Wilson County Gov News

Diversified Opportunities Inc. presented its 2024 Sentinel Award to Wilson County Board of Commissioners Chairman, Rob Boyette, during its 49th annual Open House and Awards Day Celebration on Wednesday, October 30. Commissioner Boyette has dedicated many years of service to citizens with different abilities and those with disabilities. 

Diversified Opportunities Inc.'s mission is to provide vocational evaluation, training and job placement for individuals, age sixteen and over, with disabilities or disadvantaged circumstances so that they might secure an optimal earned income and enhance their independence in the community.

Pictured alongside Chairman Boyette, left to right, are Cindy Harrell, Executive Director of Diversified Opportunities, Lori Winstead, Deputy County Manager and Ron Hunt, County Manager.  

We’re all familiar with the recent devastation that struck western North Carolina. Several of our own employees have shown a true servant’s heart and deployed to various western counties to help out. Many have asked how they can help as well, whether that’s through monetary donations or supplies.  

Recently, we were made aware of the situation that Buncombe County’s Department of Social Services employees are facing. While many of them had their own homes and properties destroyed, they still answered the call to take care of residents in their county. Child protective services, elderly care, nutrition programs and much more must still go on, even when roads, water, and electric supply are destroyed. That being said, those of you who would like to show your support for these employees—from one local government family to another—may do so by purchasing items from this Amazon Wishlist, which is being managed by someone in contact with the social workers helping the families and disabled adults that they serve. There is absolutely no pressure to give. This is simply a resource for those who have expressed an interest in helping out.
*This list is not maintained or controlled by Wilson County Government.

On Tuesday, October 1, the Wilson County Board of Commissioners voted to approve an economic development incentive to bring Johnson & Johnson to Wilson Corporate Park. An incentive of $49,979,820 will be paid to Johnson & Johnson over a period of 13 years (one-half paid by the County and one-half paid by the City). This is the second time a large economic development announcement has been made in a week and the fifth such announcement in less than eight months. The four new companies coming to the Campus at 587 Industrial Park and Wilson Corporate Park—Schott Pharma, IDEXX Laboratories, Reckitt Benckiser Health and Johnson & Johnson—will bring a combined 1,400 jobs to the Wilson County job market. This is in addition to the expansion of Neopac, which was also announced last week. They plan to expand their current facility in order to launch a new product line of cosmetic tubes.

Johnson & Johnson will invest $1,013,796,807 in a new, 175-acre biologics campus and will employ at least 420 new full-time employees by December 31, 2031, paying an average annual wage of $108,823 including benefits. Hiring will begin in 2025. 

The decision came after Commissioners held a public hearing and special meeting earlier in the day with a packed house at the Wilson Economic Development Council office. Jennifer Lantz, Wilson Economic Development Council Director, presented the company’s plans for their new facility to the Wilson County Board of Commissioners and Wilson City Council. Her office is responsible for the recruitment and retention of industrial business to Wilson County’s job market which helps generate new tax base. Lantz added that this is “the first biologics plant east of Interstate 95, which is the future of medicine...the company will be a community partner and will join others in helping us develop a world-class biologics training facility.”

Board Chairman, Rob Boyette, noted “We are pleased to welcome Johnson & Johnson (Project Harbor) to our industrial family in Wilson County. Congratulations to our economic partners that helped create this opportunity. The future looks bright doing business here.” 

“In Wilson County we are serious about our economic future and this announcement, along with the prior ones, show just that. We welcome Johnson & Johnson and look forward to working with them. We are the best place to be now and in the years to come,” stated County Manager, Ron Hunt. “I have a tremendous respect for the bold decisions of our Wilson County Commissioners, Wilson City Council and Wilson Economic Development.” 

About Johnson & Johnson

At Johnson & Johnson, we believe health is everything. Our strength in healthcare innovation empowers us to build a world where complex diseases are prevented, treated, and cured, where treatments are smarter and less invasive, and solutions are personal. Through our expertise in Innovative Medicine and MedTech, we are uniquely positioned to innovate across the full spectrum of healthcare solutions today to deliver the breakthroughs of tomorrow, and profoundly impact health for humanity. Learn more at https://www.jnj.com/.

