Plan Will Help Guide Future Growth & Investment
Halifax County is approaching finalization of its Comprehensive Land Use and Recreation Plan, a long-range guide that will help County leaders make decisions about land use, infrastructure, economic development, transportation, recreation, housing, and natural resource protection over the next 10 to 15 years.
The comprehensive plan is important because it gives the County a framework for how and where future growth should occur and serves as a guide for land use policy, funding decisions, resource allocation, infrastructure investment, and coordination with municipalities. It updates both the County’s Comprehensive Development Plan and Parks and Recreation Master Plan, while incorporating recommendations related to land use, housing, infrastructure, the economy, transportation, agriculture, parks and recreation, and natural resources.
“This planning process is important because it is directly tied to how a community plans for land, utilities, roads, housing, parks and public services, for the next 10 to 15 years,” commented Chris Rountree, Director of Planning & Development for Halifax County. “The plan also reinforces several key priorities: encouraging growth in appropriate areas, protecting rural and agricultural character, expanding workforce and affordable housing where utilities are available, strengthening access to higher-wage employment, supporting existing businesses and industries, and continuing investment in competitive sites such as the U.S. 301 Industrial Site, a North Carolina Selectsite.”
The plan also recognizes the importance of key economic assets already central to Halifax County’s growth strategy. The draft economic development goals include supporting tourism through the County’s cultural heritage, historic sites, and natural features; protecting the long-term viability of the Halifax-Northampton Regional Airport through coordinated planning; and continuing investment in the County’s select sites and Halifax Corporate Park certified sites. The draft also specifically notes the U.S. 301 Industrial Site near Enfield, one of only 15 designated SelectSites statewide, and the recent investment of $3 million by the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina and NC Department of Transportation.
Recreation is also a meaningful part of the County’s long-term development strategy. Public input showed strong interest in walking and biking trails, playgrounds, picnic areas, amphitheaters, wildlife observation areas, fishing areas, botanical gardens, and swimming facilities. These investments support residents, strengthen community identity, and improves the overall quality of life of our citizens.
Public engagement has been an important part of the process including public meetings, steering committee meetings, and a public survey. Residents identified better-paying jobs as the top economic development priority, road repaving and repair as the top transportation priority, more parks and open space as the top residential priority, and conservation of unique natural areas and rivers as the top environmental priority.
As the plan moves toward completion, the overarching goal is to provide County leaders with a blueprint for responsible growth. It aligns economic development with infrastructure, housing, transportation, recreation, agriculture, education, workforce development, and natural resource protection. Most importantly, it gives Halifax County a coordinated direction for pursuing investment while protecting the rural character, history, and natural assets that make Halifax County a place to live, work, and play.
