Pop On In & Resident Activism

👋 Good Morning, Apex! Today is Thursday, March 19, 2026 — the 63rd consecutive weekly issue of The Peak Weekly.

Hope you've had a great week. Temperatures are climbing back up today, and tomorrow marks the first official day of Spring. It looks like a beautiful weekend to get out and enjoy town.

On Tuesday, the Town Council held a Work Session on Economic Development. I've got a full recap in the Civic News section below - but first, I want to highlight one two-minute moment from an otherwise four-hour session.

When participants were asked what's working and what isn't, Economic Development Director Joanna Helms said this:

"This could hurt our reputation… is um… negative resident activism. That's something that we're, um, dealing with."

When asked for clarification, the room shared a nice laugh and then Council Member Mu jumped in and explained that we often share incorrect information at public forum.

You can watch that portion here.

I'm watching public records requests get denied on false pretenses. I've been publicly defamed by Mayor Pro Tem Mahaffey and harassed by community members who believed him. My emails and formal filings have been ignored by the Town Manager, the Town Attorney, and every sitting Council member. And through all of that, I've also watched ordinary residents find the courage to speak up at public forum - only to have this room turn around and criticize them.

Joanna Helms is responsible for economic development. She doesn't like "negative resident activism."

So what exactly are we supposed to do when, for example, she signs an NDA shielding the other party's identity - in apparent violation of North Carolina public records law - and that NDA includes language authorizing the destruction of public records if the mystery company requests it - also in apparent violation of North Carolina public records law?

Is this reporting negative activism? Or is it regular activism reporting on negative behavior?

Thank you for continuing to support honest, local, independent journalism. ❤️ 

Miscellaneous Info:

🫒 Learning Lunch Series
This Month’s Learning Lunch Series topic is Greek American Heritage. It takes place today at the Apex Senior Center from 12pm - 1pm.

🎓️ CommUniversity: Water Resources
Next Thursday, March 26, from 6-8pm at the Apex Senior Center, join the Water Resources Department to learn about Apex’s utility system and drinking water sources. Learn more and RSVP here.

🚒 Engine 32 Push In Ceremony
Apex Fire Station 2 in New Hill will pay respect to their old fire engine for its years of service as they literally push in the new Engine in this time honored tradition. The event will take place on March 27th at 3pm.

📝 Zencity Community Survey
The Town of Apex has partnered with Zencity for its semiannual Spring Survey to gather feedback from residents. If you soon see social media ads sponsored by Zencity asking for feedback, they are indeed the official partner conducting the survey. More info here.

🥾 Middle Creek Greenway Trailhead
Improvements on the Middle Creek Greenway trailhead off Sunset Lake Road have begun. Work includes paving the parking lot and installing drainage upgrades. The trailhead and access point will be closed for approximately one month.

📰 Program Guides
Summer (May-August 2026) Programs are open for resident registration. Non-resident registration will open March 30. Program guides here.

⭐️ More Summer Camps
Shared some last week; here are some more. Star Path Dance Academy has published their summer camps. Camp options start at 3 years old up to 17. Check them out here.

👩‍🚒 Female Firefighting Camp
Camp Ignite is a Free all female (high school aged) firefighting camp run by Cary, Apex and Morrisville female firefighters.  Camp Ignite is a hands-on, week-long experience where students will learn essential firefighting and EMS skills, build confidence, teamwork and leadership.  This camp is designed to give students a real look into careers in the fire service while creating a fun, supportive, and empowering environment. The camp takes place from July 27-31 and applications are now open.

🔬 Camp Helix
Last week, a subscriber reached out asking about some construction going on around 3945-3973 Friendship Road in New Hill with some signs out front that read Apollo 11. Did a little digging and found out about Camp Helix, a big biotech facility in the works. I don’t know a ton about it, but that link shares some great info for those interested.

🚐 Library On the Go
Wake County’s new Bookmobile is hitting the road for a sneak peek tour. While it’s primarily for children, the 24-foot Bookmobile carrying more than 2,000 books also features a small section of adult titles, making sure parents and caregivers don’t go away empty handed. It will be at the Crowder County Park on April 20, the Eva Perry Regional Library on April 24, and the Middle Creek Community Library on May 11. All events are 10am - 12pm. Full schedule here.

🥁 July 4 Parade
The 2026 Fourth of July parade has been officially canceled due to the Salem Street construction project. Fireworks and drone show are still a go.

