Kyle Smith, County Manager, Jones County

Kyle Smith, county manager of Jones County, spoke with Invest: about how the county is advancing emergency preparedness, infrastructure, recreation, and economic development projects while seeking to preserve the county’s rural character. “Although we’re small, we are also mighty,” Smith said.

How have recent projects shaped Jones County’s priorities?

People often measure progress by what they can see, and Jones County is proud of its recent capital improvements. Over the past year, we relocated and built two new emergency medical services substations to improve response times. We also fully renovated our Emergency Operations Center, which houses the emergency management department and provides the space, equipment, and infrastructure needed to respond promptly during a crisis.

We are also working on economic development projects, including a 20,000-square-foot industrial building. Jones County is agriculture-driven, so we are not expecting a constant stream of large manufacturers. A business that leases the building and creates eight to 12 jobs would still be a major win for our community. We expect to cut the ribbon on the building in September or October.

Another priority is a recreation and wellness center. Jones County did not have a recreation department six years ago, so this is still relatively new for us. Participation is growing, particularly among young people, and we see recreation as connected to economic development. We want residents to pursue higher education or skilled trades and then return to Jones County to build careers and families.

The facility could include a gymnasium, indoor fitness court, and indoor walking track, but we also want it to serve as a storm shelter. Jones County is vulnerable to hurricanes, and Hurricane Florence demonstrated that risk in 2018. Many residents want to remain close to home during a storm, so our goal is to create a safe location outside flood-prone areas. We are working with an architect on a site master plan and design concepts.

How are water and wastewater investments supporting future growth?

Water and sewer capacity are essential because we cannot attract new businesses or residents without them. We take pride in our regional water system and have secured funding to add valves throughout the network. Those valves will allow us to isolate smaller sections during repairs so fewer customers lose service when a leak occurs.

We are also considering an expansion of the wastewater treatment plant. Additional capacity would help us serve residents, prepare for subdivision growth, and compete for future business investment. Data center development is occurring across the country and globally, and we want to be prepared if an opportunity comes to our area.

Jones County is surrounded by four major military installations: Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, Marine Corps Air Station New River, Camp Lejeune, and Seymour Johnson Air Force Base. In anticipation of residential growth, we need sufficient water volume to serve new subdivisions and housing.

What challenges most affect the county’s long-term planning?

Jones County has an older population and is attractive to retirees. We are seeing some growth, including retirement-age residents moving into the area. We promote the county as a safe, low-crime community with a strong public school system. Jones County Public Schools is one of the few districts in North Carolina with no low-performing schools, which is an important advantage when attracting families.

Transportation remains one of our biggest challenges. We do not operate our own transit system, although we partner with Craven Area Rural Transit. Jones County covers a large geographic area, and residents are spread out, so connecting people with services and resources can be difficult. There is room to improve transportation access.

Mental and behavioral health are also concerns. We work with organizations such as Trillium Health Resources to connect residents with available services. Healthcare access is another challenge because many residents travel outside the county for care. We have some primary care services, but no hospital, so improving access to healthcare remains an important priority.

How do partnerships help a rural county expand its capacity?

We know we cannot do everything alone. Our annual budget is approximately $22 million to $23 million, which is relatively small compared with many surrounding counties and counties in the Piedmont. We are only as strong as our partners.

That includes the towns of Maysville, Pollocksville, and Trenton. We want to bring leaders together, combine resources, and support development across Jones County.

Local nonprofits also play an important role. The Filling Station works to address gaps related to community connection, nutrition, and education, including food access and awareness of available resources. United Way of Coastal Carolina is another partner that helps connect residents with services.

Trillium Health Resources keeps us informed about Medicaid and behavioral health matters, and I serve on its South Central Regional Advisory Board. That involvement helps us remain aware of changes and consider how Jones County fits into broader regional healthcare strategies.

Education partnerships are equally important. We work with Lenoir Community College because community colleges are essential to workforce development and long-term success. As North Carolina attracts more residents, partnerships among counties, healthcare organizations, colleges, nonprofits, and local governments will become increasingly important.

What quality-of-life strengths distinguish Jones County?

Our public school system is one of our strongest assets. Families looking for a good public education can find that in Jones County. We also have a low crime rate, a strong sheriff’s office, and department leaders with deep roots in the community. That local connection matters because employees understand the people they serve and have a personal interest in the county’s success.

Although we’re small, we are also mighty. Many people who grew up here leave to attend college or develop a trade and then return to give back. I grew up in Jones County, went to college in Raleigh, and came back. Many residents and county employees have followed a similar path, and that commitment is one reason we are accomplishing these projects.

The county also offers outdoor recreation that some surrounding communities cannot match. Residents and visitors have access to hunting, fishing, and natural areas, including some of the oldest and most beautiful trees in North Carolina.

The Trent River is one of our most valuable assets. It runs from the western part of the county through Jones County before entering Craven County downstream, creating opportunities for fishing, nature activities, recreation, and development along the river corridor.

We are also a short drive from surrounding communities that offer additional recreational programs and amenities. People can enjoy those regional resources while living in a county with strong schools, a safe environment, and access to nature. It makes sense to move to Jones County, develop a business, or build a family here.

What would successful growth look like over the next five years?

Jones County’s future will continue to be rooted in agriculture. Protecting family farms, row-crop operations, and the rural landscape that defines our community is essential to preserving the county’s identity and way of life. Growth should complement, not replace, the character that makes Jones County unique.

Our vision is to encourage strategic, well-planned growth in and around Trenton, Pollocksville, and Maysville, where infrastructure, public services, and community resources already exist. Focusing residential, commercial, and retail development in these areas allows the county to support municipal leaders in attracting new housing, businesses, and investment that strengthen the tax base and provide additional resources for local programs, services, and infrastructure.

We believe it is possible to embrace opportunity without sacrificing the qualities residents value most. Jones County should remain a place where families can step outside on a clear night and still see a sky full of stars, while enjoying the benefits of thriving small towns and a growing local economy.

With safe communities, strong schools, abundant outdoor recreation, and convenient access to neighboring cities, Jones County offers an exceptional quality of life. These strengths position the county to attract families, entrepreneurs, and employers seeking a community that values its rural heritage while planning thoughtfully for the future.