From the Desk of Senator Brent Jackson March 05, 2026 | | |
Dear Friend of Senate District 9,
Thank you for taking the time to read my newsletter and staying connected with the latest news from District Nine and our efforts in the General Assembly.
My team and I are committed to serving our community and our state, working hard each day to bring about positive change. Stay tuned for more updates as we continue addressing the important issues impacting our district! Your voices and concerns continue to guide our efforts in the General Assembly, and we remain focused on bringing your priorities to the forefront.
Thank you for your continued support!
Sincerely,
| | |
Committees are meeting periodically during the interim. Go to the Legislative Calendar to stay up-to-date on what committees are happening!
Now that the General Assembly is in the interim, the newsletter will be on a bi-weekly schedule.
| | |
We appreciate your time in reading our newsletter and would love to hear your thoughts! What do you enjoy most, and what could we improve to make it more valuable to you?
Your feedback is invaluable in helping us refine and enhance our content. Feel free to share your suggestions—we’re listening!
| | Invite your Friends/Family! | |
If you'd like to invite others to receive our weekly district newsletter, you can invite them using the button below!
| | |
The North Carolina Agriculture Manufacturing and Processing Initiative (NCAMPI) is now accepting applications for projects that expand agricultural manufacturing and food processing across the state.
Established by the N.C. General Assembly in 2023 and administered by the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, the program supports the development and expansion of facilities that process agricultural products grown in North Carolina.
The initiative aims to create jobs, strengthen local tax bases, and open new market opportunities for farmers by increasing value-added processing of North Carolina commodities and filling gaps in processing capacity across the state.
Eligible entities can apply for funding to help establish or expand agricultural manufacturing facilities that increase demand for North Carolina agricultural products.
Applicants are encouraged to contact the Department of Agriculture ahead of submitting an application to discuss project proposals.
For more information or application materials, visit: https://www.ncagr.gov/divisions/marketing/ncampi
| | |
Residents are invited to attend Sampson County Ag Day 2026, a free, family-friendly celebration of agriculture and the county’s farming heritage. The event will be held March 21 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Sampson Community College in Clinton.
The festival will feature live music, farm exhibits, tractor displays, food vendors, and activities for all ages, giving families the opportunity to learn more about the role agriculture plays in the region while enjoying a full day of entertainment and local food.
Sampson County Ag Day is designed to celebrate and educate the community about agriculture, the county’s leading industry, and highlight the hardworking farmers who help sustain North Carolina’s economy.
For more information and updates, visit:
https://sampsoncc.edu/sampson-county-ag-day/
| | GO Grants are a great way to get our students outdoors! Apply for a GO Grant today! Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and there is no deadline to apply! | |
Fish Fry Supports Dublin Peanut Festival
Community members gathered at Lu Mil Vineyard’s General Store on February 28 for the annual Dublin Peanut Festival Fish Fry, the organization’s largest fundraiser of the year. Attendees enjoyed fried fish with classic sides including fries, cole slaw, hush puppies, cookies, and drinks.
Proceeds from the event help support scholarships and community projects in Dublin. The festival currently provides a $2,000 scholarship for the Peanut Queen and two $1,000 scholarships for West Bladen students attending Bladen Community College, while also helping fund beautification efforts around the town.
Read More
| | |
The 34th Dublin Peanut Festival is scheduled for September 19 and will feature a parade, rides, a car show, vendors, entertainment, and of course plenty of boiled peanuts.
Festival season in Bladen County will also include the White Lake Water Festival (May 15–17), Clarkton’s Memorial Day Parade and Street Meet (May 25), and Bladenboro’s Beast Fest later this fall.
| | | |
| |
Firefighters Hone Skills at James Sprunt's Annual Fire Expo
Firefighters from across Duplin County and surrounding areas recently gathered at James Sprunt Community College for the school’s annual Fire Expo, a weekend dedicated to hands-on training, professional development, and fellowship among fire service professionals.
