City of Asheboro seeks sponsorships for various parts of the Center City Garden

ASHEBORO — Asheboro’s city council endorsed a sponsorship guide for donations to manage the David and Pauline Jarrell Center City Garden once it’s complete. 

Along with reviewing that resolution at their Aug. 6 meeting, they doled out economic development funds in the new 2026-27 budget.

Garden sponsorships

Assistant City Manager Trevor Nutall presented a draft of the Center City Garden sponsorship guide. 

It will include a form for individuals, businesses, organizations and community partners to contribute money, listing which amenity they would like to sponsor, for how long, and how they would like to be recognized.

The city has planned three garden collections across approximately three acres. Planned amenities include:

■ A plaza.

■ A pergola.

■ Nature play area. 

■ Benches.

■ Boardwalk.

■ Educational signs.

Sponsorship money will go toward maintenance, repairs and replacement amenities in the garden, which is under construction on South Cox Street.

Here are options that would be available according to the draft approved by the city council:

Nature Play Area — A natural play space that encourages creativity, exploration and connection with nature. 3 years: $10,000. 10 years: $25,000. Lifetime: TBD. Recognition includes naming rights, prominent recognition signage, website recognition.

Pergola — A semi-covered area with ample room for small events and gatherings. 3 years: $10,000. 10 years: $30,000. Lifetime: TBD. Recognition includes naming rights, prominent recognition signage, website recognition.

Boardwalk — An immersive path connecting visitors to the garden’s natural landscape and wetland area. 3 years: $15,000. 10 years: $35,000. Lifetime: TBD. Recognition includes naming rights, prominent recognition signage, website recognition.

Signature Garden Collections — For each area: 3 years: $4,000. 10 years: $10,000. Lifetime: TBD. Recognition includes prominent recognition signage, website recognition. The options:

■ Heirloom Garden — Celebrating the region’s agricultural heritage and time-honored plants.

■ Wetland Garden — A living habitat that supports wildlife and protects our natural resources.

■ Display Garden — Vibrant seasonal plantings that provide beauty and inspiration year-round.

Garden Benches — Comfortable places for rest, relaxation and admiring the serene surroundings. 3 years: $750. 10years: $2,000. Lifetime: TBD. Includes recognition plaques.

Educational signage — Various displays throughout the garden with enlightening information about the landscape. 3 years: $750. 10 years: $2,000. Lifetime: TBD. Includes recognition plaques.

A sponsor may ask for naming rights, a sign on the property and their name on the garden website for the duration of their sponsorship.

When it expires, the city may renew the agreement with the original sponsor, take up another sponsor’s offer, or let it lapse and the amenity go unsponsored.

Council member Charles Swiers asked if these will be set up like an escrow account. Nuttall said it will probably be more like an endowment fund.

Economic development funds

Each fiscal year, Asheboro sets aside funds for economic development. 

Finance Director Debbie Reaves explained that after they pass the budget, they must hold a public hearing then vote on each.

In this month’s meeting, the city council approved four allocations:

■ $25,000 for Asheboro/Randolph County Chamber of Commerce to provide small business assistance, business development activities, events and promotion, and local youth and adult leadership training. Chamber President Adam Deathe said they hope to continue two flagship workforce development programs: Student LIFT and Leadership Randolph.

■ $45,000 to Downtown Asheboro Inc. for revitalization efforts in and around Asheboro’s historic core.

■ $10,000 to Downtown Asheboro Inc.’s PRESERVE Asheboro Grant program, which provides consultants to help local business owners receive historic preservation grants.

■ $55,000 to the Randolph County Economic Development Corporation to recruit new industrial and manufacturing companies, site selection services, technical assistance for existing companies, assistance with training and installment financing, incentives information, and international trade services and information.

The budget originally set aside $75,000 for the Chamber of Commerce. Council member Kelly Heath recommended lowering it to $25,000, noting its funds were increased in previous years when they had a joint venture with Asheboro that’s since ended. 

She said $25,000 was how much they received in 2019-20 before the venture.