images harnett county: 2011

MOVE IT, MOVE IT

Recreation options are new and improved

SECURE AND SAFEGUARD

Defense, protection companies move in

Home ImprovementDowntowns revamp to boost appeal

Get a bird’s eye view of Harnett County with a quick video

from the sky.

What’s Online

SpONSORED by THE HARNETT COUNTy CHAMbERS OF COMMERCE

2011 | IMAGESHARNETTCOUNTy.COM

®

HARNETT COUNTy, NORTH CAROlINA

www.imagesharnettcounty.com

HARNETT County SchoolsPaid Advertisement

Mission Statement: The mission of Harnett County Schools is to educate students in a safe environment empowering them to focus on lifelong learning, responsible citizenship and global awareness.

FaSt FactS SchoolS (2010-2011)Total Number of Schools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27Elementary Schools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17Middle Schools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5High Schools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4Alternative Schools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

EnrollMEnt (2010-2011 3rd Mo.)Total Students . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19,444Elementary (K-5) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9,235Middle (6-8) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4,469High (9-12) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5,373

GraduatES (2010)Total Graduates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,057

aBcS rEcoGnition (2009) Expected Growth/Gain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22High Growth/Gain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6Safe Schools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100%

Ethnic diStriBution (2009-2010 5th Mo.) African American . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26.9%Asian . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.6%Caucasian . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53.6%Hispanic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12.9%Multi-Racial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6.3%Native American . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.0%

tranSportation (Fall 2009) Total Number of Buses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238Students Transported Daily . . . . . . . . . . . 11,775Miles Traveled Daily . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14,021Number of Routes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272

Food SErvicE (2008-2009 School yEar avEraGE) Student Breakfasts Served Daily . . . . . . . 5,371Student Lunches Served Daily . . . . . . . . 12,569

Per Pupil Expenditures for 2009 . . . . . . . $1,150

EMployEES (octoBEr 2008) Number of Teachers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,241Number of Administrators . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85National Board-Certified Teachers (2008) . . . 72Doctoral Degree Employees . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7State Funded Employees . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,600Federal Funded Employees . . . . . . . . . . . . 380Local Funded Employees . . . . . . . . . . . . . 253Total HCS Employees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,233

• All middle and high schools accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

• Collaborations with Campbell University, Central Carolina Community College and Fayetteville Technical Community College.

• One of the first counties in the state to have 100% participation in crisis management program, initiated by State Attorney General, Roy Cooper.

• Partnerships with businesses and industry county wide and the Harnett County Business Education Partnership.

• Active member of the Base Realignment and Closure Commission (BRAC) Regional Task Force as we continue to meet the needs of incoming military families and their children.

For over a century and a half, the Harnett County School System has been educating its students and preparing them for productive and successful futures. We are proud of our sense of community and the deep-rooted traditions and principles for which the school system was founded. Although we continue to grow at a rapid pace, we still find a strong sense of community and pride in our schools today.

The tremendous growth has made it necessary to have an aggressive and ongoing building plan in place to add new school sites and continue the updating process of some of the older facilities. Much of the growth in the western part of the county can be attributed to the influx of military families moving to our area through the Base Realignment and Closure Commission (BRAC). We face the challenge of having enough space in schools and classrooms to house all of our students and the system has seen a steady increase of pupils each year. We expect between 500-600 new students this year alone – bringing our student population to over 20,000.

In the past nine years, Harnett County Schools has added seven new facilities, including four elementary schools, two middle schools and one high school. Each of these sites was built to address the needs of students today with extensive instructional space, state-of-the-art technology and lab classrooms, and adequate space to ensure safety and security for students, teachers and staff.

There have also been substantial updates and additions to five existing elementary schools and one high school to provide updated technology, more classroom space, larger media centers, cafeterias and computer labs. All of these projects, coupled with hard working custodians and maintenance staff members, have produced clean, orderly, and safe schools with neat and inviting grounds that serve our students well. Long-range construction plans also include another elementary school, middle school and high school.

Updates in facilities continue to provide even better learning environments for our children and quality spaces for our teachers. Community support has provided mentors, resources, funding and over 80,000 volunteer hours with children in our schools. The two together have provided a winning combination to help our team as they strive to provide a future-ready learning experience that will prepare our students to be 21st-Century leaders!

Visit us online at www.harnett.k12.nc.us

Above: Michelle Cline, Harnett County Schools Teacher of the Year, with some of her sixth grade students at Western Hamett Middle School.

www.harnett.k12.nc.us

Welcome Home to Harnett County! Experience …Southern hospitality at its best.

Peaceful and safe living. The history and heritage that makes us proud to be here.

Convenience of big-city amenities without all the traffic and stress. Quality of life – from education to recreation.

Home of the 98th

Annual Coats Farmer’s Day Celebration!

Home of the County Seat Located on the scenic Cape Fear River

24 W. Front St. P.O. Box 967 Lillington, NC 27546 (910) 893-3751

E-mail: [email protected]

www.lillingtonchamber.org

“We stand as the voice of business. We support our members’ success.

We champion community prosperity.”

127 S. McKinley St. P.O. Box 667 Coats, NC 27521(910) 897-6213 E-mail: [email protected] www.coatschamber.com

We invite you to experience our Southern charm, great hospitality and rich history.

Find the perfect place for your home or business.

Welcome Home to Dunn!

209 W. Divine St. • P.O. Box 548 • Dunn, NC 28335 (910) 892-4113

www.dunnchamber.com

Cape Fear River Trail Denim Days Celebration Dunn Erwin Trail (910) 897-7300

100 W. F St. P.O. Box 655

Erwin, NC 28339 (910) 897-5543 Fax

Erwin Chamber of Commerce

E-mail: [email protected] • www.erwinchamber.org

Pride in Our Past – Hope in Our FutureProud Hometown of Adrienne Core, Miss North Carolina 2010

Erwin, North Carolina

Ideally located between Fayetteville-Fort Bragg and Raleigh-Durham.

Dunn offers affordable living, friendly people and great quality of life.

www.dunnchamber.com

Complimentary Breakfast • FREE Wireless Internet

FREE Local Calls • Business Center • Outdoor Pool

Exercise Room • Expanded Cable/HBO

100% Hampton Guarantee

Check Out Our Specials …

Golf Packages for Four Beautiful Courses

Romance Package to Pamper Yourself and the One You Love

Three Day/Two Night Mini Vacation

Multiple Day Golf Specials

Enjoy the Hampton Experience While Visiting Harnett County

We Love Having You Here!

