Award recognizes excellence in Improving Quality of Life – Small Community

SPENCER – Town Manager Peter Franzese is proud to announce that the Town of Spencer has received a 2026 Region of Excellence Award from Centralina Regional Council, recognizing outstanding achievements that improve and strengthen communities across the greater region.

Presented annually, the Region of Excellence Awards honor individuals, local governments and organizations whose innovative work exemplifies Centralina’s mission to expand opportunity and improve quality of life throughout its nine-county region.

Spencer received the Improving Quality of Life – Small Community award, recognizing Spencer Town Park as a community effort that transformed parking lot space into a vibrant gathering place for recreation, events, and connection. During the award presentation to the Spencer Board of Aldermen on October 8, Centralina staff member Kasia Thompson described the project as an outstanding example of how vision, partnership, and community commitment can create lasting impact. She highlighted the Town’s success in creating a public destination that promotes recreation, health, social connection, and economic vitality while serving residents and visitors of all ages.

“While the Town was honored to receive this recognition, the award truly belongs to the many people who helped make the project possible,” said Franzese. “Elected officials, staff, volunteers, community members, funding partners, and our project team came together to turn a long-standing vision into a community asset that makes a positive impact on a daily basis.”

More than 30 nominations were submitted for the 2026 Region of Excellence Awards, representing innovative projects, partnerships and leadership efforts from across the Centralina region.

“These award recipients represent the very best of our region,” said Michelle Nance, Interim Executive Director of Centralina Regional Council. “From advancing sustainability and accessibility to fostering collaboration and public service, each honoree has made a meaningful impact on the communities they serve.”

For more information about the Region of Excellence Awards or to learn how to nominate an organization for next year’s program, visit www.centralina.org/regional-collaboration/region-of-excellence-awards. Learn more about Spencer Town Park at https://spencernc.gov/makeyourmark/.

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