Progress in progress: Harnett County celebrates the accomplishments within the last year of adopting their 10-year strategic plan, outlining growth for the community and a blueprint for a better future

By Faith Hatton, posted Jun 15, 2023 on BizFayetteville.com

Harnett County Economic Development Partnership Board of Directors have been working alongside Harnett County Commissioners to attain economic development goals outlined in the 2032 Strategic Plan. (Front row, left to right): Dr. Jon Matthews,
Phyllis Godwin Strickland, Dr. Lisa Chapman, County Manager Brent Trout (Back row): Dr. J. Bradley Creed, Commissioner
Brooks Matthews, Jake Mays, Jeffrey Dunn, Dr. Aaron Fleming, Jeff Whittington, Commissioner Lew Weatherspoon, Jerry
Milton, and Christian Lockamy - PHOTO PROVIDED BY HARNETT COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PARTNERSHIP

On Feb. 7, 2022, the Harnett County Board of Commissioners approved the County’s first ever 2032 Harnett County Strategic Plan, a living, ever changing plan that outlines, for Board and County departments, achievable goals aimed at expansions, economic development, and meeting resident wants and needs over the next decade.

“I want to thank my fellow Commissioners for their leadership and direction in making this plan a reality as well as our County employees and citizens for their participation and input into this process,” said Harnett County Board of Commissioners Chairman Lewis Weatherspoon in 2022. “This comprehensive plan establishes clear priorities and provides a roadmap for the County moving forward.

“Strategic plans improve transparency and accountability. They align community values with strategies and priorities, transforming ideas into action,” states the Plan. “This Plan will provide clarity to our organization and the community. It will guide our efforts and help make sure resources are allocated in the right areas. Strategic plans lay a foundation for engaging employees and citizens with clear communication, and they provide a basis for performance management.”

The 2032 Strategic Plan outlines a vision for the future of Harnett County, along with a mission for County Government through five strategic goals that are intended to make that vision a reality. Those 5 strategic goals are:

Superior education
Organizational excellence
Healthy & safe community
Economic strength
Informed & engaged citizens

These five goals will also serve as the county’s priorities for the next few years.

Each of the goals outlines attainable goals in each category that can be achieved each year. Those goals are listed in the plan as “Strategic Actions” that can be worked on and adapted.

“Economic Strength” includes goals such as: Pursuing enhanced transportation infrastructure to reduce congestion and increase access throughout the county, increase the availability of high-speed Broadband throughout County and planning water and wastewater infrastructure to direct and attract residential, commercial and industrial growth toward targeted areas.

“Harnett County is committed to creating economic opportunity for our residents. The County is working to strengthen its economic development program to position the County for success. This includes providing well-planned infrastructure to recruit business and industry, working with our educational partners to ensure a highly skilled workforce, and leveraging our resources to ensure residents share in the prosperity generated through these efforts,” states the plan.

Following a year with the plan in effect, Harnett County Officials met for a Harnett County Planning Retreat on Jan. 24, to discuss progress so far.

2022 ACHIEVEMENTS INCLUDED:
Establishing the Harnett County Economic Development Partnership.
Defined Harnett County’s “Laborshed” a 60-minute drive from the center of the county that spans to all or parts of 13 Counties, representing an area where people commute to and from work.
Launching new websites for the County and the Harnett County Economic Development Partnership.
Business Personal Property value increased by $59,928,501 and Individual Personal Property value increased by $5,432,597.
Increase in traffic and construction began at the Harnett County Regional Airport with more than 51,000 flights in and out of the airport logged.
New production training resulting in 28 new farms collectively farming more than 1,500 acres in Harnett County.

Focusing on the area’s economic progress, the Harnett County Economic Development Partnership Board of Directors held its inaugural Planning Retreat in Raleigh on Feb. 23. This meeting convened to also review last year’s progress and unite behind new annual priorities, outlining a plan of action for the coming year.

This retreat is intended to be held each year to foster collaboration and consensus building for Harnett County’s economic development initiatives. Along with acknowledging the overlap in achievements recognized by the County in January, this session led to the identification of new annual priorities that support economic development goals within product and workforce development, existing industry support, marketing, quality of life, and organizational sustainability. Participants discussed strategies for promoting the community and adapting to challenges from new growth and demand.

“Thank you to the Harnett County Economic Development Partnership Board of Directors for coming together to create an action plan to move economic efforts forward,” said Chair of the Harnett County Economic Development Partnership Board of Directors, Phyllis Godwin Strickland in a press release. “We have fantastic leaders around the table working to attract business and industry to Harnett County, and I look forward to the progress that we will make in partnership with the Harnett County Economic Development team.”

While a full version of the current 2032 Strategic Plan is available to view online, County representatives said they encourage community involvement to help keep the plan current to resident wants and needs.

The Harnett County Manager’s Office will host the next Citizen Information Session on Monday, June 26 at 6:00 p.m. in the Resource Center and Library training room at 455 McKinney Parkway in Lillington, NC.

The Citizen Information Session is an opportunity to provide Harnett County citizens with a chance to learn more about County initiatives, programs, and services and the 2032 Strategic Plan.

“I look forward to meeting our citizens and getting the opportunity to share with them what the County has going on,” said County Communications Director Desiree Patrick in a press release. “We want more citizens to participate and attend our information sessions. We host these sessions for them.”

The hour-long information session will include presentations by County Manager Brent Trout, Community Relations Director Desiree Patrick, Public Library Director Angela McCauley, Solid Waste Director Lynn Lambert, and Keep Harnett Beautiful Coordinator Morgan Pope.

“We hope that you will join us to learn more about the recently approved budget and what the County is working on for the coming year. I will also be available to answer questions that you may have on any topic,” said County Manager Brent Trout in a press release.

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A full PDF document of the 18-page plan can be found online at www.harnett.org/ publicinfo/strategic-plan.

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