Albemarle, NC

The Power of Place

Advancing Albemarle’s Downtown Vision to Meet Resident Needs

In Albemarle, North Carolina, progress feels personal. It is a place where city leaders greet residents by name, where downtown buildings tell stories of industry and renewal, and where growth is guided not by chance but by vision. Surrounded by scenic lakes and a landscape rich in history, Albemarle has found its stride as a community that welcomes change without losing its sense of home.

Mayor Ronnie Michael says that balance is at the heart of Albemarle’s success. “We have tremendous parks and lakes around us,” Mayor Michael says. “We have a lot to offer, not just from a lifestyle standpoint but from a business perspective as well. Our community has many opportunities ahead, and we are very intentional about planning for them.”

That sense of intention runs through every part of the city’s growth. Guided by an award-winning strategic plan and shaped by strong community engagement, Albemarle is moving confidently into the future, blending the warmth of a small town with the innovation and momentum of a modern city.

Smart Growth Through Strategic Planning

City Manager Darren Rhodes explains that Albemarle’s evolution is not accidental but deeply rooted in deliberate planning. “Our council set out a mission and vision through our strategic plan, which we review annually,” Rhodes says. “It is guided by community input, staff expertise, and council leadership.”

The plan centers on five key goals: organizational capacity, safety and security, infrastructure, community and economic growth opportunities, and inclusive community engagement. “We develop tangible actions each year,” Rhodes continues. “These tactics become part of the annual budget, so every initiative has a clear path from idea to implementation.”

Albemarle’s land use plan, a comprehensive blueprint informed by more than 700 community responses and over a dozen public meetings, defines how the city will grow over the next two decades. “Growth is coming to Albemarle on a historic level,” Rhodes says. “This plan helps us ensure that development enhances our community while preserving what makes it special.”

Mayor Michael emphasizes that transparency has been essential to the process. “We do not want to do anything without the public knowing what we are doing,” she says. “Having the community involved from the beginning was very important to us.”

A Pro-Business Mindset

For Lindsey Almond, Albemarle’s Economic Development Director, the city’s success lies in its ability to attract new businesses while keeping costs manageable and supporting local enterprise with ease. “Within the Charlotte region, Albemarle offers lower operating costs, affordable land, and a highly engaged workforce,” Almond says. “We have a pro-business mindset at City Hall. Because all of our municipal utilities are managed locally, we can streamline timelines and keep rates competitive.”

The Albemarle Business Center, located just minutes from downtown, has become a cornerstone for industrial and advanced manufacturing growth. “We have ample water and sewer capacity on site, and we are expanding our electrical capacity to 25 megawatts by 2028,” Almond explains. “That is especially important for industries driven by automation and artificial intelligence.”

Albemarle is also making sustainability part of its economic identity. “Our electrical source is 99 percent carbon-free,” Almond adds. “For companies focused on environmental responsibility, that is a major advantage.”

Situated within a foreign trade zone and opportunity zone, the Business Center offers local, state, and federal incentives. “When you combine all of those opportunities,” Almond says, “it makes Albemarle a very competitive place for companies looking to expand or relocate.”

Revitalizing the Heart of the City

Downtown Albemarle has emerged as a vibrant showcase of the city’s commitment to preserving its character while fostering new opportunities. Through the Downtown Catalyst Grant, small grants are turning into big wins. “Last year, we leveraged 1.5 million dollars in private investment for just 90,000 dollars in grants,” Almond says. “One great example is Uwharrie Brewing, which used the grant to add a canning operation, bringing micro-manufacturing back downtown.”

Historic preservation plays a defining role in Albemarle’s revitalization strategy. “We have 33 years of Main Street accreditation, which focuses on economic development through historic preservation,” Almond explains. “We practice what we preach. Our former fire department is now Uwharrie Brewing, a former bank became our Police Department headquarters, and an old Coca-Cola bottling plant now houses our fire and community police station.”

The city has also invested in Courthouse Plaza, one of downtown’s oldest spaces, transforming it into a welcoming place for events, shopping, and dining. “It is about giving people reasons to come downtown, linger, and enjoy the city after business hours,” Almond says.

Looking ahead, Mayor Michael sees continued momentum. “We are going to see more apartments and second-floor living as these buildings are redeveloped,” she says. “With Pfeiffer University’s presence, we expect to see more medical and educational growth as well.”

A Green Focus for Its Residents

The city, as part of its overall masterplan is devoting time, planning and resources to ensure that the beautiful green spaces and recreational opportunities are plentiful and kept to the very best standards.

“We recently completed a 10-year Parks and Recreation master plan. What are some of the top priorities or signature projects outlined in this plan? We had a few top priorities. The community really wants a splash pad so that from the community is a top priority.”  Lisa Kiser, Parks and Recreation Director states. “ We’re looking at a property to do some potential sports tourism. So, that is also a top priority, and the third priority was greenways and trails throughout the city, so those are the top three big priorities.”

