Mooresville, NC

Mooresville, North Carolina, is a city that is as exciting as it is tranquil. It is this dual quality that attracts visitors, particularly during the summer months. The city is the home of more than 60 NASCAR racing teams and related businesses, while at the same time offering the calm waters of Lake Norman, a state park that attracts those who want to go cruising on a Mississippi paddleboat or just take a dip.

NEIGHBORHOODS AND DISTRICTS

This once-small town in North Carolina, located in Iredell County, has increasingly grown over the years. This is not only due to the presence of NASCAR racing teams but also to the racing-related businesses in the area. In recent years, home sales in the area have been steadily climbing. This can be attributed not only to thriving tourism but also to the number of people who are moving to Mooresville seeking to soak in its beautiful natural settings. Because of the travel demands of the NASCAR industry, people move in and out of the city at a steady rate; as a result, many residents rent apartment complexes and condominiums.

Downtown Mooresville has preserved many 19th and early 20th century buildings along Main and Broad Streets, including D. E. Turner & Company Hardware, continuously operating from its original building since 1905.

ECONOMY AND INDUSTRIES

Naturally, when it comes time for the big NASCAR races, people come from all around to spend leisure time and money. While NASCAR is the backbone of the city's economy, however, Mooresville is not wholly dependent on the racing industry. The city also thrives on general tourism. With Lake Norman State Park and Lazy 5 Safari Park coupled with the NASCAR presence, the city's economy is expected to continue to grow. It is important to note, however, that the economy declines a bit in the winter months, because tourism isn't as intense as it is during the summer months.

Mooresville is also the site of Lowe's Home Improvement Warehouse corporate headquarters.

FOR VISITORS

• The Lazy 5 Ranch is a safari park that is home to hundreds of exotic animals. Here, people can watch and feed the animals, have a picnic, and enjoy a unique encounter with nature.
• The North Carolina Auto Racing Hall of Fame is another attraction in Mooresville. It has a visitor's center with items that recount the history of racing and select racing artifacts.
• The Pit Indoor Kart Track is where people can experience the fun of indoor kart racing. These karts offer visitors a taste of real-life racing. The karts rest a mere inch off the ground, and can go up to 40 miles per hour.

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

• Artworks on Main is a gallery that includes an artist supply store and artist studios. Art classes, workshops, and seminars are also available to the public. The gallery provides opportunities for established artists, as well as up-and-coming talent, to showcase their work.
• The Memory Lane Motorsports and Historical Automotive Museum has dozens of exhibits that are related to cars and racing.
• The Mooresville Museum is focused on preserving the history of the city. Here, the collections include a number of objects and exhibits focused on showcasing items significant to Mooresville's past.

EVENTS

• For a town with a rich racing history and presence, the monthly Mooresville Cruise In (Classic Car & Hot Rod Show) is an attraction not only for locals but also for tourists. Here, people can experience some of the most advanced and restored cars in the world.
• The Iredell County Fair is a great time for the whole family. With everything from live entertainment, exhibits, delicious food, and games, people come to this fair from all over the area.
• The Race City Festival celebrates "Mooresville Arts & Culture." At this festival, attendees will find plenty of local merchants, a festival of art and culture from throughout the community, live entertainment, wine tastings, and great food, among other attractions.
• During September, Mooresville hosts the annual Charlotte Antique and Classic Boat Show at Queen's Landing.

EDUCATION

One of the main attractions to Mooresville is the NASCAR Technical Institute, which offers classes on everything from the basics of automotive repair to high-tech training on complex electronic systems . Additionally, the city is also home to a NASCAR Pit Crew Training School to prep people for working races both in Mooresville and in other towns. Students from all over come to attend these schools, which are as much a draw as the NASCAR racing events themselves.

Additionally, Mooresville is home to a campus of Mitchell Community College, although the main campus is located in Statesville, North Carolina. Many locals attend this campus for a year or two before transferring to four-year institutions.

SPORTS TEAMS

Among the NACAR racing teams located in the city are Dale Earnhardt, Inc., Penske Racing South, Team Red Bull Racing, JR Motorsports, and Petty Racing.