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Four towns near Charlotte discuss possible economic alliance

MATTHEWS, N.C. — Soon Charlotte may have some competition from four small towns that are talking about joining forces.

Matthews, Mint Hill, Indian Trail and Stallings have been talking about forming an economic alliance for more than a year. Within the past few weeks, both Matthews and Indian Trail signed off on the idea.

"I think when you go to Raleigh with 100,000 voices, politicians sit up and take notice," said John Urbann, a former Matthews Town councilman.

He said the alliance could help draw large companies and jobs to the area.

"We're trying to find ways to bring people to Matthews to be more than just a bedroom community of Charlotte," Urbann said.

The town of Stallings will vote on the plan Monday. Mint Hill could before the end of the month.

Fred Weber, who sits on the town council in Stallings, said leaders there are open to the idea, but they have some reservations that they're currently trying to work through.

"We would not want to be tied into something that we can't get out of if we wanted to," he said.

Commissioners in Stallings and Mint Hill are reviewing the alliance by laws that were recently drawn up. They'll make alterations before they make a final vote.