Morrisville, NC

A Welcoming Town That is On the Cutting Edge

From cricket parks to gigafactories, this diverse Triangle community is writing the playbook for intentional growth in the modern economy.

Just ten minutes from Raleigh-Durham International Airport, Morrisville, North Carolina, is emerging as a model for inclusive, strategic growth. With a population of 32,910—up 10 percent since 2020—this town in the heart of the Research Triangle is becoming one of the most welcoming and innovative communities in the U.S.

“We like to think of ourselves as one of the most welcoming, inclusive and diverse towns in the entire United States,” says Mayor TJ Cawley. The numbers support his claim. Morrisville’s population is 42 percent Asian, 37 percent White, and 13 percent Black or African American, with a median household income of $125,404. The town celebrates this diversity through monthly events like Holi, Pride, Juneteenth, its signature “Red, White, and Boom” July 3rd, Diwali, and Hannukah.

Its central location puts residents within 20 minutes of Chapel Hill, 15 minutes of Raleigh, with walkable access to major business parks including Perimeter Park and the newly opened 400-acre Gateway Overlay District.  “We’re simply a very friendly community” Mayor Cawley adds.

Creating a Downtown from Scratch

Unlike most towns that evolve around a historic center, Morrisville is doing something different: creating its first downtown from the ground up. The ambitious, 25-acre project, nearly two decades in the making, received final development agreement approval in September 2024, and celebrated its groundbreaking in September 2025 in partnership with Singh Development LLC.

“This is a downtown that never existed,” explains Brandon Zuidema, Town Manager.  The first phase includes a Town Green with stage and small amphitheater, eight 1,250 square foot cottage retail units, and 215 multifamily residential units surrounding a parking deck with 100 designated public spaces.

The town is targeting particular businesses —like coffee shops, bakeries, and small breweries—to create a vibrant, walkable destination. The downtown will connect to three greenways and integrate with existing amenities like the Morrisville Community Library, Indian Creek Trailhead, and recently opened dog park.

“We’re hoping for a seven-day opportunity for people to come and enjoy the downtown,” Town Manager Zuidema adds. The town center aims to give Morrisville a recognizable heart that reflects its growing reputation as a diverse, thriving community.

Housing Solutions and Workforce Development

Morrisville faces the same challenge dogging successful communities across America: housing its essential workers. With high median home prices, municipal leaders are taking creative approaches to ensure essential workers can afford to live where they serve.

Town Center development will include some smaller residential units to keep costs down, and future phases will target residents earning potentially 60 to 80 percent of the area median income. The town is also launching a rental assistance program for municipal employees, county workers, and schoolteachers.

The housing strategy is directly connected to workforce development. Wake Technical Community College operates a campus in Morrisville, while relationships with nearby colleges and universities create job pathways. Local high schools including Panther Creek, Green Hope, and Wake Early College of Information and Biotechnologies maintain active business partnerships, and Morrisville High school is scheduled to open in 2027.

“We’re trying to introduce students to different companies by having professionals speak at schools,” Mayor Cawley said. The town council regularly attends graduation ceremonies, reinforcing relationships that help retain young talent in the community.

Innovation Hub Takes Shape

Morrisville’s economic development strategy targets five sectors: biotechnology, business and financial services, advanced manufacturing, clean technology, and information technology. Three major recent announcements demonstrate how this focused approach is working.

Forge Battery is the biggest prize, with a $165 million initial investment expanding to $240 million after securing $100 million in federal funding from the Department of Energy. The Colorado-based company will manufacture lithium-ion battery cells for defense, aerospace, and specialty electric vehicle markets at a Morrisville Gigafactory capable of producing three gigawatt hours annually. “We are extremely excited to launch Forge Battery in the Battery Belt, where we intend to produce batteries for the world’s most demanding applications,” says CEO Paul Lichty. The facility will create over 280 full-time jobs when fully operational.

Liquidia Corporation, a biopharmaceutical company spun out of UNC Chapel Hill in 2004, recently expanded to nearly 70,000 square feet in the Pathway Triangle development. The company develops therapies for pulmonary arterial hypertension and other lung diseases, receiving FDA approval for its first commercial therapy, Yutrepia, in May 2025. Wasion Americas also established its North American corporate headquarters in Morrisville, manufacturing electric meter components as part of the smart grid infrastructure buildout.

“We’re proactive in targeting industries that align with our community and our strengths,” explains Tiffany McNeill, Economic Development Director. The town participates in trade shows like SelectUSA for foreign direct investment and the Boston Biotechnology Summit to highlight regional advantages for life sciences companies.

Building the Foundation

Morrisville’s infrastructure strategy balances local needs with state transportation projects. The town manages municipal streets while partnering with the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) on major roads like NC 54 and McCrimmon Parkway.

“We improve these projects beyond the basics,” Town Manager Zuidema explains of upcoming partnership projects with the NCDOT. Two significant roadway projects involve NC 54, also known as Chapel Hill Road, and McCrimmon Parkway.  The NCDOT will fund construction – road widening in this scenario – and town-funded enhancements would include upgraded medians, improved pedestrian access, and enhanced lighting on a new overpass designed to eliminate an at-grade rail intersection.

The town recently completed widening Morrisville Carpenter Road, alleviating traffic concerns, while upcoming projects address stormwater management and flooding issues on main thoroughfares. A greenway expansion project combines recreation with stream restoration and stormwater control. “We have a very aggressive grants team which is out there looking for those dollars,” Town Manager Zuidema notes, acknowledging budget constraints that require creative funding solutions.

One unique infrastructure investment is Morrisville’s cricket park —one of the highest-quality facilities in the U.S.  “We’re preparing for additional improvements and expansion there to make that field even more ready for professional level cricket,” Town Manager Zuidema says. The facility is indicative of the town’s diverse population and serves as a recreational amenity and cultural bridge for the community’s substantial South Asian population.

Leading with Heart and Vision

Mayor Cawley brings a unique background to his role. A stay-at-home father, he transitioned from corporate work to community service through school involvement and town committees before joining the council in 2013 and eventually becoming mayor in 2017. His approach centers on direct engagement with residents rather than formal political processes.

“I have been a stay-at-home father for the last 19 years. I was good at my job, but I didn’t really feel passionate about it. I feel passionate towards helping others,” the mayor explains. His leadership philosophy distills to four words he shares with elementary school students: “How can I help?” This question guides his regular Monday coffee shop meetings and impromptu conversations on the town’s greenways.

Recent feedback from these informal sessions highlights evolving community priorities, including affordable housing and tree preservation. The tree preservation focus has led to the town pursuing Tree City designation while working to maintain Morrisville’s notably green character. “We hear from people coming from the west coast and they’re like, you’re so green here. It’s incredible,” Mayor Cawley notes.

The mayor identifies the town center project as the Town’s top 18-month priority. “It’s going to be an iconic destination for Morrisville,” he says. Additionally, water misters at the park entrance will form an “M” shape when viewed from the right angle, creating the visual symbol Mayor Cawley believes will help establish Morrisville’s identity.

Morrisville’s transformation from a corporate corridor to an inclusive, innovative community represents more than smart planning. It demonstrates how intentional leadership, combined with strategic economic development and genuine community engagement, can create something rare: a place where diversity thrives, innovation flourishes, and neighbors still wave to each other on the street.

AT A GLANCE

Name: Town of Morrisville

What: Diverse, rapidly growing municipality building an intentionally designed downtown while attracting biotechnology, clean energy, and advanced manufacturing companies

Where: North Carolina

Website: https://www.morrisvillenc.gov/