Tim Anderton

Less than a month after the resignation of former executive director Melanie O'Connell Underwood, the Mooresville-South Iredell Economic Development Corporation has hired an East Carolina University grad to manage the promotion of existing industries and develop a marketing plan.

Robert J Carney's experience most recently includes running the business/marketing-focused Six Degrees Magazine in Miami, as well as overseeing promotions and brand-management for Rockstar Energy Drink (also based in South Florida). He joins Mary Speir, the Corporation's existing Economic Development Assistant. Carney was one of almost 100 applicants and will be introduced to the Board at the next quarterly investors meeting.

It's noteworthy that the EDC board has chosen not to give Carney the title of Executive Director and make it clear that his position will not entail any new program initiatives. One could surmise that the attitude of the board members is that the work of the corporation is vital and broad enough to warrant an additional pair of hands on deck to at least maintain the status quo, but also that the search for a new executive director cannot be rushed.

The temporary suspension on new sewage service allocation has been lifted with the adoption by Mooresville's Town Commissioners of a new sewer allocation policy. The new policy sets out guidelines and procedures that must be followed for new development to gain sewer allocation. Mooresville's current capacity will run out in about 2010, but expansion of the existing sewage treatment system won't be complete until 2012. The new policy allows for re-structuring the current allocations on a case by case basis in order to deal with, and even avoid, the potential shortfall in service.

This development is good news for new and current property in Mooresville, as town growth in relation to utility capacity has been a concern for some time now. The development and acceptance of this new policy demonstrates the Town's commitment to supporting growth and keeping Mooresville a viable location for businesses in the area

Officials from Davidson, Cornelius, and Huntersville met on Feb 6th with David Carol, project manager with Charlotte Area Transit System for the north corridor project which aims to connect Charlotte's new light rail system with the North Mecklenburg / Iredell area. Officials from Mooresville, who make up the rest of the regional Transportation Task Force, were unable to attend the meeting but will attend a recap meeting with Carol this week.

Funding for the North Corridor project has been in question since Iredell County refused to pledge funds last year. The cost of extending the corridor up to Mount Mourne is estimated at approximately $261 million, and Mooresville is uncertain about being able to afford its share. However, sources of partial funding do exist, but time is of the essence. A loan through the Federal Railway Administration would help Mooresville spread out the costs of the project, which is also in queue for state funding if Charlotte City Council pledges funding now for the engineering. If Charlotte does not pledge the funding to begin the engineering portion of the project, then it will lose its space in the state funding queue, which would take 10 to 15 years to re-gain. A delay of that sort could be the final blow for the project.

David Carol feels that having the North Corridor line in place is essential for dealing with the inevitable congestion when the next phase of I-77 expansion begins. Projected ridership for the line, which could be completed as early as 2012 if the aforementioned Charlotte City Council pledge for engineering costs comes through, would be equal to adding an entire lane to I-77.

Increasing the travel options between south Iredell and Charlotte, and points between, will have a direct impact on the commercial real estate market here in Mooresville and around Lake Norman. I've written here already about the availability of office space in Charlotte and the reluctance of businesses to come just a short distance north. Completion of the North Corridor light rail option is one very important step in linking these areas more concretely and presenting Mooresville as a viable location for companies wishing to do business in the Charlotte area.

The Town of Mooresville Board of Commissioners has entered into an $18,850 agreement with an executive recruiting firm to find a replacement for recently resigned Town Manager Jamie Justice. The board accepted Justice's resignation on January 28th and Assistant Town Manager Erskine Smith will act as Interim Town Manager while the search is underway.

What does all of this mean for the Mooresville Real Estate market, especially commercial real estate? Justice helped refine Mooresville's “vision”, and Commissioner Frank Rader has already stated that he personally would favor a candidate with similar attitudes and qualities as Justice. Other Commissioners have also stressed such concepts as growth and business opportunity. It seems, then, that the goal is to find a new Town Manager who will simply carry on the work that Justice started and in a similar manner. It is worth noting that Commissioners Mitch Abraham and Thurman Houston dissented to the motion to accept Justice's resignation (which the board had called for a few weeks prior). Both expressed support for Justice and felt that he was right for Mooresville.

So, all in all, it seems that the Board's plan is to keep Mooresville on the same path it has been on in terms of growth and opportunity. This is good news for businesses, and the commercial real estate market in the area. However, with issues surrounding the expansion of the waste-water treatment system and developers preparing to break ground on the expansion and renovation of the Mooresville Mill (the former Burlington Mill on the south end of town on Highway 115), time is of the essence in finding Justice's replacement.

Mooresville, NC, one of the top three fastest growing "micropolitan" towns in the country, has suddenly fallen into political and management turmoil. The Board of Directors for The Economic Development entity for the town has unanimously asked Melanie O'Connor Underwood, the company Director and Chief Operating Officer, to resign. The Board will give no reason for the decision, and Ms. Underwood claims to have no idea for the action's cause.

Ms. Underwood has been in this position for 13 years and has been the leader of many important economic developments both for the town as well as the region. Over the years, she has been lauded repeatedly for her contributions of new jobs, new commerce, and new industry for the Mooresville trade area.

Almost simultaneously, the Town Commissioners (a separate governing town board) has asked for the resignation of the town manager, Jamie Justice. Mr. Justice had been in the position for three years, much of which has seen turbulence between him and the Commissioners. There are claims of overspending on major projects, loss of managerial controls, and poor judgment resulting in law suits for the town over a variety of issues.

The overall ironic point is that we reside and work in a high growth environment with many active issues "on the town's table", and the chief top leadership of the community has been forced out of their authorities without explanation to the tax payers and without immediate backup management to carry forth with critical issues. A strange set of circumstances for such a vibrant and "up and coming" community.