New Hanover County Manager Chris Coudriet serves as chief administrator of county government and maintains responsibility for administering all departments under the general control of the five-member board of commissioners. His
The calendar has officially turned to 2026, providing a moment to look back at the accomplishments of last year while contemplating the milestones that lie ahead. In 2025, our Board of Commissioners preserved more than 100 acres of green space for f
Strategy drives nearly everything we do at New Hanover County Government. As an organization, we frame the array of services we provide through the lens of our 2024-28 Strategic Plan, which focuses on benchmarks over a five-year period in Workforce
Each November, communities across the country take part in Operation Green Light—a simple but meaningful way to show gratitude for the veterans who’ve served our nation. The National Association of Counties leads the effort, and for
On Monday, October 6, New Hanover County will open the doors of the newly constructed Main Library in downtown Wilmington, officially establishing the Grace District as a cultural hub in the heart of our community. Since its inception, the vision fo
Local government works best when residents are involved. Hearing different perspectives and weighing solid facts helps our Board of Commissioners make better decisions for New Hanover County. One of the most effective ways to contribute is by serving
New Hanover County is made up of nearly 30 departments, each responsible for services that people rely on every day – parks, libraries, permitting, public health, waste collection, and much more. Connecting residents to those services is
It’s a statistic that often gets mentioned when we talk about our little corner of Southeastern North Carolina, but it’s an important fact – New Hanover County covers less than 200 total square miles of space and is the second small
When our Board of Commissioners adopted the Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Strategic Plan in September 2022, the framework set guidelines for how money from the national opioid settlement and the county’s Mental Health and S
The New Hanover County Public Library system offers opportunities to expand the mind. Whether that means checking out a book, catching up on current events, watching a film or even borrowing an educational tool from the Library of Things, there are c
Since joining the New Hanover County team all the way back in 2008, I couldn’t begin to fathom how many Board of Commissioner meetings I have taken part in. Back-of-the-napkin math puts it somewhere above 400, and each of them is unique in what
As the calendar transitions to April, it’s easy to get excited about warmer weather. The doldrums of winter are starting to fade, and, despite everything being covered in pollen, spring is upon us, creating a new sense of excitement as we feel
One thing I certainly believe everyone in our community can agree on is that New Hanover County is a unique place. Whether rooted here for generations or a new addition to our community, the people who call this place home know that it is unlike any
Numbers have the power to tell a story. Here in New Hanover County, the metrics behind our housing-related initiatives are doing just that, creating a compelling narrative of the progress and commitment to making our community a place for everyone to
What a year it was. And, more importantly, what a year lies ahead. With the calendar turning from 2024 to 2025, it’s easy to look back fondly and recall all that our community accomplished in the previous year. And there is certainly no shorta
It’s a number no one wants to dial, but if an emergency ever arises, the dedicated team in New Hanover County’s 911 call center is waiting to help those in need. The work these telecommunicators do each day is vital to community safety, m
At the October 7 Board of Commissioners meeting, staff from the county’s Planning and Land Use team presented information about the Fiscal Year 2024-25 Workforce Housing Services program. They reviewed the applications that were submitted, went
When thinking about the services provided by government, it’s easy to focus on departments related to public health, safety or the environment. These are entities crucial to daily life. But what about supporting creativity or inspiration
There are some things that are undeniable about New Hanover County. We are home to some amazing natural resources, including our beaches and waterways. We have a vibrant and diverse cultural scene that showcases talent in areas like food and the art
It is a topic that is at the forefront of conversations within New Hanover County Government. From our Commissioners to staff, the most significant ongoing discussion throughout the organization centers around our growing community, the
It’s hard to believe, but we are more than a decade into the use of a strategic plan to guide priorities and initiatives here in New Hanover County. When the inaugural five-year plan was implemented following approval by the
For those of us working in government, every July 1 marks a new beginning. This date is always an exciting moment as it is the starting point to a fiscal year, which means funding for programs and initiatives throughout the community officially begin
As an organization, New Hanover County has nearly 40 departments overseeing an array of programs, facilities and initiatives throughout this place we call home. Every day, dedicated staff members show up to make sure our residents and visitors have
New Hanover County is committed to providing those we serve with the programs and amenities that enhance and ensure a strong quality of life in our community. That statement often brings up the question: how? How does the county determin
The doldrums of winter are finally nearing their end. After months of navigating blustery winds, looking at gray and brown landscapes, and dealing with frigid temperatures, spring is starting to take hold here in southeastern North Carolina. &nb
When thinking about the work of county government, many will focus on the services and programs overseen by various departments that keep our community safe and healthy. These are obviously extremely important as our residents rely on them each day