Hampton Inn – Dunn, NC

100 Jesse Tart CircleDunn, NC 28334(910) 892-4333

www.dunn.hamptoninn.com

Need a place to host a meeting or a special event? Call on us! We offer flexible space for up to 80 people, full audiovisual support and full catering services.

imageshaRnettcount y.com 3

www.dunn.hamptoninn.com

ON THE COVER Photo by Todd Bennett Kivett Hall at Campbell University

departments

6 Almanac

16 Image Gallery

22 biz briefs

24 Economic profile

29 Health & Wellness

30 Arts & Culture

32 Sports & Recreation

35 Education

36 local Flavor

39 Community profile

40 Through the lens

2011 EDITION | VOlUME 4


®

cOntents

Features

10 MOVE IT, MOVE ITRecreation options are new and improved.

14 HOME IMpROVEMENTDowntowns revamp to boost appeal.

20 SECURE AND SAFEGUARDDefense, protection companies move in.

32

14all or part of this magazine is printed on recycled paper containing 10% post-consumer waste.

please recycle this magazine


Your child deserves to learn.

Whether gifted, hurting or disadvantaged, your child deserves

to learn. There is a school where both

gifted and at-risk students can get

personal attention … side by side in

the same room … and both will excel.

No pressure, boredom or embarrassment

for the student.

For more information, please call:

Faith Education Academy Grades K-12

2082 Arrowhead Rd. (910) 892-9900

Digital Edition

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haVe a BLOG Or weBSite?embed the digital magazine in your site to add compelling, local information.

dO MOre than JUSt read aBOUt itexperience the community through video and find links to other sites for additional information.

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Want to walk from one end of Angier to another? Feel like doing some shopping

in Dunn? How about a nice workout in Lillington, or maybe getting schooled on productivity by a third grader? All that and more is on tap as Harnett County’s towns revitalize, renovate and add to their quality of life.

Angier Adds Sidewalks, Redoes Façades

In Angier, several major projects are literally tying the city together. New drainage, curbs, sidewalks, lampposts and other enhancements are now in place on Broad Street through downtown and also along Highway 55. Similar upgrades are under way at the new Angier Elementary School, and renovations and modifications to Jack Marley Park will include a multipurpose field, disc golf course, walking trails and more.

“We are connecting all these areas, making a more walkable, safe community,” says Coley Price, Angier town manager. “We also have given grants for façade improvements to our downtown businesses, and so far have had 18 businesses put up new paint, signage and awnings. It’s a real breath of fresh air.”

Dunn Plans Major Downtown Development

The shops in downtown Dunn also are taking advantage of an improvement program, one of many major developments being overseen by the Dunn Downtown Development Corporation, says Dal Snipes, chairman.

“We instigated a municipal tax district for downtown three years ago, and have been keeping that money back so we can participate with the city on a planned $3 million streetscape improvement program,” Snipes says. “The city has gone through a major water and sewer upgrade, and now we hope to bury power lines, add new sidewalks and more.”

The city and development board have applied for USDA funding, but will work with private businesses and other partners to cover any shortfall.

“With the remodeling, it’s just remarkable how gorgeous some of these buildings are. We have a beautiful downtown and everyone is on board,” Snipes says.

Lillington to Open Community Center in 2011

Over in Lillington, all eyes are on a new 10,100-square-foot, $2.3 million community center set to open in July

2011. The facility will have exercise space and rooms for technology, as well as arts and crafts, a fully functioning kitchen and meeting space for more than 200 people. The facility will also have smaller breakout rooms and some city offices.

“Our big emphasis with this was to improve our quality of life offerings,” says Tommy Burns, town manager. “The building is on 13th Street, within walking distance of most of our neighborhoods. It’s something we’ve needed for a long time.”

Harnett Primary Rolls Out Leadership Program

All this well-planned activity is being reflected by the area’s younger citizens as well. Harnett Primary has implemented The Leader In Me, a program to develop strong habits and skills to be successful. Spearheaded by Principal Sabrina Hendley, the program is already achieving remarkable results within a year of its rollout.

“Every child has the potential to be a leader,” Hendley says. “And they have just embraced it. In fact, I have some parents saying they are a little tired of these seven habits, because they’re being used against them! When we can start something at school and see kids take it home, it’s just fabulous.”

HARNETT COUNTY CITIES REVAMP DOWNTOWNS, IMPROVE INFRASTRUCTURE TO BOOST APPEAL

STORY BY JOE MORRISPHOTOGRAPHY BY TODD BENNETT

IMPROVEMENTHome

Clockwise from top: Frox, a boutique on East Broad Street in downtown Dunn; A neighborhood in Lillington within walking distance to the new community center; One of the new lampposts in downtown Angier

