Brinson, Humphrey highlight aviation jobs and workforce needs at Legislative breakfast

Aviation expansion and expected retirements could create about 1,000 job openings across Lenoir and Craven counties over the next three to four years, state Sen. Bob Brinson said Wednesday during a legislative breakfast focused on preparing eastern North Carolina for growth.

Brinson and state Rep. Chris Humphrey discussed workforce training, affordable housing, infrastructure and education during the Wake Up Lenoir legislative breakfast at The Exchange in Kinston. The Lenoir County Chamber of Commerce organized the Sept. 23 event.

Both lawmakers are Republicans. Brinson represents Senate District 3, which includes Beaufort, Craven and Lenoir counties. Humphrey represents House District 12, which includes Greene, Jones and Lenoir counties.

Brinson said Fleet Readiness Center East’s expansion at the Global TransPark would bring 400 jobs to Lenoir County, while expansion at Cherry Point would bring another 400 to Craven County. He said roughly 200 anticipated retirements would create additional openings and put the median salary at $70,000.

“Lenoir County can’t fill all those jobs. Craven County can’t fill all those jobs,” Brinson said, describing the opportunity as regional.

He said the expansion could also attract subcontractors and other aviation businesses. His broader goal is to help develop an aviation corridor from Cherry Point to Seymour Johnson Air Force Base and expand the region’s role in defense-related manufacturing.

Workforce preparation was a recurring theme. Brinson pointed to Lenoir Community College’s ability to develop training around employers’ needs and said businesses should work directly with the college to address hiring challenges.

“If you can’t find the workforce that you need, the person you ought to be talking to is your community college,” Brinson said.

Humphrey praised the relationship among local manufacturers, Lenoir County Public Schools and Lenoir Community College. He said regular meetings help identify workforce gaps and connect students with career opportunities.

He also encouraged smaller businesses to offer job-shadowing experiences, saying workforce discussions should include opportunities in retail, insurance, office administration and other fields alongside manufacturing.

Humphrey said infrastructure and affordable housing are essential to attracting workers and businesses. He cited flood mitigation work in Kinston and water and sewer improvements in La Grange, while calling for a balance between reducing construction costs and maintaining building standards.

“And while we want to control growth, we want to make sure that government doesn’t put pressures to raise the cost of building homes,” Humphrey said.

Both lawmakers identified the proposed Interstate 42 bypass around Kinston as a priority. Humphrey said funding remains a challenge and emphasized the need to consider businesses along the existing U.S. 70 corridor. Brinson said better highway access would strengthen the region’s ability to recruit manufacturers.

The discussion also turned to education funding. Brinson described a proposed funding approach that would attach dollars to students based on their needs and said closer connections among high schools, community colleges and employers would help students prepare for careers.

Responding to an audience question about school choice and public school funding, Humphrey said he supports school choice but believes the state should reconsider the scope of publicly funded Opportunity Scholarships.

“I think we need to go to an income-based model,” Humphrey said.

He also called for reporting requirements to help track student progress at schools receiving public support.

Audience members raised concerns about mental health care, rural hospital funding and services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. One attendee urged the lawmakers to protect Medicaid funding, saying reductions can strain rural hospitals’ ability to serve their communities.

Brinson acknowledged he did not have a specific answer to a question about reducing the Innovations Waiver waitlist and strengthening the workforce that provides disability services. He said rural health care remains a complicated challenge, and the lawmakers asked for the question to be sent to them for further review.

Throughout the breakfast, both encouraged residents and business owners to contact them before legislation takes effect.

“If you see something that is going to affect you or your business, call us first,” Humphrey said.