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Uptown Shelby Association Hires New Executive Director
AUDREY WHETTEN
The Uptown Shelby Association recently announced that Raleigh native Audrey Whetten will become the organization’s new Executive Director. Whetten will join USA after working for two years in Clinton, North Carolina as a City Planner and Main Street staff member. Whetten graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill after pursuing a course of studies in French and city planning with a focus on downtown revitalization and historic preservation. She will bring experience in volunteer recruitment, partnership building, marketing, event planning, and the Main Street approach to the Uptown Shelby Association.
 Whetten explained that she admires the long history of USA, noting in particular that she was struck by the depth and breadth of the efforts that the organization has successfully completed since its inception over 30 years ago. “I have heard for years about Shelby as one of the original Main Street communities, and I’m honored and excited to join USA as the Executive Director. There is a history of success here and so much energy to continue moving forward, which is such a powerful  combination. I hope to build relationships with stakeholders and partners in Uptown as well as in the broader community to expand on the previous success.”
In Clinton, Whetten was an active member of the local Kiwanis chapter, an ambassador for the Chamber of Commerce, a board member of the Sampson Arts Council, and a founding member of the Old Bluff Theatre Company. “I look forward to getting to know Shelby and surrounding communities through the wide variety of activities, events, and organizations here,” commented Whetten. “I love getting involved in the community, both professionally and personally. It’s exciting to see the passion people have for their organizations and it’s rewarding for me to join their efforts to strengthen their community.” Whetten will officially join USA on September 3, just in time to attend the final Alive After Five concert of the season on Thursday, September 5.
Established in 1980 as one of the first Main Street Programs in the country, the Uptown Shelby Association fosters business, promotes the town’s historic commercial core, and encourages the preservation and redevelopment of the Uptown district. USA hosts a variety of events throughout the year, including the Alive After Five concert series, Summer Cinema Series, Christmas parade, Liver Mush Expo, and more. For more information on USA, visit www.uptownshelby.com.


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