2012 | livability.com/harnett-county/nc ÂŽ
harnett county, north carolina
quite a site Employers like county’s location
Amazing Spaces Outdoor attractions are numerous Sponsored by the harnett county Chambers of Commerce
Need a place to host a meeting or a special event? Call on us! We offer flexible space for up to 80 people, full audiovisual support and full catering services.
Complimentary Breakfast • FREE Wireless Internet FREE Local Calls • Business Center • Outdoor Pool Exercise Room • Expanded Cable/HBO 100% Hampton Guarantee Check Out Our Specials … Golf Packages for Four Beautiful Courses Romance Package to Pamper Yourself and the One You Love Multiple Day Golf Specials
Hampton Inn – Dunn, NC
Enjoy the Hampton Experience While Visiting Harnett County We Love Having You Here!
100 Jesse Tart Circle Dunn, NC 28334 (910) 892-4333 www.dunn.hamptoninn.com
Three Day/Two Night Mini Vacation
2012-13 edition | volume 5 ÂŽ
Harnett County, North Carolina co nte nt s F e atu r e s
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8 Amazing Spaces Outdoor attractions are numerous
14 Wellness Goes Big New health-care options are booming in central Harnett County
16 quite a site Employers like county’s location
d e pa r tm e nt s 4 Almanac 21 Biz Briefs 23 Economic Profile 25 Health & Wellness 26 Local Flavor 28 Arts & Culture 30 Sports & Recreation 33 Education 35 Community Profile 36 Through the Lens
on the cover Harnett Regional Jetport in Erwin Photo by Antony Boshier
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All or part of this magazine is printed with soy ink on recycled paper containing 10% post-consumer waste.
Please recycle this magazine
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We are Harnett County Schools!
rintendent, t– m Frye – Supe Leaders: To d William Wrigh nc y Holmes an Na s, bb Ho cia Patri dents Asst. Superinten
The Future: Leaders in Training
Ye of the ac her C S Te iton High H , le dy Co er, Tr s: An ring Teach at o r e Educ ural Engine lt A gricu
ar,
ents Stud Learne AT A GLANCE Schools Total Number of Schools – 27 Elementary Schools – 17 Middle Schools – 5 High Schools – 4 Alternative Schools – 1 Enrollment Total Students – 19,491 Elementary (K-5) – 9,263 Middle (6-8) – 4,521 High (9-12) – 5,707 Graduates (2011) Total Graduates – 1,145 Ethnic Distribution African American – 25% Asian – 0.7% Caucasian – 52% Hawaiian Pacific Native – 0.3% Hispanic – 16% Multiracial – 5% Native American – 1%
rs: Using 21st Cen
Professionals: Sabrena Campbell, Central Office Staff
tury Tech
nolog y
With a mission to educate students in a safe environment, empowering them to focus on lifelong learning, responsible citizenship and global awareness, Harnett County Schools understands the importance of high levels of instruction, technology-driven learning, and safety in our schools and other facilities. The school system has one unified vision in action. We are student-centered and data-driven, focusing on the need of all students. The district is working to produce globally competitive students who are equipped to serve as leaders in their society. Regardless of race, gender, disability or socio-economic status, students will receive well-planned, standards-based, engaging and differentiated instruction from highly qualified teachers using 21st century tools and resources. We understand the importance of parent and community involvement and encourage both in all 27 school sites. All staff members, regardless of their position, are working to “be” the difference in the lives of our students.
Transportation Total Number of Buses – 234 Students Transported Daily – 12,569 Miles Traveled Daily – 14,472 Number of Routes – 287 Food Service Student Breakfasts Served Daily – 5,673 Student Lunches Served Daily – 12,828 Employees Number of Classroom Teachers – 1,011 Number of Administrators – 68 National Board-Certified Teachers – 115 Doctoral Degree Employees – 12 Total HCS Employees – 1,644 w w w.harnett.k12 .nc.us or visit us on Facebook
For our students …
Graduates: Ready for a Bright Future
Gar a g : Bus i f ie d l St a f f l a u Q ia u s to d an d C
– WHATeveR iT TAkeS – WHeneveR iT TAkeS – HoWeveR long iT TAkeS uS –
in e, Ma
te na n
ce
We will do!
®
Harnett Count y, North Carolina
What’s Online livability.com/harnett-county/nc
editorial project Manager mitch Kline content Director Lisa battles Proofreading Manager Raven Petty Content Coordinator Jessica Walker Staff Writer Kevin Litwin Contributing writers cary estes, Laura Hill, Joe Morris, Barbara Biehler Senior Graphic Designers Laura Gallagher, Janine Maryland, Kris Sexton, Jake Shores, Vikki Williams Graphic Designers Rachael Gerringer, Erica Lampley Taylor nunley, Kacey Passmore Senior Photographers Jeff Adkins, Brian McCord Staff Photographers Todd Bennett Antony Boshier, Mitchell Franz color imaging technician Alison Hunter Senior Integrated Media Manager ruth martineau Ad Production Manager Katie Middendorf Ad Traffic Assistants Krystin Lemmon, Patricia Moisan Chairman Greg Thurman President/Publisher Bob Schwartzman Executive Vice President Ray Langen Senior V.P./Sales Todd Potter Senior V.P./Operations Casey Hester Senior V.P./Client Development Jeff Heefner Senior V.P./business Development Scott Templeton senior V.P./Agribusiness Publishing Kim HOlmberg V.P./business Development clay perry V.p./External Communications Teree Caruthers V.P./Visual Content Mark Forester V.P./Content Operations Natasha Lorens v.p./Travel publishing Susan Chappell V.P./Sales rhonda graham, herb Harper, Jarek Swekosky Controller Chris Dudley Senior Accountant Lisa Owens Accounts Payable Coordinator Maria McFarland Accounts Receivable Coordinator Diana Guzman sales support Coordinator alex marks sales support project manager sara quint system administrator daniel cantrell Web creative director allison davis Web Content Manager John Hood Web project manager noy fongnaly Web designer II Richard stevens Web development lead Yamel Hall Web developer i nels noseworthy Photography Director Jeffrey S. Otto Creative Services Director Christina Carden Creative Technology Analyst becca ary audience development Director deanna nelson New Media Assistant Alyssa DiCicco Distribution Director Gary Smith Executive Secretary Kristy Duncan Human Resources Manager Peggy Blake Receptionist Linda Bishop
Images Harnett County is published annually by Journal Communications Inc. and is distributed through the Dunn Area Chamber of Commerce and its member businesses. For advertising information or to direct questions or comments about the magazine, contact Journal Communications Inc. at (615) 771-0080 or by email at info@jnlcom.com. For more information, contact: Dunn Area Chamber of Commerce 209 West Divine Street, Dunn, NC 28335 Phone: (910) 892-4113 • Fax: (910) 892-4071 www.dunnchamber.com Visit Images Harnett County online at livability.com/harnett-county/nc ©Copyright 2012 Journal Communications Inc., 725 Cool Springs Blvd., Suite 400, Franklin, TN 37067, (615) 771-0080. All rights reserved. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in whole or in part without written consent. Member
The Association of Magazine Media Member
Custom Content Council
Member Dunn Area Chamber of Commerce
Photos & Videos See more great photos of Harnett County in our online photo and video galleries.