Tomorrow, March 20 - Ready to find lucky deals in Downtown Apex? The Shamrock Showdown is a new annual celebration combining St. Patrick’s Day spirit, college basketball excitement, and community pride. Wear green or your favorite college team gear and enjoy some lucky deals at participating downtown businesses. View the full list of promotions here.

Things to Do This Weekend in Apex:

Friday, March 20

🌿 Creek Week: Invasive Plant Removal Workday
10am - 12pm | Apex Community Park

🏀 Shamrock Showdown
5pm - 9pm | Downtown Apex

🎵 Spring Concert Series
5:30pm - 9pm | Sweetwater Lawn

🎤 Friday Night Live: Jim Morgan Music
7pm - 10pm | Oaklyn Springs Brewery

Saturday, March 21

🧑‍🌾 Apex Farmers Market
9am - 12pm | The Depot

🏃‍♀️ Run Club Apex
Meet at 9am | Foxtail Coffee

🎨 SuperFun Saturday
(ages 4-12, free)
10:30am - 12:30pm | Halle Cultural Arts

🥚 Spring Fling (Peak City Church)
11am - 12pm | Apex HS Parking Lot

🎤 Live Music: Tom Neuhauser
6pm | Bottle Theory

Note: a little light on the events this week - sorry! I pull most from Facebook events and it’s late Wednesday evening and Facebook Events is not working properly. I’m not great at social media updates, but follow me on Instagram and I’ll make an extra effort this week to post events throughout the week.

Local Business Update:

💿️ Hunky Dory
The record store, Hunky Dory, is opening up next month above Antiques on Salem. If you have any records to sell, they are currently buying in an effort to stock up before the grand opening. They pre-price records and pay 50% retail on quality records.

If you have any to sell, email [email protected] or DM them on Instagram.

🥐 Popovers Cafe
Fresh baked popovers, signature turkish tea and french press coffee are now being served at Popovers Cafe in downtown Apex. Located in the old Villa19 location at 219 N Salem Street, Suite 103 - pop in and see them!

Civic News:

📣 Peak Plan 2055: Your Input Matters
Public Forum #2 will take place next Wednesday, March 25. The Peak Plan 2055 sets the strategic vision for the town’s growth. It will take place from 4-7pm but it’s a drop-in event - show up any time in that window. Here’s a great article from The Line about how you can provide input.

🏛️ Upcoming Town Council Meeting
The next Town Council meeting will be this Tuesday, March 24. On the agenda as of today: Annexation Welch Homestead (83 acres), Annexation Wimberly Road (.2 acres), Rezoning Welch Homestead PUD, Rezoning Camp Branch Lane, Amendments related to Tingen Road railroad pedestrian crossing, the Tingen Road Bicycle and Pedestrian Crossing Feasibility Study, and an amendment to add a proposed greenway connection in western Apex. The full agenda should be posted at this link by end of day Friday.

Work Session Recap

On Tuesday, Town Council hosted ECU’s Economic Development Academy. The goal was to give council a shared vocabulary around economic development and facilitate a structured conversation so council and staff hear each other's priorities. The ultimate goal was getting everyone aligned on what Apex’s economic challenges and opportunities are.

Here’s a brief summary. You can watch the full 4h presentation here.

📊 Apex by the Numbers

- Approaching 100,000 population - now 12th or 13th largest city in NC
- Median household income: $144,500
- 70% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree
- Extremely low commercial vacancy rate (businesses want in but can't find space)

🔑 Top Resident-Impact Highlights

- Affordable housing crisis was front and center. The "missing middle" - ages 25-40 was called out specifically. Young people with family here are being pushed to surrounding towns

- Children’s Hospital cited as Apex’s biggest economic win. Vertical integration of companies around the hospital was flagged as a strategy.

- S-Line Rail still part of the long-term vision (5-20 yrs out).

- Infrastructure vs. Growth tension. Traffic, water/sewer capacity, and the pace of development vs. infrastructure were repeated concerns.

- Small businesses can’t find space and some are closing. Access to capital was raised as a gap. The Launch Apex incubator program was praised.

- Land availability is why Holly Springs gets Life Science projects. Holly Springs had hundreds of acres for sale. Apex's land is largely tied up in developer build-to-suit arrangements. Council acknowledged this is why neighboring towns land certain large projects Apex doesn't.

- Sustainability as Apex’s brand. Council discussed making environmental stewardship a defining characteristic. Biotech and green/clean tech were cited as natural fits.

