Macclesfield board adopts two-year work plan for community development advisory board

The Town of Macclesfield board unanimously approved a two-year work plan for the Macclesfield Community Development Advisory Board at its Feb. 10 regular meeting.

Bruce Naegelen, Community Economic Development Planner with the North Carolina Department of Commerce, told the board the advisory board’s president will step down for personal reasons and the vice president, Deborah Lewis, will serve in the interim. Naegelen outlined projects and priorities in the proposed work plan, including cleanup of the burned former post office lot on Edgecombe Street, workshops on local history, incentives or encouragement for façade improvements for building owners, and enhanced signage and landscaping at town entrances.

Commissioner Paula Lewis moved to accept the two-year work plan; Commissioner Jean Wooten-Jiles seconded the motion, which passed with none opposed. The board also adopted the advisory board’s calendar of events on a unanimous vote.

The approved work plan directs the advisory board and staff to focus on visible downtown improvements and community-engagement activities intended to support small-scale redevelopment. No additional funding allocations were made at the meeting; commissioners discussed next steps for outreach and follow-up but did not set specific budget commitments during the session.

The advisory board’s leadership change and the adopted plan position the town to apply for technical assistance and to coordinate town and volunteer efforts for the outlined projects. Naegelen said staff will return with any timeline adjustments or implementation details at a future meeting.

The board’s next regular meeting is scheduled for March 10, 2025.