CPRC Executive Director Lee Worsley has a goal of visiting all 50 communities that are a part of the Central Pines Region. Follow along with this blog post as Lee tours the region! 

Stop #1: City of Sanford

Had a fantastic meeting with City Manager Hal Hegwer, and I learned something that perfectly captures Sanford's spirit – they produce their own honey right on site! Now that's sweet innovation in local government.

Sanford is also experiencing significant growth, with over 800 new homes scheduled to be built. Sanford is also leading the way in regionalism. Also learned about the great regional collaboration happening with TriRiver Water, which provides utility services to Sanford and partners with communities across Chatham and Wake counties. That's the kind of cross-county teamwork that makes our region stronger!

We're proud to partner with Sanford through our housing programs and as a key member of our Central Pines Rural Planning Organization. When communities like Sanford thrive, our entire region benefits.

Thanks for the warm welcome, Hal! One down, 49 to go – and I'm already looking forward to discovering what makes each community in our region special.

Stop #2: Town of Holly Springs

I enjoyed seeing Town Manager Randy Harrington, and it's clear Holly Springs truly embraces the power of partnership! Earlier this year, I was able to facilitate their Town Council Retreat. Holly Springs Councilmember Chris Deshazor serves as an officer on our Central Pines Board of Delegates. This community understands that collaboration drives success.

Holly Springs is also a perfect example of regional problem-solving in action. They're meeting their water needs through a partnership with Fuquay-Varina and Sanford via TriRiver Water. When communities work together like this, everyone wins!

We're proud to have such engaged partners who don't just participate in regional initiatives – they help lead them. 

Thanks for the warm welcome, Randy! Two down, 48 to go – and I'm seeing firsthand how collaboration makes our region stronger.

Stop #3: Town of Selma

I had a great meeting with Town Manager Alexis Carter, but first I had to check out Selma's charming downtown! Found the perfect small coffee shop to get some work done before our meeting.

Alexis and I had a productive discussion about strengthening our regional managers' meetings and addressing critical infrastructure needs facing the town. We also explored strategies to keep all our local governments better informed about development happening between communities. That kind of coordination and communication is what regional partnership is all about! Selma's downtown has that perfect mix of charm and functionality – and clearly the local coffee game is strong! It's communities like this that remind me why regional collaboration matters so much.

Selma is also the home of Mayor Byron McAllister, who also currently serves as our Central Pines Regional Council Chair. I appreciate Chair McAllister's leadership locally and regionally, it is crucial to our success.

Thanks for the great conversation, Alexis! Three down, 47 to go – and I'm already looking forward to discovering what makes each community in our region special.

Stop #4: Town of Siler City

I had a great virtual meeting with Town Manager Jack Meadows – sometimes technology makes the best meetings happen! We had a productive conversation about the many ways Central Pines can provide direct assistance to Siler City in human resources, grant support, planning, procurement, finance, and solid waste management.

What's exciting is that Siler City is positioned for significant growth with several large economic development announcements happening near the town. When communities experience this kind of opportunity, regional solutions become even more critical to manage growth effectively and leverage shared resources.

It's exactly these kinds of partnerships that demonstrate how regional collaboration can help communities tackle big challenges and capitalize on new opportunities. Whether it's navigating complex procurement processes or securing grant funding, we're stronger when we work together.

Thanks for the great discussion, Jack! Four down, 46 to go – and I'm reminded that meaningful partnerships can happen anywhere, even virtually.

Stop #5: Village of Pinehurst

Had an excellent meeting with Village Manager Doug Willardson in a community known worldwide as a premier golf destination! But beyond the golf, Pinehurst is deeply committed to regional collaboration.

Doug and I discussed Central Pines' support of the Tri Cities group, which brings together elected officials and staff from Aberdeen, Pinehurst, and Southern Pines. We also discussed our work convening the Moore County Managers group, which brings together managers from all municipalities and the county to address shared challenges.

These kinds of multi-jurisdictional partnerships are exactly what regional government is about – creating forums where communities can learn from each other, coordinate services, and solve problems together. When you have world-class destinations like Pinehurst working alongside their neighbors, the entire region benefits.

Thanks for the great conversation, Doug! Five down, 45 to go – and I'm seeing how communities that put themselves on the world map also understand the power of regional partnership.

Stop #6: Town of Kenly

Had a great meeting with Town Manager Tony Sears in a community that truly lives up to its motto – "Friendly Kenly!" Their welcoming spirit was evident from the moment I arrived.

