Town of Murphy Introduces Sara Posey Davis as New Downtown Development Director

Press Release

Sara Posey Davis was hired November of 2025 to lead the Main Street Murphy department at the Town of Murphy, as well as serve as Director for Friends of Downtown Murphy, a 501c3 non-profit organization. The Town of Murphy is a North Carolina Main Street community designated by the N.C. Department of Commerce Main Street & Rural Planning Center. The Town of Murphy program is charged with administering the program at the local level and building public/private partnerships to spur economic development that achieves measurable results such asinvestment, business growth and job creation.

Posey Davis has deep roots in the local area, being a 6th generation resident of Cherokee County – a direct descendant of Cherokee County’s first attorney, Ben Posey. She holds a B.S. in Environmental Sciences from UNC-Chapel Hill. She has 10 years of experience in outdoor recreation and outdoor economy, tourism, grant writing, business management, and real estate transactions. She understands that outdoor recreation/tourism and real estate are two of the

largest economic drivers in our community. She is a long-time advocate of Shop Local and No Farms No Food, understanding the critical role small businesses and local food growers play in

the economic vitality and stability of our local community. Natural and cultural heritage are her

greatest passions in life. She has served on the Board of Heritage Partners of Cherokee County

since 2013, the organization who cared for The Murphy River Walk prior to the transfer to the

Town of Murphy in 2022.

Posey Davis reflects, “Serving my community in this new capacity is a real privilege. My life

experiences have led me here. I hope, together, we keep our ancestors’ stories alive, enjoy a

thriving mountain community with a robust local economy, and create a future our children will

be proud of.”

The Main Street Approach is rooted in a commitment to broad-based community engagement, a holistic understanding of the factors that impact the quality of life in a community, and strategic focus on the core principles of downtown and neighborhood revitalization: Economic Vitality, Design, Promotion, and Organization. 

Posey Davis goes on to say, “I am grateful to Town staff and council members who took the initiative to become a Main Street community – the tools offered to our town through this program cannot be overstated. Engaged business owners and community members have built a strong foundation for me to continue.”

Friends of Downtown Murphy is always seeking volunteers. If you are interested in getting involved, please visit https://www.friendsofmurphync.com/ to learn more.