Search Results

The City of Reidsville is always looking for effective ways to get information out to its residents, many of which look to different sources for their news and upcoming events. One way the City has tackled this problem has been to re-energize its Reidsville Connect app.   First offered in 2013, the Reidsville Connect app for residents’ phones was primarily used as a way for citizens to report issues, but the latest version by a new vendor offers so much more. However, if you had the old Reidsville Connect, you must delete it and install the new version from the App Store or Google Play Store.   Residents can still report issues and the complaint or observation will go to the corresponding department. A tree down on the greenway? Let Reidsville Connect know. A manhole cover is off kilter on a roadway? Let Reidsville Connect know.   But the app is also a great resource for information about the City. This information is linked to the City website and constantly updated and maintained. With a touch of the screen, you can find out more about …   Recreation:  Highlights the City’s parks and trails, Lake Reidsville and Lake Hunt and area sports and club facilities. Attractions:  Focuses on not only City offerings but also local organizations, businesses and area tours on downtown murals, Roam Reidsville Art & History and the Rockingham County Quilt Trail. Downtown Businesses:  Learn what’s available in Reidsville’s beautiful downtown area. City Departments:  Get contact information on the City’s various departments. City Council:  Easy access to learn who your elected officials are, when the governing board meets and its meeting minutes as well as the local Code of Ordinances. Garbage & Recycling:  Questions about trash pickup or recycling? Click on this button! Utilities:  New to the area and don’t know who to get water connected or pay your water bill? This information will help. Document Center:  This button redirects you to the City’s Document Center, which has several forms that our citizens may need. Team Reidsville:  Visitors are directed to recent blog posts done by Team Reidsville that are located on the City’s tourism site, riseupreidsville.com . Social Media:  If you are connected to social media, a click of this button will send you to the City’s social media sites, including Facebook, Instagram, Twitter (now officially known as “X”) and YouTube. Notifications:  Learn the latest CodeRED alerts that have gone out or sign up for CodeRED.   So, whether you have used the app before or are a first-time user, go to the App Store or Google Play Store and download the new “Reidsville Connect”.

The City of Reidsville promoted from within to find its new Planning and Community Development Director.   Drew G. Bigelow replaces former Director Jason Hardin, who left earlier this month for a position with Guilford County. She has been working as the City Planner since February of 2023. Her new position as Director became effective June 24.   "I’m honored to accept the position of Planning & Community Development Director, and I am excited to take on this new chapter in my career,” Bigelow said. “I’m truly grateful for the opportunity to lead a team dedicated to creating thoughtful, inclusive, and forward-thinking planning strategies that will help develop a stronger and more sustainable future for Reidsville."   Born in Chapel Hill, Bigelow grew up in Alamance County, North Carolina. In 2020, she received a Bachelor of Arts from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. She was enrolled in a dual program in Anthropology and Environmental Studies, concentrating in Sociocultural Development and Sustainable Development. Bigelow would go on to earn a Master of Science in Sustainability and the Environment from UNC-G in 2022 with a concentration in Regional Planning and Resiliency.   In addition to being a Certified Zoning Official (CZO) from the NC Association of Zoning Officials, Bigelow has received Surface Water Identification Training and Certification from the NC Department of Environmental Quality and the NCSU Biological Agricultural Extension Program. She is also certified in NC Law & Administration from Vance-Granville Community College and last month she obtained her certification as a Geospatial Information Systems-Technician (GIS-T). Bigelow is a 2025 graduate of the NCSU Leadership Learning Institute, and the Leadership Rockingham course completed through the local Chambers of Commerce.   Bigelow explained that she pursued a career in planning because she has always been passionate about the way our environment shapes our communities.   “I’m deeply interested in how thoughtful planning can improve quality of life, promote sustainability and ensure equitable access to resources and opportunities for all residents,” she noted. “Planning allows me to combine creative problem-solving with a strong sense of social responsibility. It’s a field where I can contribute to long-term, meaningful change by helping our community grow in a way that is inclusive, efficient and resilient.”   Reidsville City Manager Summer Moore agrees.   “I have watched Drew grow in her chosen field, first as our City Planner and now as Director of our Planning & Community Development Department,” said Moore. “She has both the people skills and technical expertise to help the City of Reidsville grow for years to come.”   Drew and her husband, Michael, have lived in Rockingham County since April of 2022, with their four pets, including two dogs, a cat and a bearded dragon. She enjoys hiking, reading, indoor gardening, attending concerts, and is an avid listener of podcasts.

