2009 | IMAGESJACKSONVILLE.COM ®
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JACKSONVILLE•ONSLOW, NORTH CAROLINA
ALL ABOARD ON FOOT
Old railroad beds become new place to play
Natural Attraction
What’s s e Online Video tour of Swansboro by the sea
Seaside location provides nonstop activities for residents SPONSORED BY THE JACKSONVILLE•ONSLOW CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
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Jacksonville/Camp Lejeune? t Call for a FREE consultation and mortgage prequalification. t I can show you ANY HOME on the market with ANY COMPANY. t Top producer in Real Estate since 1995. Top 2% in sales WORLDWIDE.
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FRIENDLY CITY BY THE SEA Experience the sights and sounds of the quaint town of Swansboro. Watch this and other quick videos in the Interactive section.
RELOCATION Considering a move to this community? We can help. Use our Relocation Tools to discover tips, including how to make your move green, advice about moving pets and help with booking movers.
FACTS & STATS
CO NTE NT S F E AT U R E S 6
NATURAL ATTRACTION Onslow County’s attractions lure both tourists and new residents.
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EXPERTS LEND THEIR SUPPORT The county’s economy benefits from corps of highly trained retirees.
Go online to learn even more about: • Schools
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• Health care • Utilities
ALL ABOARD – ON FOOT New Rails-to-Trails path becomes a new place to play.
• Parks • Taxes
D E PA R TM E NT S Images Jacksonville•Onslow is published annually by Journal Communications Inc. and is distributed through the Jacksonville•Onslow 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 e-mail at info@jnlcom.com.
CU S TO M M AG A Z INE M ED I A
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: Jacksonville•Onslow Chamber of Commerce 1099 Gum Branch Rd. • Jacksonville, NC 28540 Phone: (910) 347-3141 • Fax: (910) 347-4705 www.jacksonvilleonline.org VISIT IMAGES JACKSONVILLE•ONSLOW ONLINE AT IMAGESJACKSONVILLE.COM ©Copyright 2009 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
Magazine Publishers of America
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Member Jacksonville•Onslow Chamber of Commerce
4 Almanac: a colorful sampling of Jacksonville•Onslow’s culture
13 Health & Wellness 14 Local Flavor 15 Biz Briefs 16 Membership Directory 22 Business Guide
Inside:
ONSLOW COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE SPECIAL SECTION
ON THE COVER HAMMOCKS BEACH STATE PARK PHOTO BY DAVID MUDD
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Fresh Market Perfect peaches. Sweet strawberries. Purple plums. Those are just a sampling of the fresh produce available at the Onslow County Farmers Market. A growing number of vendors offer a wide variety of fruits and vegetables every Tuesday and Saturday, from mid-April through mid-October. Beside produce, shoppers will find herbs, eggs, jams, jellies, goat cheese, meats, baked goods, plants and flowers. The market is located in the Onslow County Multipurpose Complex at 4024 Richlands Highway.
Seaside Escape
Beach, Blanket, Bingo! With more than 30 miles of Atlantic beachfront, all you really need to enjoy a day in the sun in Onslow County is a blanket. But for sun-and-sand aficionados, there are numerous outdoor activities to while away an afternoon at the beach, such as fishing, boating, shelling, scuba diving and sea kayaking. One favorite beach destination is North Topsail Beach, which offers 15 miles of shoreline with free access via four specific entry points. Another hot spot is Hammocks Beach State Park, with 3.5 miles of protected beachfront, accessible only by private boat or passenger ferry.
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Known as the The Friendly City by the Sea, Swansboro boasts unusual waterfront shops and restaurants. It is a haven for those who like boating, watersports, fishing and searching for Scotch bonnet shells – which are in abundance. Located on the White Oak River, on the north end of the county, Swansboro is home to Hammocks Beach State Park and hosts an annual Mullet Festival, Christmas Flotilla and Oyster Roast. Furthermore, the entire downtown area of Swansboro is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Hi-Ho to the USO History is being made in Onslow County. Jacksonville’s United Service Organization is the oldest continuously operating USO in the country and was one of the original 300 USOs built in 1941-42. Now, the organization has another feather in its military cap. The USO’s building on Tallman Street is eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places. If the USO receives that recognition, it will bring Onslow County’s total of historic places to 16. Jacksonville’s USO supports the military communities of both Camp Lejeune and Marine Corps Air Station New River.
