ALBEMARLE, NCTEXTILES TO TECH WWW.ALBEMARLENC.GOV
TEXTILES ALBEMARLE, NC AT A GLANCE ALBEMARLE, NC WHAT: A lbemarle offers opportunity, affordability, and space to grow, making it an ideal place to find a forever home, or start a business, while surrounded by natural beauty and endless outdoor recreational opportunities. WHERE: A small city in the central part of North Carolina, known for its proximity to outdoor recreational areas such as the Uwharrie National Forest, Badin Lake, and Lake Tillery. WEBSITE: www.albemarlenc.gov A HUB OF INNOVATION STEEP 1 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 05, ISSUE 09
S TO TECH PED IN TRADITION Once a bustling textile town, Albemarle, North Carolina has evolved into a hub of education, healthcare, and diversified industry. Under the guidance of Mayor Ronnie Michael and Lindsey Almond, the Director of Economic Development, the city embraces this transition, fostering a dynamic community that values its rich history and promising future. TEXTILE ROOTS TO EDUCATIONAL HUB “Our city is in a transition from what used to be a textile town to now we think we’re becoming a little bit of a university town.” says Mayor Michael.With Pfeiffer University and Stanly 2 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 05, ISSUE 09
Community College, Albemarle is positioning itself as an educational center.“Pfeiffer University’s Health Sciences building, with programs in Physician’s Assistance and Occupational Therapy, is just one example of the investments we’re seeing,” Mayor Michael notes. Almond adds, “The $18 million investment in the Center for Health Sciences is helping diversify our local economy and demographics. We see young people walking downtown, contributing to a vibrant community.” The Health Sciences Center is a significant asset, fostering a university-town atmosphere that attracts students, educators, and healthcare professionals. Additionally, Stanly Community College constantly ranks as one of the nation’s best, further solidifying Albemarle’s reputation as a center for higher learning. ECONOMIC DIVERSIFICATION AND GROWTH Albemarle’s economic landscape continues to diversify. Quality Enclosures is bringing 36 new jobs with a $1.5 million investment. Albemarle Paper is also expanding, doubling its warehouse footprint. Almond emphasizes the importance of controlled growth: “We are growing steadily, not at an uncontrollable rate, which is great for our local infrastructure and schools. Following COVID-19 and the shift to remote work, we attracted individuals seeking more affordable living outside Charlotte.” The careful management of growth ensures that infrastructure, schools, and community services can keep pace with development, maintaining a high quality of life for residents. Albemarle has also seen interest from various sectors such as technology, healthcare, and advanced manufacturing. INFRASTRUCTURE AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT One of Albemarle’s key advantages is its municipalowned business park, the Albemarle Business Center. “We own the business park, providing us with site control over the companies we recruit,” says Almond. “Our infrastructure is robust, with 10 megawatts of available power and over a million gallons of excess water capacity.” 3 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 05, ISSUE 09 ALBEMARLE, NC
Mayor Michael elaborates on infrastructure projects: “We’ve received a grant from the Golden Leaf Foundation, making our site pad-ready for new businesses. Additionally, we’re upgrading our wastewater plant and expanding our water plant with support from the state.” The city’s consistency in upgrading and maintaining roads, bridges, and public transportation systems ensures that Albemarle remains competitive and appealing to potential investors. SUPPORTING LOCAL BUSINESSES Local businesses are the backbone of Albemarle’s economy.Almond describes the Downtown Catalyst Grant, which provides $90,000 annually to support local downtown businesses.“This grant helps speed up projects by providing upfront funds rather than reimbursements, enabling businesses to start working immediately,” she explains. “Developers appreciate working with our city. We’re small, nimble, and responsive, able to turn projects around quickly without many middlemen.” Lifelong resident, local developer and entrepreneur, Dusty Mason has been doing business in Albemarle for 20 years, bringing a Gold’s Gym to the community in 2004. “The support staff is probably the best of anywhere that we do business.As a developer and a business owner, when I feel like I have the support of Lindsey and her team, and the planning department, and it’s backed up by the city council, it makes me just want to do more business here.” says Mason. Supporting local businesses is a top priority for Albemarle.The Downtown Catalyst Grant is a prime example of the city’s commitment to fostering entrepreneurship and economic growth, removing financial barriers and providing upfront funding. REVITALIZING DOWNTOWN The historical downtown of Albemarle is undergoing significant revitalization.“We’ve seen investments in residential-commercial mixed-use projects, such as the $10 million renovation of the Lowder Hardware building into apartments over commercial space,” says Almond.“Our alleyway project, funded by ARPA, enhances walkability and activates spaces.” 4 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 05, ISSUE 09
WORLD-CLASS CYBER CRISIS MANAGEMENT Managed IT Security Services Penetration Testing Security Risk Assessments Tabletop Exercises Digital Forensics CMMC Certified Cybersecurity Consulting 24/7 Security Operations Center (SOC) Cybersecurity Training, Red/Blue Teaming Crypto Tracing & Blockchain Analysis GET SECURED! VISIT: PTGCYBER.COM Craig Petronella, CEO CMMC Certified RP MIT Certified: AI, Blockchain & Hyperledger #1 Amazon Best-Selling Author As seen on ABC, CBS, NBC & FOX
ASSESSING THE THREAT IN AN EVER-INCREASING DIGITAL WORLD The threat of ransomware attacks and the domain of cybersecurity may have been seen as a bit of an annoyance in years gone by, or at the very least an area of low priority for many. Today, however, in a post-pandemic, tech-driven world the ongoing concerns of cybercrime and the increasingly complex area of cybersecurity are now fully center stage as well as distinctly front and center in the business plans of many organizations. Petronella Cybersecurity and Digital Forensics dba Petronella Technology Group, Inc. is a registered provider organization with Cyberab.org providing US-based cybersecurity consulting, managing services, and co-managed IT to customers across a cross-section of both private and public companies, providing the expertise, industry- know-how, and specialized services to put organizations of any size at ease is at the heart of what it does. With the stamp of industry confidence behind it, Petronella is leading the cyber battle and provides the tools to prevent other breaches from occurring. Petronella stands by its clients and helps provide digital protection when navigating the business environment they live in. Understanding the complexity of today’s digital IT challenges can be intimidating and Petronella understands that every company has its unique IT environment and potential pitfalls. This is why organizations turn to Petronella to help them through the IT threats that are everpresent with key services including 39+ Layers Of Patented Cybersecurity Solutions, 24/7 Security Operations Center (SOC) Services, Extended Detection and Response (XDR), World Class Certified IT Services, Licensed Digital Forensic Examiner on Staff, CMMC, NIST, CJIS, HIPAA, SOC Compliance Training, Security Risk Assessments, Penetration Testing, Tabletop Exercises, and other services that are vetted, tested and proven to protect its clients. By providing 80% of the cybersecurity and compliance work for its valued clients, peace of mind, productivity, and compliance are promised through the proven expertise of Petronella. Stress-free in a new digital world. Call 919-601-1601 or visit PTGCyber.com to learn more.
