what we have come to understand is it goes way past the Andy Griffith Show, although that’s where the origins come from,” depicts Mount Airy Mayor, Jon Cawley. “The Mayberry idea now is about a quality of life. A simple way of living that might be quaint, but it’s filled with good vibes and hope.” PRESERVING AMERICA’S HOMETOWN WHILE EMBRACING GROWTH Mayor Cawley reflects on the town’s ability to offer a nostalgic journey back to a time of kindness and simplicity. “We want to be the best small town in America. We look at ourselves as America’s hometown,” he says. He emphasizes that in Mount Airy, this spirit is not just for show- it’s part of the city’s identity. The city is working to balance this idyllic small-town charm with the challenges of maintaining a tourist attraction, and a growing city.“We’ve got water lines and sewer lines that are nearing 100 years old. So, we have to continue to upgrade our infrastructure,” Cawley acknowledges. He adds that the city is constantly working on efforts to support tourism, from encouraging shop owners to open during convenient hours, to finding additional parking for visitors to the city. City Manager, Darren Lewis, shares that along with the Mayberry connection, Mount Airy is becoming a sought-after location in its own right.“People enjoy small rural communities, and are looking for those destinations, whether that’s to live or to visit,” he explains. “By all means, we will open our doors for the 500,000 visitors, and we would love for them to move to our area.” Lewis shares that Mount Airy is also a certified Retire NC retirement community and has been recognized as a livable community through the American Association of Retired Persons network.“One of our focuses is that we want to be a community that supports people of all ages and abilities, by offering quality facilities and amenities, and improving quality of life for everyone here,” he details. A DOWNTOWN TRANSFORMATION Mount Airy is in the midst of several infrastructure projects, including the development of a convention center, a $16 million project that is currently in the planning stages. Lewis depicts, “This is going to transform Mount Airy, it’s going to complement the Mayberry feel and bring a different audience to our community.” The hope is to attract small conventions during the week, opening the center up for performances on the weekends, and catering 233 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 05, ISSUE 08 MOUNT AIRY, NC
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