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A Strategic Plan for a Greater Lexington ACCOMPLISHMENTS

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A Strategic Plan for a Greater Lexington ACCOMPLISHMENTS 2020 RENAISSANCE – A Strategic Plan for a Greater Lexington ACCOMPLISHMENTS June 2013 – June 2018 Accomplishments June 2013 through June 2018 Updated 7/11/2018 OVERVIEW OF ACCOMPLISHMENTS Business / Job Development City Council endorsed Business Development Consortium Strategic Plan Contract through ElectriCities Retail Strategies (Lacy Beasley) for recruitment – Atlanta show, Charlotte show, Las Vegas show Promoting successes on City website - Uptown Lexington businesses that were recognized for façades; Lolly Wolly Doodle and Image Wizards publicity Completed Phase I feasibility and Phase II of a “Food Hub” or "Farm to Table" initiative - entrepreneurs invited to participate via website news “Lexington, NC Local First” trademark logo to promote support for existing businesses Increased CityWiFi access in Depot District Installed Uptown Lexington’s CityWiFi medallions – decorating streets and promoting CityWiFi Land purchase and amendment to United Furniture economic development expansion grant agreement - total of $3,250,000 investment and 400 jobs Lexington’s entrepreneurial initiative featured on Fox 8 News – January 12, 2014 with additional exposure via website news Ordinance amendment to permit and regulate Food Trucks Assisted with opening of approximately 10 new local businesses Issued Major Zoning Permits for Taco Bell, Walmart Neighborhood Market, Huntington Place Apartments, Family Dollar, Bojangles Issued 63 Certificates of Occupancy for new businesses Represented at International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) retail show Approved ABC Referendum for On-Premises Malt Beverage – voters passed Waffle House open for business September 2014 and Bojangles open for business November 2014 Sheetz, Taco Bell, and WalMart Neighborhood Market in construction Issued Major Zoning Permits to Davidson County Economic Development Commission and Jordan Veterinary Hospital Partnering with Davidson County to provide utility infrastructure for I-85 Corporate Center - special emphasis reaching wastewater agreement Enhanced security for Uptown Lexington businesses and patrons with 21 cameras covering 7 intersections Partnered with PART to identify parking space for installation of PEV charging station Partnered with YMCA renovation project offering infrastructure enhancements: new sidewalks, relocated storm drain, one way traffic with innovative reverse angled parking spaces for safety Amended Code of Ordinances for Production Shop Promoted Small Business Stories from Lexington by Chadwick Washington Approved Economic Development Incentive Grant Contract with Piedmont Candy Company and MasterBrand Cabinets Approved 2.7% Electric Rate Reduction Accepted Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) building reuse economic development grants for Piedmont Candy ($750,000) and MasterBrand Cabinets ($750,000), in partnership with Davidson County EDC Authorized submission of CDBG building reuse economic development grant for Cider Bros. LLC., in partnership with Davidson County EDC Accomplishments June 2013 through June 2018 Updated 7/11/2018 Approved Major Zoning Permit for May Heavy Equipment Approved Major Zoning Permit for Jerry Hunt Truck and Auto Supercenter Rezoned property on South Main Street and 456 Central Avenue to Business District Approved Wastewater Collection and Treatment Agreement with Davidson County for I-85 Corporate Park United Furniture recycled former Linwood Plant to expand with new Triad Distribution Center Approved Offering Economic Development Incentive to Project Wolf 2 Approved Memorandum of Understanding with Davidson County for Davidson County Airport Fuel Rebate Program Approve Major Zoning Permit for PetSmart at Lowe’s Boulevard Partnering with Davidson County on Sewer Infrastructure Design; Appropriated Funds for Natural Gas Engineering and Design Costs for Infrastructure at Davidson County I- 85/Belmont Road Industrial Park Mega Site Relocation of Fox Discount Gifts in Uptown Lexington Grand Opening of Butcher’s Block on July 7, 2017 Adoption of Brunch Bill Ordinance to enable local businesses to generate additional revenues by alcohol sales on Sunday beginning at 10:00 a.m. Major Zoning Permit for Barber Shop at 1224 South Salisbury Street Travels Unlimited locates at 207 South Main Street River House Emporium opens in former Catherine’s Curtains at 120 South Main Street Bee’s Knees opens at new location at 125 S. Main Street Triad Business Journal lists Lexington Barbecue restaurant as one of the most ‘iconic’ restaurants in USA Carolina Business Review episode on economy, education and infrastructure, featuring Mayor Clark as guest speaker on September 13, 