Editor's Note: Edenton's growth is becoming more obvious on a regular basis. New houses, freshly painted buildings along with new businesses and restaurants are sprouting regularly. Over the past year Edenton has experienced 10 business grand opening events – more than all of the surrounding town's combined. As we head into 2026, the grand opening calendar is already penciling in dates. The town's leadership plays an important role in attracting new businesses to town.
Navigating small town local government requires dedicated leadership and vision. Its effectiveness depends on trust, consistency, and a genuine contribution. Edenton is fortunate to have town leaders working to create a sustainable competitive advantage for Edenton’s healthy growth by earning local respect through consistent actions, operational transparency, and sharing decision-making rationale with the community. In light of the new year the Edenton Social Light reached out to Edenton Mayor Hackney High asking him to share his goals for the upcoming year. His impressive list for 2026 is below.
Continuing Town's Momentum in 2026
By Mayor Hackney High
2025 was an exciting year for the Town of Edenton. Our community has been active, engaged, and vibrant in ways we have not seen in many years, and the future of Edenton is indeed bright.
As we prepare for 2026, one of my primary goals as Mayor is to build upon the positive momentum we experienced in 2025 and to position our town for an even more successful year ahead.
In no particular order, some of my goals for 2026 include:
1. Continuing affordable workforce housing efforts on Court Street and Coke Avenue and exploring additional opportunities and locations for more affordable housing for our residents.
2. Identify ways to attract additional new and diverse businesses such as Project Teapot to provide our residents higher paying jobs and a better quality of life.
3. Developing action items and timelines for infrastructure improvements along the Old Hertford Road corridor, including coordination with the developer planning a single-family neighborhood in that area.
4. Emphasizing continued investment and economic development in north Edenton, including but not limited to the Edenton Village Shopping Center.
5. Engaging with grocery store owners, commercial real estate brokers and developers to bring a second grocery store to Edenton, recognizing increased interest from grocers and other retailers in Edenton Village Shopping Center following the opening of Tractor Supply and exploring potential stand-alone sites beyond Edenton Village Shopping Center.
6. Requiring regular updates on the Hotel Hinton and Beechwood Apartments projects and working with developers to establish actionable timelines.
7. Partnering with County Commissioners and private citizen groups to explore ways to reshape the Edenton–Chowan Recreation Department.
8. Partnering with the County Commissioners and School Board to support and improve the local school system and to maximize the impact of the Town’s contribution to the Educational Foundation.
9. Partnering with County Commissioners and private citizen groups on the transfer of ownership and development of Swain Auditorium in a manner that minimizes risk and expense to the Town.
10. Working with the Edenton Police Department and local community groups to address gun violence.
11. Reviewing overhead maps of the Town of Edenton and its extra-territorial limits to develop a plan for balanced growth and development, while identifying opportunities for conservation easements to protect the rural nature and quality of life of Edenton and Chowan County.
12. Reviewing existing street paving phases and identifying streets to be repaved during the upcoming paving season.
13. Identifying potential locations for pickleball courts, keeping in mind noise concerns and experiences of other municipalities.
14. Establishing funding and a location for a splash pad for our children.
15.Working with the developer of the Gordman’s building to have tenants in place by the end of the year or earlier.
16. Developing action items and timelines for eco-tourism and public use opportunities at Hayes, including public swimming and walking trails.
18. Establishing and communicating a timeframe for completion of the new fire department.
19.Partnering with the County Commissioners and School Board to establish a lighting, landscaping, sidewalk, signage, and crosswalk plan for the new high school and surrounding educational district.
20. Establishing a plan for Edenton Harbor which is more user friendly for day boaters and locals.
Town Council worked diligently throughout 2025 to accomplish many of the goals established for the year, and I am confident that we can continue to make similar, meaningful progress toward our 2026 goals in the coming year. We are fortunate to live in such a remarkable town, and it is important that we not rest on our laurels, but instead continue moving forward together with the shared goal of making Edenton the very best place it can be to live, work, play and visit. WHH