The City of Reidsville's 2024 Annual Drinking Water Quality Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) can be found here . For questions, call 336-342-4002.

Left to Right: Loris Rinaldi, CED, Farmina Pet Foods North America, and Angelo Russo, CEO, Farmina Pet Foods, cut the ribbon at its new U.S. manufacturing facility Wednesday morning in the Reidsville Industrial Park. (Photo Courtesy of Daniel Crews, Rockingham County Public Information Officer)  (Press Release from Rockingham County Economic Development & Tourism) REIDSVILLE, N.C., JUNE 11, 2025 — Farmina Pet Foods, a global leader in premium pet nutrition, officially opened its first U.S.-based manufacturing facility in Reidsville, North Carolina marking a major milestone in the company’s 50-year history. While new to U.S. manufacturing, Farmina has served North American pet owners for more than a decade, delivering premium pet food made with European ingredients, upheld by rigorous standards and cutting-edge technology. The 150,000-square-foot state-of-the-art manufacturing facility, located at 248 Sands Road, Reidsville, represents a $115 million investment and is expected to create 200 new jobs over the next five years, with 75 positions already filled. New roles include machine operators, veterinarians, chemical technicians, shipping clerks, maintenance technicians, managers, and supervisors. To celebrate Farmina’s investment in the local and state economies, North Carolina State Senator Phil Berger, Assistant Commissioner for Consumer Protection, NC Department of Agriculture Chrissy Waggett, Chairman of the Rockingham County board of Commissioners Kevin Berger, and Mayor of Reidsville Donald Gorham, attended the official opening of the facility on June 11, 2025. Senator Phil Berger welcomed the expansion, stating “Farmina’s decision to establish its U.S. operations in North Carolina is a strong endorsement of our skilled workforce and our growing reputation as a business-friendly hub for modern, innovative manufacturing.” He continued, “we’re thrilled to welcome this world-class technology to our great state and proudly open our arms to Farmina as they join our business community.” The company’s strategic investment in North Carolina is expected to contribute millions of dollars to the state’s economy. Farmina's decision to manufacture in the U.S. allows the company to localize production, serving the growing North American market faster and more sustainably. Farmina sets a new standard in the American-based pet food industry with respect to quality and technology. This expansion brings unmatched excellence in manufacturing technology, quality of ingredients and European food safety and nutrition standards that adhere to and far exceed U.S. regulations. Through the production output of this new facility, Farmina sets a new standard of pet care for consumers across North America. “As Italians, family is at the heart of everything we do – and that includes our pets,” said Loris Rinaldi, CEO of Farmina Pet Foods North America. “This belief drives us to create the highest quality nutrition for our four-legged family members. With our new Reidsville facility, we’re proud to bring European standards, premium ingredients, and personalized support to pet parents across the U.S.” The high-tech facility was years in the making and supported by a coalition including the North Carolina Department of Commerce, Rockingham County, the City of Reidsville, Duke Energy, and the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina (EDPNC), with assistance from the state’s Job Development Investment Grant (JDIG). To learn more about Farmina and its premier nutritional pet food products, visit: Farmina.com. About Farmina Pet Foods Farmina Pet Foods is a family-owned company that combines nature and science to create the most nutritious, all-natural, and scientifically validated pet food. With over 50 years of expertise, Farmina is dedicated to improving the well-being of pets by using carefully selected raw ingredients that meet the nutritional needs of dogs and cats. Guided by the philosophy of "Happy Pet, Happy You," Farmina ensures its products are free from GMOs, preserved using natural methods, and developed in collaboration with leading research institutions, such as Cornell University. Farmina goes beyond nutrition by offering personalized services to pet parents, including expert nutritional consultations and tailored meal plans to support pets at every stage of life. With North American headquarters in Reidsville, NC, Farmina provides pet families with specialized food lines, such as Farmina Vet Life and Natural & Delicious, all designed to promote the health and happiness of pets. Farmina.com Contact: Tara Martin, Marketing Manager Rockingham County Economic Development & Tourism 336.342.8138 tmartin@rockinghamcountync.gov

