You may recognize them locally as Cape Fear Solar, but the company has recently rebranded as Cape Fear Energy Systems — reflecting a broader commitment to bringing comprehensive energy improvements and efficiency upgrades to both homeowners and businesses in the community.

Cape Fear Energy Systems is a participating company in North Carolina’s Energy Saver program which was launched in Brunswick County and the region earlier this year by Governor Stein. The NC Saver program was the subject of an interview earlier this year which I am pleased to re-share.

We were pleased to speak with Gabe Amey, Chief Marketing Officer at Cape Fear Energy Systems, to discuss their transition into full energy related work for homeowners and businesses.

A Tool To Use

Utilizing the power of AI, I have created a tool to give you a snapshot of the potential of a solar array on your home or business.

Click on the link above or on the photo below.

Friendly reminder BEMC’s time of use rates change on April 16. Beginning the 16th the peak period for electricity rates is 2PM to 6PM.

We were pleased to interview a representative of BEMC last year about the changes in rates. BEMC does offer rebates on certain energy efficiency measures. Here is that interview from last year.

Additionally a friendly reminder of the interview we had with the North Carolina Energy Saver program that offers rebates on certain energy efficiency measures.

We have had the pleasure of interviewing a number of folks whose organizations are making a positive difference in our community. Pleased to re-share the most recent interviews.

In the meantime, we are working on arranging a number of interviews to publish in April. Stay tuned for our first business spotlight in April.

The Cape Fear Council of Governments is the designated Area Agency on Aging (AAA) for North Carolina Planning Region O serving Brunswick, Columbus, New Hanover, and Pender Counties. The Area Agency on Aging is mandated by the Older Americans Act of 1965, as amended, to plan, develop, implement, and coordinate aging services for the Region.

The AAA assists the counties as they study the needs of older citizens and plan services to meet those needs. They provide the administration and monitoring related to the Home Community Care Block Grant (HCCBG) funding and other direct service funding of community-based services enables older adults to live independently in their own homes as long as possible. Federal, state and local funds make services possible through grant agreements with Boards of County Commissioners and community service providers.

To help provide information regarding the Area Agency on Aging we were pleased to speak with Holly Pilson who is the Director of the Program.

For more information on the Agency please click on the button below.

Area Agency on Aging

I am pleased to share a pdf of a presentation from the Area Agency on Aging regarding their services for your download.

Area Agency On Aging Presentation

953KB ∙ PDF file

Download

Download

How does Brunswick County stack up with the rest of the state regarding median age of residents. See table below by clicking here or on the image.

Having a child at home with severe diaper rash, Diaper Bank founder Michelle Schaefer was changing his diaper 20 – 30 times a day, she could not stop the infections from taking over, causing her son to be extremely ill and in pain. As her son started to heal, Michelle started to wonder about parents who were not able to grab that next diaper to help their babies stay clean, dry, and healthy and knew there was no assistance for these families to do so.

To learn more about the Diaper Bank we are pleased to have a conversation with Michelle and Julie Bowling (Lower Cape Fear Branch of the Diaper Bank).

To learn more about the Lower Cape Fear Branch click on the button below. Their local phone number is (910) 777-3243.

Cape Fear Branch Diaper Bank

The Town of Leland is hosting a Tree Giveaway on Saturday, March 14, from 9 a.m. to Noon at the Leland Cultural Arts Center, located at 1212 Magnolia Village Way. 

This free event is made possible through a partnership with the Alliance for Cape Fear Trees and funded by Enterprise Mobility and the Arbor Day Foundation, which supports community tree distributions. 

Community members are invited to stop by and pick up two trees per household, while supplies last. Participants will have the opportunity to choose from a variety of native species ranging from 3 to 7 feet tall. Available trees include American holly, persimmon, Flowering dogwood, DuraHeat® river birch, blackgum, Princeton American elm, white oak, and southern live oak. Learn more about the planting and care requirements for each species. 

Alliance for Cape Fear Trees members will be at the event to help move trees to vehicles and answer any questions.

Through partnerships with municipalities like the Town of Leland, the Alliance for Cape Fear Trees works to grow a healthier, more resilient tree canopy across the lower Cape Fear region. 

