Among a crowd of about 40 people gathered in the Hillsborough Town Barn on Monday night, Mayor Tom Stevens looked to the town’s bright future.
In his annual State of the Town Address, Stevens spoke highly of Hillsborough, saying the area fosters a sense of community and gives visitors the opportunity to experience an authentic Southern town.
“It really is our best asset,” he said.
Another one of the town’s assets — Churton Street, the main street in Hillsborough — had been awarded the title of “Great Main Street” by the North Carolina Chapter of the American Planning Association in 2012.
Stevens said the street will add new restaurants, a new preschool and day care, and newly expanded businesses in the coming year.
Despite the town’s recent growth in business, Hillsborough’s population has grown by fewer than 700 people from 2000-10 — its lowest population growth in the past three decades.
While the town hasn’t grown significantly in population, Stevens said it has grown in vibrancy.
He said the town has increased its emphasis on tourism, drawing visitors to its downtown historic district.
Stevens also recognized the quality of the town’s infrastructure, including the expansion of the Hillsborough Wastewater Treatment Plant — which he said is on time and under budget.