This past summer, New Hanover County staff, our Board of Commissioners and community partners, along with your input from our Community Survey in 2023, worked to create a new five-year strategic plan that will set the framework for county operations
The spirit of volunteerism is important to so many organizations throughout our county. The ideal of giving back in service to others is a principle we should all strive to make a part of our lifestyle, as it connects us to each other and makes our
As it always seems to do, time has flown by, bringing us to another holiday season. It feels like mere weeks ago we were welcoming 2023 with hope for what was to come. As the calendar winds down, it provides an opportunity to look back on the achieve
Through the doors. Down the hallway. Past the fish tank. Look for the signs. There’s no way of knowing just how many times sentences like those were used by New Hanover County employees while helping visitors navigate their way thr
The distance between our Government Center and the Appalachian State campus is a little more than 300 miles. Give or take a few pit stops on the route, that equates to around five hours of staring through a windshield – which offers someone a l
One of the things that truly makes New Hanover County a special place to live is the wide variety of people who choose to call this community home. With so many individuals from different backgrounds, cultures and lived experiences, our count
June 20, 2011. There is no shortage of significant days throughout the history of our community, but that date more than 12 years ago marked a truly important moment for our county’s future. On June 20, 2011, the New Hanover County Board
Here in New Hanover County, we are fortunate to have amazing team members across more than 30 departments dedicated to working with our customers to administer services and programs that enhance the quality of life in our community. And
Time truly does fly, or at least it feels like it does. While it’s hard to fathom that six months have passed since we turned the calendars, June is a significant milestone for those of us working in the public sector, as it marks the end of t
This will come as no surprise to anyone who calls New Hanover County home, but our community is rapidly growing. As people learn about the amazing quality of life available here and make plans to relocate, we know there will be challenges in maintai
Looking out my new office window, I have a bird’s eye view of the former facility that served as the primary home for New Hanover County Government for more than two decades. When it was constructed in 1989, the building was an indoor sh
Youth Intervention Specialist Elizabeth Covert, program participant Lamonte Davis, Program Manager Kristy Williams, program participant Zay’Den Hansley and Youth Intervention Specialist Kaylee Hoyle Every day, individuals make choices. Some c
Does anyone remember a time before GPS? Back when traveling, especially to unfamiliar places, meant pulling out an oversized map from the glove compartment and hoping there were no roadblocks or detours between Point A and Point B. A fun, family road
In just one year, Port City United has formed a dedicated team and developed relationships throughout the community, established Community Resource Coordinators in schools to work with students and families, and created connections within neighborhoo
New Hanover County has had a great 2022, with new initiatives and a keen focus on improving our core services. We won 10 national awards and one state award for innovation, New Hanover County Fire Rescue received international accreditation, w
Growth and progress are important for any community, and that is certainly the case here in New Hanover County. Our population has increased more than 88% in the past 30 years according to Census data, and that will continue increasing in the years t
In today’s world, the likelihood that you or those closest to you have been impacted, either directly or indirectly, by mental health or substance use issues is almost guaranteed. Long before the pandemic changed how we went
Battalion Chief Jennifer Smith speaks with Fire Captain Blake Turner at NHCFR Station 17. Recently, New Hanover County Fire Rescue (NHCFR) became an Accredited Agency with the Commission on Fire Accreditation International. Going through this proce
When ballot boxes open for the upcoming 2022 elections, our community will be asked to answer a question – Is improved mobility and access to public transportation something our citizens have a desire to make possible through sales tax funds?&n
New Hanover County is growing. This is an undeniable fact. And while growth is inevitable, making sure it provides affordable opportunities for an array of families at different income levels is something the Board of Commissioners has c
A little more, with a little less. It sounds like an impossible task. But that was the challenge and opportunity presented to New Hanover County staff when talking with the Board of Commissioners about their goals for Fiscal Year 2022-23
Established in 1949, May is observed as Mental Health Awareness Month across the United States. Here in New Hanover County, mental health continues to be a topic reverberating throughout our community. It is an issue our Board of Commiss
In 2014, New Hanover County commissioned an economic development strategy, commonly referred to as the Garner Report. The goal of this document was simple – provide a clear focus of how the county can foster economic development through three k
In June 2020, New Hanover County established the Office of Diversity & Equity. The mission of this new office was clear – promote an inclusive and fair work environment while building a culture, both within our government and our community,
I’ll believe it when I see it. They are words that have truly stuck with me and others on our staff here at New Hanover County for many months. Like all things in government, there are procedures and processes to follow th