quite a site Employers like county’s location
Get the most up-to-date info on cost of living, top employers, schools, population demographics and more.
Learn the basics about local neighborhoods, schools and health-care providers.
®
harnett county, north carolina
Facts
Living here
2012 | livability.com/harnett-county/nc
amazing spaces Outdoor attractions are numerous sponsored by the harnett county chambers of commerce
Digital magazine Flip through the pages of this magazine and easily share articles using Facebook, Twitter or email.
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Almanac
Welcome to Harnett County An introduction to the area’s people, places and events
Running Wild Athletes in Erwin now have another event to prepare for each year with the creation of the Erwin Wilderness Challenge in June 2011. This triathlon adventure race tests the skills and endurance of competitors in the three distinct activities of bicycling, kayaking and trail running. As its name suggests, much of this race is conducted in the great outdoors with the course starting through a winding trail in the countryside, then flowing down Cape Fear River and descending into the streets of downtown Erwin. The competitions have proved to be highly successful with numerous competitors participating and operations running smoothly thanks to professional management and coordination of the event by Run the East LLC. For more information, visit runtheeast.com.
Coats 100th Farmers Day Coats honors its agricultural background with its Coats Farmers’ Day festival, which is held each fall. Started in 1910, this celebration is one of the oldest Farmer’s Day festivals in the Southeast. Farmer’s Day is no longer an entirely agriculture-oriented celebration as it features a golf tournament, live entertainment and an antique car show. However, the festival still celebrates its agricultural way of life with activities like a pig cook-off, a tractor show and competitions for crafts and baked goods. Learn more at www.coatsnc.org/festivities-.asp.
Big Developments Downtown Downtown Dunn is undergoing a major renovation and redevelopment that will transform the downtown area into a modern streetscape that promises to improve the aesthetic experience and improve economic vitality by attracting new businesses and customers. These renovations include installing new facades and redesigning older ones, adding new sidewalks, underground utilities and more. Construction is almost complete, with a celebration set for fall of 2012.
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Walking Together
Fast Facts
Angier is committed to being a healthy, betterconnected community by being walker-friendly. Supporting this ambition is Angier’s receipt of the Small Town Street status in 2007, which enables Angier to receive on-site assistance from the Small Town Main Street staff to develop market analysis, designs, organizational development and business assistance. Angier has used these resources to upgrade sidewalks, make landscaping improvements and enhance streetscapes in addition to renovating a park and improving downtown building facades. These changes help make Angier, which features six wallking trails and the Angier Community Walking Program, a safer community for walking. Visit www.angier.org/ parkrec/walking-program.asp for more information.
n Besides Dunn, the other towns in Harnett County are Angier, Coats, Erwin and Lillington, which is the county seat. Unincorporated communities include Anderson Creek, Buies Creek and Johnsonville.
Business Setting in the West Growth in Western Harnett County is booming as Harnett is aggressively working to attract new business and jobs to the community. Its development in this area includes construction of the new Brightwater Science and Technology Campus industrial site, which complements the Brightwater Business Park; development of a new 8,500-square-foot Central Carolina Community College facility called West Harnett Center, which hosts classes in barbering and sustainable agriculture as well as training for nearby businesses; installation of water and sewer lines that service a major portion of Harnett and seven bordering counties; expansion of Highway 87 from two lanes to four lanes; and preparation of the Western Harnett Industrial Park to attract military defense companies near Fort Bragg.
Centered on Having Fun The Lillington Community Center provides a place where everyone in the community can exercise, learn a new skill and meet new friends. Among the community center’s offerings are a fitness room, a computer room, and three meeting rooms that can host activities like family or school reunions, business meetings or parties, to name a few. The center also hosts several kinds of classes and programs such as art classes; exercise classes in selfdefense, Zumba and aerobics; and training in cheerleading for ages five and up as well as monthly events like Senior’s Bingo and Parents Night Out. Find out more at www.lillingtonnc. com/parksrec/senior-programs.asp.
n Dunn is home of the General William C. Lee Airborne Museum which features the history of the American Airborne and Hometown Hero, the “Father of the Airborne,” General Lee. n The Erwin History Museum documents the history of the small town with old photographs and artifacts. n The 5.3-mile Dunn-Erwin Rail Trail is popular with outdoor enthusiasts who like to walk, bike and hike. n There are 27 schools in the Harnett County Schools system. The newest one, Overhills Elementary School, opened in fall 2009. n Lillington is home to the William A. Johnson Gardens with a lovely oasis of roses, water gardens, historic buildings, a pond and more for visitors to enjoy and for scenic photography.
