Our organization’s name is the Sanford Area Growth Alliance, and that name signifies something fundamental, if sometimes overlooked: we want Sanford to grow. But why? Growth simply for the sake of growth is never good policy, and growth for the sake of growth isn’t SAGA’s mission. Rather, we promote growth in Sanford, Broadway, and Lee County because we believe it is the best and only way to ensure our community remains a prosperous, attractive place to call home.
The economy of the United States is increasingly a story of haves and have-nots. Some communities, often large metropolitan areas, are experiencing breakneck growth, dynamism, and investment. One need only look up US-1 towards Raleigh for an example. Conversely, many more communities, primarily smaller and more rural, are seeing their economies contract and opportunities for current and future generations dry up. This pattern is not set in stone – many large urban areas continue to struggle, and some smaller communities have found new ways to succeed in a changing world. But one thing is clear across the board – there is no ‘neutral.’ Places are either seeking out new opportunities and growing, or they are stagnating and declining.
This, ultimately, is where SAGA’s pro-growth mindset comes from. A Sanford, Broadway, and Lee County with more businesses, people, and economic activity is better positioned to invest in itself, enhance the quality of life of its residents, and protect its historic charm. Sometimes, change is easy to accept; when a new business opens in a vacant building downtown, we can all celebrate. Sometimes, it’s more complicated; when an industrial project or housing development wants to locate on former farm or wild land, opinions may be more mixed. It’s SAGA’s job to find and attract investment that will benefit our community in the long run, while ensuring it doesn’t come at the cost of the things that make our community a good place to call home. Yes, that means change, and sometimes uncomfortable change. But it also opens up possibilities for a bright and exciting future for Sanford and Lee County, rather than the alternatives of diminishing success and loss of community pride.
So, as SAGA promotes growth in Sanford, Broadway, and Lee County, it does so with the goal of making sure that our communities remain strong, prosperous, and resilient. While that does mean the Sanford area of tomorrow will look a bit different than the Sanford area of today, our goal is to make sure it’s still the best possible place to live, work, and call home.