By Charlotte Smith
ELIZABETHTOWN, NC – Elizabethtown, North Carolina, is on the brink of a transformative journey as visionary leaders and community members work together to expand the small town’s horizons while preserving its charming downtown area. None of the officials have taken credit for the revolutionary idea but are encouraging all stakeholders to work together to see the completion of the project. President Harry Truman said it best with this quote; “It’s amazing what you can accomplish when you do not care who gets the credit.”
Over the past two to three years, the County of Bladen officials and the Town of Elizabethtown officials have crafted a strategic plan to propel Bladen County, fondly known as the “Mother County,” towards growth and prosperity.
Chuck Heustess, the Bladen County Economic Development Director, has led the charge to foster regional growth. Heustess explained the vision for Elizabethtown includes seeing the town’s population grow to 6,000 residents, while Bladen County aims to reach a population of around 38,000. The County of Bladen’s 10-year strategic plan highlights four essential priorities for the County’s growth:
1. Housing: Ensuring there are adequate and affordable housing options for residents.
2. Tourism: Promoting the area’s natural beauty and attractions to draw visitors and boost the local economy.
3. Healthcare Improvement and Expansion: Strengthening healthcare facilities and services to cater to the growing needs of the community.
4. Education/Daycare: Investing in educational facilities and daycare options for working families.
“The Live, Work, Play Project is a modern, green, and sustainable initiative.” – Heustess.
The Live, Work, Play Project was the first direct result of the County’s strategic plan opportunities. This transformative project envisions a modern, green, and sustainable approach to community growth. The project’s initial phase focuses on creating jobs by constructing commercial buildings at the Industrial Park near Greene Lake in Elizabethtown.
According to Town of Elizabethtown Manager Dane Rideout, diverse commercial buildings will boost the community, but they will not compete with the downtown Elizabethtown area businesses. He said, “It is important that the Town and County leaders come together, shoulder to shoulder on this project.”
The Live, Work, Play Project aims to diversify the local economy by introducing various commercial buildings that cater to different needs. The proposed facilities include:
1. Healthcare Facility: Given healthcare’s prominence in the strategic plan, a new facility for Cape Fear Valley Healthcare is one of the top priorities. The state-of-the-art facility will feature around 12 exam rooms, an X-Ray room, an ultrasound room, and a procedure room. This versatile facility will cater to medical specialists, primary care, and urgent care services, benefiting local patients and the Cape Fear Valley Residency Program.
2. Distillery: Alex Munroe, the owner of Cape Fear Distillery, plans to add a 14,000-square-foot facility to accommodate the growing demand for whiskeys and bourbons. This expansion is expected to create 20 full-time jobs and enhance the region’s tourism industry, adding to the appeal of Cape Fear Vineyard & Winery, a popular tourist attraction.
3. Small Business “Flex Space”: The project will also provide space for small businesses, encouraging entrepreneurship and supporting local enterprises such as people in the trades, entertainment, and other industries.
4. Hotel: A new hotel with up to 40 rooms will enhance hospitality services in Elizabethtown and cater to the needs of visitors and tourists.
5. Amphitheater: The visionaries are considering an amphitheater at the lakefront property, inspired by the success of concerts at Cape Fear Vineyard & Winery. This addition could attract larger crowds and further boost tourism in the area.
To move forward with the Live, Work, Play Project, the officials eagerly await the approval of funds in the upcoming North Carolina State budget in mid-August 2023. The project’s funding is expected to come from the Economic Development Administration, Golden Leaf Foundation, and State and Federal grants. A noteworthy aspect of the project is its focus on energy efficiency, utilizing a solar farm for energy, which may attract additional grant funding.
The Live, Work, Play Project comprises several phases, and one crucial element is the inclusion of cost-effective, energy-saving homes. The visionaries aim to explore the suburban living concept in Elizabethtown to provide attractive housing options for residents and United States Military Veterans.
The project is poised to revolutionize Elizabethtown and Bladen County, creating jobs, enhancing tourism, and diversifying the local economy. As the community eagerly awaits the state’s approval for the necessary funds, they remain optimistic about this ambitious endeavor’s low-risk, high-payoff potential.
Rideout emphasized, “It is a low risk – high payoff!”
In the next article of this series, we will delve deeper into the housing aspect of the Live, Work, Play Project. For now, the residents and leaders of Elizabethtown and Bladen County are hopeful that the state officials will recognize the project’s potential and grant the funds needed to propel their community toward a brighter and more prosperous future.
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