Rutherford Town Rising

06/18/2026

We are excited to introduce our new Main Street Coordinator: Carli McBride!

🎉 Please Join Us in Welcoming Carli McBride as Rutherfordton's New Main Street Coordinator! 🎉

Downtown Rutherfordton continues to thrive thanks to the dedication of our small businesses, volunteers, property owners, and community partners. As we continue building on that momentum, the Town of Rutherfordton and Rutherford Town Rising are excited to welcome Carli McBride as our new Main Street Coordinator.

The Town is also grateful for the contributions of Miranda Parker during her time as Main Street Coordinator. Miranda helped build strong momentum for downtown initiatives and community engagement, and we wish her continued success as she begins an exciting new chapter in her career.

Carli brings a passion for community engagement, local economic development, and relationship-building, along with a professional background in education that has equipped her with strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills.

Originally from Ohio, Carli made Rutherfordton her home five years ago and quickly became invested in the community she now proudly serves. Through her active involvement with the Rutherford County Farmers Market, she has developed strong connections with local farmers, artisans, small business owners, and community members. Her appreciation for supporting local businesses and creating meaningful community experiences aligns perfectly with the mission of the Main Street program.

As Main Street Coordinator, Carli will work alongside downtown businesses, property owners, volunteers, residents, and our partners at Rutherford Town Rising to celebrate Rutherfordton's unique character while fostering growth and opportunity. She is passionate about creating welcoming events and memorable experiences that encourage people to shop, dine, and gather in downtown Rutherfordton while supporting the nearly 100 small businesses that make our downtown such a special place.

"Downtown Rutherfordton has experienced tremendous momentum over the last several years, and that success is the result of strong partnerships, dedicated business owners, volunteers, and a community that believes in supporting local," said Doug Barrick, Town Manager. "Carli brings the energy, creativity, and relationship-building skills needed to continue that work. Having already immersed herself in our community through the Farmers Market and local events, she understands what makes Rutherfordton special and is ready to help write the next chapter of our downtown story. We are excited to welcome her to our team and look forward to the impact she will have on Downtown Rutherfordton."

Carli shared, "I am honored to serve as Rutherfordton's Main Street Coordinator and look forward to building relationships throughout the community. I am excited to support our downtown businesses, celebrate what makes Rutherfordton unique, and work with others to help our Main Street continue to thrive."

Outside of her professional role, Carli enjoys gardening, traveling, and attending local festivals and community events. These interests have deepened her appreciation for the vibrant culture and sense of community that make Rutherfordton such a special place to live and work.

Main Street is the heart of Rutherfordton, and Carli's passion for community, collaboration, and supporting local businesses makes her a natural fit for this important role. We are excited for the future of Downtown Rutherfordton and look forward to the relationships, partnerships, events, and opportunities that lie ahead.

Please join us in welcoming Carli McBride to the Town of Rutherfordton team and to her new role serving Downtown Rutherfordton!

06/18/2026

👋 Hello, Rutherfordton!

My name is Carli McBride, and I am excited to introduce myself as the new Main Street Coordinator for Rutherford Town Rising and the Town of Rutherfordton.

Before I begin, I want to recognize and thank Miranda Parker for the work she has done to support Downtown Rutherfordton. Miranda helped build strong momentum for our Main Street program, and I wish her nothing but success as she begins an exciting new chapter in her career. I am grateful for the foundation she helped create and look forward to building upon that work.

Originally from Ohio, I moved to Rutherfordton five years ago and quickly fell in love with this community. Since making Rutherfordton my home, I have enjoyed getting involved with the Rutherford County Farmers Market and connecting with the incredible people, businesses, farmers, artisans, and organizations that make our town such a special place.

My professional background is in education, where I developed a passion for building relationships, fostering collaboration, and creating opportunities for growth. I am excited to bring those experiences into this role as I work alongside our downtown businesses, property owners, volunteers, residents, community partners, and the dedicated board members of Rutherford Town Rising to support and promote Main Street.

For those who may not be familiar with Rutherford Town Rising, RTR serves as the driving force behind many of the events, promotions, beautification efforts, and business support initiatives that help make Downtown Rutherfordton such a vibrant destination. Through the dedication of volunteers, business owners, community leaders, and supporters, RTR works every day to preserve the unique character of our historic downtown while promoting economic vitality and community connection.

Downtown Rutherfordton is more than just a collection of businesses, it's the heart of our community. It's where neighbors gather, families make memories, entrepreneurs pursue their dreams, and visitors experience the charm and character that make our town unique. I am honored to have the opportunity to help support and strengthen that tradition.

When I'm not working, I enjoy gardening, traveling, and attending local festivals and community events. Those experiences have given me an even greater appreciation for the history, culture, and sense of community that make Rutherfordton such a wonderful place to call home.

Over the coming months, I look forward to meeting many of you, learning more about your ideas and goals for downtown, and working together to build on the incredible momentum already underway. Whether you're a business owner, volunteer, resident, property owner, or simply someone who loves Downtown Rutherfordton, I hope you'll stop by, say hello, and share your vision for our community.

Thank you for the warm welcome. I am excited to get started and look forward to working with all of you to celebrate, support, and strengthen Downtown Rutherfordton.

