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Volume 137 • Issue 10
Wednesday, March 5, 2025
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City of KM appoints two assistant city managers By Loretta Cozart
These ambassadors get up close to some heavy equipment.
A behind-the-scenes adventure
Chamber ambassadors explore Albemarle By Loretta Cozart Last Thursday was an exciting day for the Cleveland County Chamber ambassadors as they embarked on a tour of Albemarle’s impressive Project Center, mine, and corporate offices. The adventure kicked off at the Project Center located in downtown Kings Mountain, where attendees were greeted by Cindy Estridge who shared enthusiasm and insight into the company’s innovative efforts.
A highlight of the day was the journey to the mine itself, made even more special by their ride in an electric bus—showcasing Albemarle's strong commitment to sustainability and eco-friendly practices. Once at the mine, ambassadors had the opportunity to descend into the mine pit, engaging directly with a hydrologist who shared invaluable expertise about the ongoing redevelopment of the Kings Mountain Mine. See CHAMBER, Page 5A
On February 20, Interim City Manager Todd Carpenter announced a significant reorganization of the city’s management team, promoting Officers Matt Blackwell and Chris Costner to assistant city managers. This restructuring, detailed in an email to staff, aims to enhance efficiency, streamline operations, and improve service delivery within the community. Under the Manager-Council type of government used by the City of Kings Mountain, the interim city manager can change the organizational structure of staff without a vote by the city council. The council appoints the city manager, who is responsible for administering the city's daily operations and programs through ap-
BLACKWELL
COSTNER
pointed departments and staff members. In his message, Carpenter emphasized the importance of this change, stating, “This restructuring is an important part of our ongoing efforts to improve efficiency, streamline operations, and better serve our community. It also ensures a more equitable span of control between the manager and both assistant managers.” According to the updated organizational chart, Assistant City Manager Chris Costner will oversee the IT director, customer
service manager, cultural enrichment director, marketing tourism and events manager, and Moss Lake supervisor. Costner has a bachelor’s degree in business administration, with experience as a finance director and CPA. He has worked for the city of Kings Mountain for more than eight years. Assistant City Manager Matt Blackwell will manage the planning director, codes director, public works director (currently vacant), city engineer (vacant), public utilities director, and capital projects coordinator (vacant). Blackwell has a bachelor’s degree in environmental science and experience as an economic development director, director of business services, assistant director of economic development, public works project manager,
business services director, and budget and strategy for Rutherford and Gaston counties. He has worked for the city of Kings Mountain for almost two years. Carpenter reassured staff during this transition: "Throughout this transition, our priority is to maintain clarity and support for all teams. I understand that these changes may bring both opportunities and challenges, and I am fully committed to providing you and your teams with the necessary resources and information to navigate this process smoothly. He concluded by saying, “Thank you for your leadership and continued cooperation as we work together to build a stronger, more responsive government for our community.”
KM Forward’s businesses after-hours
Business leaders gather to learn about KM news and events On February 27, regional leaders gathered to discuss news and upcoming events during KM Forward’s Business After-Hours. The event was hosted by Alex and Charlie Mauney, owners of Southern Artisan Spirits, located at 1088 York Road in Kings Mountain. Edward Jones and brokers Doug Satterfield, Jack Buchanan, Josh Shelton, Brook Duncan, and Sam Gault sponsored the food for the event. Numerous business professionals attended to connect with one another and
Loretta Cozart shares information about the organization and how businesses can get involved.
exchange information about the latest developments in the community. STI also provided additional funding for the event, making the event more enjoyable and for which everyone appreciated. Kings Mountain Forward’s mission is to build a community of citizens and business leaders who advocate for Kings Mountain as a place to live, work, play, shop, explore, and invest, promoting the economic, social, and cultural environment See LEADERS, Page 5A
SHOOT SIG invites enthusiasts to shoot the match in under one hour at Foothills Public Shooting Complex of Cleveland County. Photo by https://www.sigsauer.com/shootsig
Beam Construction donates Foothills SHOOT $100,000 to CCS’ CTE program By Loretta Cozart
SIG competition next week By Loretta Cozart The SHOOT SIG competition will be held on March 14 and 15. It will be hosted at Foothills Public Shooting Complex of Cleveland County, 283 Fielding Road, Cherryville, NC 2802, just southwest of Waco. SHOOT SIG is a membership community that wel-
comes all levels of firearms enthusiasts and encourages participation in shooting sports. Eligible members can: • Register for SHOOT SIG matches across the country • Participate in the SHOOT SIG Product Purchase Program for exclusive member pricing Whether new to shooting competitions or an experienced competitor, See FOOTHILLS, Page 5A
Last week, Cleveland County Schools announced that Beam Construction has generously donated $100,000 to its Career and Technical Education (CTE) program. This contribution will directly support student interns, providing them with valuable opportunities to acquire practical experience and skills that will significantly impact their future careers. In its official statement, Cleveland County Schools expressed gratitude, stating, “We are immensely appreciative of partners such as Beam Construction, who recognize the potential of our students and are committed to facilitating their success. We highly value our collaboration with
Beam Construction donates $100,000 to CCS’ CTE program during the recent school board meeting. Photo by CCS Beam Construction and eagerly anticipate further joint
efforts to create a brighter future for our students. Thank
you for your generosity and support.”
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