A Small Triangle Town Doing Big Things in Down Economy

A Small Triangle Town Doing Big Things in a Down Economy
Life is good in Historic Hillsborough, NC

HILLSBOROUGH, N.C., Dec. 2 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — Throughout the state the economy is expected to grow slowly – or even contract – in the first half of 2010. But some Triangle towns, like Hillsborough – located in Orange County, NC – ten minutes from Chapel Hill – are doing just fine. In addition to growth in commercial enterprise, new retail and an organic market, Hillsborough, (population 6,600) in central North Carolina, has seen a rise in newcomers seeking high quality of a life.

“It all comes down to quality of life,” says Hillsborough Mayor Tom Stevens. “Hillsborough has thriving local businesses, a downtown full of vitality, friendly and safe neighborhoods, and distinctive arts, historic, and natural amenities – it’s a great place to work, to play, to live, or simply visit.”

Last year, a new organic grocery store, Weaver Street Market, opened downtown. Adjoining the Market is a 409-space – privately owned – parking deck. Weaver Street Market’s Food House relocated to Hillsborough, marking the beginning of a new era for locally grown food and for handcrafted baked goods.

Orange County government opened a new 46,000 square foot office building downtown. A 26,000 square foot Library will open in January, in the heart of downtown. Renovations are underway inside the existing courthouse, and a large addition has allowed a much-needed expansion of the County’s judicial functions and Sheriff’s department. Hillsborough recently saw the opening of a new Senior Center and the renovation of the Triangle Sportsplex arena with ice-skating, swimming and fitness center.

The arts are thriving in Hillsborough. The Hillsborough Gallery of Arts recently doubled their size downtown; Churton Street Gallery, featuring NC artists exclusively, recently opened; the Hillsborough Arts Council has expanded its space, budget and mission; and bookstore Purple Crow has opened.

Leland Little Auction House recently opened a 10,000 square foot gallery facility. An overwhelmingly positive reception has propelled them to fast track their expansion plans. The Depot at Hillsborough Station is a new flexible art gallery and meeting space on the western edge of downtown that is now hosting special events.

A proposed train station is being fast tracked with Hillsborough planners meeting monthly on that possibility. Land for the station already has been purchased. The Piedmont Food and Agricultural Facility, a 20,000 square foot center, is now under construction. The University of North Carolina has applied to the town of Hillsborough to build a $228 million hospital. Finally, just last year, Durham Technical Community College opened a 19.6-acre campus to better serve residents as they pursue lifelong learning.

“For its size, Hillsborough has a high concentration of residents who are nationally known authors,” the mayor notes. “Our strong creative class adds to the quality of life we enjoy in Hillsborough.” For more information on Hillsborough, visit http://www.historichillsborough.org/ or call 919-732-7741.

Submitted by the Chapel Hill/Orange County Visitors Bureau


Did You Know?

UNC was the first state-supported university in the U.S. and enrolls nearly 30,000 students from all North Carolina counties, all U.S. states and more than 100 foreign countries.