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J. Scott Padgett
Mayor
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J. Scott Padgett was elected to the position of Mayor in 2001 after serving on the City Council since 1995. A longtime resident of Concord, Scott is a retired elementary school principal who received his undergraduate degree from Appalachian State University, Master of Education Degree from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, and an Advanced Degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Very active in the community, Scott is a member of the Concord Rotary Club, Community Free Clinic Board of Directors, Cabarrus Workshop Board of Directors, Rotary Club Board of Directors, Stonewall Jackson Advisory Board, and Board of Visitors for Barber-Scotia College and is a member of All Saints Episcopal Church. He is a member of the North Carolina League of Municipalities Board of Directors and is an active participant in the U.S. Congress of Mayors. Prior to becoming an elected official of the City, Mayor Padgett served as a member of Concord's Planning and Zoning Commission. He is married and has one child and three grandchildren. Mayor Padgett states, "I have always been impressed with the leadership in Concord, and it is an honor to serve the citizens. We have many challenges today, but they are no greater than those faced by our forefathers. Working together, we can make this an even better place in which to live and work."
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A Message from the Mayor
In 1796, the factions in our community were debating the location of the newly established county seat. A compromise was eventually reached, and the new city was founded in 1796 on a 26 acre site. The city was named Concord, meaning "harmony," to reflect the spirit in which the issue was settled.
When you look at Concord today and see the wonderful mixture of progress and heritage, the perfect blend of business, industrial, and residential life, you can see that Concord still embodies the meaning of its name - "harmony."
As my wife and I were walking in the downtown area, it dawned on me we were greeted time after time in a friendly manner by residents. As home of the number one tourist attraction in the state, people from around the world are treated to our harmonious citizens. It is our hospitality and local charm that sets Concord apart from the rest of the state and nation.
Millions of people visit Concord for the racing industry, race shops, drag racing, NASCAR events, and Concord Mills Mall. Concord Mills Mall, the number one tourist attraction in North Carolina, brings over 17 million visitors each year. Charlotte Motor Speedway brings 1.25 million fans, vendors, and participants in May and October. ZMax Drag Strip brings thousands each year for several NHRA and other sanctioned races as well as the Dirt Track. The total economic impact of all races is around $343 million.
Last year, over two thousand groups visited the Embassy Suites/Concord Convention Center and hundreds of thousands of people stayed in the eighteen hundred hotel rooms at Exit 49. In addition thirty-one thousand rounds of golf were played at the Rocky River Golf Club. In recent years, visitor spending has increased at an average rate of ten percent a year. Over two hundred million dollars of revenue come into Cabarrus County each year according to the NC Division of Tourism, ranking thirteenth in the state. Over 18.5 million people choose to come to Concord each year, which is approximately twice the total population of North Carolina.
With all the benefits of tourism comes traffic. Tourism increases the traffic along I-85, and especially at Exit 49 where traffic backs up dangerously on the ramps every weekend. It is imperative that the North Carolina Department of Transportation include improvements to Exit 49 and the surrounding area in the future transportation plan.
The Bruton Smith Blvd and Weddington Rd intersection averages 35,000 vehicles per day or 12.8 million vehicles per year. In 10 years, with an average growth projection of 30 percent, the traffic volume of the intersection would equal 45,000 vehicles per day or 16.6 million vehicles per year.
As Concord continues to attract visitors to our city, we will experience greater transportation needs. We will continue to press upon elected officials on the state level the importance of Exit 49 not only to Concord but to the entire state as an economic engine.
