Chamber Leadership Conference, Cary Matters, and State of Cary at Heritage Pines

Cary Chamber Leadership Conference

On Tuesday and Wednesday, I traveled to Wrightsville Beach to speak and participate in the Cary Chamber’s Leadership Conference. I opened the event with an overview of recent accolades for Cary and a summary of the town’s budget. Following that, a panel discussion was held on Top of the Arc, the new book by Town Manager Sean Stegall. The panel included me, Mayor Pro-Tem Jennifer Bryson-Robinson, and Council Member Michelle Craig.

We then heard from Dr. Sarah Glova – a researcher, writer, and university instructor – who shared an inspiring talk on achieving your goals.

Next, Michael Landguth presented an update on the future of RDU Airport. He highlighted major developments, including a new runway, expanded direct flights, updated terminal routes, and changes to pick up areas—signaling significant growth in the years ahead.

State Senator Gale Adcock, also a former Cary Mayor Pro-Tem, delivered an insightful and humor-filled update on recent legislative activity. Cary is fortunate to have such a strong advocate in the NC Senate.

The final presentation on Tuesday came from Stan Phelps, who spoke on strategies to help businesses stand out. His talk was engaging and informative – I highly recommend his books to anyone looking to grow their business.

On Wednesday, we concluded with a regional and national economic update from economist Ted Abernathy, providing valuable context for the challenges and opportunities ahead. The following are some of the interesting points that I gathered from his talk:

  • The economy is currently in a wait-and-see mode. Not a lot of changes.
  • June saw a softening in the labor market.
  • North Carolina is behind the national averages in manufacturing, financial, and education & health.
  • Our metro area is lagging with the rest of the state in professional and tech services but still way ahead of the rest of the nation.
  • Most of North Carolina is not gaining jobs except in metro areas like Wake County.
  • Real Gross Domestic Product declined in the first quarter of 2025.
  • Consumer spending and income is basically flat.
  • Retail sales declined in April and May.
  • Consumer spending for high income earners is much higher than the consumer price index.
  • Personal savings rate is about 4.5% of disposable income which is about flat for the last couple of years.
  • Inflation was 2.8% in May. Some changes in the last year include:
    • Meat, Fish, Eggs: +5.6%
    • Electricity: +5.8%
    • Natural Gas: +14.2%
    • Vehicle Insurance: +6.1%
    • Gas: -8.2%
  • Corporate profits have seen a dramatic increase since covid.
  • Only 33% of CFOs say now is a time to take greater risks.
  • The consumer confidence index is declining.
  • North Carolina has one of the top state economies and is one of the best to start a business.
  • North Carolina ranks #12 in the business tax climate index and is in the top 10 for business friendliness.
  • North Carolina is in the top third of states for long term fiscal stability.
  • Raleigh-Cary ranks #2 in the nation. 1st in the Future Index, 3rd in Talent, 10th in Cost and Business Climate 8th in Quality of Place.
  • Raleigh-Cary ranks #4 in the nation for employment growth.
  • Raleigh-Cary ranks #3 for projected population growth in the next ten years.
  • The US was the world’s largest trading partner in 2000. Now it is China.
  • The United States runs a deficit with countries which fit at least one of the following three criteria:
    • They can produce things more cheaply than the United States can, such as consumer products or oil.
    • They don’t need what America is good at making.
    • They trade a lot of everything with the United States, but America imports more than it exports
  • Because of tariffs, 64% of businesses planned or implemented price increases, 47% are delaying or canceling capital expenditures, and 41% reducing hiring plans.
  • Almost half of service firms say they will pass through some or all the tariffs.
  • 79% of businesses say the current US policies will create a long-term shift in the global economy.
  • 77% of economists agree that higher tariffs will lead to higher inflation.
  • 32% of chief economists say tariffs will have a broad-based drag on the economy. 53% say it will harm the US, and the countries targeted.
  • 98% of chief economists say the pace of geoeconomic fragmentation will accelerate in 2025.
  • 95% of chief economists agree that globally, political polarization will lead to suboptimal economic decision-making in 2025.
  • 94% of chief economists believe that economic nationalism will increasingly drive economic decision-making in 2025.
  • From January 2020 to February 2025, real GDP in the sector rose nearly 11%, to $3.1 trillion from $2.8 trillion in 2025 dollars.
  • Construction spending related to manufacturing has nearly tripled in the US since 2020.
  • In January 2020 there were 12.75 million workers in manufacturing. In February 2025 that number was 12.76 million, hardly budging.
  • Nearly half a million US manufacturing jobs are vacant.
  • Estimates vary but somewhere between 20-30% of occupations could be subject to automation within next 5 years. Some jobs will be fully automated, many augmented and others minimally impacted.
  • Highly educated, higher-wage, white-collar and creative occupations most “exposed” to GenAI.
  • STEM fields more likely to be exposed to AI overall but… with advent of GenAI, demand for AI-specific skills is spreading to a broader set of occupations than just tech.
  • Some sectors with the most exposure to AI-related automation and augmentation include Financial Services, Legal, Insurance, Information Technology, Telecommunications, Media/Publishing, and Real Estate.
  • 52% of workers are more worried than hopeful about AI tools in the workplace.
  • 42% of office workers use AI tools. 46% are using tools that aren’t explicitly authorized by employers. 32% of those using AI for work are keeping it secret for various reasons.
  • 75% of execs are worried they will go out of business within 5 years if they don’t utilize AI.
  • 56% of small business owners are worried AI will put them out of business or impact lines of business.
  • There has been a surge in inequity. Between 1981 and 2021, income increased more quickly for high-income earners.
  • Industrial Revolutions lead to displacement and rising inequality. Displacement and inequality can lead to a rise in populism. Populism typically drives nationalism, nativism, and isolationism. Which can result in conflicts and slower economic growth. Societal shifts and norms often accompany them contribute to change.
  • There are many social shifts: declining marriages, fewer children, less home ownership, anti-intellectualism, fewer career ladders, no more 9 to 5 (24/7/365), changing gender roles, interrupted life cycles, declining brand loyalty, fragmented information sources, tribal trust only, and more older people.

