North Carolina's Central Park Region

Under the growing urban crescent spanning from Charlotte to Raleigh / Durham, lies a region of the North Carolina Piedmont characterized by its chain of lakes, open farmland, ancient mountains, forests and winding scenic lanes. The regions leaders have stated that quality of life, the rural landscape and its natural resources hold the key to its future. With its proximity to surounding metropolitan areas, many are refering to the Yadkin-Pee Dee Lakes Region as North Carolina's "Central Park".

Uwharrie Capital Corp was a lead partner with the Yadkin-Pee Dee Lakes Project in initiating a study by the business schools at Appalachian State University (ASU) and the University of North Carolina at Charlotte (UNCC) to explore the tourism potential of the region and the economics behind the Central Park concept. Does it make good business sense? What types of activities and business development should be pursued?

According to Dr. David Jones of the NC Zoological Park, our area is well positioned for becoming a vital playground for those living near the arc of I-85 from Raleigh, Greensboro to Charlotte. With the unrestrained growth of these neighboring larger cities, increased demand for green space and recreational facilities will be significant. In addition, a natural playground is a big draw for corporate citizens looking for a new home. The state is already marketing this seven-county Uwharrie Lakes region as a prime area for tourism and high-tech corporate relocation's. The commercial opportunities will be tremendous. It's up to us to take advantage of their efforts. After all, our future is based on the actions we take at this moment in our history.

Realizing the potential of the Central Park will require cooperation and coordination across city and county lines to preserve our heritage and natural beauty and to grow sustainably. Such cooperation will allow our region to develop and maintain a shared and recognizable image that we can promote to visitors. Our challenge is to begin thinking outside of the economic development box that has dictated a more traditional approach to development in the past. While there will always be a place for manufacturing and industrial recruitment, the Central Park research suggests that there are other ways to grow our economy consistent with our rural values and quality of life. The choice is ours to make - we can accept a future we will be given or we can create a future for ourselves and our grandchildren.

At Uwharrie Capital Corp, we believe in leaving a legacy in which we can all be proud. The future we see is green, clean, with healthy, educated people living and enjoying a quality of life that we helped create for them.