See you downtown! ❤️🏘️

– Carli

06/18/2026

Father's Day in Downtown Rutherfordton
Shop • Dine • Explore • Experience

Still looking for Father's Day plans? We've got you covered! Whether you're shopping for Dad, treating him to a great meal, or spending quality time together, downtown Rutherfordton has plenty of options.

🔨 For the Handyman

🎁 For Unique Gifts

🥩 For a Great Steak Dinner

☕ For Coffee & Sweet Treats

🎨 For an Experience Together

🛍️ For Locally Made Gifts & Self-Care

Make a day of it—grab a meal, explore downtown, and discover something new along the way. Every visit helps support the local businesses, artists, and entrepreneurs who make downtown Rutherfordton such a special place.

Happy Father's Day from Rutherford Town Rising! ❤️

06/12/2026

Know someone dreaming of starting a small business in North Carolina?

Here’s a FREE resource every future entrepreneur should know about!
North Carolina’s Small Business Advisors team offers one‑on‑one guidance to anyone exploring a new business idea, preparing to launch, or looking for support as a small business owner. From licensing and regulations to training and next‑steps planning, this service helps you navigate the process with confidence.

The best part? It’s completely free—and open to anyone in NC or anyone considering making NC their business home.

If you know someone who’s ready to take the leap, share this with them. A single conversation could be the spark that brings their business to life.

Learn more:
https://www.commerce.nc.gov/business/start-business-north-carolina
https://www.nc.gov/working/business-nc/start-my-business

Let’s help entrepreneurs across our state turn big ideas into thriving businesses.

06/10/2026

Be sure to stroll through Main Street Park the next time you are downtown to see the amazing artwork done by local students!

06/08/2026

💼 Small Business Owners: Looking to grow your business and improve access to funding?

Through a partnership between Main Street America and the U.S. Bank Foundation, local business owners are invited to participate in a FREE three-part Access to Capital Webinar Series this summer.

📅 June 17 | How to Choose the Right Funding for Your Business
Learn about funding options, evaluate what works best for your business, and identify next steps for securing capital.

📅 July 15 | What Are Lenders Looking for When You Apply for a Business Loan?
Discover what lenders want to see, how to strengthen your financials, and common mistakes to avoid.

📅 August 19 | Business Plan Basics
Learn how to build a business plan that helps attract investors, lenders, and future growth opportunities.

🕒 All webinars are held virtually from 3:00–4:00 PM.

As an added bonus, everyone who registers for the webinar series will be invited to apply for a special Accelerator Program. Twenty-five businesses will be selected to receive:

✔️ A 12-week business growth program
✔️ Expert coaching and peer networking
✔️ Access to specialized training
✔️ An opportunity to compete for monetary prizes through a virtual pitch competition

Even if you cannot attend live, register to receive the recordings and remain eligible for the Accelerator Program.

This is a great opportunity for Rutherfordton entrepreneurs, downtown businesses, startups, and existing businesses looking to take the next step.

📌 Registration links for all three webinars can be found in the comments below.

06/06/2026

It's official, and it's beautiful!

Following another great FAB event last night, we're excited to celebrate the completion of Rutherfordton's newest downtown mural. Chosen by community vote, the Nature theme reflects many of the things that make Rutherfordton special, from our growing parks and green spaces to the Purple Martin Greenway and the natural beauty that surrounds our town.

The Town of Rutherfordton extends its sincere appreciation to Rutherford Food Art & Brew (FAB) for their vision, leadership, and commitment to connecting local businesses, artists, and community members. This project is a wonderful example of how local partnerships continue to strengthen and beautify our community.

A special thank you to Blythe Studio for bringing this vibrant piece of public art to life, and to The Industrial Commons for providing the grant funding that made the project possible.

We also want to recognize Curtis Snethen for generously providing the building wall that serves as the canvas for this mural. Community-minded property owners like Curtis help make projects like this possible and contribute to the continued revitalization of Downtown Rutherfordton.

Public art remains an important part of the Town's Community Vibrancy goals, helping create welcoming public spaces, supporting local artists, and enhancing the unique character of our downtown.

The mural's purple martin imagery serves as a fitting tribute to one of Rutherfordton's most recognizable natural assets and complements the continued growth of the Purple Martin Greenway and our expanding network of parks and public spaces.

Next time you're downtown, take a moment to stop by, snap a photo, and enjoy this newest addition to Rutherfordton's growing collection of public art.

Thank you to everyone who helped make this project a reality!

06/05/2026

Be sure to stop by Sage Studio Hair Cos new space on Saturday, June 6th, 12-5 for their grand opening! Thanks for continuing to choose Rutherfordton and best wishes on the new space!

🎉 GRAND OPENING GIVEAWAY 🎉

We’re celebrating the grand opening of Sage Studio Hair Co. with a basket full of goodies! 🧡

✨ Professional hair care products
✨ Lash serum
✨ Sage merch hat

How to enter:
📍 Stop by our Grand Opening
📍 Write your name on an entry slip
📍 Drop it in the giveaway jar

We’ll draw one lucky winner at the end of the event! 🎟️

Come tour the salon, meet our amazing team, support our vendors, enjoy refreshments, and celebrate this exciting new chapter with us. We can’t wait to see everyone!

📅 Saturday, June 6th
⏰ 12 PM – 5 PM

See you there! 💚

06/04/2026

Upcoming grant opportunities!

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