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Left to Right: Patrick Coyle, Vice President of CITEL America, Inc.; Steve Brantley, Director, Orange County Economic Development; Henri Guichard, President, CITEL Group; Tatiana Debiase, Production Manager, CITEL America, Inc.; Daniel Cardosa, Regional Sales Manager, CITEL America, Inc.; and Amanda Garner – Assistant Director, Orange County Economic Development.

The Orange County Board of Commissioners has approved a performance-based economic development incentive package to support the relocation of CITEL America, Inc., a French manufacturer of industrial surge protection products, from Florida to Orange County, NC. The project would establish the company’s U.S. headquarters, office, and manufacturing operations at the former Mid-Atlantic STIHL Inc. facility in the Meadowlands Business Park in Hillsborough.

Shown here in the summer of 2025, the Orange County Main Library’s Learning Garden is located at 137 W. Margaret Lane, Hillsborough.

The Hillsborough Garden Club (HGC) has awarded a grant to the Orange County Public Library to expand and strengthen its gardening, conservation, and educational initiatives. The funding will support several key projects designed to engage the community with hands-on learning and promote environmental stewardship. Projects include:

Orange County Public Transportation (OCPT) will implement a one-year pilot of a fare-free model for its fixed-route transit services, effective Jan. 2, 2026. The Orange County Board of Commissioners approved the pilot at their Dec. 9 meeting, marking an important step in testing strategies to expand mobility, promote transit equity, and improve service efficiency for residents across the county.

While the holidays are a time for fun and connecting with friends and family, it’s important to remember that self-care matters, too. The season can be stressful, and it’s completely okay to talk about mental health. A 2023 survey by the American Psychological Association found that nearly nine in 10 U.S. adults feel stressed by something during the holidays, and 72% say the season can feel bittersweet.

Below are several resources with tips on practicing self-care, managing holiday stress, and checking in on others who may be having a difficult time.

The latest edition of the Orange County Recreation Division Program Guide is now available for viewing! Registration is open for January through June 2026. Programs listed include:

The Orange County Public Library has many exciting events and programs. See the full schedule of offerings at their events calendar.

Sign up for the Board of County Commissioners’ Sunshine List to get meeting notices, agendas, and press releases delivered to you. You can also subscribe to BOCC News and Planning updates—so you’ll never miss a chance to be informed and involved. To livestream Board of County Commissioners' meetings or watch recordings of past meetings visit the Meeting Videos page. 

Kristin Prelipp, Assistant Community Relations Director 
919-245-2322
kprelipp@orangecountync.gov

General Questions: webadmin@orangecountync.gov

Website: www.orangecountync.gov

Phone: 919-732-8181

Language Assistance Services: 919-245-2498