Harnett Commissioners hear economic update and approve greenway trails study

Harnett County must address whether it can draw its target industries, given escalating housing costs and infrastructure gaps and poverty rate.

Harnett County Economic Development Director Stephen Barrington presented a quarterly update to commissioners at the Nov. 25 work session.

The update followed the Nov. 12 affordable housing presentation when Deputy County Manager Coley Price said that what the county attracts is what it will be. Higher-priced housing, quality entertainment and shopping venues attract industrial executives.

More expensive housing brings new businesses because it shows stability, development, quality of life with safe neighborhoods, strong schools and reliable infrastructure. Higher prices reflect a skilled workforce and stronger household incomes, showing a solid consumer base and long-term economic potential.

In exchange, an enlarged tax base from higher property values funds infrastructure, utilities and services, stronger schools and promotes industrial growth.

The problem with higher-priced housing in Harnett is the higher poverty rate and citizen requests for more government-funded housing, which detract from industrial promotion.

Barrington said they have 353 acres with five sites available and are working on 603 acres with 7 sites.

The Edgerton Industrial Park grading project completion date is Dec. 2025.

The U.S. 301 S. Industrial Site has 58 acres with a completion date of spring 2026.

The Harnett 87 Business Park’s 180 acres was gifted to the county and has a spring 2026 completion date.

“We’re seeking a grant from Duke Energy,” Barrington said about the Robinhood site’s infrastructure costs.

Even when land is accessible, industry needs utilities, broadband, and road infrastructure. The county must either develop its skilled labor pool or depend on commuters from nearby metropolitan areas to attract high-tech manufacturers. Additional economic risks include the potential for reduced industrial demand during the national recession and the housing market’s high mortgage rates, which affect affordability and expansion.

There is hope for the workforce issue. Central Carolina Community College is developing the E. Eugene Moore Manufacturing and Biotech Solutions Center. It is a one-of-a-kind, world-class education resource addressing the workforce needs of advanced manufacturing and biotechnology. The Harnett campus currently offers engineering, health sciences, welding, automotive restoration and construction.

In a nutshell, Barrington has job security.

View available industrial sites here.

Greenway Feasibility Study

Commissioners adopted the Greenway Feasibility Study on routes between Lillington and Campbell University, and Coats and the Dunn-Erwin Rail Trail. The study assessed the viability of alternative routes within the area, identified preferred routes and outlined next steps for development.

Parks and Recreation Department Director Carl Parks recommended adopting the study for use in grant applications and to guide the county on future trail designs.

The steering committee met with stakeholders three times, and the public attended two open houses to gather input.

The Town of Lillington is in the design phase for the Capetown Development and Cape Fear Shiner Park connection with three miles of greenway, which is defined as 10-12 feet of shaded paths.

Commissioner Barbara McKoy was the only board member to open a discussion before the vote.

“It seems like you came here before with a greenway project,” McKoy said, and she was informed the greenway trails committee working on the Raven Rock trails would return to the board on Dec. 9 with a presentation to ask for approval.

View the Greenway Trail PowerPoint presentation on the county website here.

The next meeting is Dec. 1 at 9 a.m.

Nov. 25, 2025

Stephanie M. Sellers

Submit news tips, events and interview requests to editor@sandhills.news.