VOLUME 9 ISSUE 42 | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2024
DUPLINJOURNAL.COM
Duplin Journal THE DUPLIN COUNTY EDITION OF NORTH STATE JOURNAL
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BRIEF
Christmastime is here A youngster dressed as Buddy the Elf was part of Saturday evening’s Rose Hill Christmas Parade, the culmination of the daylong Christmas by the Tracks celebration, featuring arts and crafts, food vendors, live entertainment, and the annual town Christmas parade at sunset. See more photos on Page B6.
this week
Free over-the-counter medicine Warsaw Free over-the-counter medicine will be available for low-income families at the Mobile Free Pharmacy on Dec. 14 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Kenansville Eastern Missionary Baptist Association, located at 124 Water Tank Road in Warsaw. Participants may receive medicine for pain relief, cold and cough, allergies, digestion and vitamins. Medicine for children will also be available.
UMO to hold graduation on Dec. 13 Mount Olive Approximately 285 students will graduate Friday at 10 a.m. at the University of Mount Olive in the George and Annie Dail Kornegay Arena.
Wallace High School holds 69th reunion Wallace The Wallace High School Class of 1955 recently celebrated their 69th annual reunion at the Rose Hill Restaurant. There were seven classmates in attendance along with five guests, including two spouses. The attending class members were Celia N. Barnes, Robert Salmon, Carol M. Prevo, Mildred P. Gurganus, Betty Lois F. Lanier, George A. Hanchey and Paula O. Williams. Guests included spouses Mirilyn Salmon and Franklin Williams, as well as Carol’s daughter Debbie Wilson, Celia’s sister Arenas Weeks, and Janice Kramer Fox. The classmates graduated on May 12, 1955.
Duplin to host employee appreciation lunch on Dec. 20 Kenansville The Duplin County employee appreciation lunch will be on Dec. 20 at the Duplin Event Center at 1 p.m.
Christmas at Clement Wallace Celebrate the holidays, enjoy photos with Santa, train rides, food trucks, vendors and much more at the annual Christmas at Clement on Dec. 21 from 2-6 p.m. at 513 South East Railroad St. in Wallace. The event is sponsored by the Wallace Parks and Recreation Department.
Duplin County Airport Commission Board meeting canceled Kenansville The Duplin County Airport Commission Board will not meet on Dec. 24. The board will resume it regular meeting schedule on the fourth Tuesday of January at 7 p.m. at the Duplin County Airport.
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ABBY CAVENAUGH / DUPLIN JOURNAL
Cabinet maker bringing $6.7M investment, 42 jobs to Wallace NexGen will establish a manufacturing facility in a former textile plant By Abby Cavenaugh Duplin Journal WALLACE — An international corporation announced plans last week to locate its East Coast assembly and manufacturing facility in Wallace, bringing an in-
vestment of $6.7 million and initially 42 new jobs to town. Local officials say the potential is there for up to 500 jobs in the future. Gov. Roy Cooper made the announcement Dec. 5. “As the year comes to a close, I am excited to announce another great win for rural North Carolina,” Cooper said in a press release. “Our resilient workforce, affordability and quality of life are among the top reasons man-
ufacturers are locating to this region of the state and we’re glad NexGen made the decision to locate Duplin County.” NexGen Cabinets is a division of Honsoar International, a manufacturer of kitchen and bathroom furniture with a global production footprint in Malaysia, Vietnam and Cambodia. NexGen will manufacture kitchen and bathroom cabinets for multifamily residential wholesale markets in
Duplin Board discusses merging Health Department and DSS The proposal encountered heavy opposition from the local health community By Ena Sellers Duplin Journal KENANSVILLE — The Board of County Commissioners held a public hearing Dec. 2 during its scheduled bimonthly meeting to gather public comments about the proposed consolidation of the Duplin
County Health Department and the Department of Social Services into a single entity. County Manager Bryan Miller recommended the consolidation, emphasizing that it presents an opportunity to create a more comprehensive care model and streamline processes, which could ultimately enhance services for residents. The new department will be named the Department of Health and Human Services. Miller explained that the con-
solidation would ensure the continuity of services. If approved, the Board of County Commissioners would take on the responsibilities and functions of both the Department of Social Services Board and the Board of Health, and employees from both departments would transition to the county’s personnel policy. “Four of the six counties bordering Duplin County have chosen the same method and approach recommended tonight,”
AgPrime grant application deadline fast approaching “The success of the AgPrime program lies in the innovative and replicable ideas that empower farmers to expand and diversify their operations as they navigate the ongoing transition of tobacco production.” Edward Olive, Lois G. Britt Agribusiness Center director
Agribusinesses and Farmers can apply for funding until Dec. 16 By Ena Sellers Duplin Journal staff MOUNT OLIVE — The deadline for the 2025 AgPrime Cost-Share Grant Opportunity, an initiative between the University of Mount Olive and the North Carolina Tobacco Trust Fund Commission, is Dec. 16 at 5 p.m. AgPrime offers an opportunity for farmers and agribusiness owners with innovative ideas to obtain grant funding for proposals of up to $10,000. “The program is designed to strengthen
farms and communities that have been impacted by changes in the tobacco economy,” said Edward Olive, Lois G. Britt Agribusiness Center director, in a news release announcing the program now available in Duplin County. “The creativity and innovation that exists within the 33 North Carolina counties included in the AgPrime program is inspiring and we are excited to be part of helping those farms and agribusinesses attain capital to reach the next level within their business plan.” According to the announcement, funding proposals will be considered See AGPRIME, page A2
North, Central and South America. The location in Duplin County will be the first manufacturing site in the southeastern United States with a 150,000-squarefoot space for assembly, production and distribution operations. The project has been in the works for just shy of a year, said Economic Development Director Scotty Summerlin. See NEXGEN, page A3
“While it may save money, it risks lives by putting barriers between people and the help they need.” Yesenia Cuello, executive director of NC FIELD
said Miller, adding that out of 33 counties that have consolidated, 15 counties have chosen to have the board of commissioners assume those powers and duties. Miller clarified that the initiative is not aimed at cutting positions and assured that the See HEALTH, page A6