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Historic Harnett History matters in Harnett County, which offers several historic sites. • Averasboro Battlefield is the site of a Civil War Battle. Learn more at www.averasboro.com. • General Wm. C. Lee Airborne Museum showcases Lee’s achievements and how he became “The Father of the Airborne.” Visit www.generalleeairbornemuseum.org for additional information. • Coats Museum preserves the history of the community with exhibits, data banks and photos. Find out more at www.coatsmuseum.com. • Erwin History Room displays artifacts and exhibits from around the county. Visit www.visitnc.com/listings/ view/59852 for more. • Summerville Presbyterian Church is a church house rebuilt in 1848 after a fire destroyed the original church built in 1811. For more information, go to www.visitnc.com/listings/view/56313.
Harnett County At A Glance Harnett County POPULATION (2009 Estimate) Harnett County: 115,761, Dunn: 10,173 LOCATION Harnett County is in central North Carolina, near the junction of interstates 40 and 95.
Durham Du urh
Wake W ke For k Fo ore or o rrest re
Chapel ha ape Hill
BEGINNINGS The county was officially established in 1855 and named for Revolutionary War patriot Cornelius Harnett. FOR MORE INFORMATION Dunn Area Chamber of Commerce 209 W. Divine St., Dunn, NC 28334 Phone: (910) 892-4113 Fax: (910) 892-4071 www.dunnchamber.com
What’s Online Check out photo galleries and videos of Harnett County at livability.com/harnett-county/nc
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Amazing
Spaces Natural outdoor attractions are numerous
Story By Kevin Litwin Photography By Antony boshier & todd bennett
H
arnett County is beautiful on the outside, with many gorgeous outdoor attractions for adventurers and fresh air enthusiasts. Jeff Davidson had a dream come true in April 2012 when he was named superintendent at Raven Rock State Park. He was once employed at the park in 2007 as a seasonal worker, plus conducted research at Raven Rock when he was a student at nearby Campbell University. “When I had the opportunity for the superintendent’s position in 2012, I jumped at the chance,” Davidson says. “The park offers so much for those who like the outdoors.” Raven Rock has numerous amenities such as 19.4 miles of trails. They are split into 11.9 miles of
hiking trails and 7.5 miles of horseback riding trails. In addition, the park features the Cape Fear River running through its middle, and a specific section of Raven Rock called Fish Traps is ideal for catching largemouth bass, sunfish and catfish. “Raven Rock is an hour from Raleigh and 45 minutes from Fayetteville, so it’s an easy drive to enjoy the natural beauty of the great outdoors,” Davidson says. “And of course, there is the majestic Raven Rock itself that rises 150 feet high and spans a mile along the river bank. People can actually walk underneath this natural wonder.” Davidson adds that the park has three wilderness camping areas with 16 total sites, along with 27 picnic tables.
A man fishes from a pier on Rhodes Pond, 455-acre pond north of Godwin that is managed by the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission.
By the Numbers
150 feet tall Highest point of the rock formation at Raven Rock
5.3 miles Length of the Dunn-Erwin Rail Trail
11.9 miles total Raven Rock hiking trails
7.5 miles total Raven Rock bridle trails Canoe outfitters on the Cape Fear River: Cape Fear River Adventures, Cape Fear RV and Canoe Center, Frog Hollow Outdoors
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“There are wildflowers, birds, reptiles, trees, whitetail deer, beavers and bats,” he says. “Raven Rock is a cool place.” Traversing Cotton Fields Another cool outdoor destination is the Dunn-Erwin Rail Trail, which stretches 5.3 miles through the Aberdeen and Rockfish corridors of Harnett County. Its crushed stone surface is great for walking, running and biking,
connecting the downtown districts of Dunn and Erwin while traversing through neighborhoods, cotton fields and across the Black River. Other Harnett County attractions include Cape Fear River Trail Park, fishing at Rhodes Pond, a 55-mile Cape Fear Canoe Trail, and a proposed Anderson Creek Park slated for construction during 2012 in southwestern Harnett County along 1,014 acres.
Erwin Wilderness Challenge Another resident of Harnett County who revels in the outdoors is Daniel Blow, owner of Blow’s Fitness in Erwin that specializes in personal training and physical therapy. Blow grew up in Harnett County and got involved in scouting as a child, which nurtured his love for the outdoors. “I eventually attended Appalachian State University, and
Clockwise from left: A group takes a break from hiking through Raven Rock State Park; A kayaker enjoys Cape Fear River; Women run along the Dunn Erwin Trail; Daniel Blow bikes the Cape Fear Trail.
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when I moved back home to Harnett County, I really ventured to the outdoors,” Blow says. “I like kayaking on the Cape Fear River, which has Class I and Class II rapids, and I bike often on the Dunn-Erwin Trail. I have also hiked several times at Raven Rock.” In addition, Blow competes in an annual Erwin Wilderness Challenge, a late-spring triathlon consisting of a 7-mile bike ride, a 3-mile run, and an 8-mile kayak excursion on Cape Fear. “Kayaking eight miles might sound easy, but it took me 1 1/2 hours one year and I had one of the fastest times,” Blow says. “If you complete the Erwin Challenge, you’ve accomplished something. You’ll experience much of the wilderness that makes the outdoors in Harnett County so amazing.”
