New buildings have opened or will soon open in Burgaw this year to support the growing county, including a new law enforcement center and the new Pender County Health and Human Services building at 298 Progress Drive.

As of Sept. 17, officials expected the new law enforcement center at 1417 Old Savannah Road to open by December, said Brandi Cobb, Pender County communications manager.

“The current facilities are outdated and no longer have the capacity to meet the needs of Pender County’s growing population,” Cobb said. “County officials identified the need for a new Law Enforcement Center to address those limitations.”

Burgaw made sense for the location because the town is the county seat and is home to the county courthouse.

“Locating the new Law Enforcement Center in Burgaw keeps it close to court operations,” Cobb said.

The new, 100,000-square-foot law enforcement facility is under a design-bid-build contract with Moseley Architects and Daniels & Daniels Construction Inc. as general contractor. The center is set to include a detention center, administrative offices, space for detectives, patrol, training, a warehouse, dispatch/911, a radio tower and a shelter building.

The 89,000-square-foot, multi-story health and human services building opened in May, bringing the Pender County Health Department and the Pender County Department of Social Services together.

“This facility represents a major investment in the people of Pender County and reflects the Board of Commissioners’ commitment to providing spaces that better support county services, staff and the community we serve,” stated Pender County Manager Colby Sawyer in a May news release.

The new health and human services building is Pender County’s first design-build project, according to the release, led by construction firm Bobbitt.

The building is located near other county facilities and includes office space, training rooms and areas designed to support public services, collaboration and future growth, the release stated.

“By bringing health and social services together in one location, this facility allows our team to better coordinate care, support families and serve the community more efficiently,” said Carolyn Moser, health and human services director, in the release.

In August, the county opened Central Pender Park at 3378 U.S. 117 in Burgaw.

Phase 1 of the park includes four lighted multipurpose athletic fields, a playground, a picnic shelter, a multi-use walking path and green space, according to a news release at the time.

“The development of Central Pender Park was made possible in part through funding from the N.C. Parks and Recreation Trust Fund,” said Zach White, county parks and recreation director, in the release.

“Pender County is grateful for PARTF’s investment in bringing this community recreation project to life and expanding access to quality parks and recreational opportunities.”

White also said in the release that the project “has been years in the making, and we’re excited to finally welcome residents and visitors to enjoy these new recreational opportunities.”