Economic Growth/Development
The private-equity firm Blackstone Group LP will donate $3.63 million to fund a five-year program with universities in North Carolina to spur job growth around Research Triangle Park. The Blackstone Entrepreneurs Network will work with Duke University, North Carolina Central University, North Carolina State University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to identify 30 startup teams each year and link them with entrepreneurs to nurture their growing businesses. During the next 10 years, the project aims to create 17,000 jobs, attract more than $800 million in investment capital and generate more than $4 billion in revenue.
$17 billion
Amount of visitor spending in North Carolina in 2010. Not only does that figure set a new record, but it also represents a 9-percent increase in spending since 2009, according to visitNC. North Carolina is the sixth most visited state in the nation and gained almost 2,000 tourism jobs in 2010.
“North Carolina’s natural and cultural treasures bring people and dollars into our state,” said Gov. Bev Perdue. “It’s a consistently growing part of our economy. Visitors and vacationers spend money that helps local economies thrive and creates jobs here in North Carolina, which is my number one priority.”
1
Most Gas-Guzzling City
Situated in the middle of the Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill area that earned this infamous accolade according to a Forbes.com study, Cary residents feel the pinch of the pump.
Comparing the miles driven annually per household and the average gallons of gasoline used per household (at the Triangle-wide average price of $4 per gallon), Forbes.com determined Triangle residents spend $4,296 per year on gas, the highest in the country.
One of the major factors contributing to the rank is the proximity of surrounding metro areas. Residents don’t think twice about zipping back and forth between neighboring towns. It’s a great benefit if you’re looking for a variety of restaurants, shopping, sporting events and cultural activities, but not so great on the gas budget.
Largest Employers in the Town of Cary
Employer Employees
1. SAS Institute Inc 4,203
2. MCI Worldcom Network 1,800
3. Cary Towne Center 1,700
4. Western Wake Medical Center 1,225
5. Town of Cary 1,153
6. American Airlines Reservation Center 1,067
7. Kellogg’s Snacks 783
8. Siemens Medical Solutions 650
9. John Deere 400
10. Global Knowledge Network 370
Source: Town of Cary 2010 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report
Housing Market
1
Healthiest housing market of 2011, according to Builder magazine. Raleigh-Cary earned the accolade based on a variety of factors including home prices, employment prospects and an increase in both single and multifamily building permits.
70%
Percentage of presales in SearStone, the continuing care retirement community planned for Cary near the intersection of High House Road and Davis Drive. 119 out of 169 housing units have already presold, and sales continue with pre-construction pricing and a variety of style options. Construction is expected to begin this fall.
23
Cary’s rank on Money magazine’s Best Places to Live 2010 list.
Sustainability/Environment
Non-Toxic
Forbes.com ranked Raleigh-Cary No. 3 among "America’s Least Toxic Cities," in a feature on environmentally healthy communities. Forbes examined the 80 largest U.S. metro areas for which toxicity data is available. The Forbes study looked at air and water quality and pollution in the Raleigh-Cary metro area covering Wake, Johnston and Franklin counties.
Electric Infrastructure
Funds apportioned to Cary through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act will be used to install electric vehicle charging stations in Cary. The stations will provide free short-term power for electric motorists during the day and be used to charge town vehicles at night. The first two charging locations will be the Cary Community Arts Center on South Academy Street and the Public Works and Utilities Center off James Jackson Avenue. Completion of both of these sites is expected by the end of 2011. Other locations under consideration for future charging stations are the Herb Young Community Center, the Koka Booth Amphitheatre, Town Hall, the Middle Creek Community Center and Thomas Brooks Park.
This activity is funded through the Energy Efficiency & Conservation Block Grant part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The purpose of this EECBG project is to prepare the infrastructure of the town for future electric vehicles.
Hotel Scene
The Umstead Hotel and Spa began new green initiatives this spring. Guests can enjoy a low emission and alternative fuel transportation service, called EcoStyle, and a partnership with Clean the World Foundation to recycle unused soap and shampoo products and send them to countries in need.
“Our mission is to use natural resources responsibly while continuing to ensure the comfort of our guests,” said The Umstead’s general manager Jim Beley. “From sourcing local and organic ingredients at our signature restaurant Herons to recycling and composting waste, the Umstead is dedicated to a progressive approach throughout the property. We are thrilled to add EcoStyle and Clean the World to our collection of sustainable efforts.”
Spruce Up Cary
The volunteer-based program Spruce, coordinated through the Town of Cary Department of Public Works and Utilities, provides a way for citizens and civic groups to help keep Cary clean and green. Spruce’s projects include town-wide litter sweeps, Adopt-a-Spot, gardens, tree plantings, outdoor improvement projects in public places and neighborhood-scale sweeps. The Carolina Recycling Association awarded the Spruce program the regional 2010 Outstanding Litter Prevention Program Award. Volunteers are welcome to join scheduled events, such as the recent Household Hazardous Waste and Electronics Collection, or to suggest their own projects. Contact spruce@townofcary.org to get involved.
Education
3
Cary’s ranking on the GreatSchools Top Public Schools list for midsize U.S. Cities. A midsize city has a population between 100,000 and 300,000.
Wake N.C. State University STEM Early College High School will be open for the 2011–2012 school year. Students enrolled in the STEM ECHS will earn both a high school diploma and up to two years of college credit at N.C. State University at the conclusion of a five year program. The school will open with a class of 50 students who show a high interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. The small class size allows for highly personalized relationships between students and staff. The school will be housed in the Creative Services Building at N.C. State University.
