell for his attention to local needs in Scotland, and discussed the benefits of the summit.
“We had a great meeting with Congressman Kissell and have really enjoyed this summit,” said Patterson. “The chamber represents many different entities within Scotland County and Congressman Kissell has always worked hard to support and fight for everyone in our county. It’s been great to meet with him and others from around North Carolina at this summit, and we thank him for hosting us.”