As I shared this past November, New Hanover County Commissioners and staff developed an innovative model, through the use of American Rescue Plan funds, to create a Pandemic Operations Team to support the community in our continued fight against COVI
Around this time one year ago, we reflected on all that had occurred in 2020 and knew we were finishing a year unlike anything any of us had ever experienced. A year later, 2021 proved to be just as difficult. As we look ahead to 2022, it is importa
The past 20 months have been grueling for many of us. Among those most impacted in their workload and care for the community has been our Health and Human Services (HHS) team who has run the county’s operations for contact tracing, testing, vac
In April, the message I shared with you talked about the Commissioners approval of its strategy to utilize the $45.4 million in federal money from the American Rescue Plan to address the economic and social challeng
Over the past few weeks, after a shooting occurred on the campus of New Hanover High School, I have taken a lot of time to sit down and talk with people in our community. There have been some eye-opening moments for me as a public administrator and a
The COVID-19 pandemic has been an exhausting, ongoing crisis. Those of us in New Hanover County are used to encountering a hurricane or other natural disaster. But the pandemic reminds me of what one of our staff members told me early on about the co
Amidst the backdrop of a global pandemic, New Hanover County staff continued serving the community, creating innovative programs and enhancing our services, and recently earned 10 achievement awards from the National Association of Counties (NACo) th
The Board of Commissioners has been clear about what its priorities are for public education and teacher pay, the need for enhanced public safety, and new economic development and workforce initiatives. The county also has prior obligations and gener
A focus for New Hanover County is always on promoting intelligent growth and economic development. We want New Hanover County to be attractive to businesses – for our existing businesses to stay here and grow, and for new businesses to come to
Grants to businesses and nonprofits negatively impacted by the pandemic, infrastructure for a new business park on Blue Clay Road and programs designed to get people back to work are all part of a framework unanimously adopted by
Saving tax payer money is something that New Hanover County strives to do everyday. It’s foundational to our strategy and vision of modeling good governance. We want to make sure we use the public resources entrusted to us w
New Hanover County is now at the three-year mark of the 2018-2023 Strategic Plan. We're making progress on our goals, seeing areas where improvement is needed – especially in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, and continuing our work ever
In October, the New Hanover County Board of Commissioners unanimously voted to implement an ordinance prohibiting the use of combustible tobacco and e-cigarettes in public places starting February 1, 2021. This is the most progressive smoking and vap
New Hanover County is committed to keeping our community safe, healthy and secure. In 2020, that commitment was even more profound as the county and our Public Health team helped residents navigate COVID-19, responding to the needs of the community
New Hanover County is changing. Our population is growing, the needs of residents to be more connected and have different housing options is evolving, and our development landscape is moving to a more focused approach on smart growth and density. An
Older adults are living longer, healthier and more productive lives. I’m glad, especially since my 50th birthday is right around the corner. My mom is 70, and she remains active and engaged in her community. We are all aging, but that isn&rsquo
When you hear the term “housing affordability” – what comes to your mind? Some equate it to lower income or subsidized housing, others see it as housing with rent or mortgage payments that don’t exceed 30 percent of a househol
Since the start of COVID-19, New Hanover County has led the public health response in our community: setting up testing sites, performing contact tracing to help stop the spread of the virus, working hand-in-hand with the hospital to monitor the viru
The COVID-19 pandemic has rescheduled, canceled and changed the course of most every event and plan in the past four months. The 2020 Census is among them. It has pushed the Census timeline back a bit, but it’s still moving forward and it&rsqu
The locally-owned store where you frequently shop, your barber or hair salon, the family-owned print store down the street – those are just some of the businesses that the county has been able to help through the small business grants program.
Since March 21, our community has been operating under a Stay At Home Order and navigating mitigation measures set by either state or local authorities to slow the spread of COVID-19. Residents, businesses and organizations have also implemented guid
The past month has been an unprecedented and difficult time for our community. Businesses have had to close their doors; the way essential services are delivered has changed; and people are staying home and away from others instead of enjoying the ty
The New Hanover County Board of Commissioners held the 2020 State of the County address on February 10 to a packed room at the historic courthouse. I left feeling proud of the work the county has accomplished over the past year, and energized at the
In business, in economic growth…if you build it, will they come? I think the answer, at least in the case of our industrial corridor on US-421, is yes. And I don’t mean building new offices or warehouses. I’m talking about buildin
Earlier this year, New Hanover County began working on an update to our Minority and Women Business Enterprise (MWBE) Program to help ensure a higher rate of MWBE participation in all aspects of the county's contracting and procurement programs,
The future of New Hanover Regional Medical Center (NHRMC) is a main topic of conversation throughout the community. I understand why — it is an incredible asset, provides high-quality health services, and is our region’s largest employer.