“We’re investing in our downtown, converting old buildings like the former bank into a police department. We’re also transforming the old police department into commercial space,” Mayor Michael underlines. Revitalizing downtown Albemarle is a multifaceted effort that combines preservation with modernization. Transforming historical buildings into mixed-use developments breathes new life into the area, attracting residents, businesses, and visitors. These projects enhance the aesthetic appeal of downtown and promote economic activity and community engagement. RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT AND MANAGED GROWTH “In the last three years, we’ve approved over 4,000 housing units,” says Mayor Michael. “One development is selling homes as fast as they can build them. Others are waiting to break ground, but 7 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 05, ISSUE 09 ALBEMARLE, NC
we anticipate significant growth as the economy stabilizes.” “We’re entertaining a large condo developer looking to do 300-400 units in Albemarle, and as him and I have been negotiating on how this is going to go, one of the biggest things that drew them wanting to pursue Albemarle is the planning department and Lindsey” says Mason. Albemarle’s residential development strategy focuses on meeting the growing demand for housing while maintaining the city’s character and quality of life. The approval of thousands of new housing units emphasizes Albemarle’s commitment to providing market attainability for residents. As these developments progress, Albemarle is poised for substantial population growth, further stimulating the local economy. The city is also exploring innovative housing solutions, and mixeduse developments, to ensure all residents can access quality housing options. ENHANCING PARKS AND RECREATION Investment in parks and recreation is a priority for Albemarle. “We’re updating our master plan and replacing lighting on two of our ball fields,” says Mayor Michael. “Our parks are fantastic, with City Lake Park being a major attraction, hosting food trucks and bands on the first Friday of every month.” Tourism and recreation are also key focuses.“We have many walking trails and marked routes throughout downtown,” Mayor Michael explains. “We hope to develop more greenways to support tourism and encourage walking and running.” Albemarle continues to invest in sports facilities, playgrounds, community centers, and the development of walking trails and greenways to provide diverse recreational opportunities for all ages. EMBRACING INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY The city is making significant investments in highspeed internet infrastructure to support businesses and residents, particularly in response to the rise of remote work.“We have two internet providers ready to expand services as soon as businesses need them,” says Mayor Michael.This digital infrastructure is key to attracting tech companies and empowering local entrepreneurs. Albemarle is also delving into smart city initiatives to enhance public services, investing in traffic management systems, energy-efficient street lighting, and digital public service platforms. By embracing cutting-edge technology and innovation,Albemarle aims to elevate the quality of life for its residents 8 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 05, ISSUE 09
and create a more sustainable, interconnected community. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND INCLUSIVITY Albemarle places a strong emphasis on community engagement and inclusivity. The city actively seeks input from residents through public forums, surveys, and community meetings.The collaborative approach ensures that development projects and policies align with the community’s needs and desires. “Our local community survey ranked economic development as very important, focusing on well-paying jobs and advanced manufacturing,” says Almond. Ensuring equal opportunities for all residents, regardless of background or socioeconomic status, is a top priority.This commitment includes initiatives to support minority-owned businesses, affordable housing projects, and programs that promote workplace diversity and inclusion, creating a welcoming environment where everyone can thrive. 9 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 05, ISSUE 09 ALBEMARLE, NC
PRIORITIES AND VISION As Albemarle looks to the future, Mayor Michael outlines the city’s top priorities: “We’re developing a new land development plan and focusing on the Albemarle Business Center as a major draw for economic development. We expect several businesses in the park over the next few years.” “It’s just as much about the development side as it is about bringing in viable business. We may be in a smaller market, but it doesn’t mean we can’t do certain things, there are enough people here, and its growing” says Mason. Almond concludes, “With over $28 million in commercial investment in recent years and ongoing tourism and hospitality projects, we’re positioned for regional growth. Our managed growth reflects the community’s historical fabric, balancing development with maintaining our unique identity.” 10 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 05, ISSUE 09
WWW.ALBEMARLENC.GOV WWW.BUSINESSVIEWMAGAZINE.COM AS FEATURED IN Albemarle NC
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTI5MjAx