CHAPEL HILL/CARRBORO – If you live in Chapel Hill or Carrboro, you won’t be bored this fall. Local businesses are making sure of that.

The Chapel Hill-Carrboro Chamber of Commerce is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, and the Chamber’s Kristen Smith says there’s no better way to do that than by honoring local business owners who have made your town so great.

“We’re really excited about honoring the folks that have really made a difference in our business community and our community as a whole,” Smith says.

The Chamber will induct 12 entrepreneurs into its first ever Business Hall of Fame on November 13, and you’re invited to attend the induction at the Carolina Inn.

As Chapel Hill celebrates its history, Carrboro is celebrating its future. You may have heard about the 300 East Main Street Project. But if not, you should notice it soon. Several upcoming events are part of this project.

The PTA Thrift Shop’s Grand opening is one of them. The new 14-thousand-square-foot store opens November 17.

A proposal was made to the town alderman this week for a new ArtCenter facility in downtown Carrboro. If approved there are plans for the facility to include space for classrooms, a business incubator, performance rooms, and commercial sites.

Smith says this facility could bring more life to the town.

“We’re really excited just about any opportunity to bring more investments, create more jobs,” Smith says. “And those jobs can be any kind of jobs.”

Carrboro’s new Hampton Inn is providing new meeting space for some fun events in Chapel.

The North Carolina Bicycle Summit is hosting its event at the new hotel. Smith says Carrboro was chosen to teach the rest of the state a lesson.

“We’ll have people from all over the state coming to learn about how we can be a more bicycle-friendly community, because Carrboro’s really one already,” Smith says. “And, so lots to teach other folks in the state.”

Smith says that all of these events are part of a wider plan to make what she says is a more “walkable” downtown Carrboro.

And finally, you won’t have to worry about forgetting that October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. Local businesses invite you to help them paint the town pink.

Several businesses on Franklin Street are participating in the event, as well as several others sprinkled around town.

Be sure to look into special events and discounts offered by those participating in the pink awareness month. Portions of the proceeds will be donated to UNC Lineberger’s Cancer Support Program.