KENANSVILLE — Duplin County officials looked in the mirror Thursday night — and they weren’t thrilled with what they saw.

Leaders both elected and civic were told about how they are viewed by everyone else on the planet during a meeting Thursday night at Duplin Commons. Dr. James H. Johnson Jr. painted a grim outsider’s perspective on the county during his speech.

Given was a competitive assessment of the county, including both strengths and weaknesses, as well as opportunities and threats to Duplin's future success.

“First of all, they don’t look to good to the outside world,” said Johnson after his presentation.

“... The glass is half full, the ball is in their court. If they (Duplin County) want to compete and thrive and prosper in the years ahead, they are going to have to reinvent the way they do business.”

That means addressing weaknesses that were identified — government infighting, posting inaccurate and outdated information on web pages and having a lack of focus for development.

“I think the capability is here,” said Johnson. “Whether the will (is here), that is a different issue, but what I hope we have achieved here tonight (is) that we have planted a seed that they have to compete, and that they can’t sit around. You have to have a global view and strategically place yourself to thrive and prosper. I think that we achieved that tonight, and I hope that we can do something that takes this county to the next level.”

N.C. Sen. Charles Albertson, D-Duplin, organized the meeting after discussions with Johnson last year. What brought about the closer look at Duplin? Albertson said after “some of the problems that began over at James Kenan with the School of Engineering, we started having some studies and that led to this tonight.”

Albertson commented that it was a “very sobering picture of what we really are and who we really are. We have some good strengths, he said, pointing out some great weaknesses that he said the county had to address. “We are not being good to our people and doing the right thing. We need to take some action and move forward.”

Government infighting and lack of educational options, Albertson said, were certain areas where improvement was greatly needed.

The presentation did not have a negative tone overall, as Johnson reminded leaders of the unique strengths the county offers.

“You have a wonderful location,” he said. Duplin is halfway between New York, and Florida, and is within half a day’s drive from two thirds of the population on the Eastern Seaboard. Transportation is made easier, he said, emphasizing the “great” highways and railways in the area.

Duplin, Johnson said, is also close to ports on the coast. It is a hospitable climate, he said, and the people are known for their strong work ethic and diverse population.

What Duplin needs is to turn its weaknesses around, said Albertson, “We have to change our way of doing business with economic development, and educational opportunities, taking advantage of the strengths that we have. And we have a lot of good people here; we just need to get more involved with what is taking place in our community. We can make a difference.”

In closing, Johnson suggested six actions: re-brand Duplin County as a sustainable community; develop an image marketing campaign to promote Duplin County in the economic development marketplace; promote traditional business venturing entrepreneurship as one of the keys to future economic growth and development; create a civic entrepreneurial culture to ; meet the most pressing social problems; reengineer K-20 education to include more training and experimental learning in entrepreneurship; and devise strategies to resolve Duplin County’s human capital problem.

The presentation was a good honest report, said county manager Mike Aldridge. “It’s a matter now of the will and unity to move forward in the directions we know.”

“My first step is focus on looking at the strategic plan. Our number one goal is still to develop a high quality education system, so we just simply have to develop strategies that focus on that goal and work towards that.

“I really enjoyed his report. I think he brought a perspective that someone from within (Duplin) could not have delivered ... so I think that was a very valuable perspective.”

Michael Connolly can be reached at (910) 592-8137 ext. 120 or can be emailed at sicity@intrstar.net