Carrboro has long been nicknamed the “Paris of Piedmont,” but the town can now forever claim another official title: an All-American City.
The local government won an All-American City award from the National Civic League Sunday evening after a weekend competition with other finalists in Denver, CO. It is the town’s first time earning the honor, and was one of ten winners on the night alongside cities like Seattle, Memphis, Tallahassee and Akron.
“I’ve been called a community mayor, because I press with the people – that’s what I do,” said Mayor Barbara Foushee during a brief acceptance speech. “We have an amazing town manager [Patrice Toney], and the amazing communications manager Catherine Lazorko who pulled this together. Thank you for the National Civic League for this very high honor. We worked really hard on this – it came together when we got to Denver.
“So,” she punctuated, “Carrboro…let’s go, let’s go, let’s go!”
More than a dozen town staff and supporters traveled to Colorado for the weekend competition and presentation on Saturday for why it deserves the honor — especially in a year where the award’s themes were environmental sustainability and community engagement. In its pitch to the judges and in its initial application, Carrboro highlighted steps like hiring its first chief sustainability officer, creating a Climate Action Team to better implement its climate action plan, and holding workshops to discuss sustainability elements of development projects.
In the announcement Sunday night for its win, the presenter described Carrboro as earning the All-American City award based on its strengthening of infrastructure, work to engage the community and efforts to build resiliency against climate change.
“This All-America City award is a testament to the heart of Carrboro — a community where equity, environmental sustainability, and inclusive civic engagement are more than values – they are our way of life,” Town Manager Patrice Toney in a release by the local government. “I am incredibly proud of our residents, Town staff, and community leaders who make Carrboro a shining example of what’s possible when we work together with purpose and passion.”
The win marks a significant opportunity for Carrboro to raise its national profile, with the National Civic League saying All-American Cities often find it easier to attract and retain businesses, residents and tourism. The competition also allowed town staff to learn from their peer cities and local governments regarding their own efforts around engagement and sustainability.
Carrboro was one of three North Carolina towns to make the 2025 competition, with Jacksonville and Kinston also going on to be among the ten winners announced on Sunday. This marks Kinston’s third time earning the honor and Jacksonville’s second.
To watch the entire closing ceremony and the announcement of the All-American City award-winners, click below.
Featured photo via the Town of Carrboro.
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