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®

pROjECT MANAGER miTCH Kline

AUDIENCE DEVElOpMENT DIRECTOR lisa BaTTles

pROOFREADING MANAGER Raven PeTTy

CONTENT COORDINATOR JessiCa WalKeR

STAFF WRITER Kevin liTWin

COpy EDITOR Jill WyaTT

CONTRIbUTING WRITERS CaRy esTes,

Joe moRRis, CaRson o’sHoney

MEDIA TECHNOlOGy DIRECTOR CHRisTina CaRDen

SENIOR GRApHIC DESIGNERS laURa GallaGHeR,

JessiCa manneR, Janine maRylanD,

KRis sexTon, viKKi Williams

MEDIA TECHNOlOGy ANAlySTS CHanDRa BRaDsHaW,

lanCe ConzeTT, miCHele niCCoRe, maRCUs snyDeR

pHOTOGRApHy DIRECTOR JeffRey s. oTTo

SENIOR pHOTOGRApHERS Jeff aDKins, BRian mcCoRD

STAFF pHOTOGRApHERS ToDD BenneTT, anTony BosHieR

WEb CONTENT MANAGER JoHn HooD

WEb pROjECT MANAGER noy fonGnaly

WEb DESIGN DIRECTOR fRanCo sCaRamUzza

WEb DESIGNER II RiCHaRD sTevens

WEb DEVElOpER I yamel Hall

WEb ACCOUNT MANAGER laURen eUBanK

AD pRODUCTION MANAGER KaTie miDDenDoRf

AD TRAFFIC ASSISTANTS KRysTin lemmon, PaTRiCia moisan

I.T. DIRECTOR yanCey BonD

I.T. SUppORT TECHNICIAN BRyan foRiesT

REGIONAl SAlES MANAGER CHRis sWeeney

SAlES SUppORT/COMMUNITy, bUSINESS, CUSTOM

RaCHael GolDsBeRRy

SENIOR ACCOUNTANT lisa oWens

ACCOUNTS pAyAblE COORDINATOR maRia mcfaRlanD

ACCOUNTS RECEIVAblE COORDINATOR Diana GUzman

OFFICE MANAGER/ACCOUNTS RECEIVAblE

COORDINATOR sHelly milleR

INTEGRATED MEDIA MANAGER maRGaReT Rose

SAlES SUppORT MANAGER CinDy Hall

COlOR IMAGING TECHNICIAN alison HUnTeR

CHAIRMAN GReG THURman

pRESIDENT/pUblISHER BoB sCHWaRTzman

ExECUTIVE VICE pRESIDENT Ray lanGen

SENIOR V.p./SAlES ToDD PoTTeR, CaRla THURman

SENIOR V.p./OpERATIONS Casey HesTeR

SENIOR V.p./ClIENT DEVElOpMENT Jeff HeefneR

SENIOR V.p./bUSINESS DEVElOpMENT sCoTT TemPleTon

V.p./ExTERNAl COMMUNICATIONS TeRee CaRUTHeRs

V.p./CUSTOM pUblISHING Kim HolmBeRG

V.p./VISUAl CONTENT maRK foResTeR

V.p./CONTENT OpERATIONS naTasHa loRens

V.p./SAlES CHaRles fiTzGiBBon,

HeRB HaRPeR, JaReK sWeKosKy

CONTROllER CHRis DUDley

CONTENT DIRECTOR/TRAVEl pUblICATIONS

sUsan CHaPPell

CONTENT DIRECTOR/bUSINESS pUblICATIONS

Bill mcmeeKin

MARkETING CREATIVE DIRECTOR KeiTH HaRRis

DISTRIbUTION DIRECTOR GaRy smiTH

ExECUTIVE SECRETARy KRisTy DUnCan

HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGER PeGGy BlaKe

RECEpTIONIST linDa BisHoP

Images Harnett County is published annually by Journal Communications inc. and is distributed through

the Harnett County Chambers of Commerce and their member businesses.

for advertising information or to direct questions or comments about the magazine, contact

Journal Communications inc. at (615) 771-0080 or by e-mail at [email protected].

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:Dunn area Chamber of Commerce

209 West Divine street, Dunn, nC 28335Phone: (910) 892-4113 • fax: (910) 892-4071

www.dunnchamber.com

VISIT Images Harnett County ONlINE AT IMAGESHARNETTCOUNTy.COM

©Copyright 2011 Journal Communications inc., 725 Cool springs Blvd., suite 400, franklin, Tn 37067,

(615) 771-0080. all rights reserved. no portion of this magazine may be reproduced

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What’s Online imagesharnettcounty.com

MOVE IT,MOVE IT

Recreation options are new and improved

SECURE ANDSAFEGUARD

Defense, protection companies move in

Home ImprovementDowntowns revamp to boost appeal

Get a bird’s eye view of Harnett County with a quick video

from the sky.

What’s Online

SpONSORED by THE HARNETT COUNTy CHAMbERS OF COMMERCE

2011 | IMAGESHARNETTCOUNTy.COM

®


See more photos in our online photo gallery

Get the inside scoop from our photographers’ blog

Easily share articles and photos on Facebook, Twitter or via e-mail

PhOtOS

diGitaL editiOn

factS & StatSDig deeper with in-depth data on industries, schools and more

VideOGet a moving glimpse at favorite local places and attractions

reaL eStateLearn about the local housing market and get started finding your place



Cold sweat ice Creamno need to scream: There are 90 different

flavors available at sunni sky’s Homemade

ice Cream in angier.

Perhaps the most interesting flavor is called

Cold sweat, which contains hot peppers and

extracts. Cold sweat was featured on aBC’s

Good Morning America and the food network,

and before he will serve someone a bowl or

cone of Cold sweat, owner scott Wilson

requires patrons to sign a waiver.

Besides the 90 flavors, sunni sky’s also

serves sherbets, sorbets, no-sugar-with-cream

selections, and no-fat-no-sugar flavors.


Welcome to Harnett Countyan intRoDuction to the aRea’s people, places anD events

market Watchout of collard greens? Running low on potatoes and tomatoes?

West Produce is a third-generation farm that grows fruits and vegetables

on 50 acres along Hayes Road in spring lake. The farm includes a market

that is fully stocked with items such as sweet corn, tomatoes, squash,

cucumbers, peppers, sweet potatoes and melons.

in september and october, West Produce hosts tours, pumpkin

patches, hayrides and classes on american agriculture. The market

and farm are open from april 15 to Thanksgiving.

almanac

Historic sundaysif the mysteries of history intrigue you, check out the

coats museum.located at 109 south mcKinley street, the museum is

dedicated to preserving the history of this small community through interpretive exhibits, data banks, genealogies and a chronological history of the area. the museum is only open on sunday afternoons and by appointment, and also keeps an ongoing record of significant events relevant to the history of coats’ families.


Fast Factsn Besides Dunn, the other towns in harnett county are angier, coats, erwin and lillington, which is the county seat. unincorporated communities include anderson creek, Buies creek and Johnsonville.

n the Dunn Farmers market is open every saturday from may through october, and sells a variety of produce in addition to plants and crafts.

n the erwin history museum documents the history of the small town with old photographs and artifacts.

n the 5.3-mile Dunn-erwin Rail trail is popular with outdoor enthusiasts who like to walk, bike and hike.

n there are 27 schools in the harnett county schools system. the newest one, overhills elementary school, opened in fall 2009.

n lillington is home to one of the newest courthouses in the country, having opened in 2003 to replace an old, cramped building.

n coats is the home of the oldest farm day festival in the southeast, the coats Farmers Day, which was established in 1912.

What a Blessing

summerville Presbyterian

Church and Cemetery is listed

on the national Register of

Historic Places, and is known

for its beautiful interiors.

The church in lillington was

built in 1845-46, and has kept

its original architectural design

without alterations. its style is

Greek and Gothic Revival, and it

is one of the most photographed

landmarks in Harnett County.

The church’s cemetery

contains the grave of a

mysterious stranger who was

found dead on the steps of the

church in the early 1900s. since

that time, the doors of the

church have never been locked.

Park it HereRock on, Raven Rock state Park.

This outdoor destination in

Harnett County is situated high

above the Cape fear River, and

spans 4,667 acres. activities here

include camping, canoeing, fishing,

picnicking and walking trails, and

several education seminars and

events are scheduled on a monthly

basis by park officials. Raven Rock

is known for its wildflowers and

pine forestry. it’s also home to

reptiles and amphibians like

salamanders, snakes and lizards.

There are several species of birds

along with wild animals such as

beavers, muskrats and raccoons

that visitors routinely see. The

park is located nine miles west of

lillington and 20 miles east of

sanford, off Us Highway 421.

