As current citizens of Holly Ridge, we are in a unique situation. Holly Ridge was ranked as one of the nation's hottest housing markets ( North Carolina Coast Housing Market ). Growth is inevitable, but we need to ensure it is done sensibly. We cannot lose our small-town feel and become overcrowded, such as some of our surrounding areas. We need to plan for proper roadways and strategic placement of possible future housing developments and businesses. 

There are many great initiatives already in the works within Holly Ridge that I plan to help push forward if I am elected. For example, the Master Parks Plan calls for preservation of land, creating a walking/biking path that connects us to Surf City, improvements to our Municipal Park, and recreational development of Morris Landing. 

Youth programs play a pivotal role in shaping the future of a town. These programs provide young individuals with opportunities for personal growth, skill development, and positive engagement. Affordable, local, youth programs, such as summer camps, would be a true asset to the many families that now reside in Holly Ridge. Each summer it becomes more difficult to find ways for our children to engage in activities, as programs fill up quickly, are unnecessarily high priced, and often require travel to Wilmington or Jacksonville.  As our community grows, the need for more localized youth programs and opportunities increases. Summer camp programs that offer a variety of activities is a great place to start, but should expand to possible recreational sports leagues and even quality pre-school/toddler care, all at an affordable price. 

We also have a great start to a municipal park where our children can run around on the fields, basketball courts, and playground. However, we need to ensure the upkeep of these areas and expand on what we have. A splash pad would make the hot summer days more enjoyable for those smallest members of our community! 

The Town of Holly Ridge has many dedicated police officers and volunteer firefighters working each day to help keep us safe. After meeting with Chief Longo of HR Fire and Rescue and Chief Sorg of the HR Police Department, I learned a lot about how emergency services are handled in our town. The development of a municipal center that houses all of these services is important to meet the needs of our growing community. In addition, the creation of a municipal fire department is a crucial first step. We need Holly Ridge Fire and Rescue to be the only fire department responding to calls in our town. 

Introducing a municipal fire department with paid full-time firefighter positions to our town would bring invaluable benefits that prioritize the safety and well-being of our community. Having a dedicated fire department ensures a swift and efficient response to emergencies, significantly reducing the potential damage caused by fires, accidents, and other hazardous situations. A municipal fire department serves as a hub for fire prevention education, raising awareness about fire safety, conducting drills, and distributing crucial information. By investing in a municipal fire department and paid positions, our town demonstrates its commitment to safeguarding lives and property, creating a united community that can face adversity with confidence.

Supporting growth of businesses in Holly Ridge is crucial for fostering economic growth, community vitality, and a unique local identity. We need to promote our current local businesses and encourage the opening of new businesses to provide resources that will fulfill gaps in our citizens' needs. 

I hope to work with our government to provide businesses with incentives for growth and to create ways within the community to promote businesses. Our Municipal Park, including our baseball field, and Community Center could offer possibilities for free advertising for local businesses. Community programs could occur at different businesses. Working closely with our business owners will help determine the best ways to support them.

In addition, the Camp Davis Industrial Park is a prime location to attract new businesses to our area to service those gaps we currently have. Creating a true Main Street will offer attractive locations to encourage business growth. 

Creating a strong sense of community is important for the growth, cohesion, and overall well-being of a town. It acts as the foundational glue that binds individuals together, promoting a shared sense of identity and belonging. Currently, Holly Ridge feels sectioned into different neighborhoods, with only a few opportunities for us to come together and get to know one an other. We often travel to other cities because we are lacking certain resources. I believe the first two steps to creating a truer sense of community are the development of a 'Main Street" and the addition of more community events. 

With the development of a 'Main Street' we could provide a location for some new and current local business to have their store fronts. This makes access to these stores easier for members of our community. The area would provide a safe place for members of all ages to walk, shop, dine, and interact with one and other. It could provide a base for things like a farmer's markets, car shows, vendors, or holiday celebrations. 

Adding more community events, such as the Liberty Festival and the newly started Bee Festival, provides opportunities for us to come together as a community. It is time that we have more local options for us to take part in, rather than having to travel to other places to enjoy these types of events. These events would also create more opportunities for community members to volunteer and work together to create a better Holly Ridge. Our community center also provides a unique place to offer different classes and activities for citizens of all ages!