The City of Reidsville is hereby inviting RFQs from qualified Consultants, with proven experience and expertise, to provide professional engineering services to support Public Services and other City Departments through an “on-call” contractual relationship. The services are to include: professional engineering services related to Surveying; Water Distribution; Wastewater Collection; Plant Improvements; Water & Wastewater Pump Stations; Water Tanks; SCADA; Stormwater studies, compliance, and projects; Roadway Study/Design; Solid Waste, Municipal Bridge Inspection & Design, Architectural Design, Mechanical Design, Plumbing Design, Electrical Design, Programming, GIS Services and other projects pertaining to Public Services and other City departments when required. RFQ submittals in response to this Request are due no later than 2:00 PM (EST), Monday, June 23, 2025.

Water has been restored to the Barnes Street area following the water main break earlier today. Reidsville City crews will be working throughout the night to repair the roadway after fixing the leak. Barnes Street between Thomas and Martin Streets will be closed tonight while repairs are made to the roadway and will hopefully re-open in the early morning hours of Thursday, May 29. Thank you for your patience.

May 23, 2025  – The water main break that led to a Water Boil Advisory last week prompted Reidsville officials to meet and review the City’s processes to ensure that the best procedures are followed in fixing the issue, informing the public and attempting to prevent such problems in the future.   The Incident During the early morning hours of May 13, 2025 shortly after 2 a.m., a series of power fluctuations caused one of the Water Treatment Plant’s high service pumps to rapidly de-energize and energize before shutting off completely. The operator on duty immediately notified the WTP Superintendent, and maintenance staff were called in to get the plant back online. Within 15 minutes, the operator noticed the City’s elevated water storage tanks were dropping rapidly, indicating a possible large water main break. The Plant Superintendent alerted other officials about the potential break so that it could be located and repaired. Public Works on-call employees were brought in.   About 3:30 a.m. residents and businesses on the City’s water system started losing water service. While Water Distribution officials knew that a leak must have occurred, finding such a leak during a rain event and in the early morning hours can be problematic. City crews scanned the City attempting to find the problem. Around 4:30 a.m., a Sanitation employee alerted crews that a substantial leak had occurred on Park Lane, which led crews to initially uncover a roughly four-foot section of broken pipe to be repaired. Another break was discovered on the same waterline, which lengthened the time needed for now approximately 14 feet of pipe repairs. The City sent out a CodeRED about 5:15 a.m. informing residents of the outage as well as posting on social media platforms, the City website and alerting local media. City representatives also reached out to our major industries, healthcare facilities and the school system during this time.   Crews were able to repair the water main break by late afternoon on May 13th, and water pressure continued to improve. However, anytime such a large water main break occurs, cities are required to take water samples from throughout the water distribution system for testing, and a Water Boil Advisory is put into effect. These samples must be incubated for 24 hours. If no contamination is detected, the Water Boil Advisory can be lifted, which is what occurred around 7:30 p.m. on May 14th. At that time, the City sent out a CodeRED to participating residents, a media release to local and regional newspapers and television stations and posted on City social media and the City website.   Questions Raised Questions have arisen in the community, such as why was the Water Treatment Plant not on a generator? When thunderstorms occur in the area or if there are power outages, the  Water Treatment Plant either shuts down completely or goes on generator power. On the morning of May 13, there was only rain with no lightning or prior power issues reported. Once the power fluctuations occurred, the Water Treatment Plant did go on generator power to ensure no more interruptions of service.   Residents have also asked about the water in the City’s elevated storage tanks. At the time of this water main break, the City’s tanks which supply water for emergencies and pressure were on average about 71% full, containing about 1,075,000 gallons of water.  This water main break was so large it drained the elevated storage tanks and the distribution system of more than an estimated 2.8 million gallons in a little over an hour’s time. For reference, the City averages 3.85 million gallons of water per day.   Debrief Initiated City Manager Summer Moore called key personnel together for a debrief on Monday, May 19, to review what occurred and what improvements could be made. Staff reviewed a variety of issues, from communication methods, both internally and externally, to supply needs and the logistics involved when emergencies occur. Moore designated Fire Chief Josh Farmer, the City’s new Assistant City Manager of Public Safety, to be the main emergency point of contact if such situations happen in the future. Chief Farmer will also be spearheading efforts to update the City’s Emergency Operations Plan.   In any crisis, communication is key. The City of Reidsville currently utilizes several forms of communication with its residents, including the CodeRED notification system, press releases to local and regional media, social media platforms and the City News page of the City of Reidsville website, reidsvillenc.gov . When initially set up, CodeRED relied on a database of landlines. In the following years, people have had to sign up to receive these alerts. In the coming months, the City will be launching public information campaigns encouraging citizens, businesses and industries to sign up for CodeRED.   The Reidsville Water Treatment Plant has been undergoing a major electrical upgrade after several years of design and successfully bidding out the project last year. This will include adding a whole plant generator with an automatic transfer switch, replacing the plant’s main motor control center, and adding Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs) to the High Service Pumps. These VFDs are more sensitive to electrical issues causing them to shut down if an issue occurs and will have phase monitoring built in. This would automatically shut down a High Service Pump if power was lost, and the pump could only be restarted by the operator.   Also being installed at the WTP is the ability to digitally record distribution system pressure. This will help staff to better understand system pressures and be able to refer back to the digital recording.   City staff is also working closely with Duke Energy on how more reliable power can be provided not only to the City’s WTP but also to the Wastewater Treatment Plant.

