Celebrating Growth: Economic Development Week in Harnett County
Wednesday, May 14, 2025
This week, Harnett County joined communities across the country to celebrate the International Economic Development Council’s (IEDC) Economic Development Week - a time to recognize the partnerships, projects, and people that drive growth in their communities. From May 12–16, we shared stories that shine a light on how economic development creates opportunity and builds a stronger future for all who live, work, and invest in Harnett County.
We have published this blog recap to capture all #EconDevWeek featured content. Follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter to stay connected and join the conversation!
What Economic Development Means in Harnett County
Economic development is more than just buildings and jobs. It’s about creating opportunity and building a stronger future for our communities.
Economic development includes:
- Attracting new businesses while supporting the growth of existing ones
- Investing in education, training, and skills development programs to empower our workforce
- Enhancing quality of life with amenities and services that make Harnett County a great place to live, work, and do business
- Developing and maintaining infrastructure - transportation, utilities, and industrial parks - to support businesses and drive economic growth
- Supporting small businesses and startups by connecting them with the tools and resources they need to grow and succeed
- Encouraging a diverse economy by supporting new industries, reducing reliance on one sector, and fostering innovation
- Collaborating with neighboring communities and partners to share resources, best practices, and tackle common economic challenges
At its core, economic development is about investing in people and strengthening our community, and that’s exactly what we do every day in Harnett County.
Meet the Team Behind the Work
Behind every initiative is a dedicated team committed to helping Harnett County thrive. During Economic Development Week, we spotlighted the individuals driving our progress through a Q&A session:
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Stephen Barrington, Director
What’s your favorite part of working in economic development?
My favorite part of economic development is doing the invisible work aimed at achieving new and expanding company announcements, furthering Harnett County’s economic strength and expanding job opportunities for residents. The work required to achieve the outcomes sought is what drives me to come to work every day, and is most fun.
How do you stay involved in the Harnett County community?
The County and each municipality routinely work on planning activities that are tied to economic development within their community. As I am able to provide input, and or team members are able to participate in such exercises, the more our team can proactively align our economic development activities across the county and within each municipality.
Angie Stewart, Senior Economic Developer
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What’s your favorite part of working in economic development?
The people! We have so many valuable partner organizations in economic development. I really enjoy working with them and learning from them to accomplish our goals.
How do you stay involved in the community?
I serve on several local boards that support education, workforce development, and small business. And I never pass up an opportunity to talk about all the exciting new projects going on in Harnett County to anyone who will listen.
Elizabeth Edwards, Marketing Director
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What’s your favorite part of working in economic development?
What I love most about working in economic development is connecting with the community and discovering what makes Harnett County unique. I am grateful for the chance to share the stories that highlight all the things that make this place shine with decision-makers, business leaders, and the people who call Harnett County home.
How do you stay involved in the community?
I am just getting started with the Leadership Harnett Program and have already learned so much! It’s a great way to connect with others, better understand our community, and find ways to give back. Programs like this help grow strong, local leaders who keep Harnett County moving forward.
Jade Stone, Office Manager
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What’s your favorite part of working in economic development?
My favorite part is the work we do to improve the economic well-being and quality of life for Harnett County – meaning we strive to make our county a better place to live and work and no two days are ever the same.
How do you stay involved in the community?
“Think locally, act locally”. I believe community involvement is essential for economic development. I strive to work collaboratively with local citizens, committees, and boards for the betterment of our communities. Community involvement fosters connections, mutual support, and a sense of belonging. By volunteering and being an active participant in community initiatives, I am able to contribute to the well-being and success of our communities and accomplish common goals.
Learn more about the Harnett County Economic Development Team and connect with them here.
Highlights from a Year of Growth
Here’s a look back at the momentum we’ve built over the past year in Harnett County:
- Golden LEAF Foundation Funding: The Harnett Economic Development Corporation (HEDC) secured $547,885 to support site preparation work at Edgerton Industrial Park, helping us create a market-ready site for future industry and investment. Read more in this press release.
- New Website: We launched a fresh, clean, and user-friendly website (harnettedc.org), packed with information for decision-makers about Harnett County’s advantages. Read more in this blog.
- Major Growth Moves: Harnett County partnered with Samet Corporation and the I-95/I-40 Crossroads of America Economic Development Alliance to launch the Harnett 95 Industrial Center - the county’s first Class A industrial park. Read more in this press release.
In addition, Rooms To Go expanded its operations, and Revels Turf & Tractor announced plans to relocate and grow within the county. Get the details here and here. - Healthcare Expansion: We celebrated the groundbreaking and grand opening of the Cape Fear Valley Health Pavilion & Cancer Center and broke ground on a new Adolescent Behavioral Health Center at Brightwater Technology Park in Lillington. Read the latest in this blog.
- New Video: Premiering in January 2025, our latest economic development marketing video highlights Harnett County’s strong roots, exciting growth opportunities, and all the qualities that make it a great place for businesses to thrive. Read more in this blog post.
Harnett County’s foundation is strong, and the momentum we are building is shaping an even stronger future.
On the Blog: Winning and Losing in Economic Development
During Economic Development Week, Director Stephen Barrington shared his insights on what it means to “win” in economic development and how that definition can look different depending on the geography of your community. His blog post highlights the core activities that set communities up for economic development success and the strategic work it takes to stay competitive.
Too often, communities fall behind not because of a lack of potential, but because they aren’t having the right conversations, aligning their budgets, or investing in the foundational elements needed for long-term growth. As Barrington points out, the idea of success depends on perspective - a “win” at the state level may not feel the same at the local level.
Looking Ahead
Economic Development Week is a great time to celebrate our progress and get excited about the future. With strong partnerships and dedicated leaders, Harnett County is on the rise, and there is much more to come!