Once was strong can be again.
Shelby is the epitome of quaint, rural America. We have a long history as a bustling rural town, thanks to the railroad, the invention of the seamless steel tube, the Shelby Bicycle, and the fabrication of the Centennial Light Bulb, the world’s longest-lasting light bulb, burning since 1901. Today, the community features a center for advanced learning, a career and technology center, excellent health care options, and large industrial companies.
But Shelby’s story is like many other rural communities: Over the years, industries that once thrived have withered, and the community has suffered the loss of businesses and residents. Numerous natural disasters have devastated our city. However, what once was strong can be so again, and a recent resurgence of economic improvements has propelled public and private entities to work together to formulate and design plans that will revitalize our community.
Downtown Revitalization.
Revitalization of historic downtowns can play an important role in the success of communities. Without question, there is a distinct connection between economic vitality and place making. CIC has formulated a plan to improve Shelby’s downtown core.
Shelby Bicycle Days.
Each July in downtown Shelby families, friends, and the entire community gather to celebrate at the Shelby Bicycle Days Festival. The festival is focused on family fun with a historical nod to the former bicycle industry which greatly impacted our community’s growth.
Economic Development.
A recent resurgence of economic improvements has propelled public and private entities to work together to formulate and design plans that will revitalize our community. CIC has developed multiple tactics to impact economic development..
The Shaw Building.
Located in downtown Shelby at the corner of Main and Gamble, the historical Shaw Building was recently acquired by The Community Improvement Corporation of Shelby with the hopes to restore the building back to its former glory.