In this episode of Inside Matthews, host Jim Taylor sits down with current mayor John Higdon, the town’s 19th mayor, to reflect on Matthews’ progress, challenges, and future. The conversation explores how the town has transformed from a quiet, small community to a vibrant destination full of energy, events, and pride. Mayor Higdon highlights Matthews’ growing downtown, the award-winning farmers market, and the role of festivals and cultural events in keeping the community lively.

At the same time, the discussion addresses pressing challenges: managing traffic from heavy pass-through commuters, balancing growth with the preservation of Matthews’ character, and ensuring the town stays innovative as nearby municipalities adopt similar revitalization strategies. Higdon explains current efforts with NCDOT projects, downtown planning, and the need to safeguard Matthews’ tree canopy and green spaces, while also fostering new economic opportunities.

Key projects shaping the future include the Hendrick Advanced Manufacturing Campus, expected to bring thousands of high-paying jobs; the redevelopment of Purser-Hulsey Park into a major community space; and the creation of a new Discovery Place Kids museum downtown. Higdon also speaks candidly about the uncertainty around regional transit plans, including the stalled Silver Line light rail project, and the importance of planning ahead for future growth.

Listeners also get a glimpse of Matthews’ political culture, from collaborative traditions among elected officials to lessons learned in balancing progress with preservation. Higdon shares his hopes for being remembered as a “tree-save” mayor who expanded parks and trails while steering Matthews through a time of growth and change.

This episode offers both hometown stories and forward-looking insights, perfect for anyone invested in the past, present, and future of Matthews.

After a few years away, Inside Matthews is back! In this relaunch episode, host Jim Taylor, former four-term Mayor of Matthews, reunites with producer and co-host Chris Melton to reflect on the show’s history, community impact, and their renewed vision for the podcast.

Jim and Chris revisit the origins of Inside Matthews, which began during the COVID years as a way to connect the community and preserve local stories. They recall standout guests, former mayors, civic leaders, nonprofit directors, and community volunteers, who helped document Matthews’ history and highlight the people, places, and organizations that give the town its unique character.

The conversation quickly moves into what listeners can expect in this new season: honest, engaging discussions about Matthews without politics. Both Jim and Chris emphasize their commitment to keeping the show “politically sterile,” focused instead on storytelling, community pride, and issues that matter to everyday residents.

The episode also dives into current challenges and opportunities facing Matthews, including:

• Community fatigue: the same small group of volunteers carrying much of the town’s civic load.

• Downtown vitality: questions around parking, walkability, and whether Matthews has lost momentum compared to neighboring towns like Waxhaw and Monroe.

• Transit and infrastructure: debates over the Silver Line, road extensions, and the future of regional transportation.

• Town leadership transitions: new managers, police chiefs, and the loss of long-serving figures with deep institutional knowledge.

Jim and Chris share candid reflections on their own time in office, lessons learned, and the importance of long-term vision for Matthews’ future. They also stress the need for new voice, especially residents who’ve moved to town in the last few years, to join the conversation, ask questions, and engage with their community.

Above all, this episode is about rekindling the spirit of connection that made Inside Matthews an award-winning podcast in its first run. Jim and Chris invite listeners to be part of the journey: to learn, laugh, and explore together what makes Matthews special, from its history and traditions to its growth and future.

📩 Got ideas, questions, or stories to share? Reach out at info@insidematthews.com and join the conversation.

Inside Matthews is the podcast about all of the wonderful people, places and organizations that make Matthews, Matthews. Periodically, Former Mayor Jim Taylor sits down with civic, business and political leaders to have a conversation about what’s happening, Inside Matthews.

Hazen Blodgett served as the Manager of the Town of Matthews for 18 years and retired from this position in early 2022. During Hazen’s tenure, he worked under four mayors, including Lee Myers, Jim Taylor, Paul Bailey and, current mayor, John Higdon. From the Town of Matthews website, "Hazen has been an extraordinary Manager over the last 18 years," said Mayor Higdon. "His impact on Matthews truly cannot be measured. On behalf of the entire Board, we want to express our thanks and appreciation for his tireless work, thoughtful leadership, and dedication to Matthews. Indeed, his are big shoes to fill."

During his tenure, Hazen witnessed the population of Matthews climb from approximately 22,000 in 2004 to currently of 33,000. It’s quite unique for a Town Manager to continue in their role for more than an average of 5 years and in his 18, he led the town through the “Great Recession” of 2008 then through an unprecedented global pandemic.

For the second consecutive year, Inside Matthews was selected by the readers of the Matthews – Mint Hill Weekly as their favorite podcast.

Jim Taylor served four terms as the seventeenth Mayor of the Town of Matthews and sat on the Board of Commissioners for ten years. During his time leading Matthews, Jim was also appointed Mayor Pro-Tem by his colleagues and spent time on numerous advisory boards and committees including Matthews Volunteer Fire Department, Matthews HELP Center, chaired the Charlotte Regional Transportation Planning Organization (CRTPO), Metropolitan Transit Commission (MTC), Matthews Alive! and several others.

Please continue to listen, like and subscribe to Inside Matthews wherever you hear podcasts. Follow the award-winning Inside Matthews podcast on social media. Connect with Jim on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Do you have a story to tell about growing up in Matthews? Do you have an idea for an episode of Inside Matthews? Jim would love to hear and maybe share it. Please click here to offer your thoughts and ideas.