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County administrator reports courthouse move, grant awards and local development activity
Summary
County Administrator Mr. Straw reported that the new courthouse became operational Sept. 16, the county received a $223,000 business-ready sites grant, a property behind Food Lion was sold to HM4E Inc., and several infrastructure projects and hires are underway.
County Administrator Mr. Straw (S8) told the Southampton County Board of Supervisors on Sept. 24 that the county’s courthouse project has moved into operation: end users moved in the week of Sept. 9 and the building became operational Sept. 16. He said staff are working on reverting Hunterdale space to its prior use and removing temporary trailers and mobile bathrooms once logistics are complete.
Mr. Straw summarized several active projects and local economic development items. Newsom CDBG housing and drainage work is expected to reach substantial completion around Dec. 24 with final completion in January. The county has signed a contract with JVC Kenwood for the radio project, which the county expects to complete by 2026. The county issued an RFP for engineering services tied to its business‑ready sites grant program (the county was awarded $223,000). He also reported that a property behind the Food Lion has been sold to HM4E Inc. and is proceeding through site-plan work.
Other items Mr. Straw noted included ongoing work on fairgrounds restoration after wind damage, plans for a Cortland wastewater UV system upgrade (project referenced at roughly $277,000 contractor cost), and personnel additions: a new permit technician/plans reviewer, Lily Phillips, started Sept. 3, and a new custodian has accepted an offer and will begin soon.
Why it matters: These are operational and economic items that affect county services, capital projects and local business readiness. The county’s grant award and property sale could affect development timelines behind the Food Lion site, while the courthouse move marks a milestone in delivering facilities for court operations.
What happens next: The county will continue work with contractors and consultants (engineering RFP responses due Oct. 11 for the site studies) and will report project milestones back to the board.
