Magnolia teams with developer for 100+ home affordable community

MAGNOLIA — Magnolia is preparing for a season of growth, with new housing developments underway and rising interest from businesses, according to Mayor Dawn Ward. From affordable housing to potential commercial expansion, the town is positioning itself as a welcoming destination for newcomers seeking lower costs and small-town charm.

“I’ve confirmed with the town manager we’ve issued 15 zoning permits since the first of the fiscal year (July 1) for new residential housing,” Ward said in an interview with Duplin Journal.

In addition, the town has partnered with a private developer to create an affordable housing development on 32 acres of town-owned land. The development will contain 100 or more homes.

To make the homes more affordable, they will be double-wide manufactured homes. Ward emphasized the community will not be what people would consider a trailer park. The roads in the development will be paved, and there will be a homeowner’s association.

Ward attributes the growth headed in the direction of Magnolia to factors ranging from housing costs to lifestyle changes.

“I think probably what we’re seeing is part post-COVID with a lot more people working remotely,” she said. “I think that housing, both purchased and rentals, is extraordinarily expensive now.”

Ward explained that many people are now willing to commute longer distances in order to find more affordable housing options. Magnolia has also begun to attract early interest from commercial developers, though no specific projects have been finalized yet.

“What’s happened is people are moving out of Wilmington and they’re coming west on I-40,” said Ward, adding that Castle Hayne and Burgaw were the first to experience people leaving New Hanover County in search of lower housing costs and property taxes.

She emphasized that the town is open to both residential and commercial growth. While she doesn’t anticipate Magnolia growing to the scale of nearby Wallace, she praised that town’s success in managing development and attracting businesses.

“They have done a phenomenal job with the growth they are experiencing. I think it’s wonderful they have been able to attract the businesses they have there,” said Ward.

Looking ahead, Ward believes Magnolia is well-positioned for continued expansion over the next five years.

“I feel like we want to manage (the growth) carefully,” she said. “We are absolutely not opposed to commercial development, we would welcome it, as well as the residential. It would be good for Magnolia.”