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 Economic Development and Affordable Housing in Efland

 

Three sessions for community members interested in learning more about economic growth and development

 

Gravelly Hill Middle School Auditorium

Tuesdays February 10, 17^th and 24^th

7:00 - 8:30 PM 

 

• Session 1:  Community-Led Vision for Growth (Feb 10th):  Jeff Michael, Director of the Charlotte Urban Institute:  How to work with developers and local leaders to create a vision for growth and development  

• Session 2:  Bringing Affordable Housing to Efland  (Feb 17th)  Ann Moss Joyner, President of the Cedar Grove Institute for Sustainable Communities: How to work with public policy and developers to attract quality housing for seniors and working families. 

• Session 3:  State of Infrastructure and Economic Development in Efland (Feb 24)  Craig Benedict, Planning Director and Steve Brantley, Economic Development Director:  What's the status of the county's investment in infrastructure and economic development.

 

Cedar Grove Institute for Sustainable Communities

Efland Ruritan Club

Orange County Voice

United Voices of Efland

UNC Charlotte Urban Institute

 

For more information, please contact Bonnie Hauser (919 732-9316 or bahauser@aol.com)

 

 

 

Background

 

In the last few years, Orange County invested millions of dollars to add water and sewer to Efland's interstate and rail infrastructure.  This investment makes Efland attractive for development, and creates new opportunities for dense housing and retail to serve residential communities.  Soccer, equestrian and other recreational assets, and nearby farms, shopping and cultural heritage make Efland a potential destination for events and visitors.  Planning coupled with community support will make it easier for Efland to attract development that enriches its communities with better jobs, housing and services.

   

Three community information sessions will help the Efland Community plan for its future.  This is especially important as development accelerates in communities surrounding Efland.  Development in nearby Mebane is flourishing around a growing town center, and new businesses and jobs are popping up everywhere.  Even Orange County's new candy company sits in Mebane's town limits.  Hillsborough is growing too - around its new Waterstone Campus and revitalized downtown.  

 

The sessions will help add the community's voice to the important conversation about the future of Efland, including:

 

• Attracting businesses along the interstate that bring good paying jobs and tax revenues to support schools and essential services; 

• Establishing quality affordable housing for seniors, teachers, fire and police, and others who serve all of our communities; 

• Assuring a sense of place through the creation of town centers, and transportation connectivity to nearby population and employment centers; 

• Creating public greenspaces, bikeways, and other resources that complement the recreational and cultural assets that already exist.

Community and civic groups, faith leaders, businesses and developers are all welcome to join these important conversations and help chart a course for development in Efland and Orange County.