The last speaker on Wednesday was once again Dr. Sarah Glova, who helped the attendees with takeaways and goals from the conference.

This conference was attended by about 100 business and elected leaders. The information was timely and helpful and should benefit all whether they run a business or are representing an electorate.

Cary Matters Taping

Thursday, I joined Michelle Craig in a taping of two episodes for Cary Matters. The first episode we taped was about Cary’s 311. The second episode we taped was a new format answering about a dozen questions mostly on municipal authority.

State of Cary at Heritage Pines

Thursday night I joined Mayor Pro-Tem Bryson-Robinson and council member Bush for a presentation and Heritage Pines. Heritage Pines is a 55-and-over-adult community of 298 homes. I spent about 45 minutes giving an updated version of the State of Cary address. This was followed by Q&A which was answered by me, Bryson-Robinson, and Bush. We were there approximately two hours.

Town Manager’s Report

Sean’s Message

I enjoyed joining several of you this week at the Cary Chamber’s annual Leadership Conference. A highlight for me was previewing The Top of the Arc, my forthcoming book on leadership and the human experience of local government.
Sharing that moment with leaders I admire was deeply meaningful—not because of the book itself, but because of the dialogue it sparked about what makes Cary exceptional.

Thank you to the Chamber for creating space for those conversations, and to everyone who continues to keep us at the top of the arc.

Enjoy your weekend.

Sean

Greater Raleigh Chamber Growth and Development Summit

Councilmember Lori Bush attended the Greater Raleigh Chamber’s inaugural Growth & Development Summit, an event focused on smart, sustainable regional growth. Featuring keynote remarks and breakout sessions with industry leaders from Duke Energy, McAdams, Lenovo, and more, the summit explored challenges and opportunities related to infrastructure, innovation, and economic development. Councilmember Bush’s participation reflected Cary’s ongoing commitment to thoughtful planning and regional collaboration.

Heritage Pines Community Visit

Mayor Harold Weinbrecht, Mayor Pro Tem Jennifer Bryson Robinson, and Councilmember Lori Bush visited the Heritage Pines community to provide an overview of Cary and current projects. Following the presentation, they engaged in a Q&A session with residents. Topics discussed included the post office, street projects, communications, and property taxes.

Sidewalk Construction Updates

Sidewalk construction continues along Optimist Farm Road near West Lake Road where stormwater drainage pipes have been installed, with curb and gutter installation now underway. Construction began this week on the Pittard Sears Road Streetside Trail project, which will close the final gaps needed to create a continuous connection for several neighborhoods to the American Tobacco Trail. Next week, construction will begin on the Norwell Boulevard sidewalk project, located south of Weston Parkway. This new sidewalk will improve pedestrian access to nearby greenways, parks, and transit options. More information can be found at  www.carync.gov/sidewalks.

