Hilbish Ford's Mission to Clean Up Kannapolis

Hilbish Ford's General Manager Tim Vaughn has been passionately beating the drum to bring the pride back to the City of Kannapolis, and is working to inspire other business owners and community members to follow suit. Through initiatives like the installation of a 7' x 42' flower bed, Hilbish Ford is leading by example, showing that if we all do a little, it adds up to a lot.

The Independent Tribune recently featured a story on his mission, ideas and how they line up with the City's ongoing efforts to revitalize the community:

Pushing for Kannapolis to clean up 'like company's coming'

Tim Vaughn sat at his desk at Hilbish Ford with a rising passion about his new mission -- cleaning up Kannapolis.

“We need to look like we are hospitable, clean and a welcoming place for visitors and potential business owners to come in and invest,” said Vaughn, General Manager of the dealership, pointing toward Cannon Boulevard, a sea of gray concrete and fading paint.

“Let’s get the medians cleaned up,” he said. “Let’s ask property owners to join us … to clean up like company’s coming.”

For 60 years, Hilbish has been a landmark on one of the city’s entryways, just north of the I-85 interchange with U.S. 29. Vaughn said he’s “beating the drum,” trying to gather support for a push to beautify the city.

The entryways lack signage, and Cannon Boulevard between I-85 and Dale Earnhardt Boulevard has numerous poorly managed properties with asphalt parking lots extending to the road.

“If the first thing you see is blighted areas, you’re not going to be encouraged to invest,” Vaughn said. “It’s no different than interviewing for a job. You put your best clothes on and you go in for that interview and you hope you get the job.

Well, we’re being interviewed by people when they come up Cannon Boulevard.” City leaders have similar concerns, and they’re exploring options to make the city more inviting.

The Kannapolis Economic Development Plan, adopted in November 2012, calls for a comprehensive appearance improvement initiative.

Click here to read the full article published in the Independent Tribune.