Left: Daniel Blow, a Harnett County resident, bikes and kayaks in the area. Right: The Cape Fear River Trail
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Wellness
Goes Big New health-care options are booming in central Harnett County
Story By Laura Hill Photography By antony boshier
A
new day in health care is dawning in Harnett County. Soon, the half-hour drive many Harnett residents face for emergency care or a mammogram or an MRI will be over, as a new 50-bed hospital, dental and primary care facilities, and options for medical and dental training, open in what is becoming a vibrant medical corridor along U.S. 401 in Lillington. “Soon anything a person needs, except the very most advanced technology or treatment, will be available close by,” says Phyllis Owens, director of the Harnett County Economic Development Commission. “This is opening up a door for better health-care opportunities for an area that has been underserved for so long, and
also improves the quality of life for people looking to move here.” New Hospital is Long-awaited The Harnett Health System Central Campus hospital in Lillington, due to open in January 2013, is a $57 million facility that is a game-changer for an area whose rural population has been miles from most care. The 122,000-square-foot facility, which anchors the new Brightwater Science and Technology Park, will offer a broad range of services including emergency care, diagnostic imaging, cardiovascular diagnostics, outpatient surgical services, laboratories, physical therapy and more. “Of course, nobody is anxious to be in the hospital, but people are
anxious for the new hospital to be open,” says Mike Jones, vice president of the new hospital. “It will be convenient and accessible to folks in the area – and making health care easier makes it more likely to happen.” Brightwater Park Adds Medical Assets The new hospital has spurred a raft of other major health-care developments in the area. The adjacent Brightwater Business Park will be home to a First Choice Community Health Center, which will offer dental, medical and pharmacy services to uninsured and underinsured patients, Owens says. The 32,000-square-foot center will include 16 exam rooms, treatment rooms, X-ray and lab facilities, a
Top: Brad Butler, MD sees a patient at the Harnett Health Angier Medical Services facility, a family medicine practice. Bottom: Construction on the Campbell University School of Osteopathic Medicine
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pharmacy and dental treatment rooms. It is scheduled to open by late 2012. First Choice will work in partnership with East Carolina University, which is opening a branch of its dental school in a 7,700-square-foot facility next door. Here, advanced dental students, under the supervision of dental school faculty, will provide services at a reduced cost. Training Options Growing Central Carolina Community College is building a 50,000-squarefoot health sciences center, housing programs for medical assistants, nurses’ aides, phlebotomy, EKG and pharmacy techs and more. Students will also be able to receive clinical training at the new hospital. And Campbell University has begun building its School of Osteopathic Medicine, the first new medical school in the state in 35 years and the first-ever osteopathic medical school here. “With all these things, and with the new businesses they generate – pharmacies, restaurants, hotels, doctors’ offices, services for people who take patients back and forth for treatment, we expect to see the added benefit of 200-500 well-paying new jobs over the next two years,” Owens says. “This is good for health care and good for our economy too.”
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Business
Harnett Regional Jetport in Erwin
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Quite a
Site Harnett County employers are in North Carolina’s sweet spot
Story By Joe Morris Photography By antony boshier
H
arnett County economic development officials give a lot of site tours, and for good reason. Employers, both new and potential, who are looking for a great location, infrastructure, workforce and business climate can find it all here. Fort Bragg, Multiple Airports “Our proximity to the RaleighDurham area, in terms of research and development companies as well as being near Fort Bragg, are big selling points for us,” says Phyllis Owens, director of the Harnett County Economic Development Commission. “We also have our own Harnett Regional Jetport as well as the major airports in Raleigh and Fayetteville. We work with companies that support the military because we can put them on land, or in an industrial park, that is less than 20 miles from Fort Bragg. And for companies that want to be near Raleigh, we offer a lower cost of living with a better quality of life.” Owens says approximately 30,000 people live in Harnett County and drive north or south for work every day, so there’s a solid
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Welcome Home to Harnett County! Experience … Southern hospitality at its best. Peaceful and safe living. The history and heritage that makes us proud to be here. Convenience of big-city amenities without all the traffic and stress. Quality of life – from education to recreation. “We stand as the voice of business. We support our members’ success. We champion community prosperity.” 127 S. McKinley St. P.O. Box 667 Coats, NC 27521 (910) 897-6213 Email: chamber@coatschamber.com www.coatschamber.com
Home of the 100th Annual Coats Farmer’s Day Festival!
Ideally located between Fayetteville-Fort Bragg and Raleigh-Durham.
Pride in Our Past – Hope in Our Future
Dunn offers affordable living, friendly people and great quality of life.
Proud Hometown of Adrienne Core, Miss North Carolina 2010
We invite you to experience our Southern charm, great hospitality and rich history. Find the perfect place for your home or business.
Welcome Home to Dunn! 209 W. Divine St. • P.O. Box 548 • Dunn, NC 28335 (910) 892-4113
www.dunnchamber.com
Email: contact@erwinchamber.org • www.erwinchamber.org Cape Fear River Trail Denim Days Celebration Dunn Erwin Trail (910) 897-7300
100 W. F St. P.O. Box 655 Erwin, NC 28339 (910) 897-5543 Fax
24 W. Front St. P.O. Box 967 Lillington, NC 27546 (910) 893-3751 Home of the County Seat Located on the scenic Cape Fear River
Email: contact@lillingtonchamber.org www.lillingtonchamber.org
Left: Isabell Freeman-Elliott, a paralegal based at the Triangle South Enterprise Center in Dunn, consults with a client. Right: Benjamin Finch works with a laser in a lab at Central Carolina Community College.
workforce in place for new businesses. “We think a lot of those people would love to give up that commute, so we want to bring in companies to help make that happen,” she says. Industrial Parks, Workforce Development The county offers multiple sites for new and continuing development including Edgerton Industrial Park near I-95, and Western Harnett Industrial Park, which has 227 acres of available property. It also can offer significant help for startup and growing companies through the Triangle South Enterprise Center, based at Central Carolina Community College. “We serve as the small business center for Harnett County, and have many programs to help them meet the many challenges they face,” says Nancy Blackman,
director. “We have classes, seminars and counseling to make sure they are headed in the right direction.”
Owens says. “Our education instructions are a major engine in our economic development.”
