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INSIDE ▼ Indian Trail secures $6M for road upgrades PAGE 3A Friday, April 4, 2025 • Vol. 25 • No. 13
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Monroe OKs grant for Southern Electrical Equipment Company MONROE – Monroe City Council approved a Level II Economic Development Incentive Grant on March 18 worth up to $114,000 for Southern Electrical Equipment Company Inc., to move operations from Mecklenburg County to the Monroe Corporate Center.
SEECO is a certified electrical transmission and substation equipment manufacturer with customers across the world. The company has been in business since 1920. SEECO currently has locations in Mecklenburg County and Indian Trail,
which they plan to consolidate into a single 109,000-square-foot facility in Monroe. “SEECO’s investment in Monroe is a commitment to innovation, job creation and long-term partnership with our community,” City Manager Mark Watson said. “Their presence strengthens our manufacturing sector and reinforces Monroe as a hub for precision manufacturing.” The company plans to invest $7 million to $10 million at the 15-acre site, creating 71 jobs with an average annual pay of $64,000 within three years. This investment also in-
cludes the potential for a workforce development partnership with South Piedmont Community College. “In addition to hiring people fresh out of school and working with them to learn skills and trades, we’ve also worked with organizations… to help people get their lives together and move forward,” SEECO CEO and owner Andrew Panto said. “We like to become part of and grow with the community.” SEECO plans to complete its renovation of the site no later than December 2025 and relocate all operations to Monroe. The city’s
grant is worth up to $114,000 paid over a five-year period. “The City of Monroe is thrilled to welcome SEECO home to the Monroe Corporate Center where they will have the resources, essential transportation, skilled workforce and economic incentives they need to thrive in today’s economy,” said Teresa Campo, Monroe’s strategic projects manager. “This competitive incentive package affirms City Council’s strong commitment to fostering business growth and providing good paying jobs for our residents.”
A ‘cornerstone’ features 17 days of the arts, ideas of Monroe Fire Department is retiring
Charlotte SHOUT!
MONROE – Greg Collins, deputy chief of operations for the Monroe Fire Department, is retiring May 1 after 30 years of service to the city.
Charlotte SHOUT! will bring dozens of art installations and activities to Uptown Charlotte. Photos courtesy of Charlotte Center City Partners
CHARLOTTE – Uptown Charlotte will come alive with art, music, food and ideas as Charlotte SHOUT! returns April 4 to 20.
Produced by Charlotte Center City Partners and presented by Atrium Health and Bank of America, Charlotte SHOUT! is an annual celebration of the city’s art and culture. Charlotte SHOUT! is a sensory feast for all ages, with more than 200 events and attractions taking place over 17 days in Uptown. “Charlotte SHOUT! continues to elevate the vibrancy of Uptown, drawing hundreds
of thousands of visitors and creating unforgettable moments,” said Robert Krumbine, festival producer and chief creative officer at Charlotte Center City Partners. “This festival is a celebration of Charlotte’s creative spirit and its ability to bring people together through art, music, food and ideas. We can’t wait to see how this year’s lineup inspires and engages our community.” The 2024 festival saw record engagement, with over 642,000 attendees and a $17.1 million direct spend economic impact for Uptown businesses. Artists, musicians and local entre-
preneurs all benefited, with $650,000 paid to local creatives and 28 food trucks serving festival goers. In addition, 1,200 students participated in educational and artistic activities. On the web: charlotteshout.com New attractions for 2025 include:
• CanStruction – A live competition at Bank of America's Founders Hall where engineering and design industry groups create stunning CanArt sculptures using full cans of food, later Story continues, see SHOUT! page 3A
Waxhaw earns recognition for downtown WAXHAW – The success of Downtown Waxhaw was on display during the 2025 NC Main Street Conference on March 11 to 13 in Mooresville.
The conference is focused on downtown revitalization and Downtown Waxhaw generated two awards. The Town of Waxhaw and its partners received a 2024 Award for Merit in Design for the Best Outdoor Space Improvement for the Waxhaw Downtown Park. Former Town Manager Jeff Wells was also recognized as the 2024 Main Street Champion for his part in creating the Downtown Waxhaw Association. During the award recognition, Main Street recognized the Downtown Waxhaw Park as a “transformative project that embodies innovation, inclusivity and community spirit.” Story continues, see WAXHAW page 3A
Jeff Wells, assistant city manager in Monroe (pictured left at the Groundhog Day Economic Forum), received state recognition for his work as town manager of Waxhaw.
Photo courtesy of City of Monroe
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Collins began his career with the Monroe Fire Department in 1995 as a public safety officer. Over the years, he steadily progressed through the ranks, serving as a fire engineer, lieutenant, captain, battalion chief, division chief of training and deputy chief of administration before assuming his current role as deputy chief of operations in 2021. “The most rewarding part of my career has been watching others grow and succeed,” Collins said. “It has never been about personal recognition but rather about knowing that I played a role in improving our department, enhancing our response capabilities and ultimately saving lives. I’m grateful to have served alongside some of the best men and women in fire service.” The city said Collins played vital roles in advancing the Monroe Fire Department through his leadership and development of personnel, modernization of the fire apparatus fleet, planning and opening of Fire Station 6, which improved response times for residents in the upper northwest portion of the city, and lowering of the city’s fire insurance rating to an ISO Class 1. His leadership in emergency management also helped guide the city through major events, including hurricanes and the COVID-19 pandemic. “Greg Collins has been a cornerstone of the Monroe Fire Department for many years,” City Manager Mark Watson said. “His contributions to emergency management, fire operations and personnel development will continue to benefit the city long after his retirement.” Fire Chief Ron Fowler expressed gratitude for Collins’ expertise and commitment to excellence. “Greg Collins has selflessly and faithfully served the residents of Monroe where his personal integrity, professionalism and devotion to duty has been a tremendous example of public service,” Fowler said. “I am grateful for his years of service and pray that God will bless him with a long and happy retirement.”