A new government center. Possible retail, residential and commercial space. A new hub of activity for New Hanover County and the city of Wilmington. That’s what a public-private partnership on the county’s land off of South College Road c
Fifty years is a long time, especially when it comes to development. The way we think about development, its connectivity, density, affordability, and so much more has changed over time to meet the needs of the community. And it’s important tha
New Hanover County’s $399 million balanced budget for Fiscal Year 2019-2020 has been adopted by the Board of Commissioners. It focuses on investments in education, public safety, economic development and the community – both now and
Recently, we held our fifth-annual “Reach for the Stars” Banquet, where the county recognized 232 people who received a Stellar Award over the past year and honored 14 employees for earning the highest county award, the Five Star Award.
In any construction project, whether it’s building a new home or renovating your kitchen, it’s important to know how much things will cost. And it’s even better to know you won’t go over budget. That last point is key,
It has been six months already since Hurricane Florence made landfall in New Hanover County. This storm was unlike any other we have seen in recent history. It had been 19 years to the day (Hurricane Floyd made landfall Sept. 14, 1999) since our com
The possibilities of Project Grace are exciting. It has been over two years since we began talking about the opportunity of a public-private partnership to create a mixed-use development in downtown Wilmington, which we have coined as “Project
New Hanover County Commissioners have been working hard to prioritize and advocate for our county’s local legislative goals for 2019-20, and they have been working with Commissioners throughout North Carolina to set priorities that benefit all
One thousand, five hundred and ten. That’s the number of New Hanover County employees who stayed behind, served our community, and supported our residents for 21 straight days during Hurricane Florence and in the days that immediately followed.
Thankful. It’s a word most of us use around this time of year but it feels incredibly fitting for me to use it now as I reflect on the past two months. I am thankful for our New Hanover County employees. They work tirelessly each day to serve
New Hanover County experienced significant impacts from Hurricane Florence. The preliminary damage assessment across the county is more than $450 million in real and personal property losses. And that is just one gauge of the storm’s impact on
You may have heard about New Hanover County Government Center’s inadvertent emergency alert that happened on Aug. 1. The alert was treated as a real threat, employees evacuated the building, and law enforcement responded. It turned out to be a
If you want to see innovation at work, take a tour around the New Hanover County landfill. You won’t just see a pile of trash; you’ll see one of the state’s most advanced integrated solid waste management systems that include
New Hanover County’s newly-adopted budget leaves more money in taxpayers’ pockets – $5.1 million to be exact – all while increasing funding for our public schools, adding more resources for school safety and mental health, sup
A new fire station, library, Public Health and Social Services building, and the potential development of Project Grace. Those are four of the major projects New Hanover County is working on right now, and they are all strategic investments to help
Economic development incentives are an important aspect of New Hanover County’s strategy to encourage the private sector to grow, create jobs, invest in our community and strengthen our tax base. According to Senior Economist Timothy J. Bartik
March is National Social Worker Month, and New Hanover County has an incredible team of social workers that serve our community every day. Their compassion, support and assistance make a difference in the lives of children, families and seniors thro
The need to plan for the county’s future, to create a road map for setting measurable targets and achieving them, is the basis for New Hanover County’s strategic planning. This past January, the Board of Commissioners adopted the county&
New Hanover County had a good 2017, and I am looking forward to another productive year in 2018. I am confident the county will continue to further our economic progress, enhance the health and safety in this community, and advance the area’s
It is the end of 2017 and I am thankful for many things. I am thankful for the more than 1,700 dedicated county employees who work hard, serve our citizens and make a difference in our community every day. I am thankful to the Board of Commissioners
Providing every child with a strong foundation for learning matters. Research suggests that quality pre-kindergarten and educational readiness lead to increased high school graduation rates, higher earnings, less crime and a stronger workforce. The
Since 2012, the New Hanover County Board of Commissioners has embraced a five-year strategic plan that has guided and directed county decisions and initiatives. The strategic plan established three focus areas to meet the needs of our citizens
In January, the New Hanover County Board of Commissioners entered into a contract with Wilmington Downtown, Inc. and Benchmark Planning to conduct a study on a county-owned downtown block. The study has been completed and the results hav
New Hanover County started a new fiscal year on July 1. With that start comes an adopted general fund budget of $329.4 million and a continued focus on the county’s strategic priorities. The adopted budget is a 4.2 percent increase over
