Development

5 stories about how Charlotte’s nearby towns tackle growth with bold plans

Stories by Charlotte Observer journalists, with AI summarization

This collection of stories explores the rapid growth in small towns surrounding Charlotte and how they are responding to this change. In Mooresville, officials expressed concerns over increased traffic due to development proposals, while Waxhaw leaders consulted residents on future downtown developments. Huntersville also experienced rapid growth, with a focus on maintaining its community plan amid development pressures.

Meanwhile, Albemarle reached a national growth milestone, spurring downtown revitalization and economic development. Kannapolis attracted national developers aiming to capitalize on its growth, and Concord sought to balance expansion with maintaining its small-town feel. Read the stories below.

NO. 1: SMALL-TOWN FEEL HELPED THIS NC CITY RISE TO 10TH BIGGEST. CAN IT HANG ONTO THAT CHARM?

“We don’t want to be a bedroom community of Charlotte,” the mayor says. “We decided we want to make sure we bring in jobs.” | Published August 16, 2021 | Read Full Story by Joe Marusak

Lake Norman resident Laura Grasso stands in front of a current construction site, River Rock at Blume Road, where traffic congestion continues to get worse with more development in progress, in Mooresville, NC on Tuesday, September 24, 2024.

NO. 2: AS THOUSANDS FLOCK TO LAKE NORMAN’S ‘PARADISE,’ TRAFFIC AND GROWTH SPARK CONCERNS

“I don’t want this to turn into the traffic of New Jersey, or D.C., or some really crowded place.” | Published October 9, 2024 | Read Full Story by Joe Marusak

Downtown Waxhaw is experiencing more growth as seen along West North Main Street on Friday, March 21, 2025. By Khadejeh Nikouyeh

NO. 3: THIS BOOMING UNION COUNTY DOWNTOWN IS THE LATEST CHARLOTTE SUBURB GRAPPLING WITH GROWTH

Local leaders want to create a plan with public input to guide growth while persevering the town’s charm. | Published March 24, 2025 | Read Full Story by Desiree Mathurin

A statue of Kannapolis’ most famous native son, Dale Earnhardt, stands in the Dale Earnhardt Tribute Plaza dedicated to him, overlooking new construction of 200 Main. Local leaders, in Kannapolis, N.C., want to create a plan with public input to guide growth while persevering the town’s charm. With downtown growing in population and popularity, city leaders are looking to preserve the area’s small-town vibe while preparing for the seemingly inevitable continued influx of new residents. Photos of downtown Kannapolis were made on Thursday, Mar. 27, 2025. By John D. Simmons

NO. 4: DOWNTOWN KANNAPOLIS KEEPS GROWING. WHY NATIONAL DEVELOPERS WANT TO ADD TO THAT GROWTH

The city’s latest in a long line of projects for downtown involves a new housing project. | Published March 31, 2025 | Read Full Story by Desiree Mathurin

Sandy Wilson leads patrons to their table during the lunch rush at Five Points Public House in Albemarle, North Carolina, June 10, 2025. As a part of the Albemarle social district the restaurant is a popular location for the town residents. By Lila Turner

NO. 5: AS CHARLOTTE BOOMS, THIS SMALL NEARBY CITY HIT A NATIONAL GROWTH MILESTONE

It’s one of the top 10 fastest-growing areas for its size, the Census Bureau said. | Published June 16, 2025 | Read Full Story by Desiree Mathurin

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.