Harrisburg leaders work to attract businesses, families

HARRISBURG, N.C. — You can find restaurants, stores and lots of traffic in the town nestled between Charlotte and Concord on Highway 49.

Harrisburg has been Charlotte Dortch's home for the last 12 years.

"I looked all over Charlotte and just came out here and fell in love with it," she said.

The town has been a draw for many people, especially in the last decade.

In 2000, about 4,500 people lived in the town. That number jumped to around 11,500 in 2010. Another 2,000 people settled in by 2012.

Town leaders want to continue that growth and the economic benefits that can come with it.

Earlier this year, residents were given a survey to gauge what type of development they'd like to see in the area.

"(What's) important to us is not just getting anything we can get, we want to get the right things in Harrisburg -- those types of uses that are going to be successful here," said town administrator Mike Rose.

Rose said they are now looking to hire someone to sort through the feedback and determine what specific industries to target and ways to strengthen the companies already in place. There's also a push to better promote the town. New decorative black-and-white street signs were just installed. There are also plans to enhance major intersections. such as Robinson Church Road and Morehead Road along Highway 49 with signs, art, benches and greenery.

"It creates a sense of place for the town so when someone's driving down 49 they know they've entered into Harrisburg," Rose said.

The town is accepting applications for an Economic Development Director until Oct. 15.

WSOC