Special to Iredell Free News

Stakeholders from The Cove Church Inc., G&M Partners LLC, Langtree Development Co. LLC, and W.C. Bradley Real Estate Investments LLC gathered at Cove Church on Friday morning to ceremonially sign over contributions and/or land right-of-way for Phase I of the East/West Connector project, which totaled $7.6 million. Once the project is completed, Phase I will be an economic driver for development in the southeast quadrant of Interstate 77 and Langtree Road. Pictured (from left to right) are Mayor Miles Atkins, Larry Schaefer, Mark Lockman, Brian Long, Eric Johnson, Steve McLeod, Roy Goode and Pace Halter.