May 19, 2025 – The City of Reidsville is reclassifying an existing position to become the Assistant City Manager for Public Safety (ACM-PS) designed to enhance and unify the City’s public safety and municipal service efforts. This position will play a pivotal role in ensuring the safety and well-being of Reidsville’s residents and visitors. As of May 19, Reidsville Fire Chief Joshua Farmer will begin his new duties as ACM-PS/Fire Chief. In addition to overseeing the City’s Fire Department, Farmer will also head Building Inspections, Building Permitting, Engineering, and City Facilities Maintenance. Currently those areas have been overseen by Planning & Community Development and Public Works departments. As the City is experiencing growth at an exceptional rate, this change will allow the Planning & Community Development Department to focus on planning and zoning issues associated with the upcoming residential and commercial growth, according to Reidsville City Manager Summer Moore. Also, a considerable amount of decision-making in Building Inspections and Permitting revolves around public safety, she added. Farmer’s experience with fire and building codes is a plus in this new role. “This is a significant step in our ongoing commitment to the safety and service of our community,” Moore said. “By consolidating these critical departments under a single leader with the expertise and vision to guide public safety initiatives, we are building a stronger, more resilient Reidsville.” The Reidsville City Manager also noted that currently no one single person is the primary contact for all City-owned and maintained facilities. Farmer will be able to review vendor contracts and determine if a more cohesive and cost effective facilities maintenance plan can be developed Citywide. “Chief Farmer is a natural fit for this reclassified position,” Moore said, adding that his experience with fire and building codes is a plus in this new role. “I am excited about taking on this new challenge in my career and serving in this new capacity,” Fire Chief Farmer said. “I look forward to working with staff and community members to capitalize on public safety opportunities that will make Reidsville a top choice for current and future residents, visitors and business owners.” Fire Chief Josh Farmer A native of Reidsville, Farmer graduated from Reidsville High School. He has been a full-time member of the Reidsville Fire Department since 2014. In June of 2017, Farmer was promoted to Administrative Fire Captain for the City of Reidsville. Three years later, in December of 2020, he was promoted to Assistant Fire Chief/ Fire Marshal. On July 1, 2023, he was selected after a competitive process to be Fire Chief after the retirement of Chief David Bracken.   Farmer has an Associate’s Degree in Fire Protection Technology from Guilford Technical Community College, a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Management from East Carolina University and earned a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington in the fall of 2023. He is also a graduate of the Chief Officer Executive Development Program. Since 2013, Farmer has acquired 17 State certifications pertaining to fire, police, and emergency medical services. For the past seven years, Farmer has also been a part-time Police Officer with the Reidsville Police Department.   He and his wife, Eboni, and young daughter, Reagan, live in Reidsville.