Tony and I had productive discussions about water and sewer infrastructure needs and planning strategies. For a community strategically positioned along I-95, having robust infrastructure planning is critical for both current residents and future growth opportunities.

These infrastructure conversations are exactly why regional partnerships matter so much. Communities like Kenly can leverage Central Pines' planning expertise to develop smart, sustainable solutions for their water and sewer systems. When we work together on these foundational needs, we set communities up for long-term success.

Thanks for living up to the "Friendly" reputation, Tony! Six down, 44 to go – 

Stop #7: Town of Morrisville

Had a fantastic meeting with Town Manager Brandon Zuidema, Deputy Town Manager Giselle Rodriguez-Villanueva, and Director of Management Jeanne Hooks! Meeting with such a strong leadership team demonstrates Morrisville's commitment to collaboration.

We had a wide-ranging discussion that covered regional collaboration, transportation challenges, and opportunities for shared services. But what really stood out was learning about Morrisville's exciting projects – their developing town center and the fact that Morrisville is known across the US for its world-class cricket facilities! That's the kind of unique identity that puts communities on the map.

When communities like Morrisville combine innovation in economic development with commitment to regional partnership, everyone wins. Their leadership team clearly understands that building something special locally goes hand-in-hand with working collaboratively regionally.

Thanks for the great conversation, Brandon, Giselle, and Jeanne! Seven down, 43 to go – and I'm seeing how communities that think big also understand the power of working together.

Stop #8: Town of Chapel Hill

I really enjoyed reconnecting with Town Manager Ted Voorhees – it was great to see someone I worked alongside when I was Deputy County Manager of Durham County and Ted was Deputy City Manager in Durham. Those professional relationships built over the years make regional collaboration even more meaningful.

Ted and I discussed Central Pines' work in the water and wastewater area, as well as opportunities around transportation and other significant regional issues. 

Thanks for the great conversation, Ted! Eight down, 42 to go – and I'm reminded that the best regional partnerships are built on trust, experience, and shared commitment to serving our communities.

Stop #9: Town of Carthage

Had an excellent meeting with Town Manager Emily Yopp, which covered a wide range of important topics. Emily shared how Carthage is seeing more and more grant opportunities, which is where Central Pines' deep federal grant expertise can really make a difference for communities looking to maximize these funding streams.

We also had a fascinating discussion about the various types of services local governments provide and the ongoing challenge of helping residents understand the value of these services. It's one of those universal challenges that every community faces – communicating the impact of everything from infrastructure maintenance to public safety in ways that resonate with citizens.

My conversation with Emily made me think about one reason why regional partnerships are important. Whether it's navigating complex federal grant processes or sharing best practices for citizen engagement, communities are stronger when they can learn from each other's experiences.

Thanks for the thoughtful discussion, Emily! Nine down, 41 to go – and I'm seeing how the best community leaders combine grant savvy with genuine commitment to serving their residents.

Stop #10: Town of Wake Forest

Had a fantastic meeting with Town Manager Kip Padgett, and I was thrilled to hear him talk about how responsive and helpful our Central Pines staff are! 

That feedback aligns perfectly with our Core Value of Outstanding Customer Service and our Organizational Principle of Service to our Members.

Kip and I discussed our assistance with grant opportunities and dove deep into transportation challenges, particularly around Capital Boulevard. These infrastructure issues require both local leadership and regional coordination to develop effective solutions.

Hearing directly from community leaders like Kip that our team is delivering on our core values reminds me why this work matters so much. When communities know they can count on responsive, helpful regional support, that's when real partnership happens.

Thanks for the great feedback and conversation, Kip! Ten down, 40 to go – and I'm proud to see our organizational values coming to life in the partnerships we're building.

Stop #11: Town of Apex

This stop was close to home – literally! Had a great meeting with Town Manager Randy Vosburg in the community where I live. It's wonderful to see up close the excellent work Randy and his talented team deliver each day, but sitting down to discuss his vision for Apex and how it complements regional growth was truly insightful.

Randy and I talked about important ways our local government managers can connect more effectively across the region. We also discussed something that doesn't get enough attention – how local governments innovate every single day, but that innovation isn't always recognized or celebrated.

Living in Apex gives me a front-row seat to see exceptional local government in action, and having conversations like this reminds me that great communities don't happen by accident. They're built by visionary leaders who understand how local excellence contributes to regional success.

Thanks for the hometown perspective, Randy! Eleven down, 39 to go – and I'm reminded that sometimes the best insights come from looking closely at what's happening right in your own backyard.