2017, and February 16, 2018 The Resource, a job placement agency, opens at 119 N. Talbert Boulevard “Bar-B-Q Center Makes a Name for Itself in Lexington” feature in Our State magazine The Candy Factory is featured in USA Today featuring fall fudge May Heavy Equipment expands with new facility headquartered at 215 Woodside Drive Grand Opening Celebration of Lidl Grocery Store on Fairview Drive on October 19, 2017 Grand Opening of Chick-fil-A in Lexington on October 26, 2017 WRAL’s Tar Heel Traveler aired on November 14, 2017, featuring Beck’s BBQ Pits located in City Hall FOX8 featured Piedmont Candy Company “Made in NC” and The Candy Factory “FOX8 Foodie” Lexington was featured in The Charlotte Post as being more than just great barbecue Food & Wine features Lexington BBQ in "Best Barbecue in Every State" article Eater.com features Lexington BBQ among 22 Must-Visit Restaurants Road-Tripping NC Entered into Interlocal Agreement with Davidson County for the I-85 Corporate Center natural gas line extension Entered into Memorandum of Agreement with Davidson County Airport for Fuel Rebate Program Planet Fitness opens in Lexington Plaza Coach’s Restaurant opens in Lexington Plaza Grand Opening for Wenonnah Mills Consignment Emporium at 100 E. Ninth Ave. MRI Hotels announce Hampton Inn as new hotel at Fritts Street and Fairview Drive Lexington ranks #24 in top 100 most popular small towns to relocate by moveBuddha.com Renewal of Lexington Municipal Service District Halyard Health hosts a ‘Meet and Greet’ with local officials and staff in an effort to provide information on their commitment to safety in the production of a worldwide product Accomplishments June 2013 through June 2018 Updated 7/11/2018 Upstate Today features article on Lexington Golf Course Carolina Country magazine features article on Lexington “More Than BBQ” Relocation of Nature's Cottage in Uptown Lexington Approved Economic Development Incentive for United Furniture (Project Combined III) Opening of Texas Steak and Tap House Opening of Red Donut Shop Opening of LaFesta Restaurant Opening of Jerry Hunt Supercenter Opening of Pet Smart Opening of Bojangles on Highway 64 West Chick-fil-A announces new construction to be located at 75 Plaza Parkway Issuance of Major Zoning Permit for Medical Office Building at 504 East Center Street Public Relations / Branding / Marketing Dynamic City website instrument and critical to marketing and promoting progressive community (over 600 citizens have Signed up for eNews, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube) With partner ElectriCities, Lexington Public Power video on City YouTube page “Lexington, NC Local First” logo expanded to partner agencies, volunteer appreciation dinner, and customized for City departments As part of CityWifi signage, partnered and negotiated free of charge a redesign of Uptown Lexington, Inc. logo and new banners "Safety First" Lexington Fire Department customized logo on new Quint Fire Truck Involvement of citizen-led Strategic Planning Committee in future direction of Lexington 14 City government officials joined local civic clubs as liaisons and ambassadors in the community Presentation by Looking Glass Research concerning Barbecue Festival survey data indicating $9.6 million economic impact Recognized as Top 10 Best BBQ Cities by The Huffington Post Recognized as Top 50 Safest Cities in North Carolina by Safewise.com Lexington Golf Club exposure on the Golf Channel (Bill Coore interview) Partnered with Lexington Tourism Authority on Wayfinding decorative and informative signage project Lexington Golf Club used drone technology to create flyover videos for all 18 holes of the golf course Awarded public relations contract to Lou Hammond & Associates, Inc. to rebrand and market Lexington both regionally and nationally for tourism and economic development Wall Street Journal publicity February 2015 Lexington Police Department Domestic Violence initiative, Washington Park redevelopment and BBQ Capital Cook-off in progress Collaborated with Davidson County and Lexington Area Chamber of Commerce to facilitate WXII 12 News “Celebrate Davidson County” live broadcast from Uptown Lexington October 2014 with City employees donating approximately 700 food items for Second Harvest Food Bank at event Promoted Barbecue Festival as $9.6 million economic engine for community 31st Barbecue Festival on October 25, 2014 resulted in 600 overnight hotel stays CNN ranked the City of Lexington #5 in list of 12 best meat cities in America Lexington Police Department only 2nd city in nation to implement “Offender Focused Domestic Violence Initiative” to reduce repeat calls for service, victim injuries and deaths National Night Out ranked 9th in nation for cities with population between 15,000 and 49,999 Accomplishments June 2013 through June 2018 Updated 7/11/2018
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