Educational Institutions Booming The Brightwater Science and Technology Campus and park, which now has a new hospital and community care center, and is now building a health sciences building, is one example of how education and technology have taken off in Harnett County. It’s joined by East Carolina University, which has added an advanced student dental program, and Campbell University, which has added an osteopathic medical school to its offerings. Not to be outdone, Central Carolina Community College continues to expand its course lineup, and also works with new and existing companies on training programs. “They are all huge for us,”
Loyal Local Businesses Companies that start here stay here, and few are better examples than Family Medical Supply, which is based in Dunn. While the overall economic climate is challenging, Harnett County has proven to be a great base of operations for this growing company, says Joey Tart, president and CEO. “Everybody says things like that,” Owens says. “We have an excellent team here, from our businesses to our elected officials. We constantly work together. If I pick up the phone and say I am down the road with a client, showing some property, and they have questions, I can end up with someone coming down to answer those. We collaborate really well here.” l i va b i l i t y. c o m / h a r n e t t- c o u n t y/ n c
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L.P .S. S
LEE PEST
OLUTIONS
Kenneth Lee, Owner
“The solution to your pest problems!” Locally Owned & Operated • Over 40 Years of Experience “Quality Without Question”
608 N. Ellis Ave. Dunn, NC 28334
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910-892-6312
Business
Biz Briefs Businesses – both large and small – that help define harnett county’s economic climate
Scorecard Business At A Glance
$872 million Annual Retail Sales
$8,029 Retail Sales Per Capita
C.T. Clayton, Sr., P.E. Inc. Biz: Civil and environmental engineering firm Buzz: Headquartered in Coats, C.T. Clayton, Sr., P.E. Inc. offers services such as commercial and residential development planning and design, utility and municipal engineering, construction administration and more. The engineering firm has served clients throughout North Carolina including Linden, Coats, Lillington, the North Carolina Justice Academy and many local developers. www.ctclayton.com
Carlie C’s IGA Biz: Grocery store and pharmacy Buzz: Carlie C’s IGA is one of the fastest growing independent grocery store chains in the state and has been expanding steadily since 1961, when the first store opened in Johnston County. Carlie C’s has multiple locations in Harnett County, including the renovated Erwin location which, in addition to offering weekly specials on regular grocery items, has a full-service pharmacy, a new deli, and gas station. www.carliecs.com
Cat’s Tack & Horsey Services Biz: Online equine supply shop Buzz: Cat’s Tack & Horsey Services, based in Lillington, is an online shop offering an array of horse-related items such as saddles, saddle blankets, bridles, straps, bits and more. Customers can also purchase grooming equipment including mane combs, hoof picks and mud brushes, as well as home decor such as outdoor stepping stones and wind chimes. www.catstack.com
Broad Street Deli & Market Biz: Restaurant and specialty store Buzz: Broad Street Deli & Market, located in Dunn, serves lunch Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. The deli provides soups, salads, sandwiches, wraps and desserts, while the market offers candies, gourmet dips and sauces, organic chocolates, wine accessories, gifts and more. Customers can also enjoy a coffee bar, which opens at 8:30 a.m. www.broadstreetdeliandmarket.com
$49 million Annual Hotel and Food Sales
7,497 Total number of firms Source: U.S. Census QuickFacts
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2012-2013 Smart Start ProgramS NC Pre-K (for children age four years old)
Your child deserves to learn. Whether gifted, hurting or disadvantaged, your child deserves to learn. There is a school where both gifted and at-risk students can get personal attention … side by side in the same room … and both will excel. No pressure, boredom or embarrassment for the student.
For more information, please call: Faith Education Academy Grades PreK-12 2082 Arrowhead Rd. (910) 892-9900 www.faitheduacademy.com
The mission of the Harnett County Partnership for Children is to improve the quality of life for young children ages 0-5 and families in Harnett County. Smart Start funds are used to improve the quality of child care, make child care more affordable and accessible, and provide access to health and family support services.
Parents as teachers (for families) WagE$ (for child care providers) Child Care Subsidy (for families) StEP Program (for child care centers and homes) raising a reader (for child care centers) Parent Education Child Care (for students at CCCC)
1901-G N. Main St. • Lillington, NC 27546 • (910) 893-2344 • Fax: (910) 893-2387
www.harnettsmartstart.org
Machine & Welding Supply Company
23 locations in North Carolina and South Carolina to serve your industrial gas and welding supply needs. Headquarters in Dunn, NC (910) 892-4016 • www.mwsc.com
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economic profile Business climate Harnett County is a progressive business community with a dedicated workforce. It is part of the Research Triangle Regional Partnership and is close to the North Carolina Biotechnology Center.
Taxes
6.75%
Total Sales Tax
major employers Harnett County Public Schools Harnett County Government Food Lion Distribution Center
Economic Resources Angier Area Chamber of Commerce (919) 639-2500 www.angierchamber.org Coats Chamber of Commerce (910) 897-6213 www.coatschamber.com
Campbell University Betsy Johnson Regional Hospital Harnett Correctional Institution Edwards Brothers, Inc. Walmart Charlie C’s IGA Godwin Mfg. Co. Inc. Grey Metal South Grey Flex Systems Moody Dunbar Champion Homes Boon Edam Inc. Warren Oil Company Inc. SAAB Barracuda, LLC
Dunn Area Chamber of Commerce (910) 892-4113 www.dunnchamber.com Erwin Chamber of Commerce (910) 897-7300 www.erwinchamber.org Lillington Chamber of Commerce (910) 893-3751 www.lillingtonchamber.org Harnett Co. EDC (910) 893-7524 www.harnettedc.org
income
$19,091 Per Capita Income
$41,996 Average Annual Household Expenditure
Transportation Harnett Regional Jetport (910) 814-2740 www.harnett.org/airport HARTS (910) 814-4019 www.harnett.org/harts Major Highways I-95, I-40, US 421, US 301, US 401 NC Routes 24, 27, 42, 55, 82, 87, 210 & 217
Campbell University’s Folwell Memorial Fountain in Buies Creek
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Health & Wellness
Brooks Sears performs a CT scan at the Carolina Regional Radiology facility in Angier. Antony Boshier
Live Well local health-care facilities keep residents in good shape
W
hen it comes to health care, Harnett County has its residents covered, from minor concerns to major health worries. Patients rely on Harnett Health Betsy Johnson Hospital in Dunn, a 101-bed regional acute care facility. The not for profit facility offers cancer treatment, cardiac rehabilitation, emergency, pediatric and surgical services, women’s health services and a birthing center.
