In 2021, the Town of Indian Trail received $12.7 million through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) to offset negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Of this amount, $10 million was used to support non-profits and service organizations throughout the community. Since 2022, the Town has assisted numerous non-profits, service organizations, schools and first responders in providing additional resources to residents in Indian Trail and Union County, focusing on the most vulnerable populations, including children, senior citizens and those experiencing food and shelter needs. 

In May of 2023, the Town of Davidson Police Department announced the implementation of a new Co-Responder Program. The Co-Responder program is housed within the Davidson Police Department (DPD) and utilizes a unique relationship between law enforcement officers and a trained clinician who provides a mobile, community-based service focused on mental health, substance use and situational crisis intervention services.

Like countless other communities, the City of Gastonia has noticed excessive litter along its roadways in recent years. The short-term solution was to turn to the Public Works Department’s mowing crew. These crews were being pulled from their daily duties to address litter complaints, so Gastonia made a change.

The City of Albemarle’s strategic plan was developed to make the most of city operations and resources and provide maximum value to Albemarle residents. Within two years, city staff completed or started nearly 150 tactics tied to the plan.  

City of Gastonia’s “Farm to Table – Cultivating Opportunity” began as a proposal for a Dominion Energy grant that would bring together three unique organizations in order to serve a single cause: reducing the barriers to healthy food through community collaboration.

Read on to learn how.

Albemarle’s Project Next Step is a summer program designed to improve students’ access to innovative learning strategies and engage local students in quality, interactive enrichment opportunities with Stanly County Community College. By integrating academic enrichment with real-world experiences, the program was able to broaden the horizons of many Albemarle Middle School students and prepare them for future academic success. 

Though Spencer’s roots are aligned with connectivity, town officials still saw that easy access to recreational amenities was missing and desired by members of the community. Spencer sits right in between the Yadkin River Park and the Grants Creek Greenway, two popular attractions in the area. In response to this unmet need, stakeholders worked together to plan and begin executing a trailhead initiative that would offer seamless connection to surrounding amenities.

Studies have shown that engaging in the arts can positively impact stress levels, enhance self-confidence and even improve academic performance among children and young adults. Communities that incorporate arts in their events, program offerings and gathering spaces provide a competitive economic edge and help to foster neighborhood vitality. The Town of Cornelius was honored this year with one of our two awards in this category for their development of the new Cain Center of the Arts, a community hub for visual arts, performing arts and social experiences.

The Region of Excellence Award for Cross-Community Collaboration honors government, nonprofit and or private entities that work together to leverage their resources and skills to combat a widespread problem in their community. This past year, the City of Albemarle was honored for their efforts to establish the City of Albemarle Firefighter Cadet Academy. This endeavor, created in partnership with Stanly Community College (SCC) and Rowan-Cabarrus Community College (RCCC), effectively demonstrates the value of aligning forces to achieve better outcomes for those in the community.  

The City of Gastonia and Gaston County received the 2022 Region of Excellence Award for Local Government Innovation for their partnership in building inspection services. Their teamwork is a positive example of the success that comes from cities and counties working together towards a common goal. This project provides an effective solution to address a challenge in the community, delivering a measurable impact at the local government level.