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Almanac
Under the Sea
Fast Facts
When you reel in 385 tons of shrimp, 25 tons of flounder and about 490 tons of other seafood each year, it is certainly cause for celebration. That’s why residents of Sneads Ferry pull out all the stops the second week of August for the Sneads Ferry Shrimp Festival. The two-day event has been a mainstay in this fishing community for nearly 40 years and includes a parade, fireworks, food, contests, arts and crafts, live entertainment and the Queens Ball, where Miss Shrimp, Jr. Miss Shrimp and Little Miss Shrimp are crowned. For more information, check out www.sneadsferryshrimpfestival.com.
Q Coastal Plains Raceway is a 4/10th mile paved Tri Oval Raceway, located just four miles west of Jacksonville. Q The New River, despite its name, is one of the oldest rivers in America. It is also the only river in the continental United States with its headwaters and mouth in the same county, and one of the few larger rivers that flows almost due south. Q Onslow County consists of seven communities: Holly Ridge, Jacksonville, North Topsail Beach, Richlands, Sneads Ferry, Surf City and Swansboro. Q Onslow County was the childhood home of the late TV journalistcommentator Charles Kuralt. Q The largest Marine Corps amphibious training base in the world is located in Onslow County.
Jacksonville•Onslow At A Glance POPULATION (2007 ESTIMATE) Jacksonville: 74,614, Onslow County: 162,745
Jacksonville
LOCATION Onslow County is in southeastern North Carolina‚ about 50 miles north of Wilmington. BEGINNINGS Onslow County was formally established in 1734 and named for Arthur Onslow‚ speaker of the House of Commons in the British Parliament. FOR MORE INFORMATION Jacksonville•Onslow Chamber of Commerce 1099 Gum Branch Road Jacksonville, NC 28540 Phone: (910) 347-3141 Fax: (910) 347-4705 www.jacksonvilleonline.org
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New Bern
Bridgeton
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Richlands 258
ONSLOW
Jacksonville New River Air Station 53
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Swansboro Camp Lejeune
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Sneads Ferry
What’s Online e Take a virtual tour of Jacksonville •Onslow, courtesy of our award-winning photographers, at imagesjacksonville.com.
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Holly Ridge Surf City
North Topsail Beach
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Natural
Attraction ONSLOW COUNTY OFFERINGS ATTRACT TOURISTS AND NEW RESIDENTS
STORY BY CAROL COWAN | PHOTOGRAPHY BY IAN CURCIO
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ore than 30 miles of beautiful Atlantic beachfront line the coast of Onslow County, affording scenic and recreational opportunities galore, but the county also is home to rivers, historic sites, cultural destinations, shops, restaurants, family attractions and a line-up of annual festivals that bring folks here to live as well as to visit. Topsail Island, a barrier island shared by Onslow and Pender counties, is the area’s major tourist magnet and is home to the vacation communities of Surf City, Topsail and North Topsail Beach. Another popular spot, Hammocks Beach State Park offers primitive camping on the windswept beaches of undeveloped Bear Island. “It’s a beautiful island that I want everybody to see,” says Theresa Carter, manager of Onslow County Tourism. “It’s three miles of white, white sand and seashells.” Loggerhead turtles, maritime forests, salt marshes and sand dunes also can be seen on Bear Island, which is accessible by ferry or private boat. Freshwater fans can paddle on the New and White Oak rivers and the Intracoastal Waterway, where kayak and canoe fans can find miles of mapped trails. New signage adds an educational component to this favorite area pastime. “These signs point out points of interest pertaining to marine life, history and ecology,” Carter says. “We have placed 10 ‘New River Notes’ and have three more phases to complete. We will then move on to the White Oak River.” Speaking of signs, Onslow County boasts two markers that are part of a Civil War Trail stretching from Maryland to North Carolina. One is at Hammocks Beach State Park, and the other is in Jacksonville. “We have added a second Civil War marker at Riverworks
