Theater owner donates Web domain to town

Laura Ashley Lamm

To help the Town of Tarboro grow and prosper, Jason Clark is donating the domain name of "tarboro.com" to the town.

Having owned the domain name for approximately 10 years, Clark, the owner of Parkhill Cinema 3, is ready to donate it to the town for a use that will help to benefit Tarboro.

"There have been several offers over the past few years to acquire the domain name. I was reluctant to sell it because I was not satisfied that it would be used appropriately," explained Clark.

"(Town Councilman) Steve Hoard was the latest person to contact me about the site and his visions echoed mine. We both want to see Tarboro grow and prosper. I feel that the town needs a portal that will be used to promote Tarboro to the rest of the world. Hopefully, the new site will serve the entire community and not just specific entities."

Over the years, the site has been used to promote an array of businesses including Parkhill Cinema, and during the flood from Hurricane Floyd to direct residents to the Red Cross and local churches helping with disaster relief.

As for how the site will be used for the town is still in discussion and the official transition date is to be determined. Clark predicts the handing over of the site near the end of February.

"I am hoping that it will be a portal for everyone to learn about Tarboro and aid in their decision to move here or open a business here. Tarboro needs to grow so that future generations can have more than what the past has offered us," said Clark.

"... I feel that Dr. Hoard was open and honest with me and that this will assist the town's efforts to grow and prosper. The future must start now," added Clark.

Though it is not clear what content will be installed on the site, it is sure to be helping the the town's efforts to market and promote Tarboro so that more people will want to move and visit this Eastern North Carolina town.

"It has been a pleasure talking with and assisting those that have contacted me through Tarboro.com. I could have easily sold the rights to the domain name for a considerable profit many times," said Clark.

"I hope this donation does everyone in Tarboro some good in the long run and expect the town (whoever will be in charge of the site now) to continue my efforts to help Tarboro grow and prosper."

"I encourage anyone to contact them once the new site is up with suggestions and concerns for the Web site and the town," said Clark. " I would like to see a forum (message board) where legitimate thoughts and concerns can be discussed. A lot of things can be discovered about this town outside of official meetings."

Those residents who have been using the Parkhill Cinema link of the "tarboro.com" site should log on to "parkhillcinema.com" instead. The Parkhill Cinema site is in the process of be revamped as well.

The Town of Tarboro's current Web site, "www.tarboro-nc.com" is currently in the process of being updated for marketing efforts as well.

The Town of Tarboro is currently planning on finding ways to market Tarboro outside of the state and region. The first phase of the new marketing concept is to updating the town's Web site so those interested in Tarboro can see everything the town has to offer.

Nancy Johnson, president of Market Force of Raleigh, presented ways to market Tarboro during a Town Council meeting earlier this month.

“Revising the present town Web site is a good first step (in marketing Tarboro),” said Johnson. “We need to make the Web site more marketing focused.”

The new Web site would include 36 pages; pull-down menus on every page; a portal to associated organizations like the Arts Council, Chamber and Real Estate; maps with highways; as well as new photos and graphics.

With the council agreeing that creating a new Web site for the town would be the top priority, Johnson will work with Town Manager Sam Noble and other town officials to create a preliminary idea and design to bring to the February council meeting.

Updating the town’s Web site would cost $17,000, she said.

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