The economic downturn between 2000 and 2012 left the City of Hickory with over 45,000 jobs lost and 25% of its residents ages 20-44 moving away. To counteract that, the City passed a $40 million bond program that helped bring the community together and stimulate the local economy. Currently, all projects from that bond program are either in final design or construction. Hickory’s experience offers lessons for other communities on gaining consensus amongst stakeholders over time, recognizing when goals and priorities are shifting, and communicating with different stakeholder groups. Hickory shows how it proved resilient throughout other economic downturns, leveraging more than double its bond funds and developing a booming economy.

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Morgan McIIwain, PE, PMP;Yaidee Fox, MPA

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