at Sturgeon City that shows where the city of Jacksonville was captured during the war by ‘The Ellis,’ ” Carter says. Riverworks at Sturgeon City is the site of a former wastewater plant the city converted into an environmental education facility that features hands-on activities. The site is the focus of a successful river cleanup effort involving millions of oysters placed into the water there. The grounds feature an amphitheater, boardwalk and playground, with boat rentals soon to come, Carter says. Other family-friendly attractions in and around Jacksonville include Mike’s Farm; 30 Acres and a Mule Farm; Lynnwood Zoo; Coastal Plains Raceway Park; six golf courses; and Equine Country USA, which offers horseback riding, rodeos and more. In addition, Sunday is family day at Jacksonville’s only waterfront restaurant, Capt. Bob Beck’s Marina Café and River Cruise. “We also have a full-service marina and offer a sunset cruise every Friday night Memorial Day through Labor Day,” says owner Capt. Bob Beck. “The cruise is a beautiful nature ride. The river narrows and winds, and we see osprey, bald eagles, alligators and other wildlife.” The area’s cultural and historic sites are also a draw, including the Onslow County Museum in Richlands; and the Beirut Memorial, 9/11 Memorial and the Montford Point Marine Museum – all located at Camp Lejeune. Local festivals also showcase Onslow County’s coastal heritage and quaint, historic towns. “Swansboro is a seaside village,” Carter says. “It hosts the Mullet Festival and Arts by the Sea. Jacksonville has Freedom Festival and Oktoberfest. Richlands has a Farmers Day festival and Sneads Ferry has the Shrimp Festival.”
Onslow County’s beaches draw tourists and those looking to enjoy some rest and relaxation.
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Experts Duty Reporting for ECONOMY BENEFITS FROM CORPS OF HIGHLY TRAINED RETIREES
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STORY BY RENEE ELDER | PHOTOGRAPHY BY TODD BENNETT
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acksonville area residents go above and beyond volunteering for active duty when they answer the military’s call. They also provide building materials, construction skills, computer services, specialized training and a host of other goods and services used to help keep our country’s defenses strong. According to U.S. Defense Department statistics, the military spent at least $444 million at Onslow County businesses between 2000 and 2007. Most went toward work at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune and nearby Marine Corps Base Cherry Point. Lance Ledoux, a retired Marine who runs the Jacksonville office for L-3 Communications Corporation, says part of what makes the city a hot spot for defense contracting is the number of retired and former military personnel who choose to stay or return to live in the area. “These retirees are so skilled,” he says. “So we try to meet their needs with qualified people at a reasonable price.” Alexandria-Va.-based Professional Solutions LLC opened a Jacksonville office in 2007 “in order to be close to the customers we support,” says Steve Thompson, deputy director for the
firm’s Southeast division. The company provides communications and data management services for the military. “We do a variety of work. Program management, IT and operations and training are our three core competencies,” Thompson says. Some of the 37 Professional Solutions staff members based in Jacksonville work with the Marine Corps Combat Development Command, providing support for a program called Lessons Learned. “Primarily we try to make the customer’s aches and pains go away by applying past experiences and taking a look at the direction they need to go,” Thompson says. Services provided by L-3, with more than 64,000 employees worldwide, include secure communications, surveillance and reconnaissance, and government operations, Ledoux says. “I started by myself here in May 2007, trying to develop business for the company,” he says. “We had the official grand opening in November [2008] of our new 3,500-square-foot facility.” The company’s nine Jacksonville employees work with the Marines’ expeditionary operations missions unit at Camp Lejeune, as well as units
stationed at Cherry Point and Marine Corps Air Station New River. They may work on base or travel to Iraq to train the men and women stationed there. “Those guys make very good salaries, and all of them have full benefits,” Ledoux says. With so many defense department contractors in the Jacksonville area, an informal network has emerged. “There are some we try to get working on projects with us, or if we find something in their line, we’ll let them know about it,” he adds. The availability of good jobs, community amenities and proximity to the beach are what draws so many retired military personnel back to Onslow County. “A lot of Marines like myself end up here multiple times over the years,” says Ledoux, who spent three tours of duty at Camp Lejeune during his 31 years in the Marine Corps. “You begin to establish community roots, going to church, making friends. My wife told me this is where she wanted to retire. “People are very friendly here,” he continues. “We like the great quality of life and the ability to still contribute to the military effort here. It’s a great place to be.”
