All Things Leland

Since 1982, the North Carolina Coastal Federation has been in the field restoring miles of coastline; training and educating students, adults, and communities to take actions that result in cleaner coastal waters and advocating for an accessible, healthy, productive coast. North Carolina has 3,375 miles of coastline which contributes billions in economic value to the state.Created to give a united voice to the need for long-term coastal management, the Federation remains a collaborative, grassroots organization at its heart and brings together traditional and nontraditional organizations, government agencies, and businesses in order to achieve what is best for the North Carolina coast and to leave a legacy of clean water for future generations.Information on the Federation can be found here: https://www.nccoast.org/For those who are interested in making their backyards and homes more environmentally friendly by reducing stormwater runoff you can find the Federation’s Smart Yards brochure here: https://www.nccoast.org/resource/smart-yards/#coastline #northcarolina #nccoastalfederation #environment #raingarden

Novant Health has made a series of announcements detailing their investment in facilities and services for the residents of the region. Recently, the State approved Novant Health’s planned hospital in Leland (in the Terrapin community). The new facility will include 20 acute care beds and five procedure rooms. The facility will include a 24/7 emergency room, ten observation beds and imaging services. Construction is estimated to cost $251 million and Novant Health anticipates hiring 204 staff members. the new hospital is expected to open to patients on January 1, 2030.To talk about this project and other investments in the community, we are pleased to have had the opportunity to speak with Kevin Briggs, the President of Novant Health Brunswick Medical Center.

Brunswick Partnership for Housing, Inc. is a private, non-profit organization. They provide services for more than 500 unsheltered individuals and families annually and advocate for the development of permanent, safe and affordable housing in Brunswick County.Services include:Outreach and case managementInformation and referralsEmergency shelter through area motelsTransitional housing for homeless familiesTo learn more about this important program and their community partners, we were pleased to speak with Sally Learned, Executive Director of the Partnership.

Brunswick County is the sixth fastest growing County in the United States. And, as our County grows, so do the number of children who are attending our public schools. A recent news article in the Brunswick Beacon reported that the number of students attending Brunswick County Schools (BCS) is expected to grow by 42% over the next decade - nearly 6,000 students.This November residents will have the opportunity to vote on a proposed bond that provides BCS with the funding necessary to build a new elementary school (just north of Brunswick Forest) and new High School between Leland and Winnabow to meet student population growth. Additionally funds will be used for various upgrades at schools including intercom and wiring upgrades, bleacher upgrades and site development for future schools.To discuss the needs of BCS we were pleased to talks with Dale Cole the Superintendent of Schools.You can learn more about the bond by clicking here: https://www.bcswan.net/school-board/2026bond

For more than 20 years, Brunswick County offered aging services to provide support to older adults. In 2002, the county identified and projected the growing population of older adults and Brunswick Senior Resources, Inc. (BSRI) was established. With the ever-evolving needs of people over 50, BSRI has adapted by offering active lifestyle activities, while continuing to provide resources and support to help navigate the aging process.BSRI maintains a location in Leland which provides programming and meals. Persons must register with their Nutrition Coordinator prior to first meal.BSRI receives funding from federal, state, and local entities, as well as philanthropic donations. Additionally, BSRI operates businesses that provide supportive revenue to expand programs beyond existing resource allocations.To expand on what BSRI has to offer we were pleased to interview Yvette Gosline, Chief Operating Officer, of the organization.#lelandnc #seniorwellness #brunswickcountync

You may recognize them locally as Cape Fear Solar, but the company has recently rebranded as Cape Fear Energy Systems — reflecting a broader commitment to bringing comprehensive energy improvements and efficiency upgrades to both homeowners and businesses in the community.Cape Fear Energy Systems is a participating company in North Carolina’s Energy Saver program which was launched in Brunswick County and the region earlier this year by Governor Stein. The NC Saver program was the subject of an interview earlier this year which I am pleased to re-share. We were pleased to speak with Gabe Amey, Chief Marketing Officer at Cape Fear Energy Systems, to discuss their transition into full energy related work for homeowners and businesses.

The Cape Fear Council of Governments is the designated Area Agency on Aging (AAA) for North Carolina Planning Region O serving Brunswick, Columbus, New Hanover, and Pender Counties. The Area Agency on Aging is mandated by the Older Americans Act of 1965, as amended, to plan, develop, implement, and coordinate aging services for the Region.According to the U.S. Census, Brunswick County by the median age of its residents is the oldest County in North Carolina. The AAA assists the counties as they study the needs of older citizens and plan services to meet those needs. They provide the administration and monitoring related to the Home Community Care Block Grant (HCCBG) funding and other direct service funding of community-based services enables older adults to live independently in their own homes as long as possible. Federal, state and local funds make services possible through grant agreements with Boards of County Commissioners and community service providers.To help provide information regarding the Area Agency on Aging we were pleased to speak with Holly Pilson who is the Director of the Program.