For 40 years the Sister Isaac Center has been serving residents across the region. In 1983, Sister Isaac Koenig, a Catholic nun of the Society of St. Ursula, came to Wilmington to serve at St. Mary parish and began assessing the social needs of the local community. She immediately saw that there was a food desert in the area, and those with limited means found it especially difficult to buy affordable or good-quality fresh food.

What began as a simple food pantry stocked by parishioner donations quickly sparked neighborhood interest, and soon members of the larger community were spontaneously bringing food and clothing. First named the Tileston Center — after the building in which it is housed — at her retirement in 2016, it was renamed The Sister Isaac Center.

We were pleased to have a conversation about the Sr. Isaac Center with Theresa Weissburg who serves as Director.

To learn more about the Center, how to volunteer or donate please click on the button below.

Sr. Isaac Center

Working on some new community conversations the first week in March, but wanted to remind folks of our conversation with the Site Manager of Brunswick Town/Fort Anderson and the special events that occur at the site during the year.

Upcoming is the North Carolina Rice Festival. Details below.

North Carolina Rice Festival - March 4 to 7

There are a number of events scheduled in the area to celebrate the Rice Festival. It culminates on March 7 at an event at Brunswick Town/For Anderson. Attendance is free.

For details on this event please click on the button.

March 7 Event

For the other events during the week please click on the button for the official North Carolina Rice Festival web site.

NC Rice Festival Website

It is no secret that electricity rates are increasing in North Carolina. This past November Duke Energy has requested a rate increase of more than 13%. Both the Governor and Attorney General have expressed their opposition to the rate proposal.

To help consumers, in January 2025 the Governor launched Energy Saver NC, an initiative to promote energy efficiency that provides rebates to households that install energy-efficient appliances, improve home insulation, or upgrade electrical systems.

North Carolina has recently announced that it has expanded is Energy Saver program to qualified homeowners or renters in Brunswick County and throughout the State. A program to assist multi-family buildings will be launched later this year.

We were pleased to speak with Francisco Martinez-Marquez, an Environmental Program Consultant with the NC Department of Environmental Quality about the program.

Program Overview

Energy Saver North Carolina helps income-eligible homeowners and renters cover the cost of energy efficiency and electrification upgrades, such as heat pumps, electrical panels and insulation.

The Benefits:

• Saves energy and money on bills

• Improves homes, making them more comfortable, safe and resilient

• Reduces energy burden in communities statewide

• Support more than 2,300 jobs and boost local economies.

• Improved indoor and outdoor air quality

• Advance NC’s 2050 goal of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions.

How it works:

The program includes two pathways designed to help families make their homes more energy efficiency and affordable:

• Homeowners Managing Efficiency Savings (HOMES): Offers eligible households up to $16,000 for home efficiency upgrades, such as air sealing or energy-efficient HVAC units.

• Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates (HEAR): Provides up to $14,000 for high-efficiency electrical appliances like such as heat pump water heaters and electric stoves.

Income Eligibility Information

The documents below will provide information regarding your eligibility for the programs regarding the Area Median Income (AMI) and Income Qualification Checklist.

Area Median Income (AMI) Summary

198KB ∙ PDF file

Download

Download

Income Qualification Checklist

98.8KB ∙ PDF file

Download

Download

You can learn more about the Energy Saver program by clicking on the button below or by calling Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., at 866-998-8555.

Energy Saver NC

We were pleased to have a conversation with Dr. Mouhcine Guettabi, Regional Economist, at the University of North Carolina - Wilmington regarding the economic profile he has authored for Brunswick County. We previously interviewed Dr. Guettabi in November.

In the report Dr. Guettabi points out the County has demonstrated strong economic performance from Q2 2024 to Q2 2025 with employment growth of 3.76%, wage growth of 5.14% and establishment growth of 7.53%

All these important metrics exceed the statewide average.

You can download Dr. Guetabbi’s economic profile report below.

Brunswick County Economic Profile

133KB ∙ PDF file

Download

Author - Dr. Mouhcine Guettabi

Download

Cape Fear River Watch is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that was founded in 1993. Founders Bouty Baldridge and Bruce Watkins envisioned a permanent nonprofit organization, open to everyone, and dedicated to the improvement and preservation of the health, beauty, cleanliness, and heritage of the Cape Fear River basin.