J.E. WOMBLE & SONS300 N. 10th St. • Lillington, NC 27546 • (910) 893-2289 • (910) 893-2702 Fax

[email protected] • www.womblerealtync.com • www.lillingtonrentals.com

Our company has been servicing the area real estate needs for over 20 years. We offer a full range of service which includes: sales of new and existing homes; land sales;

sales of commercial real estate; apartment or home rentals; and property management.

We look forward to serving you in any real estate need.

The righT ageNT makeS aLL The diFFereNCe iN The WOrLd.


www.harnettedc.org

www.womblerealtync.com


pOpUlATION (2009 ESTIMATE)

Harnett County: 115,761

Dunn: 10,173

lOCATION

Harnett County is in central north Carolina,

near the junction of interstates 40 and 95.

bEGINNINGS

The county was officially established in 1855

and named for Revolutionary War patriot

Cornelius Harnett.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Dunn area Chamber of Commerce

209 W. Divine st., Dunn, nC 28335

Phone: (910) 892-4113, fax: (910) 892-4071

www.dunnchamber.com

Cape Fear River

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421

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210

DunnErwin

Lillington

Angier

Coats

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Chapel Hillehaap

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HARNETT

harnett county at a glance

Harnett County

on With the showthe downtown Dunn district has been undergoing

plenty of revitalization in recent years, and a big project recently completed was the renovation of stewart theatre.the historic landmark on north Wilson avenue has undergone extensive work and occasionally presents movies on its one big screen.

in addition, stewart theatre serves as home to harnett Regional theatre, a performing arts troupe that puts on five productions each year. their plays include musicals, dramas, comedies and documentaries.

you’re KiddingHave a blast, kids – and parents.

Kid Blast family fun zone is a 19,000-square-foot

indoor amusement destination in angier. The facility

includes giant slides, an obstacle course, a nine-hole

miniature golf course, toddler town and a Circus City.

There is also a large laser tag arena equipped with

ramps, platforms and decorated barrels under black

lights. Parents can either join their children in the fun

zone areas or relax in a parents’ seating area to enjoy

a cup of coffee while watching Tv. Kid Blast is

committed to child safety and uses a numbered

bracelet method to ensure children leave with the

same adult they came in with.

What’s Online Take a virtual tour of Harnett County, courtesy of our award-winning photographers, at imagesharnettcounty.com.


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Adventures from mild to a bit wild are all part of the outdoor scene in Harnett County, especially since several recreation improvements

have been made recently.One of them is a $1 million renovation to

Barbecue Creek Park in the western part of the county. The upgrade included installing top-grade lighting to baseball diamonds, softball fields and tennis courts, plus adding a multipurpose building and a playground.

Cape Fear River parkAlso undergoing recent upgrades was

Cape Fear River Trail Park, which now features a pedestrian trail along the river, as well as kayak access points.

“During the warm weather, the parking lot is full of cars and trucks with kayak and canoe trailers attached,” says Carl Davis, recreation program supervisor for Harnett County Parks

HARNETT COUNTy HAS NEW AND IMpROVED RECREATION OpTIONS

move it,

sToRy By kEVIN lITWIN

move it

What’s Online Go to imagesharnettcounty.com and click on “recreation” to read more about Harnett County’s sports and recreational activities.

Clockwise from top: Bowlers participate in a league at Buffaloe lanes in erwin; cape Fear River trail park; cape Fear River at the Raven Rock state park

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and Recreation. “Meanwhile, the county also has a master plan in place for Anderson Creek Park, with proposed walking trails, equestrian trails, a playground and mountain bike trails.”

ErwinIn the town of Erwin, the name of

Erwin Municipal Park was changed to Al Woodall Municipal Park in 2010. Woodall played high school football in Erwin during the 1960s before

ultimately quarterbacking Duke University and the New York Jets.

“We received a North Carolina state grant of $395,000 for Woodall Park, and the town matched it,” says Jeff Harmon, athletic program director for the town of Erwin. “Additions to the park include a walking trail around the whole facility, a skateboard park, new tennis courts, an additional multipurpose baseball/softball field, an additional soccer field and new scoreboards.”

Another recreation destination in Erwin is Buffaloe Lanes Bowling Center, located in a former grocery store that closed in the late 1990s and sat vacant for a decade. There is also the 5.3-mile Dunn-Erwin Rail-Trail that is popular with outdoor enthusiasts who like to walk, bike and hike.

“The crushed stone trail has trailheads located in both downtown Erwin and Dunn, with restaurants and shops at both ends,” Harmon says.


the Wilder side Harnett County is known for outdoor adventure, and some places go beyond hiking and biking:

Black River paintballBlack River Paintball in Angier is a 55-acre field divided into seven paintball courses. It is open Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. www.brpaintball.com

carolina skate landCarolina Skate Land in Dunn features family nights on Thursdays, TGIF roller skating on Friday evenings and three separate open skating sessions on Saturdays. www.carolinaskateland.com

coble Water ski & Wakeboard campCoble Water Ski in Lillington offers private lessons on lakes, as well as all-inclusive overnight camps. Children, adults, families, college skiers and groups are welcome. www.cobleskischool.com

noah’s landingThis non-profit nature center is home to a variety of rare and exotic animals. Visitors are treated to many close encounters and educational opportunities. There is also a mobile nature center that brings animals to local schools and community groups. ww.noahslanding2x2.com

Dunn and lillingtonSpeaking of Dunn, the Dunn

Recreation Center gives residents access to a gymnasium, exercise room, meeting facilities, racquetball courts and tennis courts. In Lillington, a new community and recreation center is being constructed to feature a fitness center, gymnasium and craft rooms.

Lillington is also home to Raven Rock State Park, which, at 5,000 acres, is the area’s biggest and best-known

park. The park, by the Cape Fear River, attracts more than 12 million visitors a year for hiking, fishing, canoeing, kayaking and camping.

AngierThe town of Angier recently tackled

a $1.4 million improvement project at Jack Marley Park, with upgrades that included a lighted walking trail, disc golf course, sand volleyball court, batting cages, two new playgrounds and a skateboard park.

Clockwise from left: coble Water ski & Wakeboard camp; a new community center is under construction in lillington; Dunn Recreation center

“There is also new signage throughout the entire facility, and we redid the entrance area,” says Derek McLean, Angier parks and recreation director. “It’s quite an amazing recreation spot for a town of 4,300 residents.”


Want to walk from one end of Angier to another? Feel like doing some shopping

in Dunn? How about a nice workout in Lillington, or maybe getting schooled on productivity by a third grader? All that and more is on tap as Harnett County’s towns revitalize, renovate and add to their quality of life.

Angier Adds Sidewalks, Redoes Façades

In Angier, several major projects are literally tying the city together. New drainage, curbs, sidewalks, lampposts and other enhancements are now in place on Broad Street through downtown and also along Highway 55. Similar upgrades are under way at the new Angier Elementary School, and renovations and modifications to Jack Marley Park will include a multipurpose field, disc golf course, walking trails and more.

