Pender County invites residents to help shape the County’s future by providing input on its 5-Year Strategic Plan.

County staff have developed a draft plan to guide priorities and decisions through 2030. As part of this effort, the county has revised its mission statement and core values and identified strategic goals based on an analysis of Pender County’s strengths and challenges.

The seven draft strategic goals are:

• Enhancing public safety
• Supporting schools and education
• Focusing on internal development and retention
• Enhancing public communication and transparency
• Improving access to services
• Increasing economic development
• Focusing on strategic growth and infrastructure planning

A short public survey is now open and takes just a few minutes to complete. Residents are encouraged to review the mission statement, core values and goals, and rank the goals by importance. There is also space to explain why a goal is a top priority or to suggest alternative language if the wording doesn’t reflect their values.

What you say truly matters.

The survey is available via direct link (https://form.jotform.com/250904937661059). It will remain open through April 28.

Residents can also share feedback at one of two upcoming public engagement sessions:

• Tuesday, April 29, 5 to 7 p.m.
  Hampstead Library meeting room
  75 Library Drive, Hampstead
• Wednesday, April 30, 5 to 7 p.m.
  Board of County Commissioners meeting room
  805 S. Walker St., Burgaw

After reviewing public feedback, the Board of County Commissioners will finalize the strategic goals. Staff will then set measurable objectives to guide implementation over the next five years.

The final Pender County 2025 Strategic Plan will be presented to the Board for adoption in December.