Cancer Treatment, Eye Care Excel Cancer Centers of North Carolina in Dunn specializes in medical oncology treatment and biological/targeted chemotherapy. Five medical oncologists are on staff at the center, which works closely with nearby Harnett Health Medical Center to provide patients with the most current cancer treatment. Several practices are devoted to eye care. Carolina Eye Specialists provides ophthalmic care including evaluations and treatment for cataracts, macular degeneration,
diabetic eye disease and more at its facility in Dunn. Carolina Eye Associates’ eight locations include an office in Dunn, where doctors offer a complete range of eyecare treatment.
Treating the Inner Patient Patients seeking help for emotional problems and concerns find it at Peace of Mind Inc. in Lillington, where therapists provide treatment for children, adults and adolescents as individuals and in groups. Services also include marriage counseling, family therapy and critical incident stress debriefing. CareNet of Harnett Center in Erwin, a faithintegrated counseling center, offers support for children and adults. Counselors offer help dealing with anxiety, depression, stress, grief and other issues.
Imaging, Speech Therapy, Foot Care A key to accurate and timely diagnosis of many conditions rests in state-of-the-art imaging, which
Carolina Regional Radiology provides at its Angier location. Among the services offered are diagnostic radiology, MRI, CT scans, digital mammography, bone densitrometry, vascular ultrasound and more. Carolina Therapy Services Inc. offers speech and occupational therapy at its clinics in Dunn and Lillington. Among speech problems the clinics treat are language delays, stuttering, aphasia, apraxia and dysarthria, and difficulties feeding and swallowing. Two podiatry practices in Harnett County treat issues that confront patients’ feet. Cape Fear Podiatry Associates treats a wide array of problems, from Achilles’ tendon pain to heel spurs, crush injuries to plantar fasciitis at its facility in Dunn. Five boardcertified physicians work with children and adults. The Dunn Foot and Ankle Center diagnoses and treats a range of foot injuries, and offers specially made orthotics and shoes for diabetics. – Laura Hill l i va b i l i t y. c o m / h a r n e t t- c o u n t y/ n c
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Local Flavor
Incredible Edibles Harnett County offers a wide variety of tasty food choices
I
f you’re looking for flavorful fare, Harnett County is just the place to find all types of delicious food options.
Barbecue Overlooking the scenic Cape Fear River in Lillington, Howard’s
barbecue, seafood and countrystyle favorites. Visit the Coats location Thursday through Saturday nights, and Sundays for lunch, and enjoy an all-you-caneat buffet with a side of traditional gospel music on Thursdays.
Barbecue features North Carolina-style barbecue, seafood, sandwiches, Southern vegetable sides, soups, salads and more. Family packs of Howard’s barbecue can also be ordered for takeout. Ron’s Barn Barbecue & Seafood serves up whole hog
Italian Two Cousins Pizza & Pasta in Angier offers their customers a wide variety of authentic Sicilian, New York style and stuffed pizzas along with subs and pasta dishes. Located in Erwin, Pizza House features nine- and 13-inch pizzas with an array of toppings such as sausage, pepperoni, ham and more. Stop by Omar’s Italian Restaurant in Dunn for pizza, calzones, stromboli, pasta dishes and other scrumptious Italian favorites.
Antony Boshier
Quick Bites
Above: A young girl enjoys a treat at Sunni Sky’s, which is located in Angier. Right: Sunni Sky’s features more than 90 varieties of ice cream.
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Ha r n e t t Co u n t y
In business for more than 40 years, the family-operated Sherry’s Bakery in Dunn draws in their customers with the tantalizing smell of fresh-baked cakes, pies, cookies and doughnuts. Sherry’s also serves breakfast, lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday, offering menu items such as homemade vegetable soup, chicken salad sandwiches, hamburgers, hot dogs and more. Cooley’s Too, a popular sports bar in Angier, offers sandwiches, subs, salads, homemade desserts and other tasty pub fare. While in Angier, be sure to stop at Sunni Sky’s and try one of their 90-plus varieties of homemade ice cream. Not sure what flavor you want? Sunni Sky’s offers free samples of their delicious frozen treats.
Farmers Markets
Brass Lantern Steak House in Dunn specializes in upscale dining in a casual setting. Try the prime rib for two, Brazilian lobster, or grilled chicken along with a bottle of wine from their expansive wine menu. Looking for some comfort food? The family-owned Ma’s Grill, a Coats landmark since the 1940s, serves up mouthwatering country-style favorites. Exile on Main Street in Lillington is known for its great selection of hamburgers, sandwiches, subs, wings and more. Drop in for lunch specials Monday through Friday, or stop by later to watch your favorite team play on one of Exile’s big-screen TVs and try one of its nightly food or drink specials.
Farm-raised vegetables and homemade treats are plentiful at Harnett County’s farmers markets. Located at the gazebo downtown, Erwin Farmers Market opens the last Saturday in May and continues through the last Saturday in September from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The farmer’s market also opens one Saturday a month during the winter. The Dunn Farmer’s Market in downtown Dunn and the Angier Farmer’s Market in Angier are open every Saturday from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. May through December. Both of these markets feature a variety of locally grown, freshpicked vegetables, homemade preserves and much more. They also offer a way for residents to connect with local farmers. – Barbara Biehler
Todd Bennett
Other Restaurants
Arts & Culture
See It All Arts and festivals are plentiful in Harnett County arnett County has a vibrant arts scene and an array of annual festivals that celebrate the colorful heritage of the region. The Harnett County Arts Council promotes area artists with exhibits, receptions, dinners and even a featured artist of the month. The organization works with visual, performing and literary artists, as well as organizations that preserve the county’s history. Heritage is also preserved in the frequent festivals that dot the cultural calendar in Harnett County.