“We are connecting all these areas, making a more walkable, safe community,” says Coley Price, Angier town manager. “We also have given grants for façade improvements to our downtown businesses, and so far have had 18 businesses put up new paint, signage and awnings. It’s a real breath of fresh air.”

Dunn plans Major Downtown Development

The shops in downtown Dunn also are taking advantage of an improvement program, one of many major developments being overseen by the Dunn Downtown Development Corporation, says Dal Snipes, chairman.

“We instigated a municipal tax district for downtown three years ago, and have been keeping that money back so we can participate with the city on a planned $3 million streetscape improvement program,” Snipes says. “The city has gone through a major water and sewer upgrade, and now we hope to bury power lines, add new sidewalks and more.”

The city and development board have applied for USDA funding, but will work with private businesses and other partners to cover any shortfall.

“With the remodeling, it’s just remarkable how gorgeous some of these buildings are. We have a beautiful downtown and everyone is on board,” Snipes says.

lillington to Open Community Center in 2011

Over in Lillington, all eyes are on a new 10,100-square-foot, $2.3 million community center set to open in July

2011. The facility will have exercise space and rooms for technology, as well as arts and crafts, a fully functioning kitchen and meeting space for more than 200 people. The facility will also have smaller breakout rooms and some city offices.

“Our big emphasis with this was to improve our quality of life offerings,” says Tommy Burns, town manager. “The building is on 13th Street, within walking distance of most of our neighborhoods. It’s something we’ve needed for a long time.”

Harnett primary Rolls Out leadership program

All this well-planned activity is being reflected by the area’s younger citizens as well. Harnett Primary has implemented The Leader In Me, a program to develop strong habits and skills to be successful. Spearheaded by Principal Sabrina Hendley, the program is already achieving remarkable results within a year of its rollout.

“Every child has the potential to be a leader,” Hendley says. “And they have just embraced it. In fact, I have some parents saying they are a little tired of these seven habits, because they’re being used against them! When we can start something at school and see kids take it home, it’s just fabulous.”

HARNETT COUNTy CITIES REVAMp DOWNTOWNS, IMpROVE INFRASTRUCTURE TO bOOST AppEAl

sToRy By jOE MORRISPHoToGRaPHy By TODD bENNETT

IMpROVEMENTHome

Clockwise from top: Frox, a boutique on east Broad street in downtown Dunn; a neighborhood in lillington within walking distance to the new community center; one of the new lampposts in downtown angier


Historic house in Dunn

Photo by Todd Bennett


Anderson Creek Golf Club

Photo by Jeffrey S. Otto

image Gallery


18 haRnett count y

Cape Fear River in Erwin

Photo by Todd Bennett

image Gallery


Russ Scales is pleased that Harnett County has a talented workforce of military-trained,

college-educated and manufacturing- experienced personnel.

For that reason and many others, the president of American Physical Security Group in Lillington says that the numerous defense and protection companies that operate in Harnett County continue to thrive even in difficult economic times.

“Harnett County is uniquely situated at the midpoint between Fort Bragg and the Research Triangle Park, and it offers easy access to Raleigh-Durham International Airport, as well as the regional airport in Fayetteville, and the ports at Wilmington and Morehead City,” Scales says. What Does ApSG Do?

American Physical Security Group produces a complete line of antiram vehicle barriers, and also manufactures forced entry, ballistic-resistant and blast mitigation doors, louvers, security stations and windows that are used for government, commercial and

architectural applications. The company’s product installations are featured in numerous major commercial, financial and industrial centers, as well as military bases and embassies throughout the world.

Meanwhile, Harnett County is also home to a number of other defense and protection companies:

ATG Access Inc.ATG Access Inc. is an engineering

and manufacturing company in Lillington whose product line mostly involves bollards, which are small and strong vertical posts installed in front of buildings for security purposes.

boon Edam

Boon Edam has a manufacturing facility in Lillington that produces items such as manual and automatic revolving doors, security doors and portals, turnstiles and more.

Esterline Defense Technologies

Esterline Defense Technologies in Lillington manufactures a variety of defense industry products that include infrared decoy flares,

torpedo decoy systems, radar countermeasure equipment and anti ship-missile countermeasures.

“Because of the evolving nature of countermeasures, Esterline is in constant communication with the Armed Forces to address any new threat technology,” says Jim Finnegan, vice president of operations. “And, we enjoy doing business in Harnett County because this area offers reasonable tax rates and is central for shipping and receiving our raw materials and end product.”

Ruhl Tech EngineeringOwner Andrew Ruhland is a trained

tool and die maker with a military background, and Ruhl Tech Engineering in Spring Lake designs and manufactures a variety of defense and protection items.

Saab barracuda llCSaab Barracuda supplies America’s

war fighters with the most advanced camouflage and heat-reduction products. All items manufactured at its Lillington plant are designed for concealment and deception purposes to aid all branches of the U.S. military.

COUNTy ATTRACTS DEFENSE AND pROTECTION COMpANIES

sToRy By kEVIN lITWIN

&Secure Safeguard

From top left: saab Barracuda llc; lillington’s Boon edam created these revolving doors (top right) located in trenton, new Jersey, as well as the turnstiles shown here (bottom) that are found in london.



Biz Briefsa sampling oF Businesses – laRge anD small – that helps DeFine

haRnett county’s stRong anD Well-BalanceD economic climate.

scorecardbUSINESS AT

A GlANCE

$560 millionAnnual retail sales

$5,778Retail sales

per capita

$49 millionAnnual hotel

and food sales

5,674Total number

of firms

source: u.s. Census QuickFacts

kIDDE FIRE FIGHTING INC.Biz: UTC Fire and Security CompanyBuzz: Kidde Fire Fighting manufactures a variety of products, such as portable and rechargable extinguishers, as well as nozzles and rubber and plastic hoses. The company also supplies materials for airport crash rescue and layflat hose solutions for multiple f luid transfer applications, including municipal water and wastewater, agriculture, groundwater and more.www.kidde-fire.com

GARy A. HOUSE, CpA, p.A.Biz: Public accounting and tax firmBuzz: Assisting individuals and businesses with finances and taxes, this full-service firm serves Harnett County and the surrounding areas. Gary A. House, CPA, P.A. ensures each client receives individual attention and offers income tax, accounting and payroll services. QuickBook consultations, aid and training sessions are available to the public, as well.www.ghousecpa.com


Kenneth Lee, Owner

“The solution to your pest problems!”

