STEPHANIE KLEIN-DAVIS The Roanoke Times

Katie McElroy became the executive director of the Community Partnership for Revitalization in Rocky Mount in May. First on McElroy's to-do list in her new position was a revitalization effort in the area around the Franklin County Courthouse, which is moving forward.

ROCKY MOUNT -- The past is exactly that to Katie McElroy, executive director of the Community Partnership for Revitalization.

She said she's heard of some small-town gossip and disagreements between the 15-year-old nonprofit Franklin County-based organization and the community -- but chooses to turn a deaf ear, instead focusing on the future. The group was established to help take Rocky Mount -- the county's historical and quaint county seat -- to a new and better place.

But over the years the group has been entangled in politics with the town government and other organizations, sometimes over personalities, and sometimes over money and projects.

"I'm going to do what I'm here to do," McElroy said. "I want to make progress instead of dwelling in the past."

The 28-year-old's to-do list is long, leaving no time for past grievances. After several years, a revitalization project in the "uptown" area near the courthouse is rolling forward and will change the look of the area through facade improvements. Soon, the partnership will begin administering music grants to local businesses to host live music events to help boost business. And when all of the more immediate demands are met, McElroy hopes to start a youth advisory council, giving Rocky Mount's younger residents a chance to shape their town.

McElroy is a Florida native and graduate of Kent State University in Ohio. She recently worked for the state department of social services as an outreach liaison for the 2-1-1 service.

Still learning the ropes of the job she started in May and settling into her new home after a recent move to Rocky Mount from Lexington, McElroy took time to answer a few questions. Q: Why did you decide to apply for the executive director position with CPR?

A: I noticed the posting and I'm intrigued by architecture, so I visited the CPR Web site and realized that the mission was in line with something I would enjoy.

The efforts of CPR make sense -- downtown, uptown is the heart and soul of the community. Having a thriving downtown goes beyond impacting just the town, it impacts individuals. It's not vain to want a beautiful downtown. By creating that you are improving the quality of life for the individuals living in the community. Property values increase and downtown can serve as a hub for social activity and entertainment. Having a well-maintained downtown is an asset when recruiting businesses to the town. When businesses move to the area, jobs are created and vacant buildings become occupied. I believe this is something we should continuously strive to achieve.

Q. How do you envision CPR helping the town?

A: CPR will help the town in any way we can, including revitalization efforts, marketing, design, [and] beautification projects. CPR hopes to support the local downtown business and property owners to encourage community members to live, play and eat local. The CPR will work with the town of Rocky Mount, Franklin County, Virginia Main Street staff and community members to ensure that Rocky Mount is benefiting from all available resources.

Q. There are some in the town that question CPR's usefulness to the community. How do you and the board plan to change people's thinking, if at all?

A: I have yet to meet these individuals. I have only seen a great deal of support for CPR. My focus will be on doing my job to the best of my ability, which involves supporting local businesses and community members. I will strive to enhance the wonderful town of Rocky Mount and aim to create a thriving, livable downtown.

CPR is constantly working to find new ways to enhance the town. We have a lot of exciting things happening this year. I would encourage individuals who believe in the CPR mission to get involved. There are many levels of engagement, including serving on the board or one of our four committees ... or by volunteering in the office or during one of our many great events.

Q: What do you think is missing from the downtown and uptown areas?

A: It's a sign of the times, there's not a lot of retail downtown. We're going to come up with ways to help support the businesses that are already there and then recruit new businesses.

Q: There are many groups in Rocky Mount working toward similar goals as CPR, such as the Franklin County Retail Merchants, the Warren Street Society and the chamber of commerce. How will CPR interact with those groups?

A: We want to work with different groups. One of our goals is to make the downtown experience one to remember. In the future, I'd love to see CPR hold true to its mission and partner with other groups to make downtown exciting, livable.

Q: How do you see the proposed amphitheater [in downtown Rocky Mount] impacting the town?

A: If it moves forward it can accomplish a few things. It's a venue to house events and if it's at the bottom of Mary Elizabeth Park, it will be a corridor between uptown and downtown. It will be interesting to see. It will benefit local businesses if it's done properly, not saying that it won't be done properly. But we should move forward with caution and make sure that it's not a burden to maintain.