Magnet Schools
WCPSS has 33 magnet schools with programs in elementary, middle and high school.
Cary’s Farmington Woods Elementary offers an International Baccalaureate program. IB is an academically challenging standardized program offered around the world. At the elementary level, heavy emphasis is placed on learning a foreign language and in becoming an inquisitive and responsible member of the community. Some other magnet offerings in Wake County include:
Museums (K–8) – students interact with local museums and performing arts centers for educational experiences that transport them out of the classroom and into the community.
University Connections and Leadership (6–8) – University students and professors introduce participants to campus-based learning experiences such as lectures and internships.
Center for Leadership and Technology (9–12) – Students are exposed to emerging technologies, such as robotics, multiple operating systems and leadership skill development.
1:1
Grace Christian School will implement a one to one laptop initiative starting fall 2011. Each student in fifth through 12th grade will receive a MacBook laptop for school and home use. Technology tools will be available in lower grades for classroom use as well. The initiative aims to enhance the school’s current curriculum and prepare students for a digital world.
Keep Swinging!
A new after school program introduces golf to kindergarten through eighth-grade students. TGA Premier Junior Golf of West Wake County is available through schools in Cary, Apex, Holly Springs and Morrisville. The junior golf program teaches the fundamentals, rules and etiquette of golf along with character development. Students participate in a five-level program that provides age-appropriate progressive instruction at their school. Camps are also available over holiday and summer breaks.
Parks & Recreation
Parks and Greenways and Trails. Oh My!
If there wasn’t enough incentive for Western Wake County residents to enjoy the great outdoors (think more than 50 town parks and countless miles of greenways), Apex is adding three additional locations to the list. Construction will begin on the Hunter Street and Seagroves Farm Parks this summer and is slated to begin on the Environmental Education and Nature Park later in 2011. The Apex Environmental Education and Nature Park will be located on Apex Barbecue Road and will span 160 acres. The park will feature environmental education areas, a Frisbee golf course, a dog park, an extensive trail system, athletic fields and a 300-person amphitheatre.
Cary’s famous Lazy Daze Arts and Crafts Festival has been selected as one of Southeast Tourism Society’s Top 20 Events for August 2011. Mark your calendar for this year’s event in downtown Cary from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on August 27.
Starlight Concert Series
The Starlight Concert Series features free Friday concerts throughout the summer in the Page-Walker Arts & History Center garden. Come with a blanket or lawn chair and enjoy a mix of local and regional talent. All shows start at 7 p.m.
July 1 – The Shady Grove Band
July 8 – Mozart by Moonlight
July 15 – Craicdown
August 5 – Mickey Mills & Tropic Orchestra
Cary Visual Art will install the 2011 Outdoor Sculpture Exhibition along Academy Street on August 5. Juror Jack Becker, founder and executive director of Forecast Public Art and publisher of Public Art Review, will select 10 works from artists across the nation for display in downtown Cary.
Downtown Bounty
Fuquay-Varina introduces a new event to celebrate fresh local foods and community spirit. Local farmers, restaurants and downtown merchants will come together for a day of Downtown Bounty in the historic Varina shopping district. There will be music, vendors, merchant specials and an assortment of family fun – mark your calendars for Saturday, September 24.
New! Cary Arts Center
The Cary Arts Center is open for business. The business of visual and ceramic arts; rehearsals and performances; studio displays; and community classes, that is. The 50,000-square-foot center contains a 400-seat theater and is located in the Old Cary Elementary School building, which has been completely renovated for its new purpose. Visit the center during the Grand Opening Celebration August 12–13 to check out all the wonderful features. View complete listing of programs available in the 2011 Summer Program Brochure, downloadable from the Town of Cary website.
In a League of Their Own
The USA Baseball National Training Complex in Cary will be filled with professional and aspiring women baseball players in early August. USA Baseball will host a Women’s International Friendship Series and its first ever Women’s Development Camp Aug. 2-7. The friendship series will feature two U.S. women’s teams and national teams from Australia and Canada. The development camp, which runs from Aug. 4–6, will provide on-field instruction, educational speakers and admission to the friendship series games for female players ages 12–15.
Health care
Duke University Medical Center earned the top ranking among Raleigh-Durham hospitals according to the U.S. News & World Report’s Best Hospitals Metro rankings. Finishing out the top five rankings were University of North Carolina Hospitals at No. 2, No. 3 Wake Medical Center, No. 4 Durham Regional Hospital, and Rex Healthcare and Duke Raleigh Hospital tied for the No. 5 spot. U.S. News & World Report affirms what Western Wake residents already know: Top quality health care is right around the corner.
The Women’s Pavilion and Birthplaces of WakeMed Health and Hospitals have discontinued distribution of formula samples and pacifiers to all patients. These changes are part of an effort to become the first Baby Friendly hospital as defined by the World Health Organization and the United Nations Children’s Fund in the Triangle area. WakeMed will provide formula for infants when requested or when medically necessary, but hopes to encourage new mothers to breastfeed — the best form of nutrition for newborns. The Cary and Raleigh Women’s Pavilion and Birthplaces already exceed the national average breastfeeding rate, 98 percent and 72 percent respectively, but these changes give mothers the support and confidence they need to commit to breastfeeding long-term.
Rex Healthcare plans to open a facility in Holly Springs off Avent Ferry Road in December. The new facility, which is currently under construction, will offer urgent care, primary care, pediatrics, cardiology, surgery and imaging, among many other services. Follow the live progress on itsConstruction Cam. Just search for Rex Healthcare of Holly Springs at www.rexhealth.com.
