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KENANSVILLE — A large group of county and town leaders, along with representatives from various industries and the state, gathered at the Duplin Airpark Industrial Complex next to Duplin County Airport on Oct. 14 to break ground on the first of two large shell buildings being constructed through a project initiated by the Duplin County Economic Development Commission.
One of the speakers at the event was N.C. House District Four Representative Jimmy Dixon, who has played a vital role in securing state funding for these shell building projects in the county.
In an interview with Duplin Journal before the groundbreaking ceremony, Dixon said these developments can all be attributed to one important part of Duplin County – agriculture.
“It’s almost impossible to think about the development out here without thinking about what is bringing it about and that is our magnificent livestock facilities, livestock production here in Duplin County,” Dixon said. “The world needs protein and we produce a lot of it in Duplin County.”
Dixon added that agriculture has a $111 billion economic impact in North Carolina and 71 % of that income comes from livestock; chickens, turkeys, hogs and cattle produced in the state.
Duplin Journal also spoke with Deputy County Manager Carrie Shields.
“This is important for the county because it symbolizes growth and development, and a vision and a mission, not just from our economic development board, but our county commissioners as well as all state and local leaders,” Shields said.
Shields served as Duplin County Economic Development Executive Director before leaving briefly for another role and then returning as the deputy county manager.
Referring to the construction of the new shell buildings in the Airpark, Shields said, “This is especially special to me because I worked with the economic development board to develop a master plan. This is the first step of our master plan, to see this become a reality.”
While the shell building construction is just getting underway, Shields added there is already interest in the property.
“We’ve had several prospects that have looked at this site, as well as our sites in SouthPark and our neighboring industrial park. We’re working with North Carolina Southeast to bring business and industry here, as well as North Carolina Commerce.”
In addition to Dixon and Shields addressing those attending the groundbreaking ceremony, other speakers included Charley Farrior, chairman of the Duplin County Economic Development Commission, Scotty Summerlin, executive director of the Duplin County Economic Development Commission, and Dexter Edwards, chairman of the Duplin County Board of Commissioners.
The two new shell buildings being constructed at the Airpark by Daniels and Daniels are each 50,000 square feet in size.