The Wells Fargo Championship in New Hanover County was an overwhelming success. Around 25,000 spectators descended on Eagle Point Golf Club each day during the first week of May. The economic impact – ranging from hotel stays and local vendors
The recently launched Choose Cape Fear marketing initiative highlights the Cape Fear region as one of the fastest growing in the southeastern United States, with more than 200,000 skilled workers and a workforce in which more than 30 percent has earn
The World Health Organization defines health as “a state of complete physical, mental and social wellbeing.” Health starts in our homes, neighborhoods, schools and workplaces. It is determined, in part, by where we live and our access to
Imagine a city block in a growing and vibrant downtown that has the potential to be redeveloped into a more productive, useful space. That is the vision for the county-owned block in downtown Wilmington, bordered by Grace, Third, Chestnut and Second
New Hanover County is always looking for ways to improve the customer experience and increase citizen satisfaction. It is one of our strategic objectives for effective county management, and it is a daily driver for each of our departments. With tha
By now, I hope you have heard that New Hanover County is conducting its biennial citizen survey, available online until Dec. 12. It was also mailed to 4,000 randomly selected New Hanover County households. This statistically-valid survey is designed
New Hanover County is prepared for disasters. We hope your business is, too. While New Hanover County fared well during Hurricane Matthew, many other counties were not as fortunate. The extent of damages throughout New Hanover County mainly consiste
I often say New Hanover County employs the best and brightest, and I truly believe that. We have a workforce committed to public service, with a focus on developing innovative programs to be good stewards and successfully serve our community. In Jul
I am pleased to share with you that New Hanover County’s very first comprehensive plan – Plan NHC – was unanimously adopted by the board of county commissioners in July. This is a historic achievement, and it charts the
As North Carolina’s second-smallest and most urbanized county, New Hanover County has been at a disadvantage in one important economic-development resource: suitable sites for industry. Even so, the county does have a number of areas that could
I always like to say that New Hanover County has the “best and the brightest” employees who are committed to supporting and serving the community every day. We couldn’t serve the public well if it wasn’t for the outstanding ef
Many of the public services that are closest to people’s lives come from county governments. To recognize the importance of what counties do, April has been designated National County Government Month. We are making a special effort to raise aw
Leading up to the Greater Wilmington Business Journal’s WilmingtonBiz Expo, I’d like to focus on how New Hanover County works with, and for, the business community. New Hanover County is open for business, and we will take the opportunity
Parks that offer both active recreation and passive enjoyment of nature and open space are a major contributor to New Hanover County’s quality of life. Our entire community should be proud of our parks, and I hope many readers will be inspired
I hope you had a chance to read the December Insight on the need for citizen input on the New Hanover County comprehensive plan. Since that column was written, more work has been accomplished, and I wanted to be sure that everyone has the fact
Providing resources to help residents maintain healthy, active lifestyles and remain productive citizens has been a priority for New Hanover County for many years. Today, as average life spans continue to rise, our focus on the role of our Senior Res
We want to know how New Hanover County’s residents spend their leisure time, and to learn more about their preferences for cultural and educational activities. That is why we are encouraging the widest range of people to take an online survey o
Preserving an important piece of New Hanover County’s architectural heritage, and setting an example for sustainable development in the 21st century, the county’s refurbished downtown office building officially opened this month. T
Most of us have heard variations on the business catchphrase, “Failing to plan means planning to fail.” To ensure that New Hanover County has a successful future, the county government has undertaken a multiyear process to create the firs
One of the important services New Hanover County provides to our residents is our Veteran Services office. For many years, this branch of county government has assisted veterans and eligible family members in applying for benefits through the U.S. De
What sorts of information resources will people need from the New Hanover County Library in the future? We hope to hear ideas and suggestions from the public, including the local business community, as part of our Libraries of the Future project. &nb
Making the best use of the resources that citizens and taxpayers have entrusted to us should be a top goal for any responsible government agency. Our Energy Sustainability Policy is one way that New Hanover County works to live up to that goal.  
Included as one of New Hanover County’s strategic objectives is providing superior public education and workforce development. To deliver on this objective, we must plan and have the appropriate resources. In November 2014, the voters of this c
New Hanover County’s budget for the 2015-16 year, which began on July 1, puts our focus on strategic management. In simple terms, that means aligning this year’s revenue and spending with the county’s long-term priorities, all with