Festivals, Events in Harnett County The Touchstone Energy North Carolina Cotton Festival, held each November in Dunn, celebrates one of the region’s most important crops with exhibitions of cotton being ginned and baled. In recent years, Dunn also has been the site of a series of free nighttime street concerts dubbed Boogie on Broad. Held in the heart of downtown, the periodic events take place in the spring and fall in order to take advantage of the ideal evening weather. For throwback fun there is the Angier Crepe Myrtle Festival. The September event offers a number of classic activities worthy of the old state fairs such as square dancing and a hot-dog eating contest. The Crepe Myrtle Festival used to include a motorcycle show, but that part of the festival became so popular that it spun off into a separate entity held in June called the Angier Bike Fest. One of the area’s oldest
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celebrations is the Farmer’s Day and Wagon Train Festival in Coats, which began more than 90 years ago as a way for farmers to celebrate after their crops had been harvested and sold. Other festivals include Erwin Denim Days, which honors the era when Harnett County was home to one of the largest Levi Strauss plants in the country, as well as a Fourth of July celebration and a Fall Festival held in Lillington.
Theaters and Live Performances Children in Harnett County quickly become accustomed to the cultural scene by taking part in Harnett Off Broadway, a festival that showcases the musical, dancing and artistic abilities of Harnett County School students. Months of preparation and practice culminate with performances and art showings over a two-weekend span in March. The school district also holds an annual Very Special Arts Celebration that exposes students with disabilities to a variety of performing and visual arts. Aspiring actors in Harnett County can take to the stage at the Harnett Regional Theater, where productions range from locally written plays to such Broadway smash hits as Beauty and the Beast. And for those who prefer to look instead of participate, there are nearly a dozen museums in Harnett, including the Gourd Museum in the Angier Library, with hundreds of gourds from throughout the world on display. – Cary Estes
Antony Boshier
H
Brian M c Cord
Clockwise from left: Joanna A. McKethan poses with her paintings in her studio on East Broad Street in downtown Dunn; Local and regional merchants participate in the Angier Bike Fest; Touchstone Energy North Carolina Cotton Festival
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Two walkers make their way across a bridge in Jack Marley Park, located in downtown Angier.
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Antony Boshier
Sports & Recreation
Play It Again Parks, family entertainment, golf are fun offerings
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leagues for all ages including bumper bowling for children. Carolina Skate Land in Dunn offers roller skating for the entire family, while the Grace Ballroom in Angier offers a variety of dance and fitness classes. For gymnastics enthusiasts, Elite Gym in Dunn offers tumbling classes, toddler classes, an all-star cheerleading program, after-school programs, private lessons and summer camps.
t’s easy to find fun things to do in Harnett County, thanks to numerous parks, family entertainment options and golf opportunities. Here are some examples:
Parks Popular destinations with recreational offerings include Jack Marley Park in Angier, Municipal Park in Erwin, and Lillington Park in Lillington. Dunn has Tart Park, Tyler Park and C.B. Codrington Park, which houses a public swimming pool. The Harnett County Parks & Recreation Department along with various municipal parks departments organize activities such as youth football camps, adult softball, adult co-ed kickball, and youth sports leagues at several park sites.
Golf
Family Entertainment Welcome attractions in Harnett County are plentiful, with fun for families throughout the community. Buffaloe Lanes in Erwin has 24 lanes and bowling
Keith Hills Country Club features a pair of challenging public courses, while Anderson Creek Golf Club in Spring Lake, designed by PGA professional Davis Love III, offers rolling fairways. Pine Burr Golf Course in Lillington has some of the most reasonable green fees in the region. Other top courses are Carolina Lakes Golf Club in Sanford, Chicora Golf Club in Dunn, and Sandy Ridge Country Club in Dunn. Still can’t get enough? There are eight more courses in Pinehurst, just an hour away. – Kevin Litwin
Where Community AND Fun Matter!
Dunn Area Tourism Authority • 910-892-3282 • www.dunntourism.org City of Dunn • 910-230-3500 • www.dunn-nc.org
Stop by and visit our newly renovated downtown Dunn area. Enjoy boutiques, unique restaurants, or take in a play or show put on by local, talented citizens. Conveniently located along I-95 and not far from I-40, just a few hours to the beach or to the mountains, and just minutes to your work place.
We invite you to unwind with us. Stay a few days or stay a lifetime …
Education
The Lundy-Fetterman School of Business at Campbell University Antony Boshier
Education Excellence Harnett County schools offer students a chance to excel
F
rom primary school all the way through college, Harnett County offers quality educational opportunities for students of all ages.
Harnett County School System By educating children in safe and secure environments, Harnett County School System allows its students to focus on becoming lifelong learners. Student education begins with a curriculum focusing on individual growth in resource-rich learning environments. A number of special programs are also offered around the school district including an ESL program, gifted and exceptional education programs, as well as driver’s education and career and technical education courses. Technological advances in learning are evident throughout Harnett County Schools. Through its O2O Netbook Initiative, Dunn Middle School provides laptop computers for students to use during school hours. Interactive SMART boards, which combine the features of standard whiteboards with the digital power of computers, are also utilized in many Harnett County Schools.
Central Carolina Community College Graduates of Harnett County high schools can enroll in Central Carolina Community College, a two-year public college offering two-year associate in arts and associate in science degrees transferable to four-year colleges, two-year associate in applied
science degrees, and one-year diploma and certificate programs. Central Carolina Community College’s Harnett County campus, located between Lillington and Buies Creek, features 76,000 square feet of classroom, lab and office space, plus an academic assistance center and a library. The college’s other Harnett County facilities include the Triangle South Enterprise Center and a 4,000-square-foot cosmetology center in Dunn as well as the 8,500-square-foot West Harnett Center in Sanford, a new building housing the school’s agriculture and barbering classes.
