VOLUME 9 ISSUE 45 | THURSDAY, JANUARY 2, 2025
DUPLINJOURNAL.COM
Duplin Journal THE DUPLIN COUNTY EDITION OF NORTH STATE JOURNAL
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Mount Olive rings in ’25 with New Year’s Pickle Drop
BRIEF this week
The Mount Olive Pickle Drop on New Year’s Eve brought a fun evening of celebration as families and friends welcomed the new year.
Pitch It Duplin! now accepting applications Kenansville The Duplin Chamber of Commerce and James Sprunt Community College Small Business have teamed up to host Pitch It Duplin!, a competition that gives business entrepreneurs the chance to win start-up money by pitching a new business idea to a panel of three industry experts. The application period is now open. The deadline to submit your application video, professional resume, and proof of residency is Feb. 18 by 5 p.m. Selected applicants will be notified Feb. 20-21. Visit marinefederalhb.org for more details. COURTESY LYNN WILLIAMS
Learn how to optimize soybean production Kenansville The Southeast Region Soybean School will host a class at the Duplin County Extension Center in Kenansville on Jan. 28. The class will feature research-based information for optimizing soybean production. Register by Jan. 15 at ncsoy.org/regionalsoybean-schools to reserve your spot.
Med instead of Meds series starts Jan. 16 Kenansville Nutrition Education: Med instead of Meds, a six‑session series will start Jan. 16 at 5:30 p.m. at the Cooperative Extension office in Duplin. Space is limited, and cost is $20 for the series. For more information, visit go.ncsu.edu/duplin-mim.
Free adult wellness screenings
2025 looks to New year ushers economic development be an exciting year for Wallace in Duplin County “Looking ahead, we’re thrilled about the exciting developments on the horizon and can’t wait to share more updates in the coming year.” Bryan Miller, county manager
Wallace Free adult wellness screenings for blood pressure, glucose, body mass index and cholesterol checks will be offered at the Thelma D. Bryant Library in Wallace on Jan. 7 from 9 a.m. to noon. ECU Health will also offer free health coaching.
Teachers can win $2,500 grant to promote financial literacy Statewide The Coastal Credit Union Foundation is awarding $2,500 grants to support innovative projects that inspire financial literacy in North Carolina classrooms. If you are a credentialed teacher with a unique idea to promote financial education and currently working at a public or private school in North Carolina, you can apply now through Feb. 1. The $2,500 grants will be awarded to the most innovative and impactful ideas. Recipients of the grants will be selected and announced by March 1. Visit coastal24.com/teachergrant to apply.
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Duplin paves the way for sustained economic growth By Ena Sellers Duplin Journal KENANSVILLE — Duplin County hits the ground running as 2025 rolls in with several infrastructure and economic development projects on the books, continuing the pace of growth. “Duplin County continues to pave the way for sustained economic growth by enhancing access to technology, vital resources, and increased infrastructure,” said Carrie Shields, deputy county manager. Our efforts not only support and retain our existing businesses but also position us to attract new businesses and industries, driving innovation and prosperity across the County.” There are two significant economic developments coming in 2025. One
is NexGen Cabinets, which will invest $6.7 million in a 150,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Wallace. The other is a state-of-the-art grain handling, drying and storage facility currently underway in Rose Hill. “In the past, farmers could only unload seven truckloads of grain a day, and so we were having corn left in the field and exposed to weather or any kind of hardship, and now, with this new feed mill, we can get our crop out of the field so we can make sure that we’re doing what we do best — feed a hungry world,” said Shields. Two shell buildings, each spanning 50,000 square feet, are currently under development and expected to be completed this year to accommodate more businesses. One building is located at the Duplin AirPark in Kenansville, while the other is at the SouthPark Business
New businesses to open, and more big names may be coming to town
See DUPLIN, page A5
See WALLACE, page A5
Duplin families ask DEQ to revisit Lear Corp’s draft permit “How have we gotten to this point that money is more important than our children?” Christine Goldsmith
Participants plea for a technology-based effluent limits mandate By Ena Sellers Duplin Journal KENANSVILLE — Approximately 45 people gathered at the Monk Auditorium in Kenansville on Dec. 17 to participate in the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality public comment session. The meeting addressed Lear Corporation’s latest draft permit regulating PFAS compounds — a class of toxic chemicals — discharges into the Northeast Cape Fear River. Speakers like Jessica Thomas and Christine Goldsmith expressed concern for their families who live, swim
and fish downstream of the facility. Recent tests on samples collected from Thomas’ backyard revealed alarmingly high toxicity levels in the largemouth bass and bluegill near the Sarecta Bridge. Thomas shared that for several months now, and she has reached out to county officials and area representatives to make them aware. Thomas shared that meaningful responses have been disappointingly absent despite her persistent efforts, and she believes the community is at risk. As a mother of three boys, ages 8, 10 and 12, she struggled to hold back tears while reflecting on the countless hours they have spent swimming and fishing in waters they, for years, believed to be safe. See LEAR, page A6
By Abby Cavenaugh Duplin Journal WALLACE — With several new housing developments on the horizon, the town of Wallace is also looking to expand its business offerings in the new year. Several new businesses have been under construction in town for more than a year now, including a new strip mall located on Highway 41 near Walmart, and a Snappy Lube oil change and inspection station across the way. The Snappy Lube opened for business on Monday. As for the strip mall, Quick Care Urgent Care will be ready to open soon, though no dates have been announced. Dunkin’ Donuts is still in talks to locate in the shopping center as well, but no dates have been announced for that either. The town is also planning for the construction of 43 homes at Eastwood Acres. “There has been some reworking on that project,” Wallace Town Manager Rob Taylor explained. “Some chains are in talks to be part of that development, including Wawa, Starbucks and Chick-fil-A, but we haven’t seen the plans for that.” Another ongoing project in the town of Wallace