Murphy – The town announces the retirement of downtown director Laura Lachance.
Under her leadership, downtown Murphy reached North Carolina Main Street status in just two years, surpassing the typical three‑year timeline and positioning the town for long‑term economic vitality and statewide recognition.
Mayor Tim Radford stated, “Laura has poured her heart into downtown Murphy. Her vision, creativity and determination helped bring people together, strengthen our community, and move Murphy forward in ways that will benefit us for many years to come. We are deeply grateful for the passion and leadership she brought to this role, and we wish her all the best in her well-earned retirement.”
Her accomplishments include:
Community spaces
- Activated Fain Alleyway off Valley River Avenue into a welcoming public space featuring benches, tables, and lighting.
- Pivotal role in the Murphy in Motion: Comprehensive Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan, which will guide infrastructure improvements and prioritize impactful projects for NC DOT funding.
- Played a key role in planning and designing the Town Square renovation, adding Center Stage of Murphy, securing grants for construction, and helping manage the project through completion.
- Helped secure a $500,000 grant for the creation of the Primitive Loop boardwalk on the Murphy River Walk.
- Sourced and budgeted for the redesign of “Welcome to Murphy” signage and installation of Winter Snowflake lighting.
Organizational growth
- Established a nonprofit organization, Friends of Murphy, to support the Town of Murphy Main Street Program, opening new pathways for fundraising, partnerships, and grant opportunities.
- Built a dynamic social media presence with more than 12,000 followers, fostering community pride while expanding the reach of downtown Murphy’s story.
Events bring us together
She created and coordinated a robust calendar of events, including:
- Tasty Tuesdays.
- Third Thursdays.
- Second Saturdays.
- Paint the Town Fall.
- Spring Sidewalk Showcase.
- Restaurant Week.
- Fain Alley Music Series.
She also coordinated major one‑time events such as the Capitol Christmas Tree and continued the stewardship of cherished annual celebrations, including the Murphy Christmas Parade, Murphy Christmas Tree Lighting and A Murphy Haunting.
In 2024, she partnered with Southern Appalachian Bicycle Association to bring the Cycle N.C. Mountain Ride to downtown Murphy, welcoming 350 cyclists for a weekend‑long event that boosted local tourism and showcased the town’s hospitality.
Cultural preservation
- Managed The Murphy River Walk, budgeting and advocating for maintenance and improvement projects on the trail. Hosted volunteer workdays.
- Implemented the Downtown Murphy QR History Tour, offering residents and visitors an engaging way to explore the town’s heritage.
- Reflecting on her tenure, Lachance said, “It has been an honor to serve the Town of Murphy and work alongside town staff, elected officials, business owners, volunteers and partners who care so deeply about downtown Murphy. I’m grateful for the progress we’ve made together and look forward to seeing downtown Murphy continue to thrive.”
As she retires, the town expresses its deepest gratitude for her service, passion and tireless commitment to the community.
“Most of us in public service want to leave our respective communities better off than when we started, and Laura has done that. The downtown streetscape project stands out and will be her lasting legacy, but Laura helped start and nourish a very successful Main Street program that helped our community in many ways. Laura’s work on the bike and pedestrian plan, the 2021 Comprehensive Plan, the Murphy River Walk, and numerous other projects and initiatives will pay dividends for our town for years to come. Lachance even introduced the town to WCU’s Community Care Program, which we hope will bring much needed resources to our police department. We are very grateful for her service,” Town Manager Chad Simons said.
Lachance spent two months sharing information and introducing her replacement, Sara Posey Davis, to community partners insuring a smooth transition for Main Street Murphy.