The Orange County Board of Commissioners has unanimously approved a new county slogan — “Around the Corner, Ahead of the Curve.”

The slogan will be placed on a new county interstate sign and will replace the former slogan “You’ll Be A Fan For Life.”

“We heard from many people who said ‘if you’re looking at that sign that says Around the Corner, Ahead of the Curve, it makes you want to pull off and ask more questions,'” said Laurie Paolicelli, executive director of the Orange County Visitor’s Bureau.

The board’s decision is the culmination of months of work that included resident submissions and public input on their favorite slogans.

“By week one, we had 270 suggestions.” said Jan Bolick, general manager of WCHL, which was a sponsor for the slogan contest. “By week eight, we had 892. We were thrilled by the participation and the enthusiasm and the interest.”

Of the hundreds of submissions, the county received a wide range of options, from vulgar to funny, including one submission that read “Orange You Glad We Didn’t Say Banana.”

But the commissioners went against the public favorite, “Visit Today, Stay For Life.” The slogan received the most votes, nearly 100 more than the new slogan, but commissioner Mark Dorosin explained why he voted against the popular opinion.

“‘For Life’ also has an incarceration quality,” he said. “It’s like you can never leave. It’s like The Village.”

The commissioners also voted to change the graphic on the sign from the county seal to the county logo.

The new sign will be placed in the same location as the current sign, on I-40 at mile marker 269, heading west.

Related Stories
‹
'They Are Safe': How and Why Orange County Activates, Operates its Cold Weather Shelter
For the last four years, whenever winter temperatures drop to freezing, the Orange County Partnership to End Homelessness and other local government staff team up to provide an overnight shelter option.
The Filing Period For 2026 Elections in Underway. Who’s Running in Orange County?
As 2025 begins to wind down, many are already looking ahead to the 2026 midterm elections across the country — and the filing period for races in North Carolina began on Monday. As of 12 p.m. on Dec. 1, candidates for federal, state and local offices can file to formally begin their campaigns for the […]
Orange County Sheriff's Office Details String of Break-Ins, Larceny Charges Against 2 Teenagers
The Orange County Sheriff's Office formally announced criminal charges against a pair of 18-year-olds for a string of break-ins in November.
Orange County Board Makes CITEL Deal Official, Offers Tax Incentives
The Orange County Board of Commissioners passed an agreement with CITEL to move its American manufacturing operations to Hillsborough.
Orange County Authorities Find Missing Teenager After Brief Search
UPDATE: The Orange County Sheriff's Office said at 10:57 p.m. the missing child has since been located.
Reforming and Contextualizing Orange County's Property Assessments — Dec. 11, 2025
Brighton McConnell moderates a discussion between Shereese Alston, Beverly Scarlett, Hudson Vaughan, Marilyn Carter and Amy Fowler.
Equity in Health Care - December 11, 2025
What is the state of health care today, both nationally and here in our community? And what needs to be done to address disparities?
'Who Are We Targeting?': Unpacking and Examining Impacts of ICE's N.C. Operations
The Orange County community felt the impact of federal immigration officers’ presence. Weeks later, people are still unpacking their emotions.
Orange County Man Wins $200,000 Powerball Prize
An Orange County man won $200,000 on a $3 Powerball ticket last month. Neil Warren of Rougemont bought his ticket online and matched all five numbers on the November 15 drawing to win $50,000. His Power Play ticket then quadrupled the prize money to $200,000. Warren claimed his winnings at lottery headquarters in Raleigh Tuesday. […]
Orange County Commissioners Bedford and McKee File for Re-election; Beeman Launches At-Large Bid
The 2026 race for the Orange County Board of Commissioners gained three members in recent days: two incumbents and one second-time challenger.
›