May 14, 2025 - The Boil Water Advisory for users of Reidsville’s water system has been lifted.   Water samples collected following Tuesday morning’s water main break and subsequent repair by the City of Reidsville’s Public Works Department were incubated for the required 24 hours. No signs of contamination were found.   The City of Reidsville appreciates the patience of our residents and local businesses over the past two days while repairs were made to the 12-inch waterline on Park Lane. Our Street Department has repaired the roadway following the pipe repair and laid down gravel for the street’s eventual repaving.   Water should be restored to all Reidsville homes and businesses, but if you are still experiencing issues, please contact the Public Works Department at 336-349-1070 during normal work hours, 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. weekdays. After hours if you experience water or sewer issues, please call 336-634-3300.   As was reported earlier, electrical surges brought on by Monday night’s weather caused one of the Reidsville Water Plant’s high service pumps to rapidly energize and de-energize. This caused excessive pressure in the water distribution system, which led to a water main break on one of the City’s 12-inch pipes that caused a rapid loss of water supply and pressure. Upon repairing a roughly 4-foot section of broken pipe, City Public Works crews uncovered another leak on the same waterline, ultimately resulting in about 14 feet of waterline that had to be restored.

Reidsville City Public Works crews have fixed the water main break that occurred in the early morning hours of Tuesday, May 13, on Park Lane and are currently repairing the roadway there.   Most Reidsville homes and businesses should have water although water pressure will continue to improve over the succeeding hours. If you have no water, please open up your faucets to allow the air in the lines to dissipate.   Now that the water main break has been fully repaired, Water Treatment Plant officials will be compiling water samples throughout the City. It will be a minimum of 24 hours before the test results will be known. Until then, the current Boil Water Advisory remains in effect and residents on the City’s water system are urged to use precautionary measures until the advisory can be lifted. City officials are hoping to have the results by Wednesday evening, May 14. Once the advisory has been lifted, notice will be given via the City’s CodeRED system, and on the City of Reidsville Facebook page and City website, reidsvillenc.gov (City News page) as well as distributed to local media. See the tips at the end of this press release regarding Boiling Water Advisories.   As was reported earlier, electrical surges brought on by Monday night’s weather caused one of the Reidsville Water Plant’s high service pumps to rapidly energize and de-energize. This caused excessive pressure in the water distribution system, which led to a water main break on one of the City’s 12-inch pipes that caused a rapid loss of water supply and pressure. Upon repairing a roughly 4-foot section of broken pipe, City Public Works crews uncovered another leak on the same waterline, which was also fixed.   If a resident has questions or concerns, please call the City’s Public Works Department at 336-349-1070 during normal business hours, 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. weekdays. After hours if you experience water or sewer issues, please call 336-634-3300.   While under a Boil Water Advisory, residents are advised to boil all water used for human consumption - this includes drinking, making ice, brushing teeth, washing dishes, food preparation, etc. Residents and businesses are urged to conserve water or to use bottled water until these problems are resolved.   Please see the following tips from the CDC when under a Boil Water Advisory:     Boiling Water Advisory Tips from the CDC:   If local officials issue a boil water advisory, use commercially bottled water or boil your tap water. If commercially bottled water is not available, boil your tap water. To kill germs, bring water to a full  rolling boil for 1 minute . At elevations above 6,500 feet, boil for 3 minutes. To avoid burns, allow boiled water to cool before you use it. Boil your tap water even if you filter it. For example, still boil tap water if it has been through a home water filter or a pitcher that filters water. For drinking and cooking: use commercially bottled water or boiled water for drinking and to prepare and cook food. Handwashing: in many cases, you can use tap water and soap to wash your hands during a boil water advisory. Bathing and showering: be careful not to swallow any water when bathing or showering. Use caution when bathing babies and young children. Consider giving them a sponge bath to reduce the chance of them swallowing water. Brushing teeth: brush your teeth using boiled water or commercially bottled water. Do not use tap water that you have not boiled first. Washing dishes: if possible, use disposable plates, cups, and utensils during a boil water advisory. Sanitize all baby bottles. Dishwashers are generally safe to use if they have a sanitizing cycle or reach a final rinse temperature of at least 150°F (66°C). Check the manual or contact the manufacturer to find out what temperature your dishwater reaches.   To wash dishes by hand: Wash and rinse the dishes as you normally would using hot water. In a separate basin, add 1 teaspoon of unscented household liquid bleach for each gallon of warm water. Soak the rinsed dishes in the water for at least one minute. Let the dishes air dry completely before using them again.   Laundry: It is safe to wash clothes as usual. Caring for pets: Give pets commercially bottled water or boiled water that has cooled. Pets can get sick from some of the same germs as people or spread germs to people. Caring for your garden and houseplants. You can use tap water for houseplants and gardens, including watering plants you eat.