After more than three years of research, strategy, and creative development, Cary’s community branding effort is moving toward implementation. At its last quarterly meeting, Council unanimously selected the new Cary logo and tagline. In collaboration with French West Vaughan, staff is now working to inventory use and placement of the current logo and seal, trademark the newly adopted logo and tagline, create a rollout schedule, and develop a standards guide. More information will be shared as decisions related to these items are made.

The Cary Chamber of Commerce and Cary hosted a delegation of about 30 leaders from Frisco, Texas, on March 30 and 31. The Frisco group was led by their chamber of commerce and included elected officials as well as municipal, business, and community leaders. Cary’s elected officials and staff participated in panel discussions, tours, and social events throughout their visit. Main areas of interest included public performance facilities, parks, downtown revitalization, public-private partnerships, and breweries. Representatives from Cary have gone on similar trips to other cities to learn from their successes and challenges, but having the Frisco delegation was the first time Cary played host.

On Jan. 26, Mayor Harold Weinbrecht presented his annual State of Cary address to the Cary Chamber of Commerce. The presentation is available at townofcary.org/stateofcary. 

On March 14, 40 high school juniors participating in the Chamber of Commerce’s Youth Leadership Cary program spent the day with Cary staff to learn about local government and potential career options. Throughout the day, students heard from the mayor, the Town Manager’s Office, Marketing and Information Technology, Police, 911, Traffic Management, Page-Walker Arts & History Center, and Planning. The students concluded their day by watching the “Cary at 150” documentary followed by
a Q&A.

Cary’s landscaping video series, Rain It In, is available at townofcary.org/rainitin. Developed as part of the Southeast Sustainable Directors Network grant project, these 2-to-5-minute videos provide practical tips on specific plants, trees, and techniques that bring beauty and interest to a yard as well as address drainage issues. Experts from Cary’s staff, North Carolina State University professors, and area cooperative extension specialists describe the many benefits of installing rain gardens, rain barrels, and the right vegetation to help manage stormwater runoff by “slowing it down, spreading it out, and soaking it in.” Property owners will see there are many options to make stormwater runoff an asset in their yards and help maintain the health of local waterways. Drainage issues or not, there’s a tip for every yard.