Wilson County Breaks Ground on New EMS Station

WILSON, NORTH CAROLINA – On Wednesday, September 25, Wilson County Government officials and County Commissioners held a groundbreaking ceremony for the new Emergency Medical Services North Central City Station. The new station will be located at 708 Brentwood Drive N. in Wilson and will greatly assist with response times in the northern portion of the city.

“We’re excited about placing this asset closer to a significant portion of our call volume,” stated Michael Cobb, EMS Director. “During times of traffic congestion, having the new North Central City Station in this location will greatly improve the response time for our ambulances.”

Over the last two years, Wilson County Commissioners approved the purchase of the property from the Wilson County Board of Education and the City of Wilson. The new station will take on over 32% of all EMS calls in a given year and will help maintain response times.

“We’re able to meet one of our greatest needs right here in this area. We’re looking forward to the opportunity to serve people even better,” commented Rob Boyette, Chairman of the Board of Commissioners. “The North Central City Station is not only an expansion of our EMS footprint, but it is a lifeline to someone where minutes and seconds matter.”

“No matter where you live, your life has been impacted by an emergency at one point in time. We want everyone to know that they are important and that they will get the best response time,” stated Commissioner JoAnne Daniels, Chair of the EMS Committee.

County Manager, Ron Hunt, noted “Wilson County is the place to be. We’re new structures and enhancing facilities, but we have to make these investments for our citizens. Expanding facilities is all about serving people and that is what county government is all about." 

Construction on the new station will begin in the next few weeks and should wrap up by summer 2025. This project is funded by federal American Rescue Plan Act dollars.

Wilson County Government has hired Brajesh Tiwari as County Engineer. Tiwari most recently worked for the City of Durham as their Principal Engineer. He brings to Wilson County over 18 years of public and private sector experience in civil engineering and project management. Tiwari began his new role on July 1.

On Thursday, May 30, 2024, Wilson County Commissioners unanimously passed a $135.5 million budget for the 2024/2025 Fiscal Year. This budget makes investments into education, employees, public safety, emergency medical services, human services, economic development and many other vital and essential services for Wilson County citizens.  Commissioners have spent the last five months thoroughly reviewing revenues and expenditures and assessing the county's needs. The new fiscal year will begin on July 1, 2024.

“The unanimous vote to approve the budget on Thursday, May 30 comes after much hard work from our Commissioners, county staff and leadership. As Wilson County continues to grow, we move forward with our commitment to utilize taxpayer dollars wisely for the benefit of all citizens,” stated County Manager Ron Hunt.

The 2024-25 Budget season started internally in the Fall of 2023 with county administration budget preparations. 

• Official meetings kicked off on February 13, 2024 with a meeting between County Commissioners and Wilson County Government staff.

• The month of April consisted of several meetings where county departments and educational partners presented their budgets to Commissioners for their consideration.

• County Manager Ron Hunt gave his proposed budget presentation to Commissioners on May 6.

• After the May 6 meeting, Commissioners held two budget work sessions on May 20 and 28 to review each item line-by-line and clarify any questions that they had for each department.

• A public hearing was held on May 30 at the Wilson County Agricultural Center.  After the public hearing closed, County Commissioners approved the $135.5 million budget.

Highlights of the budget include a reduced tax rate, investment in infrastructure and budgeting for the future. The new tax rate of $0.595 is a $0.135 cent decrease from the previous rate of $0.73. This rate balances the budget and allows for future commitments to county and education capital along with county financial obligations. Under this new tax rate, the average homeowner in Wilson County will see a change in taxes above current levels from $29 - $45 per month. Some will be above that and some below based on the value, but most will fall in that range.

Wilson County Government’s 2025 approved budget supports the five core values of Sound Financial Management, Innovative County Workforce, Community Partnerships, Quality of Life and Superior Education and Workforce. View the County Manager's budget message, budget presentation and full video of the May 6, 2024 Board of Commissioners meeting, which included the budget presentation.

We’ve launched a new quarterly newsletter for you to stay up-to-date on what’s happening in each department. Sign up for Wilson County NOW to stay informed.