Jul 12

Jul 12 From the Desk of Senator Brent Jackson

Neuse News

From the Desk of Senator Brent Jackson July 8, 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,

One of my top priorities during the budget process was ensuring that the communities of Senate District 9 saw meaningful investments returned home. I was proud to advocate for funding that supports public safety, infrastructure, education, workforce development, conservation, and quality of life projects across our five-county district.

The latest state budget includes significant investments for local priorities in Sampson, Bladen, Pender, Jones, and Duplin counties, including:

Sampson

1.62M for the Sampson Community College Ag Rescue Training Center
300k for Roseboro water and wastewater infrastructure
300k for Salemburg maintenance needs
350k for Newton Grove water and sewer projects
40k for the Plainview Recreation Center
Additional funds to support the newly opened Garland DMV office

Bladen

300k for Southeastern Carolina Crossroads to support residential addiction treatment services for men
397k for Bladen Social Services to support Tier 1 County needs
200k for the Bladen County Sheriff's Office construction needs
200k for Elizabethtown stormwater infrastructure projects
650k for White Lake to support maintenance, expansion, equipment, and renovation needs of the police department
100k for White Lake water and wastewater infrastructure

Pender

3.5M for land conservation through the Nature Conservancy in Pender County
250k for S Topsail capital improvements and equipment
70k for a Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) fill station
350k for playground equipment and improvements
200k for various grants across Pender County to include:
Town of Wallace Airport $50,000
WARM $35,000
United Way of the Cape Fear $20,000
Share the Table $15,000
Willard Outread $12,000
Cape Fear River Program $10,000
Pender Arts Council $10,000
Pender County Christian Services $10,000
Penderlea Homestead Museum $10,000
Pender County Historical Society $9,000
Cape Fear Resource Conserv. & Develop. $9,000
Town of Atkinson Library $10,000

Jones

125k for Maysville Fire & EMS to purchase or upgrade equipment
100k for communications equipment
20k for water and sewer improvements
30k for a new VSO officer position
3.6M for a new DOT Maintenance Yard

Duplin

400k for Duplin County schools for capital improvements or equipment for the track and field at East Duplin High School in memory of Mr. Earl Spell
500k for disbursement amongst all VFDs in the county
85k for Rose Hill Water and Wastewater needs
80k for the Kenansville Police Department to purchase equipment
45k for Magnolia
45k for Calypso
45k for Faison

From supporting our first responders and local governments to strengthening our schools and expanding opportunities for future generations, this budget reflects our commitment to ensuring rural North Carolina continues to thrive. I am grateful to my colleagues in the General Assembly and our local leaders who helped identify these priorities and advocate for these important investments in District 9.

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Here I am on the Senate floor during budget debates.

Bladen County Spotlight: Investing in the Future Workforce

Bladen County is taking meaningful steps to create more opportunities for its next generation by investing in workforce development and strengthening connections between education and local employers. Through Bladen Community College, students can earn industry-recognized certifications in high-demand fields such as welding, healthcare, electrical systems, and agribusiness, preparing them for rewarding careers without having to leave the county.

The college works closely with local employers to ensure training programs meet workforce needs while partnerships with NCWorks, the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), and scholarship opportunities help make career training more accessible for students. These efforts are designed to equip residents with the skills employers are seeking while helping businesses fill critical workforce shortages.

County leaders also recognize that retaining young people requires more than just good jobs. Ongoing investments in economic development, small businesses, and community amenities are helping make Bladen County an attractive place to live, work, and raise a family. Together, these initiatives are creating new opportunities, supporting local industries, and building a stronger future for Bladen County.

Duplin County Spotlight: Supporting Local Entrepreneurs

Three aspiring entrepreneurs received startup funding through Pitch It! Duplin, an annual business competition hosted by James Sprunt Community College that helps local residents transform business ideas into successful ventures.

Modeled after the popular television show Shark Tank, the program begins with an eight-week Rural Entrepreneurship through Action Learning (REAL) course, where participants receive hands-on training in business planning, marketing, financial management, and pitching their ideas. Participants also work alongside experienced mentors before presenting their business plans to a panel of local business leaders.

This year's first-place winner, Francisco Andres of Albertson, received $5,500 in startup funding to expand FA Welding Services, a mobile welding business. Angelica Santibanez of Beulaville earned second place for her vision of creating a Coffee Studio within a Community Center, while Bryan Bonilla Aguilera of Beulaville placed third for New Leaf Outdoor Solutions.

Beyond the prize money, the program provides entrepreneurs with valuable mentorship, professional connections, and business resources that help lay the foundation for long-term success. By encouraging innovation and supporting small business development, programs like Pitch It! Duplin continue to strengthen the local economy, create new opportunities, and invest in the future of Duplin County.

Jones County Spotlight: Local Student Earns Renewable Energy Scholarship

Congratulations to Kelseigh Hardin of Jones Senior High School on being selected as a recipient of the 2026 Energizing Tomorrow's Leaders Scholarship from Cypress Creek Energy.

Hardin was awarded a $2,500 scholarship to help cover tuition, books, housing, and other educational expenses as she pursues her post-secondary education. The scholarship recognizes students who demonstrate academic excellence, leadership, and a commitment to making a positive impact in their communities.

As part of the application process, students submitted a video explaining how renewable energy will shape their future. The program highlights the importance of supporting the next generation of leaders while encouraging innovation and educational achievement.

Congratulations to Kelseigh on this well-deserved recognition, and best wishes for continued success in the years ahead!