The Beirut Memorial at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune is a reminder of the strong military presence in the Jacksonville area. Above: Retired Marine Lance Ledoux runs the Jacksonville office of L-3 Communications Corp.
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All Aboard on
Foot
OLD RAIL BEDS BECOME A NEW PLACE TO PLAY
TODD BENNETT
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opt to leave their cars at home and bicycle to work, not only getting good exercise but lessening their impact on the environment. “I ride to work every morning and ride home in the evening every day, about six-and-a-half miles each way,” says Thomas Brock, who works as a civil servant at Camp Lejeune. The trail’s opening, he says, was a major impetus in convincing him to sell his car in 2008. Now he estimates he will save approximately $5,000 annually by not paying for gas, auto insurance and maintenance. An added benefit? “I’ve lost more than 10 pounds in just over six months without doing anything else,” Brock says. In December 2008, the American Council of Engineering Companies of North Carolina also recognized the new trail for its aesthetic beauty. Raleigh-based engineering/architecture firm HNTB North Carolina was cited for engineering excellence for the design of the trail’s bridge over busy Lejeune Boulevard. “We’re pretty proud of that,” Wetzel explains. “And, it’s a weathered bridge that will last about 50 years before we have to fix anything.”
The city of Jacksonville’s new Rails-to-Trails path adds to the city’s many recreational amenities.
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STAFF PHOTO
ears ago, if you sat and gazed at the tracks that ran along NC Highway 24, you could count the locomotives, cabooses and cattle cars as they rumbled by. Today, you’d have a hard time keeping track of the joggers, dog-walkers and cyclists that follow the former railroad tracks. The first 5-mile leg of the city of Jacksonville’s Rails-toTrails program opened in June 2008. It’s a creative re-imagining of unused rail tracks as safe, attractive trails that serve as an important part of the city’s recreation amenities. In time, the new 5.2-mile trail, which runs from Marine Boulevard to the front gate of Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, will be part of a 172-mile network of pedestrian paths that will bring users past a number of notable Jacksonville sights, including Riverwalk Crossing Park and the Beirut Memorial. Some 54 miles of tracks have been donated to the trail system by Camp Lejeune and will be used for a continuation of the path on the base itself. Why a trail system? “It’s been proven time and time again in communities all over the country,” says Tim Chesnutt, director of Jacksonville’s Recreation and Parks Department. “Whether people are walking for leisure, walking their dogs, biking, rollerblading, jogging or whatever, usage of trails is invaluable. People of all ages and backgrounds benefit from them.” Popular with Jacksonville’s amateur athletes and just plain folks of all fitness levels, the new rail trail contains both open areas and stretches that take users through wooded areas, bringing them a little closer to nature, an important part of the trail’s purpose. “It adds to the quality of life here,” says Mike Wetzel, recreation supervisor for the city of Jacksonville. “It really has helped get people outdoors and more active. It’s a chance to run or walk in a safer environment than they would have walking alongside a busy road.” The trail is used heavily on weekends, says Wetzel, but early-morning runners and after-work walkers are increasingly taking advantage of the path. Besides its obvious recreational benefits, Wetzel sees the path as having real economic plusses. For starters, greenways like this one help boost real estate values. “People are looking for trails and greenways, things like that, when they’re buying houses,” he says. The trail also has proven to have health and environmental value. Many people who work on base at Camp Lejeune now
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www.opecmd.com Pam Hughes Licensed Optician
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Health & Wellness
A Prescription for Growth ONSLOW MEMORIAL HOSPITAL OPENS ADVANCED EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT
Onslow Memorial Hospital’s new emergency department is triple the size of the previous ER.
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says. “This video-guided surgery allows physicians to perform operations with a greater degree of accuracy, and patients wind up with smaller incisions and quicker recovery times.” Strickland points out that Onslow Memorial Hospital will never turn away a patient, but people with less serious ailments such as a low-grade fevers or sprained ankles might be better off visiting an urgent care center or a family physician rather than the ER.
