COMMUNITY PROFILES / HARNETT COUNTY
County Offices
102 East Front Street
Lillington 910-893-7555
www.harnett.org
Chamber of Commerce
209 W. Divine Street
Dunn 910-892-4113
www.dunnchamber.com
Services
Rural Harnett County offers all the pleasures of small-town and country living in close proximity to North Carolina’s capital city and the Research Triangle Park. The county is just awakening to its potential as a home for business and industry, and more than one-fifth of the modern population lives in towns or villages. Nevertheless, agriculture and agricultural products remain as the county’s greatest single source of income. First-rate services within the county include state-of-the-art healthcare facilities that are anchored by Betsy Johnson Regional Hospital in Dunn and Good Hope Hospital in Erwin.
Growing along with the community, Betsy Johnson Memorial Hospital is receiving a $31.5 renovation and upgrade. Good Hope Hospital applies a team effort to provide advanced care within the personalized and compassion setting of a community hospital. In addition to these major healthcare institutions, the county offers several convenient medical centers that are designed to meet most routine needs close to home. Regional institutions of national acclaim include Duke University Medial Center and the University of North Carolina’s Memorial Hospital.
Harnett County public schools provide a quality education on primary and secondary levels, complemented by a number of private schools and charter schools. Charter schools are actually public schools that are privately operated through a charter and enjoy a wide range of academic freedom. Central Carolina Community College provides a campus in Harnett County, making it possible for residents to launch a degree both conveniently and affordably. The courses and programs offered at the college also benefit area businesses and industries by providing customized training in technical and professional areas. CCCC is home to the only laser and fiber optics laboratory in the Southeast, the largest program between Florida and Boston.
Several other community and technical colleges are available in neighboring counties. Harnett County is also the proud home of Campbell University, which grants professional degrees in law, pharmacology, business, education, and divinity and offers a wide variety of undergraduate programs. More than a dozen other colleges and universities are available within an hour’s commute of Harnett County. Included on the list are three major research universities: Duke University in Durham, the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, and North Carolina State University in Raleigh.
Lifestyle
Outstanding recreational opportunities and easy access to world-class cultural attractions are just two of the many advantages of life in Harnett County. Golfers will find a number of championship courses— a list that continues to grow with the population. Campbell University’s Keith Hills Country Club, as just one example, has been voted as one of the “top 100 values” by Golf Digest. For the avid golfer, the prestigious Pinehurst area is only 45 minutes away. In less than two hours, residents can be soaking up the sun and enjoying beachfront entertainment at Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Outdoor enthusiasts will appreciate the 3,000-acre Raven Rock State Park just six miles west of Lillington, encouraging activities like camping, fishing, horseback riding, hiking, biking, and canoeing. Public tennis courts, lush parks, municipal sports leagues, and sparkling lakes ensure year-round action for every age group.
Support for the arts is strong in Harnett County, where the regional arts council supports a wide variety of groups and activities. The Harnett Regional Theater, the Harnett Art Guild, the Helena Wade Music Club, and the Cape Fear Writers Guild are among the active organizations that enrich the county with opportunities for creative self-expression and outstanding performances. Campbell University fills the calendar with exciting events that include concert sand other musical performances, art exhibitions, plays, and lectures. Colorful celebrations and festivals embody the spirit of each community as well as the region, drawing friends and neighbors together for good times, great food, and lively entertainment.
Harnett County presents a diverse terrain, stretching between the coastal plain and the Piedmont region. The Cape Fear River combines with several tributaries to add scenic beauty to many residential communities. Newcomers can choose from tree-shaded urban neighborhoods that mix homes of various ages and architectural styles or select from a number of new homes and subdivisions in the country. From growing small towns to charming villages and picturesque countryside, Harnett County invites new residents to discover the best of all worlds.
COMMUNITY PROFILES
Angier
Municipal Offices
919-639-2071
www.angier.org
Chamber of Commerce
919-639-2500
www.angierchamber.org
The “Town of Crepe Myrtles is situated at the northern tip of Harnett County and bordered by Wake County. Offering an attractive community in which to life and do business, this area has seen considerable economic growth. Local businesses are increasing not only in numbers but in size. The town welcomes newcomers to a rich historic legacy, many dedicated civic and social groups, and a tight-knit community spirit that creates a family-friendly environment. Lively events and celebrations dot the annual calendar in the Angier area, including the spring golf tournament, a summer Motorcycle Fest, the ever-popular Crepe Myrtle Festival each fall, and the winter holiday parade.
Coats
Municipal Offices
910-897-5183
www.coatsnc.org
Chamber of Commerce
910-897-7741
http://coatschamber.com/
The small town of Coats offers a close community spirit and a quality of life that grows richer with each passing year. Many of the families in this area have deep generational roots, creating a stable environment for new residential and economic growth. For nearly 100 years, residents of Coats have gathered for the Annual Farmer’s Day Celebration. This major event includes a golf tournament, food cook-offs, a Main Street Festival, a carnival and a parade, and a lively dance. Affordable housing, a modern school system, excellent recreational opportunities, and close proximity to important cultural events and attractions make Coats a convenient as well as warm and friendly residential choice.
Dunn
Municipal Offices
910-892-2633
www.dunn-nc.org
Chamber of Commerce
910-892-4113
www.dunnchamber.com
From its roots in the 1800s as a logging town and turpentine distilling center, Dunn has evolved into Harnett County’s largest municipality. The growing economy is firmly grounded in agriculture, manufacturing, distribution, and tourism. Conveniently located just two hours away from North Carolina’s panoramic Crystal Coast and five hours from the world’s oldest mountains, Dunn offers a mild year-round climate. Wonderful neighborhoods of well-kept homes and large shade trees, excellent schools, cultural attractions, local shopping, and exceptional recreational opportunities add to the quality of life. Two bible colleges are at home in Dunn. The Harnett Regional Theatre presents a variety of productions in the newly renovated Stewart Theatre, and Campbell University is easily accessible for additional cultural enrichment. Dunn is strategically located along Interstate 95, the major highway between New York and Florida.
Erwin
Municipal Offices
910-897-5140
www.erwin-nc.org
Chamber of Commerce
910-897-7300
http://erwinchamber.org/
Nestled in native pine trees, the charming, historic village community of Erwin provides an outstanding quality of life. The same entrepreneurial spirit and pride that built the town into the “Denim Capital of the World” is driving its economic growth today. The town is a proud member community of the Research Triangle Research Partnership and is well-positioned to move forward toward impressive new development. Ideally located near the center of North Carolina, the town offers easy access to major metropolitan amenities from cultural events to nightlife. The area’s natural beauty and surrounding open space are ideal for outdoor enthusiasts and those who appreciate nature. The quaint downtown district and colorful festivals that include the annual Denim Days celebration draw residents and visitors alike.
Lillington
Municipal Offices
910-893-2654
https://lillingtonnc.org/
Chamber of Commerce
910-893-3751
www.lillingtonchamber.org
The picturesque small town of Lillington is not the largest in Harnett County, yet it fulfills the important role of county seat. The county library and other county offices are at home in Lillington, where neighborhoods and districts are graced by scenic views of the lovely Cape Fear River as it meanders through the town. The community provides a welcoming atmosphere that is equally well suited to raising families, starting a business, or retiring in a serene and comfortable setting. The town boasts a thriving business community that continues to draw the interest of new enterprises. Recreational opportunities are first-rate in the region that surrounds Lillington. Cultural, educational, and entertainment attractions are less than 25 miles from home in Fayetteville.
