By Eddie Madden
Columbus County Manager
As 2024 draws to an end and we enter the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons, I want to express my appreciation to everyone and give thanks for the many blessings we have had in 2024.
Residential and commercial growth is on the rise. Our economic development office is working with two very good prospects right now that would potentially create good paying jobs for our citizens. In addition, the county recently partnered with the City of Whiteville on the Provalus project which has already created 75 jobs with plans to increase up to 200 jobs in the near future. We also partnered with the Town of Tabor City on an industrial incubator building in order to have a building available for future business and industry.
I am excited about the new “Access” apprenticeship program at Southeastern Community College that creates pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship opportunities for high school and college students in the county. The program was funded by the Golden Leaf Foundation and the Columbus County Commissioners. Nearly 200 students have already taken part in the program that will result in good paying jobs for students while they learn on the job. Congratulations and thanks Dr. Chris English and Dr. Sylvia Cox for their leadership on this.
The County Commissioners continue to invest in water, wastewater, and broadband infrastructure throughout the county. New projects are underway in the southern and eastern end of the county that will facilitate growth in our county. Funding for the projects have come through county appropriations, grants, as well as appropriations from the legislature. We are thankful for the help and assistance from our representative, now the Majority Leader in the North Carolina House, Brenden Jones.
Columbus County recently partnered with Columbus Regional Hospital on a new healthcare facility in the Delco community. This project will not only improve access to care, but it will also spur residential and industrial growth on the eastern end of the county. We look forward to the new facility being constructed.
In October and November, several of our Columbus County staff members assisted our mountain counties by serving in Emergency Operation Centers in Buncombe County, Polk County, and in the Town of Black Mountain. Our teams did an outstanding job of stepping in within hours of the storm. We were able to support and lead the operations center and help them get back on their feet. We have received several thank you notes and cards of appreciation from the respective communities. Last week we were presented with a “challenge coin” from the North Carolina Emergency Management eastern branch in appreciation of our efforts. Not only did we provide support for our friends in Western North Carolina, but we also trained several team members along the way so that when the next storm arrives here, we will be better prepared.
Construction of our new airport terminal building is underway. According to our contractor, Thomas Construction, the terminal building will be framed and enclosed before Christmas. Roadway and parking improvements have already begun.
Lastly, we completed renovations of the Historic Courthouse earlier this year and it is something we are all very proud of. It is especially beautiful right now with Christmas decorations for the season. If you haven’t had a chance to take a tour of the building, please do so soon. In 2025, we hope to complete the Memorial Square project adjacent to the Historic Courthouse that will commemorate the history of Columbus County for generations to come.
It has been my pleasure serving as your County Manager. I cannot express my appreciation enough to the County Commissioners and to our great staff for all they do. I also want to express my appreciation to our partners in the county, region and state. By working together in solidarity toward the common goal of advancing Columbus County, we are accomplishing great things.
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