Always, there is a day and time for positive impact in Bladen County.

Saturday night in the Cape Fear Vineyard & Winery, such a time was delivered. The recipients were business leaders and those who fancy the chance to meet them, who genuinely appreciate what they do for this county.

The setting was a casino night, filled with fake money and real smiles. The laughter and the energy in the room was reflective of the good time so many of us crave day to day, much less when another week leaves us scrambling off the deck while those outside our county line see another Bladen black eye.

Saints and perfect people these were not, for none of us are fit for such supremacy. Rather, these were the hard working among us, some who’ve put in the time and are now retired, and some who fall somewhere in between and simply want something good for Bladen County.

They’ve grown up here, raised a family and now want to leave something behind that assures our future is bright.

That’s no easy task.

We’ve got more than 30,000 people spread over nearly 900 square miles. Our biggest single community is about 3,500 in Elizabethtown, and most folks just throw in White Lake and its 800-plus since it’s so close and intrinsically linked economically.

For about 15 weeks each summer, it swells by the thousands.

Bladen’s Bloomin’ Agri-Industrial was created in 2002, five to six years ahead of the country’s most crippling recession in decades. Fortuitous to already be in place, it has served us well as an economic engine supplement to the county-run Economic Development Commission.

The two work together regularly, and at times along with the Committee of 100 and respective government leadership entities for the county and the towns.

Its national award resume notwithstanding, Bladen’s Bloomin’s biggest wins are for the people here and the businesses who come to call this home.

“We primarily develop industrial property because it costs way too much to build an industrial facility in Bladen County as opposed to what you can rent it for,” said Chuck Heustess, the executive director of both Bladen’s Bloomin’ and the EDC. “But if we don’t have industrial properties, industrial companies aren’t going to look at us.”

The jobs and tax base associated with manufacturing is vital to our economy.

Those smiles and screams for wins at the gaming tables were proof the small gesture of appreciation was greatly appreciated. People had fun, letting the cares and tensions of work life take a back seat if only for an evening.

“These folks create a lot of jobs,” Heustess said. “They create a lot of impact in the community.”

A couple hundred people came together to say thanks on Saturday night. We’ll add another here today.

This place wouldn’t be the same without you. Thanks!

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