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Monday 8:30am - 5pm Tuesday 8:30am - 5pm Wednesday 8:30am - 5pm Thursday 8:30am - 5pm Friday 8:30am - 5pm

Sanford Area Growth Alliance

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Sanford Area Growth Alliance

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Where Economic Development and Chamber of Commerce unite to advance our community's prosperity.

Join us in fostering growth, innovation, and connections that drive success for businesses and individuals in Sanford and beyond!

05/21/2025

EXCITING NEWS‼️The City of Sanford, NC has been selected to participate in a Microtransit Pilot Program!

Yesterday, our team had the pleasure of attending an MOU Signing for Sanford’s Microtransit Pilot Program! Sanford was one of 11 communities in our state to receive a grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation to devise new modes of transit in our area. 🚗

Sanford’s program will utilize technology to create a subsidized ridesharing program similar to Uber or Lyft. 🤳

The goals of the program are to:
💲Provide Sanford’s residents with consistent and affordable transit
🐴 Fill gaps in the Lee County COLTS’ current system
💼 Supply workers, shift workers, and employers a new way to travel to and from work
🎒 Transport students to our schools and community college
🛒 Making goods and services more accessible for the elderly and disabled
🛄 Give visitors the opportunity to more easily explore the city

The Mobility for Everyone, Everywhere in NC (MEE NC) grant will provide Sanford with $3.4 million for this program over a period of 3 years. The Microtransit Advisory Board (MAB) of experts including our BRE Director, Crystal Gaddy, will make decisions regarding the program’s rollout. ✍️

05/20/2025

Congratulations to our RISE Spring 2025 Grant Winner Janet Stoudemire upon the opening of her new business, The BLU Center! 🥳

We celebrated the Grand Opening with a Ribbon Cutting followed by tours of the space, enjoying snacks, and a delicious commemorative cake. 🎂

BLU Resource Center's facility focuses on providing childcare for school-age children with a twist. Unique offerings include:
📑 Tutoring and homework help
🧠 Mental health support
🌞 Summer camps
🧑‍🏫 Drop-in care during teacher workdays

We love seeing our RISE participants succeed! Great work, Janet! 👏

🚸 BLU Resource Center
📍 505 Wall St., Sanford, NC 27330
📞 +1 919-601-5568

📸 Jacalyn McAlister of Downtown Sanford, Inc.

05/19/2025

The CUOCLC-Thrift Store is the place for:
✅ Team bonding opportunities
✅ Community service through volunteerism
✅ Bargain-priced clothing and home decor
… and so much more!

At last Thursday’s AM Buzz, we hunted for the best thrift finds, networked over coffee and breakfast from Chik Fil A, and learned about the Christians United Outreach Center of Lee County (CUOCLC)'s mission. 🐝☕

Executive Director, Elizabeth Colebrook, and Thrift Store Manager, Heather Gunter, explained that when you shop or volunteer at their thrift store, you directly impact local families in need. Clothes that are donated are sold in-store or to textile companies to raise money for the CUOCLC’s programming. 👗👕

If you are interested in getting involved with the CUOCLC, call (919) 774-8485 or visit cuoclc.org.

05/16/2025

The Power of Community Engagement: Human Factor 2025 Spring Session

On Tuesday, various HR professionals and community liaisons from across Lee County gathered at the Dennis A. Wicker Civic and Conference Center for our spring session of Human Factor in partnership with Central Carolina SHRM.

This quarter’s program featured various presentations on the power of companies engaging in volunteerism, team building, and community service.

Attendees learned about the mission and causes, activities and initiatives, and current needs of several of our local nonprofits, including:
- Family Promise of Lee County
- Habitat for Humanity Sanford Area, NC
- Haven In Lee County
- Stevens Center Sanford
- San Lee Park

Participants had the opportunity to directly engage with the leaders of these organizations, learn how to integrate volunteering into their businesses’ Programs of Work, and network with other HR representatives to discuss how their respective employers practice community outreach.

Thank you to Adcock Real Estate Services for sponsoring this program, to our engaging and informative presenters, and to Bubba's Subs & Pizza for the fantastic lunch!

05/15/2025

WHAT IS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT? 🤔

According to the Cambridge Dictionary, Economic Development is “the process in which an economy grows or changes and becomes more advanced, especially when both economic and social conditions are improved.”

How does the Sanford Area Growth Alliance promote Economic Development in our community?

Our team:

- Promotes job creation and expands the tax base by recruiting new industry
- Aids existing businesses and assists them in expansion efforts
- Encourages private sector investment in responsible growth
- Collaborates with local officials to bolster the economy

The Sanford Area Growth Alliance’s mission is to create prosperity for ALL members of our community through Economic Development.

We strive to make Sanford and Lee County a better place to live for current and future residents for years to come. Happy Economic Development Week!

05/14/2025

DOWNTOWN SANFORD’S NEWEST SPECIALTY SHOP: THIMBLE & STASH 🪡🧵

Last Friday, we welcomed Thimble & Stash to Historic Downtown Sanford with a celebratory Ribbon Cutting! 🎀✂️

This charming space is located next to Mrs. Lacy's Magnolia House in one of Sanford’s beautiful historic homes. Inside, shoppers can find “once loved to be re-loved” and new fabric, quilting materials, and sewing supplies curated by owner Christy Rafferty. 🏠

Rafferty’s mission in opening her store is to “honor the past, people, where we come from, and where we’re going” through the nostalgia of crafting. The shop counter that formerly belonged to Sanford seamstress Iris Pendergrass and decor including vintage yardsticks from local businesses contribute to the sentimental and creative feel of the shop. 📏

Thank you to Mr. and Mrs. Rafferty for allowing us to help you celebrate your special day! 👏

🪡 Thimble & Stash
📍 403 Carthage St., Sanford, NC 27330
📞 (919) 352-9852

05/13/2025

Leadership Sanford’s 2025 cohort went out with a bang for their last session! 💥

Their jam-packed day combined learning and fun, the perfect way to wrap up the program. 👏

⚡The morning began with a presentation from Meg Moss, Director of Marketing and Member Engagement at Central Electric Membership Corporation, wherein Moss emphasized the importance of continuous community involvement.
📊 Barbara Brothers, Business Engagement Director of Capital Area Workforce Development, shared a case study on the development of our local workforce.
🤖 Jerry Pedley and his team at Mertek Solutions Inc. welcomed the cohort for a barbeque lunch accompanied by a tour of his business, including various demonstrations of the robots and machines designed at the facility.
🎭 The last stop of the day was a showing of Beauty and the Beast at the Temple Theatre Company. Be sure to get your tickets before the show closes on Sunday!

05/11/2025

The Sanford Area Growth Alliance wishes you a Happy Mother’s Day! 🤱

From elected leadership to small business owners, our community is lucky to be a home to moms who do it all! 👏

🖼️ featuring Lee County Commissioner Taylor Vorbeck and her daughter at Ayers Family Farm

📸 by Campbell Wheby

Address

115 Chatham Street
Sanford, NC
27330

Opening Hours

Monday	8:30am - 5pm
Tuesday	8:30am - 5pm
Wednesday	8:30am - 5pm
Thursday	8:30am - 5pm
Friday	8:30am - 5pm

Telephone

(919) 774-8439

Website

http://www.growsanfordnc.com/

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