Having a child at home with severe diaper rash, Diaper Bank founder Michelle Schaefer was changing his diaper 20 – 30 times a day, she could not stop the infections from taking over, causing her son to be extremely ill and in pain. As her son started to heal, Michelle started to wonder about parents who were not able to grab that next diaper to help their babies stay clean, dry, and healthy and knew there was no assistance for these families to do so.In January 2013, Schaefer formed the Diaper Bank of NC with the hopes of providing 50,000 diapers in her community within the year. The Diaper Bank now distributes over 7.5 million diapers a year state-wide, with branches in the Triangle, Charlotte, Greater Triad, and Lower Cape Fear Region.To learn more about the Diaper Bank we are pleased to have a conversation with Michelle and Julie Bowling (Lower Cape Fear Branch of the Diaper Bank). To learn more about the Lower Cape Fear Branch click on the link: https://www.ncdiaperbank.org/Their local phone number is (910) 777-3243.#capefear #diaperbank #diaperrash #wilmingtonnc #capefearregion #brunswickcountync

For 40 years the Sister Isaac Center has been serving residents across the region. In 1983, Sister Isaac Koenig, a Catholic nun of the Society of St. Ursula, came to Wilmington to serve at St. Mary parish and began assessing the social needs of the local community. She immediately saw that there was a food desert in the area, and those with limited means found it especially difficult to buy affordable or good-quality fresh food. What began as a simple food pantry stocked by parishioner donations quickly sparked neighborhood interest, and soon members of the larger community were spontaneously bringing food and clothing. First named the Tileston Center — after the building in which it is housed — at her retirement in 2016, it was renamed The Sister Isaac Center.The Center now serves more than 10,000 residents on an annual basis.You can learn more about the Sister Isaac Center by visiting their website: https://www.thesisterisaaccenter.org/

It is no secret that electricity rates are increasing in North Carolina. This past November Duke Energy has requested a rate increase of more than 13%. Both the Governor and Attorney General have expressed their opposition to the rate proposal.To help consumers, in January 2025 the Governor launched Energy Saver NC, an initiative to promote energy efficiency that provides rebates to households that install energy-efficient appliances, improve home insulation, or upgrade electrical systems. North Carolina has recently announced that it has expanded is Energy Saver program to qualified homeowners or renters in Brunswick County and throughout the State. A program for multi-family residential buildings will roll out later this year.We were pleased to speak with Francisco Martinez-Marquez, an Environmental Program Consultant with the NC Department of Environmental Quality about the program.More on the energy saver program can be found here: https://energysavernc.org/ or by calling 866-998-8555.

We were pleased to have a conversation with Dr. Mouhcine Guettabi, Regional Economist, at the University of North Carolina - Wilmington regarding the economic profile he has authored for Brunswick County. We previously interviewed Dr. Guettabi in November.In the report Dr. Guettabi points out the County has demonstrated strong economic performance from Q2 2024 to Q2 2025 with employment growth of 3.76%, wage growth of 5.14% and establishment growth of 7.53%. All these important metrics exceed the statewide average.

Cape Fear River Watch is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that was founded in 1993. Founders Bouty Baldridge and Bruce Watkins envisioned a permanent nonprofit organization, open to everyone, and dedicated to the improvement and preservation of the health, beauty, cleanliness, and heritage of the Cape Fear River basin. According to the University of North Carolina, 1.5 million residents depend on the river for their drinking water supply. The Cape Fear River encompasses 9,164 square miles making it the largest river basin contained entirely within North Carolina.The mission of the River Watch is to protect and improve the water quality of the Cape Fear River Basin for all people through education, advocacy and action. Working with partners, they have a history of proven success in protecting the watershed. We were pleased to have a conversation with Morgan Hooks, Outreach and Engagement Manager for Cape Fear River Watch, about the important work they do.

Three hundred years ago in 1726 Maurice Moore, the son of a former South Carolina governor, founded this port town. North Carolina was a colony of England, and the town was named Brunswick to honor George I, the king of England, who was also duke of Brunswick in what is now Germany.A major pre-Revolutionary port on North Carolina's Cape Fear River, Brunswick was razed by British troops in 1776 and never rebuilt. During the Civil War, Ft. Anderson was constructed atop the old town site.We are pleased to have a conversation with Jim McKee who serves as Site Manager of the property who will share in more detail its history and the various events held on the property.

27% of Brunswick County's children live in food insecure households. Pleased to share our All Things Leland interview with the Pastor of the The Bridge Presbyterian Church on what they are doing in partnership with our local schools and other organization to make a difference. Learn about how you can help: www.allthingsleland.com.