“Our ER is geared to treat true medical emergencies, including people in intense pain, possible bone fractures, possible heart attacks or trauma cases,” he explains. “Patients in ER first go through a triage process that helps us determine who needs to be given the highest priority. Our ER doesn’t run on a first-come, first-served basis – patients with the more dire symptoms are going to be seen first. That’s just the way it is and always should be.” – Kevin Litwin
What’s Online e For more insight on the county’s health and wellness offerings, head to the health care section at imagesjacksonville.com.
TODD BENNETT
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t’s just what the doctor ordered – a new emergency department that allows Onslow Memorial Hospital in Jacksonville to treat 50,000 patients a year. A $40 million Emergency Services and Surgical Pavilion opened in September 2008 on the Onslow Memorial campus, complete with 41 private rooms and four high-tech operating suites. The new ER is triple the size of the hospital’s previous emergency department. “This is our most significant construction project since 1975,” says Tim Strickland, spokesperson for Onslow Memorial Hospital. “Both the ER and operating rooms provide us with a major increase in technology, thereby giving us increased ability to supply greater patient care.” The $40 million construction project, which involved no taxpayer dollars, features an array of modern medical equipment and contemporary architectural design. The wide hallways and spacious operating rooms are painted in calm colors such as beige and soft white, and all 41 ER treatment bays were built to enhance patient privacy. “Our waiting room is also much larger and, because a more efficient process is now in place, people are spending less time waiting to be seen by the medical staff,” Strickland says. “This whole endeavor is a win-win situation for our patients and us.” The operating rooms were designed with booms that hold lights and other equipment that are strategically suspended from the ceiling. “All of the surgical lamps in the four rooms give off bright light but no heat, and each room has screens mounted on the walls to allow physicians to see magnetic imagings of the patient,” he
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Local Flavor
Let Them Eat Cheesecake CAKES, COOKIES, MUFFINS, BREADS AND COFFEE ARE HOT COMMODITIES AT BAKERY
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prior to her move to North Carolina. Her store is both a sit-down and carryout place, with an outdoor patio where customers can enjoy breakfast or lunch in the warm-weather months. The bakery is located on Piney Green Road, and is open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Friday and from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. “We have all kinds of fresh, homemade bread, including sourdough, Italian, pumpernickel and a threecheese bread,” Perrigo says. “I make artisan-type breads, which are crusty on the outside and soft in the middle.” Perrigo has a brisk business each morning, and her lunchtime menu includes two soups and a homemade sourdough bread bowl. She says the current national economic slump really hasn’t affected her business. “People still like treating themselves to something nice, so having a homemade éclair or a chocolate chip muffin with a cup of cappuccino is commonplace here,” she says. “We also offer delivery service to Camp Lejeune, and my store now features wireless Internet service.” – Kevin Litwin
about three years ago and then decided to finally establish a store in Jacksonville in May 2007,” says owner Amy Perrigo. “I asked my husband one day to go out and get some fresh bread from a local bakery, and he told me that he couldn’t find one. So I decided to start my own.” Perrigo originally hails from upstate New York, where bakeries are abundant, and she worked in a couple of them
TODD BENNETT
ave a cannoli. In fact, have six or 12 of them. The White Oak Bakery in Jacksonville features a variety of fresh baked goods, including breads, muffins, cannolis, cakes, cheesecakes, cookies and cinnamon rolls. The bakery also sells candies, cupcakes and dessert trays and a variety of coffee drinks. “I started the bakery in my home
Fresh-baked bread is one of White Oak Bakery’s specialties.
