While some communities in North Carolina are experiencing a mass influx of new residents, others are experiencing a steep drop in residency. Community changes such as these make it even more difficult for utilities to efficiently serve residents and plan for the future, as infrastructure needs are stressed and rates adjustment becomes more complicated. This article, originally published by in the Winter 2018-2019 issue of NC Currents, examines how utility regionalization or consolidation can serve as one answer to issues facing communities with changing population.