According to the University of North Carolina, 1.5 million residents depend on the river for their drinking water supply. The Cape Fear River encompasses 9,164 square miles making it the largest river basin contained entirely within North Carolina.

The mission of the River Watch is to protect and improve the water quality of the Cape Fear River Basin for all people through education, advocacy and action. Working with partners, they have a history of proven success in protecting the watershed.

We were pleased to have a conversation with Morgan Hooks about the important work they do.

For more information about Cape Fear River Watch and/or to volunteer click on the button.

Cape Fear River Watch

Three hundred years ago in 1726 Maurice Moore, the son of a former South Carolina governor, founded this port town. North Carolina was a colony of England, and the town was named Brunswick to honor George I, the king of England, who was also duke of Brunswick in what is now Germany.

A major pre-Revolutionary port on North Carolina's Cape Fear River, Brunswick was razed by British troops in 1776 and never rebuilt. During the Civil War, Ft. Anderson was constructed atop the old town site.

We are pleased to have a conversation with Jim McKee who serves as Site Manager of the property who will share in more detail its history and the various events held on the property.

Brunswick County school children are all eligible for free breakfast and lunch during the school day, but many return home to food insecure households.

To ensure children and their families have nourishment during the weekend, Bridge Presbyterian Church partners with Brunswick County Public Schools and other local organizations to distribute bags filled with food for the students to bring home.

I was pleased to be able to have a conversation with Pastor Cushing on this important ministry and the other work they undertake in the Leland community. Dr. Doug Cushing was officially “called” and installed as pastor in January 2017.

If you are interested in how you can volunteer or support this important ministry or others please click on the button.

Volunteer Opportunities

Pleased to share the following message/information from the Porch Brunswick Forest group. You can learn more about their work by clicking on the button.

Porch BF

WHY JANUARY MATTERS MORE THAN EVER

As we begin 2026, we need your support NOW. January is historically one of the most challenging months for food pantries.

• After the holiday season, donations decline

• Families are recovering from holiday expenses

• Heating bills rise with winter cold

• Food insecurity intensifies
  
  This January, let's break that pattern.
  
  Your neighbors are counting on us. The pantries that served our community so faithfully throughout 2025 need our continued support to start this new year strong.

  ---

  How to donate
  

• Drop off food or monetary donations (cash/check) with your neighborhood coordinator

• Every can of food and every dollar make a difference
  

  Let's show up strong this January! Together, we can ensure that no neighbor faces hunger as we begin this new year.

Here is the Porch Brunswick Forest collection date schedule for the year.

All Things Leland was pleased to attend the groundbreaking for a new Habitat for Humanity home in Leland. The home is one of six already under some level of construction with four more waiting in the wings. The neighborhood will include a basketball court, gazebo, playground and community garden.

Residents wishing to volunteer or financially support the organization can do so by visiting the Brunswick Habitat for Humanity website.

Habitat for Humanity

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As many of Brunswick County's residents are transplants from other states, questions naturally emerge about what powers local governments possess—and what they lack.

To help answer some of those questions we were pleased to interview Scott Mooneyham of the North Carolina League of Municipalities (NCLM). NCLM consists of local government entities throughout the state (including Leland and other cities and towns in Brunswick County) and advocates for them in the State legislature (General Assembly). They fight to preserve local voices in a number of ways.

As a Dillon Rule state, North Carolina's local governments possess only those powers expressly granted to them by the General Assembly (the North Carolina state legislature). Localities in North Carolina have no authority to impose impact fees on developers and in some instances state legislation has limited localities from reducing residential densities without the permission of the landowner.

Upcoming Blog Posts/Interviews

Working on arranging interview on a local historic preservation project and also another on new state program to help homeowners/renters reduce their energy usage.

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The 28th annual TreeFest is back at the JCPenney’s atrium (Independence Mall – JCPenney Atrium | 3500 Oleander Dr, Wilmington, NC) on January 16th and 17th from 11 am to 4 pm (or until inventory runs out).

Households are invited to select up to 5 bare-root tree seedlings or native bunch grass plugs and are encouraged to donate $5 to fund the return of TreeFest in 2027.

Donations have funded over 180,000 trees and grasses to rebuild the canopy of New Hanover County and neighboring counties. Join us in creating a healthier and native greenway along our coast!