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Business
Biz Briefs BUSINESSES – BOTH LARGE AND SMALL – THAT HELP DEFINE JACKSONVILLE•ONSLOW COUNTY’S ECONOMIC CLIMATE
Scorecard BUSINESS AT A GLANCE
$1,441,454 Retail sales ($1,000)
$9,622 Retail sales per capita
$170,477 Accommodations and food services sales ($1,000)
8,548 Total number of firms
W.T. HUMPHREY INC. Biz: conglomerate of companies Buzz: Jacksonville’s W.T. Humphrey Inc., which was started in 1967 by Troy Humphrey, includes seven different companies that work throughout eastern North Carolina, Virginia and South Carolina. More than 350 skilled workers are employed in all aspects of general and mechanical construction, heating and air, and water and sewer. www.wthumphrey.com
TOWNEPLACE SUITES BY MARRIOTT Biz: hotel Buzz: This Jacksonville property, which opened in 2008, features 86 studio suites with spacious living and sleeping areas, a “home office” and kitchen. Conveniently located on Northwest Drive, off Western Boulevard, the hotel offers wireless Internet and breakfast. www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/ oajts-towneplace-suites-jacksonville
30 ACRES AND A MULE FARM Biz: gem mining, Western town, farm animals Buzz: This family attraction on McGowan Road has activities ranging from gem mining to a petting zoo. Kids love the farm’s Western town and, during the holidays, visitors can take a hayride to see all of the Christmas lights. Don’t miss the Rocky Rock Gift Shop, and check out The Party Barn, which can be rented for events. www.30acremule.com
SOUTHEASTERN STEEL CHOPPERS Biz: custom motorcycle builder and restaurant Buzz: Southeastern Steel Choppers combines bike building, bike service, retail store, restaurant and an events center under one roof at its Jacksonville location on Stillwood Road. It’s a one-stop shop for those who love hitting the road on their two-wheeler. www.southeasternsteelchoppers.com
Source: U.S. Census QuickFacts
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Onslow County’s Albert J. Ellis Airport Your Hometown Connection
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We take great pride in “bringing you closer to home.”
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3INGLE &AMILY (OMES 4OWNHOUSES #ONDOS
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Family owned since 1952
Want a pest-free home? We have the answer! Modern Exterminating offers monthly and quarterly services for general pest control. The target pests for these services include ants, spiders and roaches. Having trouble with fleas, mosquitoes, flying insects or rodents? We handle these as well. We also offer termite service agreements with
Modern Exterminating 627 College St. Jacksonville, NC 28540
an annual inspection. At Modern, we work as a team to better serve you, our customer. You are our top priority. We strive to be the best in our industry, providing you with the best possible services. Each home is different, and we take the time to see what your needs are and how we can meet them. (910) 455-5122 Fax: (910) 455-6336 info@modernexterminating.com
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Ad Index 2 2 A L B E RT E L LI S A I R P O RT 17 AT L A N TI C CO N S T R U C TI O N I N C . 1 9 AT L A N TI C FI R S T M O RTGAG E CO R P O R ATI O N 2 5 B B &T 1 2 B RY N N M A R R H OS P ITA L 2 5 C A M P B E L L U N I V E R S IT Y 1 C E N T U RY 2 1 C H E R I E S C H U L Z R E A LT Y FI R M 1 4 CO L DW E L L B A N K E R S E A COA S T R E A LT Y 1 2 CO N TI N U U M H O M E C A R E & H OS P I C E
1 6 C R I P RO P E RTI E S/ E R A PAT R I OT R E A LT Y 2 3 FI R S T CO M M A N D FI N A N C I A L P L A N N I N G 1 8 H U M P H R E Y H E ATI N G & A I R CO N D ITI O N I N G I N C . 2 0 JAC K S O N V I L L E M A L L 24 J O N E S - O N S LOW E L EC T R I C M E M B E R S H I P CO R P O R ATI O N 2 1 M A R I N E FE D E R A L C R E D IT U N I O N C 4 M A R LO CO N S T R U C TI O N I N C . 12 MED CARE OF N O RT H C A RO LI N A 2 2 M I S T Y ’ S H A I R S T Y LI N G & S PA
Ad Index (cont.) 24 M O D E R N E X T E R M I N ATI N G 1 2 O FFI C E PA R K E Y E C E N T E R A1 O N S LOW CO U N T Y C H A M B E R O F CO M M E RC E 1 9 O N S LOW CO U N T Y S C H O O L S C 2 O N S LOW M E M O R I A L H OS P ITA L 1 8 R E A LT Y WO R L D TO DAY 2 0 R I V E R O F LI FE C H U RC H 2 TOW N E P L AC E S U I T E S
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