Union County/Monroe, North Carolina
Whether you enjoy the fast pace of city living or the hometown feel of rural communities, Union County has it all. Ranked as the fastest growing county in the State of North Carolina, Union County boasts the best of rural and suburban living. Centrally located, Union County is approximately 20 miles from Charlotte, North Carolina. Residents of our area enjoy convenient access to both the North Carolina mountains and the Carolinas' beaches.

The county seat is Monroe, a town of approximately 25,000. Government offices and the court system are conveniently located to the Union County Courthouse in downtown Monroe.

A variety of housing options are available in Union County. Ranging from one bedroom apartments to multi-million dollar homes, local residents can find a home to meet all of their needs. In addition to an ideal location, Union County residents also enjoy low county and city taxes.

Education is a top priority in Union County, which is evident by the strong public school system, a community college and a four-year university. The Union County Public School system is known for its high quality education. Both year-round and traditional school calendars are available to best suit a family's needs.

South Piedmont Community College, part of the North Carolina Community College system, provides residents with a variety of educational opportunities. These include two year degrees, certificates and diplomas in many different disciplines.

Wingate University, a small, Baptist-affiliated college provides undergraduate and graduate studies to approximately 1500 students. The University, founded in 1896, is known for its international study programs, its low student-teacher ratio and convenient location. A pharmacy school will be added to Wingate University in the fall of 2004.

Career opportunities in Union County are numerous. Union County's major industries include manufacturing, healthcare, education, agribusiness, local governments, construction and retail. Several international companies have locations here in the county. Union County also boasts a low unemployment rate. In the past two decades, Union County has also become home to a burgeoning film industry. The county has been featured in a number of television movies and feature films including The Color Purple.

Union County is also a haven for cultural activities. Numerous arts and crafts festivals, musical performances, and several local museums offer something for everyone. Residents of Union County enjoy beautiful recreation facilities at Cane Creek Park and buying fresh vegetables from local farmers at the Union County Farmers' Market. For antique buffs, you can stroll the streets of downtown Waxhaw, which is known in our area for the fine antique dealers. Golfers will enjoy the eight golf courses that are scattered throughout the county.

Residents of Union County can also enjoy the many recreational and cultural activities in Charlotte and Mecklenburg County. These include a variety of museums, shopping malls and several national sports teams, including the Carolina Panthers and the newly created Charlotte Bobcats NBA team.

For more information on Monroe and Union County, visit www.unioncountycoc.com, www.monroenc.org or www.co.union.nc.us.

Charlotte, North Carolina

Charlotte, North Carolina is a city rich in history and diverse in business and cultural opportunities. The 21st most populous city in the United States (approximately 746,000), Charlotte is conveniently located just two hours from the mountains or the coast.

Thriving with economic and commercial activity, Charlotte is now the second largest financial center in the United States, following only New York City. In addition to being a major world banking and financial center, Charlotte is home to many major employers in the fields of transportation, textiles, education, manufacturing, communications, technology, healthcare, energy, retailing, construction, and professional sports.

The inviting atmosphere of Charlotte continues to attract many newcomers to the region. In Charlotte alone, there are over 500 churches, 100 parks and 25 golf courses. The area also provides many cultural opportunities including Discovery Place, a science and technology museum, and the Mint Museum, home to fine art collections from around the world.

For those who enjoy the performing arts, the North Carolina Blumenthal Performing Arts Center is home to a variety of performances throughout the year. These include performances by the Charlotte Philharmonic Orchestra, Charlotte Repertory Theatre, the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra, Opera Carolina and many more. There are also several other performing arts centers scattered throughout Charlotte and the surrounding communities.

For sports enthusiasts, Charlotte offers an exciting and varied sports scene. Charlotte is home to the NFL's Carolina Panthers, the WNBA Sting and the recently formed NBA's Charlotte Bobcats. In addition, there are also semi-professional baseball and hockey teams based in Charlotte.