Nearly every fire department in Duplin County was represented, with participants traveling from as far as High Point and Virginia to take part in the event. Training courses included basic firefighting, fire investigation, flashover simulation, electric vehicle response, ASERT–LZ operations, NIMS–ICS–300, mental health resilience, and rural pump operations.
Read More
| | | |
Jones County Breaks Ground on New Industrial Shell Building
Jones County recently marked an important milestone with the groundbreaking of a new 20,000-square-foot industrial shell building at 143 Industrial Park Drive in Trenton. The facility will provide market-ready space designed to strengthen business recruitment, attract new investment, and support job creation in the county.
The project represents a significant step toward expanding economic opportunities and positioning Jones County for long-term growth.
County leaders also expressed appreciation to key partners who helped make the project possible, including Jones-Onslow Electric Membership Corporation, North Carolina’s Southeast, the NC East Alliance, and the Jones County Committee of 100.
Read More
| | | | |
| |
Moore’s Creek Bridge Anniversary Event Draws Large Crowd
Hundreds of visitors gathered at Moore’s Creek National Battlefield in Pender County to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Battle of Moore’s Creek Bridge, marking one of the most significant early victories in the fight for American independence.
The ceremony honored the events of Feb. 27, 1776, when Patriot forces defeated Loyalist troops in what is widely recognized as the first major Patriot victory of the Revolutionary War. The success of the event brought together community members, historians, and organizations from across North Carolina and the Southeast to reflect on the battle’s historic importance.
The commemoration served as a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made 250 years ago and the important role Moore’s Creek Bridge played in shaping the path toward American independence.
Read More
| | | |
America 250 Celebration Kicks Off in Sampson County
Community leaders and residents gathered at the Clinton City Hall Auditorium to kick off a yearlong series of America 250 events, celebrating the upcoming 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States.
The event featured presentations highlighting North Carolina’s role in the American Revolution, with remarks from N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources Secretary Pamela Brewington Cashwell, who emphasized the importance of preserving and sharing the state’s history.
Local historian Jack Fryar also spoke about the significant role southeastern North Carolina played in the Revolutionary War, while Nancy Chavis, director of the Museum of the Southeast American Indian, discussed the contributions of Native American tribes in the region during the fight for independence.
The kickoff event marked the beginning of a series of commemorations and educational programs that will take place throughout the year as communities reflect on the nation’s history and the role North Carolina played in shaping it.
Read More
| | | | | N.C. Forest Service Urges Caution as Wildfire Season Begins | |
With North Carolina entering spring wildfire season while much of the state remains under moderate to severe drought conditions, the N.C. Forest Service is urging residents to use caution when burning yard debris or starting outdoor fires.
Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler reminded residents that dry conditions make fires easier to ignite and harder to control. Escaped yard debris burns remain the leading cause of wildfires in North Carolina, accounting for nearly half of all fires, and 99% of wildfires are caused by human activity.
Residents are encouraged to follow safe burning practices, including obtaining a valid burn permit, checking local burning laws, avoiding burning on dry or windy days, and never leaving a fire unattended until it is fully extinguished.
Officials also remind the public not to fly drones near wildfires, as they can interfere with firefighting aircraft and endanger crews working to contain fires.
For burn permits and wildfire prevention resources, visit ncforestservice.gov or preventwildfirenc.org.
Read More
| | | Bladen County’s Role in Preserving the USS North Carolina | |
Bladen County residents played a key role in preserving one of North Carolina’s most important pieces of World War II history—the USS North Carolina. During a statewide fundraising effort in the early 1960s to bring the battleship home as a museum, local leadership proved instrumental, particularly Elizabethtown Mayor and businessman Wallace Leinwand, who raised more funds per person than any other county ambassador.
Appointed under Governor Terry Sanford, Leinwand helped ensure the ship’s preservation after its distinguished wartime service across the Pacific, where it survived multiple major battles and enemy attacks.
Today, the USS North Carolina stands in Wilmington as a memorial to the more than 7,000 sailors who served aboard her and as a testament to the communities, like Bladen County, whose dedication ensured this historic battleship was saved for future generations.
Read More
| | | | | |