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It’s hard to keep something this big under wraps.
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INSIDE ▼ State lawmakers focus on squatters
Park Pointe Village
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Friday, April 11, 2025 • Vol. 25 • No. 14
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Key funding will help Monroe industrial park get site-ready MONROE – The City of Monroe received funding that will help its Expressway Commerce Park attract future industrial investment. The Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina approved Monroe’s Selectsite Readiness Program application March 27 for $440,200. City officials say the funding will cover key site readiness activities, including environmental assessments, engineering reports and even a sunflower study to determine if the endangered Schweinitz’s Sunflower is present.
Expressway Commerce Park is located between North Sutherland Avenue and West Roosevelt Boulevard. The 74-acre site is zoned for light industrial use. “This funding from the Selectsite Readiness Program is a major step forward in our mission to attract high-quality precision manufacturing projects to Monroe,” City Manager Mark Watson said. “By investing in the necessary site assessments and infrastructure planning, we are ensuring that Expressway Commerce Park is ready for businesses that will create high-paying
jobs for our residents.” Mayor Robert Burns emphasized the importance of regional partnerships in securing this funding. “We appreciate the EDPNC’s confidence in Monroe and their support in advancing our economic development efforts,” Burns said. “This funding represents a collaborative effort between local and state leaders, working together to create new opportunities for our community.” Council Member James Kerr highlighted the
long-term impact of the project. “The site readiness efforts funded through this program will help position Monroe as a premier destination for industry and innovation,” Kerr said. Council Member Franco McGee described the funding as “a crucial investment in Monroe’s future.” “By preparing Expressway Commerce Park for development, we are strengthening our local economy and setting the stage for sustainable job creation,” McGee said.
Union County families impact health at school through trees WESLEY CHAPEL – Ten Union County families made an impact at Antioch Elementary School on March 29 that will last multiple lifetimes. The group of parents and students planted 10 oak trees in two different playgrounds at Antioch. “We saw that it was an Arbor Day event, and we thought it was a great way to honor Lydia’s school,” Stephanie Chen said. She and her husband, Kenneth, brought both their children (Lydia, 8, and Theodore, 5) to the tree planting event. Lydia was especially excited about the day and what it would mean for her future family. “I want my son to see this tree when he comes to this school,” Lydia said. “He’ll say, ‘My mom made this.’ I like putting the dirt around the tree and making it perfect. I like working in the yard.” The trees, which came in 15-gallon plastic pots, were about six years old. Keith O’Herrin, the county’s urban forester, said the trees were purchased with money donated to TreesUnion (a 501c3 organization) costing between $60 and $80 each, plus mulch and compost. TreesUnion Board Chair Meredith Marr brought family including her two children, Amelia, 8, and Coralise, 6. “It’s a wonderful experience to bring your kids out and connect with nature,” Marr said. “They learn about how to care for a tree, how to get involved. It’s really meaningful to have that connection with nature. Kids intuitively connect with nature in a fundamental way. It’s a beautiful exercise to cultivate that relationship with nature, to start young.” Cameron Logar and her husband, Rich, brought their three children (Hadley, 3; Carson, 8; and Reid, 6) to join in the tree planting adventure. “I’ve always been passionate about the environment. I studied environmental science in college,” Cameron said. “We love to have our kids outside and love to have them understand the environment and how to help make the environment better. If we can start at their school, it’s a great place to start. It adds value to the earth, to our community and teaches our kids some good examples and lessons.”
Hadley Logar, 3, (holding the shovel) said she can’t wait to plant a tree. “I’m awesome at digging,” she said. Hadley is the daughter of Rich and Cameron Logar, who also brought their two sons, Carson, 8, and Reid, 6, to the recent tree planting at Antioch Elementary School. Photos courtesy of Deb Coates Bledsoe
The importance of trees is one of the most valuable lessons students learned. “We need trees to breathe,” Mandy Simmons said. “We need more trees in our neighborhood since they’re developing our area. We need to rebuild some of that. The kids have been looking forward to it.” Mandy’s daughter, Keira, 9, learned how to prepare her family’s tree for planting by cutting roots that were twisted up from growing inside of a plastic pot. Cutting the roots that have grown in a circle will allow them to grow outward rather than into the tree. “It may seem like you’re damaging the tree, but we’re really only taking a small amount of the root mass,” O’Herrin said. “The tree is really not going to miss it. “ The families all had one thing in common, planting for the future. “We came to plant this tree and to make history,” said Manij Shrestha (who came with his wife, Bidhya, and children Mihir, 8, and Vidhi, 5.) “When my kids come here, they can see the tree and say, ‘Hey we planted that tree at the school.”
Keith O’Herrin, Union County’s urban forester, standing, and TreesUnion Board Chair Meredith Marr, demonstrate the proper way to plant a tree.
O’Herrin said there are numerous health advantages to spending time outdoors, some that may not be so obvious. “Studies show that just spending 20 minutes outside in nature lowers the cortisol levels in your brain, your stress hormone,” O’Herrin said. “It shows improved grades in school and increased participation and attention span and Story continues, see TREES page 3A
Rocky River teacher to expand STEM across county with grant MONROE – Adam Haas, of Rocky River Elementary School, has received the 2025 Career Award for STEM Teachers from the Burroughs Wellcome Fund. The award honors five educators across North Carolina impacting science, technology, engineering and mathematics education. Haas brings technology and engineering challenges into his classroom,
sparking curiosity and exploration among his students. “I’m excited for our school, students and Haas because he is an extraordinary teacher,” Principal Cathy Haney said. “The materials this grant provides will allow students to have hands-on experiences that challenge them, helping them see that they are scientists Story continues, see STEM page 3A
Rocky River Elementary School Principal Cathy Haney is excited for Adam Haas winning the 2025 Career Award for STEM Teachers and what it means for students. Photo courtesy of UCPS
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South Piedmont offers lending library for parents, educators MONROE – South Piedmont Community College invites parents and early childhood educators to explore its Smart Start Resource Center in honor of the Week of the Young Child. Th e college describes the center as a convenient, affordable lending library filled with carefully selected books, toys and learning materials for young children. “The Smart Start Resource Center is one of our community’s best-kept secrets,” said Stacey Fleming, director of South Piedmont’s Education Stars program, which oversees the center. “We encourage parents, caregivers and educators to stop by and see what we offer. I guarantee you’ll be impressed.” Located on South Piedmont’s Old Charlotte Highway campus, the Smart Start Resource Center is funded by and in partnership with the Alliance for Children. Designed specifically for children ages 0 to 5, the center offers educational resources such as costumes, games, and puzzles; musical instruments and literature kits; art supplies and math manipulatives; puppets, outdoor play items, and STEM materials. With more than 5,000 items available, families and educators can borrow materials for little to no cost. The center offers an annual membership of $5 per year that allows members to check out up to 15 items at a time. Free memberships are available for North Carolina pre-K teachers, as well as South Piedmont employees and students (fi ve-item limit). The center offers free delivery to Union County childcare centers, preschools, licensed home-based childcare providers, and therapy/support organizations serving children ages 0 to 5. “Young children grow and change so quickly,” Fleming said. “The Smart Start Resource Center helps parents, educators and caregivers keep their materials fresh – without the high price tag of retail stores.” Beyond lending materials, the Smart Start Resource Center is staffed by early childhood specialists Story continues, see LIBRARY page 3A