With nearly 30 years of service to the City of Albemarle, Michael Ferris has left an enduring mark on his community through visionary leadership, ethical standards and a deep commitment to public service. Beginning his career with Albemarle in 1997 as Assistant City Manager and serving as City Manager from 2014 until his retirement in February 2024, Mr. Ferris guided the city’s remarkable transformation from a former textile mill town to a thriving, modern community.

Every year, preventable falls and house fires claim the lives of countless older adults, a stark reality underscored by national statistics. Individuals aged 65 and older are twice as likely to die in a fire, with the risk growing significantly with age. Meanwhile, one in four older adults falls each year, often resulting in injury or death. In response, the Council on Aging in Union County launched the S.L.I.P. program to proactively address these risks…

In 2020, Carrie Black launched Integrity Home Mobility, Inc., combining her expertise as a physical therapist assistant with her newly acquired general contractor license to fill a critical gap in home care. Through her unique fusion of healthcare and construction knowledge, Carrie created a full-service company focused on helping older adults live safely and independently in their homes…

The City of Gastonia was awarded the Clean Cities award for its forward-thinking approach to public transportation, particularly through the implementation of its on-demand microtransit system, GoGastonia. By leveraging cutting-edge technology and efficient transportation models, Gastonia has set a new standard for getting around efficiently and effectively…

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.