Pender County Spotlight: New Division Chief of Fire Appointed

Pender County has appointed Bruce M. Tucker as the new Division Chief of Fire for Pender County Emergency Services. He will officially begin serving in the role on August 3 as the county continues developing its unified Emergency Services Department.

Tucker brings more than 30 years of fire service experience to Pender County, most recently serving as a battalion chief with the Prince William County Department of Fire and Rescue in Virginia. Throughout his career, he has held leadership roles in emergency operations, training, communications, and health and safety, while overseeing responses to fires, medical emergencies, hazardous materials incidents, and technical rescues.

As Division Chief, Tucker will help lead the county's integrated Emergency Services Department, which combines EMS, Fire, Emergency Management, and the Fire Marshal's Office into a single organization. During his first weeks on the job, he plans to meet with firefighters, volunteer departments, and community partners while supporting the department's ongoing transition and commitment to providing high-quality emergency services to Pender County residents.

Sampson County Spotlight: Celebrating the History of Our Communities

As America marks its 250th anniversary, communities across Sampson County are reflecting on the rich history that has shaped both our county and our nation. Each town has its own unique story, rooted in generations of hard work, agriculture, and community pride.

Autryville was incorporated in 1891 and named after Captain James Autry, whose work with the Cape Fear and Yadkin Valley Railroad helped transform the town into a center for commerce by connecting local goods with markets across the country.

Clinton, incorporated in 1822, is the oldest and largest municipality in Sampson County. As the county seat, Clinton has long served as the economic and governmental hub of the county while maintaining a strong agricultural heritage that continues today.

The origins of Garland date back to the 1700s, when English settler William Cromartie established land along the South River. Originally known as Sloans Crossroads, the community flourished through agriculture, lumber, and naval stores before officially becoming the Town of Garland in 1907.

The history of Harrells traces back to a small community once known as Harrell's Store, named after William Harrell, who operated a local store before moving away. Though much of its earliest history remains a mystery, Harrells has grown into a proud community that continues to honor its heritage and those who have served our nation.

Originally called The New Town at the Grove, Newton Grove was chartered in 1879 and later renamed in 1935. The town is home to several historic properties listed on the National Register of Historic Places and has long been known for its close-knit, family-oriented community.

Established by the General Assembly in 1891, Roseboro grew from its strong lumber and farming industries into one of Sampson County's most important commercial centers. The town was home to the county's first drug store, first automobile dealership, and first bank, helping shape the county's economic development.

Salemburg, founded in 1894 and incorporated in 1905, has a long tradition of education. Over the years, it has been home to several educational institutions and today houses the Eastern Campus of the North Carolina Justice Academy and the Tarheel Challenge Academy, continuing its

legacy of preparing future leaders.

The Town of Turkey, founded in 1913, earned its unique name from the wild turkeys that once roamed the area. Today, it is also known for its place along the Sampson County Barn Quilt Trail and for the unusual distinction of resembling the shape of a turkey when viewed on a map.

As we celebrate America 250, these communities remind us that the history of our nation is told not only through major events, but also through the towns, families, and traditions that have shaped North Carolina for generations.

Agriculture Spotlight: A Legacy of North Carolina Blueberries

For more than 80 years, Ivanhoe Blueberry Farms has been producing high-quality blueberries while helping strengthen North Carolina's agricultural economy. Founded in 1941 with just five acres of blueberry bushes, the fourth-generation family farm has grown into one of the state's largest and most diverse blueberry operations, producing more than 700 acres of blueberries across five farm sites and cultivating over 25 different varieties each year.

Blueberries are native to North Carolina, and the Moore family has played an important role in advancing the industry by partnering with N.C. State Extension to test new varieties and adopting innovative growing practices. From planting and pruning to harvesting, packing, and shipping, the farm carefully manages every step of production to provide fresh blueberries to consumers throughout the United States and Canada.

North Carolina ranked seventh in the nation for blueberry production in 2025, with growers harvesting 48.5 million pounds of blueberries that contributed more than $87 million to the state's economy. Ivanhoe Blueberry Farms is proud to continue that tradition while remaining committed to producing "Carolina's Finest Blueberries" and preserving the family's agricultural legacy for future generations.

Historical Spotlight: The Cape Fear River

USACE_Lock_and_Dam_1_Cape_Fear_River image

For centuries, the Cape Fear River has played a vital role in North Carolina's history, serving as a lifeline for commerce, transportation, and settlement. Formed by the confluence of the Deep and Haw Rivers, the Cape Fear flows 202 miles through central and southeastern North Carolina before emptying into the Atlantic Ocean near Bald Head Island. It is the longest river entirely within North Carolina and passes through several counties, including Bladen and Pender, making it especially significant to communities across our region.

The river has been an important natural resource since the earliest days of European exploration. Spanish explorers referred to it as the "Rio Jordan" in 1526, and it later became a major transportation route for settlers moving into North Carolina's interior. During the 1800s, the Cape Fear and Deep River Navigation Company improved the river with locks and dams, allowing goods such as timber, naval stores, cotton, and agricultural products to move more efficiently to markets through the Port of Wilmington.

The Cape Fear River also played a strategic role during the Civil War, as control of the waterway and the Port of Wilmington became a critical objective for both Union and Confederate forces. Today, the 9,000-square-mile Cape Fear River Basin supports nearly one-third of North Carolina's population, providing drinking water, recreation, wildlife habitat, and economic opportunities for communities across the state.

From the earliest settlements to modern-day agriculture and commerce, the Cape Fear River has shaped the history and growth of southeastern North Carolina and remains one of our state's most valuable natural resources.