- Remote Work & Live Anywhere Economy. The shift to hybrid/remote work was discussed as both opportunity and challenge. Apex has highly educated residents who may work globally from home — great for quality of life, but changes what "economic development" looks like for downtown foot traffic and commercial demand

- “Negative” resident activism flagged as a risk. Council candidly discussed how “hostile” public comments at meetings can scare off prospective businesses. Site consultants watching council recordings see that negativity. Misinformation was cited as a driver - residents sometimes showing up angry based on incorrect info.

- AI and Automation jobs. The session covered macro trends including AI replacing jobs, automation in manufacturing/distribution (Amazon facilities projecting 500 jobs that become 200), and the need to stay ahead of workforce shifts.

- Apex Gateway / Chatham County Strategy. Mentioned as a proactive win - a no-rooftops zone entirely focused on economic development on the Chatham County side.

- Peak Plan 2055 & Think Apex. Both referenced as examples of forward-looking planning. Think Apex's community heroes awards and day of service were highlighted as building "ambassadors" for the town.

The Big Takeaway From the Session:

Apex's problems are ones most NC towns would kill to have. The facilitators noted they just came from a rural county where median income is $44,100 and 13.2% have bachelor's degrees. Apex's challenge isn't survival - it's managing success. The council's focus was: how do we grow without losing what makes this place special?

🗓️ Upcoming Town Meetings

Today, March 19
Environmental Advisory Board Subcommittee
Special Meeting: Tree Canopy Policy
5pm - 6pm | Town Hall

Today, March 19
Environmental Advisory Board Subcommittee
6pm | Town Hall

Tuesday, March 24
Town Council Meeting
6pm | Town Hall

Wednesday, March 25
Peak Plan 2055: Public Forum #2
4pm - 7pm | Town Hall

Wednesday, March 25
Parks & Rec Advisory Board
6pm | Town Hall

A Look Ahead:

Tuesday, March 24
UltiMutt Dog Egg Hunt | Apex Nature Park

Saturday, March 28
Easter Fest | Ambassador Presbyterian Church

Saturday, March 29
Invasive Plant Removal Workday | Apex Community Park

Wednesday, April 8
Harris Plant Siren Test (5-30 seconds)

April 10 & 11
Peak City Pig Fest | Town Hall Campus

Saturday, April 11
Spring Shred Day | Public Works Dept

Wednesday, April 15
Concert Series: Shana Tucker | Halle Cultural Arts

Saturday, April 25
EarthFest | Town Hall Campus

Sunday, April 26
Love Local Showcase | Downtown Apex

In Case You Missed it

🌺 Drive-in Movie at the Park
On Friday, March 27, the live-action “Lilo & Stitch” movie will be playing at Pleasant Park. $10 per vehicle. They do sell out! Get tickets here. (And/or plan ahead and grab tickets no the May 22 showing of Zootopia 2 here).

☀️ Summer Camp!
Art Explorers: Art Camps for Curious Creative Kids. This is a mixed media camp, July 27-31, perfect for rising 2-6th graders who are creative and curious about any and every kind of art. Learn more and register here.

🐻 Bear Hands Gifts is Moving
The literary & mystic boutique, currently located at 305 S Salem (next to First National Bank near Tap Station) is relocating to 209 N Salem St, Suite 103 (the former Monroe Boutique). Their last day in the current shop is March 29 and place to be in the new space on or around May 9.

🚿 Water System Maintenance
Through April 6, the Cary/Apex Water Treatment Plant will undergo its annual maintenance. You may experience temporary low water pressure, slight chlorine taste or odor, and/or water discoloration during this time.

🚧 2026 Road Rehab Project
The road resurfacing and patching project has been awarded. Construction is expected to begin next month. The full packet showing what roads are a part of this project can be seen here.

👩‍🎨 Call for Artists: Murals
The Town of Apex has two mural projects planned; one on retaining walls in the Saunders Street parking lot in downtown Apex and the other on the amphitheater in the Apex Nature Park. Artists are invited to submit proposals for one or both projects. Deadline to apply is Monday, April 27.

A Final Note:

Thank you for taking time out of your day today to read this week’s edition of The Peak Weekly.

As always, if you have any ideas of how to make this newsletter better, want to nominate a local business or organization to be featured, or anything else, please respond to this email or email me directly at [email protected]

See you next Thursday... 😘