TreeFest organizers encourage visitors to bring their own bags or buckets to reduce plastic waste, as bare-root seedlings should be planted promptly. Experts will be on hand to assist with plant selection and provide care advice, with considerations for site conditions, space, and utility lines.

The TreeFest committee expects to receive and have the following species available from the NC Forestry Nursery in Goldsboro:

• Longleaf Pine

• Baldcypress

• Chickasaw Plum

• Buttonbush

• Red Maple - Piedmont

• River Birch

• Flowering Dogwood

• Silky Dogwood

• Southern Wax Myrtle

• Sugarberry

• Eastern R

• Crabapple

• Coastal White Oak

TreeFest began in 1997 to restore tree populations after hurricanes Bertha and Fran. Since then, over 100,000 tree seedlings have been distributed to local residents. The event is made possible by sponsors and a volunteer planning committee, with plants grown by the NC Forest Service Nursery in Goldsboro.

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One of the common questions asked when neighbors get together for social events is, “Where are you from”? And as shown in the data above, folks in Brunswick County are from all over the United States - nearly 50% from outside North Carolina.

One of the organizations working to help folks learn more about the community and region in which we live and to meet neighbors is the North Brunswick Newcomers Club. We were fortunate to have the opportunity to talk with Debbie Mansir, President of the club, about their activities and the local organizations they support through charitable contributions.

About the Club

The North Brunswick Newcomers Club (NBNC) is a social club for adults living in Brunswick County. Meetings are the second Friday of each month from September through May. There is a special event that is held in June with no meeting in July or August.

They meet at the Leland Cultural Arts Center (LCAC) located at 1212 Magnolia Village Way in Leland. Meetings typically feature 2 speakers who focus on familiarizing members with area culture, history, lifestyle, volunteer opportunities, special local programs, and topics of general interest.

Annual dues are $35 per household for up to two persons. Membership eligibility is indefinite (with paid dues); rejoining after a lapse is allowed.

Newcomers Club Website

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History of the Reaves Chapel

Historic Reaves Chapel A.M.E. Church is one of the Cape Fear region’s most culturally and historically significant African American structures. The Chapel is a simple, classical wood frame church with colored glass windows, and it is one of the oldest African American buildings in southeastern North Carolina. People who were formerly enslaved built Reaves Chapel on the bluffs of the Cape Fear River shortly before or just after the Civil War. Around 1911 it was moved inland by the congregation, using logs and a team of oxen to its current location. The land where they placed the chapel was owned by Edward Reaves, a man formerly enslaved at the Cedar Hill Plantation, and for whom the Chapel was named.

History of the Gullah Geechee in Brunswick County

28th Annual TreeFest - January 16 and 17

The 28th annual TreeFest is back at the JCPenney’s atrium on January 16th and 17th from 11 am to 4 pm (or until inventory runs out).

Households are invited to select up to 5 bare-root tree seedlings or native bunch grass plugs and are encouraged to donate $5 to fund the return of TreeFest in 2027.

Donations have funded over 180,000 trees and grasses to rebuild the canopy of New Hanover County and neighboring counties. Join us in creating a healthier and native greenway along our coast!

TreeFest organizers encourage visitors to bring their own bags or buckets to reduce plastic waste, as bare-root seedlings should be planted promptly. Experts will be on hand to assist with plant selection and provide care advice, with considerations for site conditions, space, and utility lines.

The TreeFest committee expects to receive and have the following species available from the NC Forestry Nursery in Goldsboro:

• Longleaf Pine

• Baldcypress

• Chickasaw Plum

• Buttonbush

• Red Maple - Piedmont

• River Birch

• Flowering Dogwood

• Silky Dogwood

• Southern Wax Myrtle

• Sugarberry

• Eastern R

• Crabapple

• Coastal White Oak

TreeFest began in 1997 to restore tree populations after hurricanes Bertha and Fran. Since then, over 100,000 tree seedlings have been distributed to local residents. The event is made possible by sponsors and a volunteer planning committee, with plants grown by the NC Forest Service Nursery in Goldsboro.

Subscribe now

We are going to take a break for the holidays. Wishing you all happy holidays, Merry Christmas and a happy and healthy New Year.

Working on some new interviews for the New Year. Happy to take your recommendations as to people, organizations and businesses making a positive difference in the community and region. Just type your suggestions in the comments to this post.

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