Kiser adds that, “ When you’re thinking about attracting people to a city, you want to make sure that there’s stuff to do in the city and the parks and recreation in those cities are what makes a city alive and brings the community together.”

“ You want to have nice parks. You want to have plenty of recreation programs for the children to be involved in, and then those special events where the family can get together and meet up with the community, that’s important. When they come to see us and visit our parks, they’ll also visit restaurants and other retail locations and spend money in Albemarle,” she elaborates.

Engineering Efficiency and Innovation

Infrastructure drives Albemarle’s forward momentum. “We are a full-service city,” Rhodes says. “We manage our own water, sewer, and electric services, which gives us control and flexibility.”

Major projects are underway, including a significant wastewater plant upgrade and the replacement of a 75-year-old raw water line to increase capacity. “We are also adding a new water line to provide more redundancy to our system,” Mayor Michael notes.

The city’s commitment to modernization extends to its use of technology. “We are installing smart meters for water and electric services,” she says. “That gives us real-time information about outages and usage, improving communication and efficiency.”

Albemarle’s broadband infrastructure supports both residents and businesses in a world increasingly shaped by remote work. “We are in a great position for remote work,” Mayor Michael adds. “People can live here, enjoy a lower cost of living, and still have all the access they need to connect anywhere.”

Thoughtful Growth for Every Generation

Housing demand in Albemarle continues to rise, and city leaders are focused on ensuring development remains balanced and sustainable. “We assess every new project to make sure it pays for the services it uses,” Rhodes explains. “We are working to create a mix of single-family, multi-family, and mixed-use developments that serve everyone from first-time homebuyers to retirees.”

Mayor Michael acknowledges that supply remains a challenge. “We are working to increase affordable housing, but we also need market-rate options,” she says. Homes are selling as fast as they are built, which shows how much demand there is. We are addressing it through careful, forward-thinking planning.”

The city’s new land use ordinance will help shape future residential development, ensuring it aligns with the city’s infrastructure capacity and long-term goals.

Building Skills for a Stronger Future

Albemarle’s approach to growth includes investing in the people who make it possible. “We have great partnerships with Pfeiffer University and Stanly Community College,” Almond says. “That is one of the advantages of being in a smaller city. Collaboration comes naturally.”

Stanly Community College recently opened a 33,000-square-foot trades facility, featuring labs for mechatronics, welding, machining, HVAC, and construction trades. “The state and community college invested heavily in this facility,” Almond says. “It is an incredible resource for both students and local employers.”

The city is also nurturing its future workforce through dual enrollment pathways that let high school students earn certifications in engineering technology and information technology. “These programs give students hands-on experience in high-demand fields such as cybersecurity and network management,” Almond says.

Albemarle’s Career Connection platform and apprenticeship programs connect students directly with local businesses. “Our largest manufacturer, Preformed Line Products, worked with the college to train employees in hazardous material response and leadership,” Almond explains. “These partnerships strengthen our workforce and keep talent right here in the community.”

Building Trust Through Participation

Community input is not just welcomed in Albemarle, it is essential. “We have worked with the Centralina Council of Governments to facilitate surveys and meetings,” Mayor Michael says. “We have had excellent participation, much higher than most cities. Many responses come anonymously, which helps people share their honest opinions.”

Rhodes adds that this feedback shapes tangible outcomes. “We identified neighborhoods with unique needs, some historic and some new, and learned what residents want in terms of recreation, transportation, and retail,” he says. “Our role is to find the tools and strategies to make those ideas possible.”

Transparency and collaboration remain central to every major decision the city makes, reinforcing trust between residents and local government.

Future-focused: The Next Chapter of Albemarle

Looking to the future, Albemarle’s leaders see a city set for continued growth and innovation. “We want everyone to know that we are future-focused,” Mayor Michael says. “Our community offers great opportunities to live and work. We are a city that welcomes anyone looking to invest, start a business, or build a life here.”

Rhodes echoes that optimism with a clear sense of direction. “Our biggest opportunities come from our location, natural resources, and affordability,” he says. “Our challenge is to diversify our economy and manage growth in a way that complements the vibrant downtown community we already have.”

In Albemarle, progress does not mean leaving the past behind. It means building on it. Through vision, planning, and the power of community, this North Carolina city continues to chart a course defined by purpose and pride, ensuring that the best of small-town life thrives in a modern and forward-looking future.

AT A GLANCE

Who: Albemarle, North Carolina

What: A growth-minded small city blending historic charm with evolving industry and educational opportunities.

Where: Located in central North Carolina, about 40 miles east of Charlotte.

Website: www.albemarlenc.gov