JACKSON – Over the past three years, Northampton County has achieved marked accomplishments.

In a recent meeting, Northampton County Commissioners received praise from County Manager Wayne Jenkins for their efforts and actions in seeing the county achieve many of its goals.

&uot;The realization of these projects would not have been made manifest were it not for your dedication to the issues brought before you and your concern for the citizens of this county,&uot; said Jenkins.

From 2000-2003, Northampton County has succeeded in maintaining an ad valorem tax rate of $0.88 per $100 of value and increased the undesignated general fund balance from 7.59 percent in 2000 to 18 percent in 2003 or $2,853,142 to $5,785,227.

It was also able to set aside $250,000 in a Capital Reserve Fund and received $6,189,055 in grant funds, equating to 52.9 cents on the current tax rate.

With the creation of the Northampton-Lincoln Park Sewer District approximately 125 families are now being served and about 800 additional families benefit from the completion of Phase IV in the Water Project.

Northampton has also received state approval for the Emergency Medical Services System, constructed an Emergency Operations Center, implemented an enhanced 911 Service and Addressing System, added on to the Sheriff’s Department building and hired seven new deputies.

In the area of economic development, Northampton County citizens have benefited from the creation of 670 new jobs from the growing need for workers to staff the Lowes Distribution Center in Seaboard and added over $30 million to the tax base from industrial/commercial development.

Recently, following much discussion and a public hearing County Commissioners decided to move forward in the purchase of land in the northern part of the county and has since acquired over 500 acres along Interstate 95 for development as an industrial park.

Northampton has seen over 250 percent increase in citizens participating in recreation events in the past three years and has started a county Institute of Leadership Development.

It has also been successful in creating and staffing a Human Resources Department, establishing a Med-Link Program, which offers assistance to older adults to defray the cost of high priced prescription drugs and completing Veterans’ claims allowing for an additional $400,000 (+) in revenue coming into the county.

&uot;These accomplishments are a refection of the leadership and determination of commissioners who continually strive toward making Northampton a better place to live,&uot; said Jenkins.