Chair Harris highlights jobs, park and land conservation in State of the County address

Chairman Patrick Harris delivered a recorded State of the County address included in the Feb. 16 meeting, summarizing 2025 accomplishments and priorities for 2026.

Harris emphasized infrastructure, financial stewardship, public safety, education funding and land use, and he singled out work to preserve farmland and natural areas in partnership with the Triangle Land Conservancy and the Johnston Soil and Water Conservation District. He said commissioners are finalizing a Unified Development Ordinance intended to protect the county's rural character.

Harris highlighted workforce investments, noting the opening of an advanced manufacturing training facility at Johnston Community College in Four Oaks and citing an announced commitment by Vulcan Elements to train up to 1,000 employees at that center. He said commissioners chose to offer incentives for the Vulcan Elements project to attract advanced-manufacturing jobs and that those incentives are performance-based: "If Vulcan fails to meet its hiring and investment targets, it receives nothing," he said in the recorded remarks.

Harris also noted the county's efforts on parks and trails. He described construction of Johnston Regional Park in the Cleveland community (Phase 1 to include pickleball and basketball courts, a fishing pond and parking) and a newly completed comprehensive trails and greenways plan intended to connect residents to parks and neighboring counties.

The State of the County video concluded with a brief outline of staffing increases in key departments and upcoming water and sewer expansions financed by utility-user fees to support future growth.

The board praised the county public information office for the video; no formal vote was required.