New Rain Garden Workshops at Good Hope Farm

Cary’s new rain garden at Good Hope Farm is now a hands-on teaching space for residents. Homeowners can attend the Creating a Rain Garden workshop to learn strategies for managing stormwater runoff in their own yards by designing and maintaining beautiful and functional rain gardens. Building on Cary’s Rain It In  video series, participants will explore native plants, water strategies, and garden maintenance through hands-on activities.

Camp Ignite

This week, the Cary, Apex, and Morrisville Fire Departments hosted Camp Ignite for its second year. Camp Ignite is a free, weeklong summer day camp for high school girls that introduces them to firefighting and public safety jobs while encouraging confidence, teamwork, and leadership. This year, 37 campers participated, more than doubling last year’s total. They spent time at Cary Station 9, Morrisville Station 22, and Apex Station 3 learning skills like flowing water from hose lines, climbing the aerial truck ladder, breaking through doors, search strategies, getting victims out of cars using hydraulic tools, CPR basics, and more. They also learned team building skills at the Bond Park Challenge Course and ended with a graduation ceremony at the Apex Senior Center. The majority of each department’s female firefighters participated and instructed, as well as female firefighters from Chapel Hill, Carrboro, Garner, Durham Highway, White Cross, Wendell, and Moncure Fire Departments who volunteered their time.

Lowe’s Home Improvement Makes Donation to Police and Fire

On Tuesday, Lowe’s Home Improvement generously donated Blackstone grills to both the Police and Fire Departments. Their continued support reflects a shared commitment to public service and well-being that goes beyond donations. These grills will be used to foster camaraderie among our teams, support community outreach efforts, and enhance overall wellness initiatives.

Upcoming Meetings

Special Town Hall Meeting
Tuesday, July 22
6:30 p.m.

Town Council Meeting (Work Session)
Thursday, July 24
5:00 p.m.

Town Council Meeting (Regular)
Thursday, July 24
6:30 p.m.

Cary Candidate Filing

Filing for Cary Town Council ended on July 18th. Here are the candidates for Cary Council (Incumbents are denoted with I):

  • At-Large: Carissa Kohn-Johnson (I), Marjorie Eastman
  • District A: Jennifer Bryson Robinson (I), Brittany Richards
  • District C: Renee Miller, Shuangshuang Huang

Elections are on November 4th.

Cary Mayor Rumors for 2027

Rumors that these next two years on the Cary Council will be my last are simply not true. I fully intend to seek re-election and am grateful to have the unwavering support of my family, friends, and constituents.

As the only living Mayor who has led Cary through a recession and some of the most challenging financial times, I see it as both my responsibility and my calling to continue my service on the Cary Council. I am committed to working alongside my colleagues to help guide our community through today’s uncertainties.

In the coming months, I encourage all citizens to focus on the important Cary Council election ahead, where three seats are up for decision. Once those choices are made by our community, we can then look ahead to November 2027.

Until then, I remain dedicated to my oath and to serving as Cary’s Mayor. I’m excited for what lies ahead—tomorrow and beyond.

Mayor’s Mailbox

  • A concern about an incident that involved racism against Indian Americans by a white supremacist group called National Organization for Vital Action.
  • Invitations to participate in several events (Please send these weeks in advance so I have a chance to block my calendar).
  • A concern about the “optics” of a council members talking with the town manager at meetings (The newest council members are strategically seated next to the town manager and town attorney so they can ask questions. Since there are three relatively new council members, two are next to the town manager and one is next to the town attorney. If they ask questions they are usually about process or authority.)
  • A thank you email for speaking at Heritage Pines.

Next Week

Next week’s activities include staff meetings, a Mayor’s Association meeting, a Town Hall meeting, a council work session (topics: downtown social district, Downtown Cary Park dog park hours, Downtown Cary Park residential lighting), and a council meeting.

Well, that is all for this week. My next post will be on Sunday, July 27th, 2025. Although I have Facebook and Twitter accounts, those are not the best means of communication with me. Please send all Town of Cary questions or comments to Harold.Weinbrecht@carync.gov and email personal comments to augustanat@mindspring.com.