Guide to Garner 2020 edition | Page 12

Venture outside the historic downtown and you’ll find more tech businesses, advanced manufacturing companies and an array of thriving small businesses. Garner’s school options include one of the best magnet schools in the Wake County Public School System (Garner Magnet High School) as well as a new high school (South Garner High) in only its second year. All of that is supported by a diverse population of residents that gives the town a more cosmopolitan feel than you might at first expect. Resident Charlie Brignac moved to Garner from Atlanta six years ago. His daughter and grandchildren reside in Raleigh and have for several years, and his frequent visits to the Triangle piqued his interest in Garner. “We identified Garner as the place we wanted to live and actually bought a house here two years before we moved to the area,” he said. “When you go down Timber Drive [in Garner], it is distinctly different from any other part of the [Triangle] area, in my opinion. There’s just a peace and tranquility about it that just exudes what the community is all about.” Brignac said the pace of life in Garner is unlike the hustle and bustle of city life, and that’s what drew him in. He also noted the accessibility of town resources and organizations like the Chamber of Commerce and the town’s economic development team. Brignac has served on Garner’s Planning Commission—the intermediary technical body between the Town Council and Garner’s Planning Department—and he praises the investment and “forward-thinking” nature of the town’s leadership. Moreover, he said Garner’s leadership is consistently working to ensure the hometown feel that Garner exudes is embedded in the fabric of the community. “There’s also a tremendous service level in the community,” he added, mentioning the Garner Police Athletics and Activities League as well as numerous faith-based organizations and nonprofits that serve people with various needs. One thing that both Hodges and Brignac emphasized is the sense of community in Garner. Garner is a haven for fellowship, camaraderie and inclusiveness, they say. “The sense of community here is nice. There have been some people that have lived here all their lives, but there are lots of new people here too. But even for people who have only been here for a short time, I think they already have the feeling that Garner is home,” Hodges said. “People are very open and welcoming here — you just fit right in quickly.” She highlighted the diversity of businesses in the area, the Garner Senior Center and activities for people of all ages as threads that tie this welcoming community together. Added Brignac, “If I had to describe Garner with just one word, it would be ‘love.’ Everybody’s willing to share it.” 10 garnernc.gov