608 N. Ellis Ave. Dunn, NC 28334

Locally Owned & Operated • Over 40 Years of Experience“Quality Without Question”

L.P.S.LEE PEST SOLUTIONS

910-892-6312

INDIGO ROOMBiz: Event venueBuzz: Hosting events such as weddings, receptions, meetings and parties, the Indigo Room opened in October 2010 and is housed in a building built in 1925, which was located near a denim mill. The Indigo Room is named for the color blue used to make denim. The space can accommodate up to 212 individuals, and offers 20 tables that can seat 150 people.www.indigonc.com

jERNIGAN’S NURSERy & TRADING pOSTBiz: Garden and gift shopBuzz: Located in Dunn, Jernigan’s Nursery & Trading Post began as a small plant stand. The nursery is home to a variety of plants, including annuals, perennials, trees, shrubs and roses. Customers also enjoy Jernigan’s gift shop, which offers handbags, jewelry and many other items.www.jernigansnursery.com

COATS COMMUNITy bUIlDINGBiz: Event space and meeting areaBuzz: The Coats Community Building was built in 1950 and has served many organizations. The Coats Area Chamber of Commerce moved into the building in 1989. The building is used for and by the citizens of Coats and is a very important asset to the community. Parts of the building can be rented for events. www.coatschamber.com

24 haRnett count y

harnett correctional

institution

381 employees

edwards Brothers, inc.

280 employees

Wal-mart

270 employees

carlie c’s iga

185 employees

saaB Barracuda, llc

167 employees

INCOME

$19,091 per capita income

$41,996average annual household expenditure

TRANSpORTATION

harnett Regional Jetport

(910) 814-2740

www.harnett.org/airport

haRts

(910) 814-4019

www.harnett.org/harts

csX corp. inc. (877) 744-7279 www.csx.com

norfolk & southern Railway (404) 529-1591 www.nscorp.com

ECONOMIC RESOURCES

angier area chamber of commerce(919) 639-2500 www.angierchamber.org

coats chamber of commerce (910) 897-6213 www.coatschamber.com

Dunn area chamber of commerce(910) 892-4113 www.dunnchamber.com

erwin chamber of commerce(910) 897-7300 www.erwinchamber.org

lillington chamber of commerce(910) 893-3751 www.lillingtonchamber.org

TAxES

6.75%total sales tax

MAjOR EMplOyERS

harnett county public schools 2,221 employees

harnett county government 887 employees

Food lion Distribution center 758 employees

campbell university 750 employees

Betsy Johnson Regional hospital 709 employees

bUSINESS ClIMATEHarnett County is a progressive business community with a

dedi cated workforce. it is part of the Research Triangle Regional

Partnership and is close to the north Carolina Biotechnology Center.

ECONOMIC pROFIlE

Homes Condos Golf lodGinG

Gated, Family Community

866.465.3568125 Whispering Pines Dr. • Anderson Creek, NC 28390

[email protected] www.andersoncreekclub.com

www.andersoncreekclub.com

www.harnetthealth.org

Health & Wellness

as harnett county grows, so does its health care. The region already offers comprehensive services in fields such as pain management, rehabilitation, pediatrics and women’s services. and recently the Harnett Health system was selected to receive a $25 million federal loan for the construction of a 50-bed acute care hospital and central campus in lillington.

get healthy herecounty gRoWs With health-caRe options

harnett health system

science and technology

laboratories and other education-

related organizations will be part

of the 128-acre Central Hospital

Campus. The facility will enable

Harnett County residents to

have even better access to top

specialists and the latest medical

treatments. HHs officials say the

number of physicians will increase

in many areas.

“access to quality health care

is a critical issue in rural north

Carolina, and the new Central

Hospital Campus will increase

quality health care and bring

jobs to Harnett County,” U.s. Rep.

Bob etheridge says in announcing

the loan for the project.

Betsy JOhnsOn regiOnal hOspital

The locally owned, not-for-

profit Harnett Health system also

owns Betsy Johnson Regional

Hospital in Dunn. The 101-bed

facility is an area leader in

cardiopulmonary, critical care,

emergency services, outpatient

and inpatient surgical services,

medical imaging and digital

mammography.

neurOlOgy & pain management center

lillington has two facilities that

specialize in pain treatment. The

neurology & Pain management

Center works with patients

suffering from a variety of physical

and neurological disorders,

including arthritis, chronic

headaches, sleep disorders, carpal

tunnel, alzheimer’s and memory

loss. The center’s goal is to decrease

pain through a treatment plan that

is designed specifically for each

individual patient following

a thorough evaluation.

tOtal BOdy therapy & Wellness

at Total Body Therapy &

Wellness, patients of all ages can

receive professional therapeutic

care intended to prevent injury,

correct work-related injuries and

post-surgery pain, and more. The

facility’s sport-specific athletic

training and weight-loss programs

provide clients with customized

exercise programs based on

individual goals. yoga classes,

cold laser therapy, prenatal

wellness, and nutritional consults

and supplements also are offered.

carOlina regiOnal radiOlOgy imaging center

The Carolina Regional

Radiology imaging Center

provides the latest in imaging

technology, from mRi and

CT scans to ultrasounds and

mammography. The angier

facility is part of fayetteville-

based Carolina Regional

Radiology, which is one of the

largest radiology practices in

north Carolina. among the state-

of-the-art equipment at the CRR

imaging Center is a computed

radiology system that generates

high-resolution images in

approximately 40 seconds.

instead of using standard x-ray

film, images are formed digitally

and can be output on a disk and

shown on a high-resolution

monitor. This allows for quicker

interpretation and comparison

by the radiologist, and shortens

the patient’s testing time.

– Cary Estes

Doctors and nurses at Betsy Johnson Regional hospital

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arts & Culture

harnett county has a vibrant arts scene and an array of annual festivals. from Dunn’s Touchstone energy Cotton festival to the fourth of July extravaganza in lillington, there’s plenty to celebrate year round.

see it all hereaRts anD Festivals aRe plentiFul in haRnett county

harnett cOunty arts cOuncil

The Harnett County arts

Council promotes area artists

with exhibits, receptions, dinners

and even a featured artist of the

month. The organization works

with visual, performing and

literary artists, as well as

organizations that preserve the

county’s history. Heritage is also

preserved in Harnett County’s

frequent festivals.

Festivals, events The Touchstone energy Cotton

festival, held each november

in Dunn, celebrates one of the

region’s most important crops

with exhibitions of cotton being

ginned and baled.

in recent years, Dunn also

has been the site of a series of

free nighttime street concerts

dubbed Boogie on Broad. Held

in the heart of downtown, the

periodic event takes place in

the spring and fall in order to

take advantage of the ideal

evening weather.

in september, the angier Crepe

myrtle festival offers a number of

classic activities worthy of the old

state fairs, such as square dancing

and a hot-dog eating contest.

