28451
CURRENTS
Our Winning Number STORY BY HARRY BLAKESLEE, PHOTOS BY JEFFREY STITES Editor’s Note: As relative newcomer to the Town of Leland, Harry Blakeslee is naturally curious about his new home. Over the last several months Harry has been chronicling his investigations into his new home in a series of articles. We love seeing an area we’ve know for decades through Harry’s eyes and hope that as he answers his questions, he’s satisfying your curiosity as well. This month Harry looks into the Town of Leand itself, its growth and its future plans.
T
he number above is the USPS zip code for Leland, named after the nephew of Citizen Joseph W Grady, leader of the town’s incorporation effort. The community was called Woodburn until 1989 when it was incorporated into the Town of Leland. Surprisingly, there are also properties with postal service addresses in Winnabow that are, in reality, within the Leland town limits. Leland encompasses approximately 22 acres and is much like a patchwork quilt. The above zip code number is lucky because Leland is currently a relatively young, prosperous, professionally-managed community with managed growth. Citizens can thank our Mayor Brenda Bozeman and the Town Council as well as Town Manager Dave Hollis and his staff of professionals. These people have successfully promoted Leland into the fastest-growing community in North Carolina and 17th fastest in the nation. According to census numbers, our population was 13,614 in 2010, growing to 23,544 in 2019. At that rate, we ought to hit 28,000 in 2021. Leland has a lot to recommend it to potential transplants, and current residents, with a temperate climate, a modern community, top-drawer services, and many recently-built homes and apartments at reasonable prices compared to the Northeast and Upper Midwest. Adding to Leland’s current attractiveness are abundant medical services and general services providers, national food purveyors, well-managed traffic and roads, proximity to additional shopping in Wilmington and Shallotte, and a low tax rate. Our geography puts us several feet above high water, so we have not had any general flooding in the last 10 years, according to Emergency Service Director, John Grimes, even with several hurricanes. Of course being near several rivers and streams, occasionally very low flood-plain areas can flood. Leland also provides attractive water and sewer services which seem to be encouraging both residential and light commercial properties to petition to be annexed from Brunswick County into the Town of Leland, further enhancing Leland’s growth. One example of voluntary annexation into the town spurring growth is the new Leland Innovation Park on US 74/76. The area, the first to feature the town’s new Innovation District zoning, will add 250 acres of residential and light industrial space to the Town of Leland. Gary Vidmar, Director of 4 Leland Magazine /March /March 2021 / www.LelandMag.com
Apartment buildings are popping up like Spring flowers
Economic and Community Development, stated in a press release that Leland Innovation Park is Leland’s current primary focus for adding commercial/industrial property tenants within the town. They also stress that Leland is seeking “high-paying
Wendy’s is coming to town in Brunswick Forest
job for residents . . . not smoke-stack industries.” The current Village Road Fire and Rescue Station #51 will be relocated nearby the Innovation Park on US 74 to better serve the north and northwest areas of
