While the decline of traditional industries in the late 20th century impacted its economy, Lexington is now on the path to revitalization under the leadership of Mayor Jason Hayes. With an emphasis on economic diversification, sustainable initiatives, and the preservation of the community’s rich heritage, Hayes’ vision is reshaping Lexington into a thriving hub of growth and opportunity—without losing the smalltown charm and traditions that make it a welcoming place to live, work, and visit. Lexington is a small town with a big heart, Hayes proudly states. His passion for his hometown is unmistakable as he reminisces about the city’s past and the evolving present. Hayes’ history with Lexington is deeply personal: he grew up here, attended local schools, and watched the city undergo major changes. “My parents moved here in 1965 and worked in the furniture factories,” Hayes recalls. “Watching the evolution of this city, from its industrial roots to where we are now, is incredibly gratifying for me.”Yet, he acknowledges Lexington’s challenges, particularly the loss of major industries in the 1990s, which decimated the local economy. “We’ve been clawing our way back for decades,” Hayes admits. But that hard work is now starting to pay off in big ways. ECONOMIC REVIVAL: A NEW CHAPTER The turning point for Lexington’s economy came in the last five years, thanks to a diverse range of new businesses and industries setting up shop in the city. Hayes is enthusiastic about the influx of manufacturing, steel, and food players, noting how they create new jobs and stimulate growth. One such company is Egger Wood Products, an Austrian firm now employing 700 people in the area. “They’ve been a key part of our economic revival,” Hayes explains.Another important addition is Nucor Steel, which invested a whopping $400 million into the region, creating 200 jobs. The sheer scale of these investments is driving unprecedented growth in the city. However, the most exciting development in Hayes’s eyes is the arrival of Siemens Mobility, a global giant in rail transport.“We’re going to be in the train business,” he says excitedly. Siemens Mobility has committed to a $220 million investment in Lexington, where they will begin production of passenger rail 223 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 05, ISSUE 11 LEXINGTON, NC
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