by Wiley Sloan
Thanks to generous benefactors, the Peggy Crosby Center is the healthy home of some of the area's most vibrant non-profits.
The Peggy Crosby Center, located at 348 South Fifth Street in Highlands, is the home of many of the non-profits of our area.
Its convenient location provides free parking and easy ·access for citizens of all ages, making it a hub of activity for The Highlands Literacy Council, The International Friendship Center, The Center for Life Enrichment, Gilliam's Promise, The Counseling Center of Highlands, and The Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust. In addition to these non-profits, some specialized businesses fulfill needs to our community like geriatric care, catering, financial services, and an entrepreneurial consulting service helping emerging businesses. Without the Center, these businesses might not be able to locate in our community. This building was Highlands's first hospital, built more than 65 years ago. When the hospital moved to its present campus approximately 20 years ago, town leaders struggled to find the best use for this property. Thankfully, a gracious benefactor bequeathed money for the newly formed 501 C(3) entity, thus the name The Peggy Crosby Center.
Each year the PCC Board works diligently to fulfill its mission of "providing affordable office space to organizations who offer community services." They struggle to raise funds from both public and private donors to cover the capital expenses of maintaining this aging structure. The rents charged cover the cost of only the operating expenses - no capital expenses. This is no easy task since the PCC is not affiliated with any other organization and receives no ongoing funding from any source. Also PCC has to be careful that their fundraising does not take funds away from their non-profit tenants. Key donors have been Cullasaja Women's Outreach, Western NC Community Foundation, Fibber's, Cannon Foundation, Laurel Garden Club, and Wild Azalea Garden Club, plus many private donors.
Over the past three years the PCC has received an updated, vibrant look with fresh new paint, carpeting, and art work. Entering the building you are energized with the beauty of your surroundings. While beautiful, the improvements that have been made are not just cosmetic; new energy efficient windows, additional insulation, and new doors all help to reduce the monthly utility costs and make the building more ecologically friendly. Let's not forget the improved fire safety that tenants enjoy. The improvements would not have been possible without the generous donations of many of you and the professional expertise of the folks at Summit Architecture.
If you're not familiar with the Peggy Crosby Center, please take time to stop by and visit the premises. There is still work to be done on the landscaping. The PCC property is home to some of nature's, most valuable trees -- the Franklinia Tree is considered to be one of the rarest trees in the world. There is also the Nordman Fir, a well-known indicator of environmental change that begs to be preserved. Finally, the European Fir, planted by early pioneer Thomas G. Harbison, is believed to be one of the-oldest of its kinds in North Carolina.
The Peggy Crosby Center -- one of Highlands' many assets.