Campbell University Campbell University is a private institution in Buies Creek that focuses on a number of different disciplines including business, education, religion, sciences and liberal arts. With a 1:19 faculty-to-student ratio, Campbell University offers smaller class sizes with greater personal attention from instructors for each of its 9,400-plus students. The university provides more than 100 tracks and concentrations for undergraduate majors and also offers graduate and professional degrees. Construction on a new School of Osteopathic Medicine has begun. The new facility is slated to open in 2013 and will graduate 150 physicians per year who will serve rural and underserved regions of the Southeastern U.S. – Barbara Biehler
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Homes Condos Golf lodGinG
Affordable, Gated, Family Community
866.465.3568
125 Whispering Pines Dr. • Anderson Creek, NC 28390 info@andersoncreekclub.com www.andersoncreekclub.com
Tina R. LuTz Business Account Executive 301 E. Cornelius Harnett Blvd. Lillington, NC 27546 (910) 591-0271 cell
Can you imagine … a world without children?
We Can’t.
Call 1-800-996-4100 to help. www.stjude.org
visit our
advertisers Anderson Creek Realty www.andersoncreekclub.com
Harnett County EDC www.harnettedc.org
Campbell University www.campbell.edu
Harnett County Partnership for Children www.harnettsmartstart.org
Central Carolina Community College www.cccc.edu Charter Business
Harnett County Schools www.harnett.k12.nc.us
Dream Big Christian Academy K-12 www.dreambigchristianacademy.com
Harnett Health System www.bjrh.org
Dunn Area Chamber of Commerce www.dunnchamber.com
Heritage Bible College www.heritagebiblecollege.edu
Dunn Benson Ford www.dunnbensonford.com
Lee Pest Solutions
Dunn Travel & Tourism www.dunntourism.org
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Machine & Welding Supply Company www.mwsc.com
Faith Education Academy www.faitheduacademy.com
South River Electric Membership Cooperative www.sremc.com
Hampton Inn www.dunn.hamptoninn.com
Town of Lillington www.lillingtonnc.org
Ha r n e t t Co u n t y
community profile Snapshot Harnett County is located in the central portion of North Carolina. The area is two hours away from the Crystal Coast and less than four hours away from the mountains.
Land area
595 Climate The coastal plain transitions into the Piedmont region in Harnett County, giving the area four distinct seasons. The climate is temperate for the most part, with only a few days over 90 degrees or below freezing.
29 F
January Average Low Temperature
89 F
July Average High Temperature
48”
Annual Rain Fall (vs. National Average Annual Rain Fall of 37”)
time zone Eastern
52% Married
Square Miles
48%
cost of living
Single
$44,165 Median Household Income
$129,357 Median Home Price
$612 Median Rent for a Two-Bedroom Apartment
28% Age 19 and Under
50% Age 20-54
22% Age 55 and Over
60% White
Household information
115,761 Total Population
35 Median Resident Age
18% Black
8% Hispanic
14% Other
This section is sponsored by
Dream Big
Christian Academy K-12, Inc.
Nonprofit Private School K-12 ABeka Curriculum
Five-Star Child Care Center Ages 0-12 years Owners: Jeanine & Glenn Page
1409 S. Clinton Ave. • Dunn, NC 28334 • (910) 891-5100 • www.dreambigchristianacademy.com
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Through the Lens
Get the Story Behind the Photo Now that you’ve experienced Harnett County through our photos, see it through the eyes of our photographers. Visit photoblog.jnlcom.com to view our photographers’ blog documenting what all went in to capturing those perfect moments.
From Our Photo Blog: Harnett County After a very busy day of shooting for Images Harnett County, one of the last things I would have willingly chosen to do was a 2.5-mile hike at Raven Rock State Park. But duty called, and that is what I did. Boy, am I glad I did. I had forgotten how relaxing a walk through the woods could be. The sound of my feet on the trail and the weight of my camera around my neck brought back memories of my early days as a nature photographer. It was quite a renewing experience. Oh, yeah – the photos! Here is a shot of the Cape Fear River as it works its way through the park.
Posted by Antony Boshier
More Online See more favorite photos and read the stories behind the shots at throughthelensjci.com.
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Ad Index
34 Anderson Creek Realty
27 Harnett County EDC
32 Campbell University
22 Harnett County
13 Central Carolina Community College
34 Charter Business
35 Dream Big Christian Academy K-12
18 Dunn Area Chamber of Commerce
6 Dunn Benson Ford
Partnership for Children
2 Harnett County Schools
24 Harnett Health System
34 Heritage Bible College
20 Lee Pest Solutions
22 Machine & Welding
Supply Company
31 Dunn Travel & Tourism
22 Faith Education Academy
C2 Hampton Inn
C4 South River Electric Membership Cooperative C3 Town of Lillington
Lillington Community on the Cape Lillington is conveniently located close to the Triangle (Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill), Fayetteville and Ft. Bragg. P.O. Box 296 Lillington, NC 27546 The new community center opened in 2011.
(910) 893-2654 (910) 893-3693 Fax
Recreation abounds in the area with several local and state parks: the Cape Fear River runs through the town of Lillington.
Highway 401 Medical Corridor A state-of-the-art medical corridor is rapidly developing along US 401 between Lillington and Buies Creek. Harnett Health System’s Central Hospital and the First Choice Community Health Center are nearing completion. Campbell University is constructing the first new medical school in North Carolina since the 1970s, which will open in August of 2013. Central Carolina Community College recently broke ground on a new Health Sciences Building, and East Carolina University has committed a School of Dentistry to Lillington as well.
www.lillingtonnc.org