“One of our biggest, heaviest lifts here in Jones County is going to be land acquisition in general, whether that’s through the government trying to acquire land or even for a private citizen to try to acquire land to move to the area, so just very little land availability,” he adds. To address the housing shortage, Maysville is developing a key solution with a 40-unit apartment complex. This new development “will really help out,” says Smith, emphasizing its importance for the county’s substantial military and veteran population. Located near Seymour Johnson, Cherry Point, New River, and Camp Lejeune bases, the project specifically targets service members and their families. “John and I partnered with the town of Maysville to do a Carolina Across 100 program offered through the UNC School of Government to kind of tackle that initiative on affordable housing and develop a scheme of how we can help combat that issue here in Jones County,” Smith adds. Infrastructure improvements are paving the way for future growth. A major water expansion project is underway with neighboring Craven County. “Jones County is working currently to expand water so that it could supply this two-county joint industrial park,” explains Bender.This collaboration represents a forward-looking approach to regional economic development, with Bender anticipating “some movement on [the park] within the next five years.” Together, these housing and infrastructure initiatives demonstrate Jones County’s proactive planning to accommodate growth while maintaining its rural character. RECREATION AND WELLNESS Jones County is making bold investments in community health with its new 35-acre recreation hub, strategically located across from the K-12 school. “We’re planning to build a recreation and wellness center site,” announces Smith, noting the county recently closed on the land. The first phase will deliver a playground and fitness court this year through the National Fitness Campaign, followed by a full-scale wellness center in 2026 featuring multipurpose rooms, gymnasiums, and outdoor fields. 168 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 05
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTI5MjAx