Halifax hires Stewart Engineering for comprehensive plan update and joins state outdoor-recreation program

The Halifax County Board of Commissioners approved hiring Stewart Engineering (Stewart, Engineer, Inc. as presented) to update the county’s comprehensive development plan and approved a resolution to participate in the North Carolina Department of Commerce’s CORE (Creating Outdoor Recreation Economies) program.

Planning Director Chris Rountree briefed commissioners on the comprehensive development plan (CDP) update and said staff budgeted $50,000 for the 2024–25 fiscal year. Rountree told the board Stewart was recommended partly because it recently completed a CDP for a neighboring county (Nash) and is familiar with regional planning needs. Commissioners emphasized the CDP should include broader elements including parks and recreation and a detailed parks master plan to support grant applications.

The board voted unanimously to select the firm to begin the planning process, which staff said should include community input, an element for parks and recreation that can double as a standalone master plan, and an implementation schedule with annual review mechanisms.

Commissioner Christina Wells presented a related item, asking the commission to sign a resolution joining the state Department of Commerce’s CORE program, a technical-assistance and planning initiative to help rural communities leverage natural assets such as the Roanoke River and Lake Gaston to grow outdoor-recreation-related businesses and tourism. Wells said CORE’s work is free to participating counties, will establish a local working group of stakeholders, and produce a five-year strategic plan identifying short-term actions to promote recreation-led economic development. The board approved the CORE participation resolution and an MOU allowing Commerce to begin working with county staff and stakeholders.