The Crepe myrtle festival used

PHoTo CoURTesy of GReGoRy TayloR PHoToGRaPHy


to include a motorcycle show, but

that part of the festival became

so popular that it spun off into

a separate entity held in June

called the angier Bike fest.

one of the area’s oldest

celebrations is the farmer’s Day

and Wagon Train festival in

Coats, which began more than

98 years ago as a way for farmers

to celebrate after their crops had

been harvested and sold. other

festivals include erwin Denim

Days, which honors the era when

Harnett County was home to one

of the largest levi strauss plants

in the country.

theaters and live perFOrmances

Children in Harnett County

quickly become accustomed to

the cultural scene by taking part in

Harnett off Broadway, a festival that

showcases the musical, dancing and

artistic abilities of Harnett County

school students. months of

preparation and practice culminate

with performances and art showings

over a two-weekend span in march.

The school district also holds

an annual very special arts

Celebration that exposes students

with disabilities to a variety of

performing and visual arts. aspiring

actors in Harnett County can take

to the stage at the Harnett Regional

Theatre in Dunn and the Heart of

Harnett Playhouse in lillington,

where productions range from

locally written plays to such

Broadway smash hits as

Beauty and the Beast.and for those who prefer to

look instead of participate, there

are nearly a dozen museums in

Harnett, including the Gourd

museum in the angier library,

with hundreds of gourds from

throughout the world on display.

– Cary Estes

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Clockwise from far left: a performance at the harnett Regional theatre; a work by tonia michno; actors at the harnett Regional theatre; crepe myrtle Festival

sports & Recreation


harnett county may lack a major city – with a population of a little more than 10,000, dunn is the county's largest – but it does not lack in things to do. visitors and residents have a variety of outdoor activities, from golf to horseback riding. area parks provide an outlet for leisurely afternoons, while the Cape fear River is a great place for paddling.

always something to dogolF couRses, paRKs, natuRal assets oFFeR Fun FoR all ages

gOlFGolf is one of Harnett County's

main attractions – and residents

and county officials take pride in it.

it may not be as nationally known

as its nearby neighbor Pinehurst,

but avid golfers know that Harnett

County is a great place to play

affordable golf while surrounded

by gorgeous scenery. The county

boasts a total of eight courses

that mix quality with affordability.

included in the mix is anderson

Creek Golf Club, a course that

was designed by 1997 PGa

Championship winner Davis

love iii and was named Best new

Course of 2001 upon its opening

by North Carolina Magazine.

Keith Hills Country Club i and

ii are owned by local Campbell

University, and the courses are

ranked among the best in the state

for their mix of challenging holes

and fun playability. Pine Burr Golf

Course, Carolina lakes Golf Club,

sandy Ridge Country Club and

Chicora Golf Club can also be

found in Harnett County.

Fun FOr all agesThe city of Dunn hosts the

outdoor concert series Boogie

on Broad, where families and

children are welcome. for another

fun family outing, parents and

kids head to Duffie’s exotic Bird

Ranch, also in Dunn, which is

home to more than 1,000 colorful

live birds from all over the world.

seniors in the area have plenty

to do, with county-sponsored

senior golf tournaments and bus

tours in addition to the many

community senior center’s

educational programs, craft

classes and more. little league

and municipal sports leagues are

also offered throughout the county,

giving younger kids and adults

an opportunity to participate

in team activities.

parks & Water recreatiOn

The Dunn-erwin Trail was

converted from old train tracks

into a new destination for bikers,

hikers and casual walkers. The trail

stretches from downtown erwin to

downtown Dunn, with plenty of

beautiful scenery on the way and

shops surrounding the trailheads.

The 5,000-acre Raven Rock state

Park attracts more than 12 million

visitors per year, who come for

a variety of activities, including

hiking, fishing, biking, paddling

and camping. anderson Creek

Park and Jack marley Park will

soon add to the already numerous

trails in Harnett County. The Cape

fear River Trail Park is a great

place to access the Cape fear

River for kayaking and canoeing.

The river has a stretch of 56 miles

set aside specifically for

recreational water travel.

– Carson O’Shoney

From left: a kayaker travels down the cape Fear River just outside of lillington; golf at Keith hills country club; Raven Rock state park attracts more than 12 million visitors each year

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Brookfield is an assisted living health-care community located in the heart of Harnett County, adjacent to the soon-to-be new Harnett Health Hospital. We live the three “Cs” – Compassion, Concern and Caring.

Services and amenities available include, but not limited to the following: • Personal Care Director monitors all resident’s care. All medications are administered by State Certified Medication Aides.

• Trained, experienced and certificated staff assists with personal care, such as dressing, grooming, bathing, eating, locomotion, toileting, walking, wheelchairs, etc.

• Additional in-home health-care services are available from Home Health for those who may require specialized care, such as physical and rehabilitation therapies, etc.

• Diets ordered by physician are supported, including therapeutic, pureed diets and others.

• Two in-house full-service beauty/barber shops staffed with licensed professionals.

• Backup generator, and state-of-the-art smoke and fire protection.

There are also 24 independent living apartments serving all ages behind Brookfield.

We are available to discuss your needs at any time. ~Joe & Janet Boone, Owners/Administrators

2041 NC 210 N. | Lillington, NC 27546 | (910) 893-8181 | (910) 893-3612 [email protected] | www.brookfieldassisted.com

www.brookfieldassisted.com

www.cccc.edu


education

Beginning in elementary school and continuing after college, Harnett County provides education opportunities and advanced facilities that enable students to grow and succeed no matter their goals or needs.

learning made easyeDucation in haRnett county pRepaRes all stuDents

harnett cOunty schOOl system

students in the Harnett County

school system receive more than

an education. no matter the

student's interest or strength,

they are taught in a safe

environment and are prepared

to be lifelong learners and

responsible citizens. There are

several programs that cater to

any child's need, including an

esl program, a gifted program,

exceptional children program,

and career and technical education

courses for high school students,

to name a few. With 27 schools

and a student population of

19,000, the system also maintains

strong bonds with the military,

local businesses and colleges

providing community awareness

and support. Due to the Base

Realignment and Closure

Commission, the area experiences

steady growth, allowing the

system to expand and offer

students updated facilities

and new technology.

central carOlina cOmmunity cOllege

There is much to learn at Central

Carolina Community College in

Harnett County. The two-year

public college, located in lillington,

offers students smaller classes,

highly trained and skilled

professionals, as well as a variety

of credit and not-for-credit classes.

