Our community is growing rapidly–that’s no secret. One look around and signs of growth are everywhere: new residents, new homes, new buildings, and new businesses are springing up in every direction. All are to be welcomed and celebrated in their own right, but even more exciting to me as a resident and business manager is the community growth that is happening at an interpersonal level. This sort of growth is perhaps less overt, but is critical infrastructure on which we can build something truly amazing.
I’m reminded of a quote attributed to American industrialist and innovator Henry Ford, of the Ford Motor Company. He said, “coming together is a beginning, keeping together is progress, working together is success.” I see our community coming together, keeping together, and now more than ever working together to become the best, most successful Old Town Cornelius we can imagine.
Coming together is a beginning
Events in Old Town are fast becoming THE places to be for families and friends. By providing numerous diverse options each month, OTC events are drawing ever increasing crowds, within them beautiful mixes of familiar faces and new visitors. With new excitement, community members are coming together to enjoy art, music, food, and culture, and are thus adding to–and helping to shape–the OTC community. Our collective heart beats with love for showcasing our local talents. And the depth and breadth of those talents is incredible.
Keeping together is progress
We are creating something unique–and by “we,” I mean all of us: The event organizers, sure; the artists and artisans, of course; but also the guy who helps set up chairs for our Jazz festival; the gal who inches her car up a few more inches to ensure one more car can park behind; the single parent who can’t afford a big night out but looks forward to enjoying 2nd Friday sno-cones with the family. We’re pulling together to create something for all of us, by all of us, and that is community progress.
Working together is success
With the pieces of our complex system aligning, we’re fostering an environment primed for creativity and culture, born of kindness and shared purpose, that has the potential to be even more amazing: a thriving arts community; a community that supports and celebrates small business owners; a community that is active and aware and always up for new experiences. We have the tools, the talent, and the manpower to make this community as strong as we can make it, and that surely promises success.
Jess Boye
I live here in Old Town Cornelius and absolutely love our area's unique character. My life's calling is to work to bring art and culture to the forefront of everyday life. I work full-time for Bella Love, Inc and taking care of my adorable son, Kipton.