The 76,000-square-foot facility

has classrooms, labs, offices,

a full library and an academic

assistance Center. This campus

also houses the Harnett County

small Business Center. students

may acquire an associate degree

in the arts or sciences that can also

transfer to a four-year university.

for those who want to brush up

on a subject or learn something

new, the college offers non-credit

studies in basic education,

technical, vocational and more,

where students may receive a

certificate of completion, or they

can receive a diploma or certificate

through the adult High school/

GeD program.

campBell universityfor more than 120 years

Campbell University has been a

reputable source for quality higher

education. located in Buies Creek,

Campbell University is a private

university that focuses on liberal

arts, sciences, business, education

and religion. enrollment is

approximately 9,400, with students

not only from north Carolina but

also from all 50 states and more

than 40 countries. The faculty-to-

student ratio of 1:19 ensures that

students have smaller class sizes

and more personal attention, and

only professors are allowed to teach

classes. offering approximately

100 majors and concentrations

for undergraduate students and

several for graduate students, the

university provides an education

experience that not only teaches

the mind, but also allows students

to grow in faith and experience.

The university works to prepare

students for professional areas

and also encourages them to lead

purposeful lives. – Raven Petty

Central Carolina Community College’s Small business CenterCampbell University

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local flavor

at its heart, harnett county is farm country. for years farming was the primary occupation among residents, and it remains an important way of life for many.

delicious diningcounty oFFeRs a vaRiety oF FooD choices

dunn Farmers marketThe city of Dunn celebrates

that farming tradition every

saturday from may through mid-

october with the Dunn farmers

market. This is locally grown

produce at its most local. The

first item on the market’s official

list of rules and regulations states

that the vendors “must reside and

produce the items they sell within

a 50-mile radius of the City

of Dunn.”

The current version of the

Dunn farmers market began

in 2006, with only a half-dozen

or so vendors showing up each

week. By 2009, there were more

than 30 vendors setting up at the

market on any given saturday.

The market sells much more

than just produce. Take a stroll

among the stalls and you are apt

to find vendors hawking cakes,

flowers, fresh honey, folk art,

jewelry, soap, dog cookies and

even butterfly houses. There

also is a farmers market held

in lillington each Wednesday

afternoon during the late

spring and summer.

sherry's BakeryThe Dunn farmers market is

located in a parking lot behind

another local institution, sherry’s

Bakery, which refers to its location

as being the “sweetest smelling

corner in town.” owned by

freddie and mary Williford,

sherry’s has been in business

for more than 40 years. in

addition to breakfast, lunch

and dinner, sherry’s serves

all the bakery favorites such as

doughnuts, honey buns, cookies,

pies and cakes for all occasions.

Family restaurant, Japanese and pizza

over in angier, the longtime

local eatery is called family

Restaurant. The name is

appropriate, since so many

regulars show up week after week

that they might as well be family.

The restaurant is famous for its

buttermilk biscuits with country

ham and red-eye gravy at

breakfast, and its seafood

dinners on friday night.

a taste of Japan recently

arrived in Harnett County

with the opening of the yamato

Japanese steak & seafood House

in Dunn. area residents no longer

need to travel far in order to

have fresh sushi and classic

tempura dinners.

and of course, every town has

to have a favorite mexican place.

one of the most popular in the

area can be found near lillington

at mi Casita. owner Juan macias,

the son of a butcher, grew up in

san Jose, mexico and has spent

a lifetime refining traditional dishes.

– Cary Estes

bottom left: sherry’s Bakery is well known for its 10-layer chocolate cake.

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visit ouradvertisersAnderson Creek Realty www.andersoncreekclub.com

Brookfield Assisted Living Center Inc.www.brookfieldassisted.com

Campbell Universitywww.campbell.edu

Central Carolina Community Collegewww.cccc.edu

Dunn Area Chamber of Commercewww.dunnchamber.com

Dunn Travel & Tourismwww.dunntourism.org

Faith Education Academy

Hampton Innwww.dunn.hamptoninn.com

Harnett County Economic Development Commissionwww.harnettedc.org

Harnett County Schoolswww.harnett.k12.nc.us

Harnett Health Systemwww.bjrh.org

Lee Pest Solutions

O’Quinn-Peebles Funeral Homewww.oquinnpeebles.com

Realty World – JE Womble & Sonswww.womblerealtync.com

South River Electric Membership Cooperativewww.sremc.com

Southeastern Medical Center PCwww.centerformedicalweightloss.com

Conveniently located along I-95

and I-40, just a few hours to the

beach or the mountains, and just

minutes to your workplace.

We invite you to

unwind with us …

stay a few days,

or stay a lifetime.

Welcome Home …

City of Dunn (910) 230-3500

www.dunn-nc.org

Dunn Area Tourism Authority (910) 892-3282 www.dunntourism.org

www.dunn-nc.org

www.campbell.edu


TIME zONE

eastern

lAND AREA

595square miles

COST OF lIVING

$44,165median household income

$129,357median home price

$612median Rent for a two-Bedroom apartment

HOUSEHOlD INFORMATION

115,761total population

35median Resident age

SNApSHOTHarnett County is located in the central portion of north Carolina.

The area is two hours away from the Crystal Coast and less than

four hours away from the mountains.

COMMUNITy pROFIlE

1310 S. Main St. Lillington, NC 27546 (910) 893-3232www.oquinnpeebles.com

this section is sponsoReD By

ClIMATE

The coastal plain transitions

into the Piedmont region in

Harnett County, giving the

area four distinct seasons.

The climate is temperate for

the most part, with only a

few days over 90 degrees

or below freezing.

29 FJanuary average low temperature

89 FJuly average high temperature

48”annual Rain Fall (vs. national average annual Rain Fall of 37”)

52%married

48%single

28%age 19 and under

50%age 20-54

22%age 55 and over

60%White

18%Black

8%hispanic

14%other

www.oquinnpeebles.com

40 haRnett count y

Through the lens

Driving past the airport while

shooting for Images Harnett County, i spotted a glider being

towed into the air. i pulled in

to take a look and discovered

several more gliders on the infield.

i began taking pictures and struck

up a conversation with glider pilot

George Kiefer, who offered to

take me up in the air. i had flown

in a lot of different contraptions

over the years, but never a glider.

The ride was surprisingly noisy

and bumpy due to the high

temperatures that day, but it

was a thrill with breathtaking

views of Harnett County.

FrOm Our phOtO BlOg: harnett cOunty

PosTeD By JeffRey s. oTTo

more Online See more favorite photos and read the stories behind the shots at imagesharnettcounty.com.

The Harnett County Courthouse

broad Street Deli & Market

now that you’ve experienced harnett county through our photos, see it through the eyes of our photographers. visit imagesharnettcounty.com to view our exclusive photographers’ blog documenting what all went in to capturing those perfect moments.

get the story Behind the photo


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images harnett county: 2011

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