Like The Town of Leland Around It, Brunswick Forest Is Now Bigger & Better

January 10, 2015
Brunswick Forest

According to figures released by the U.S. Census Bureau for 2013, Brunswick County was ranked as the fastest-growing county in North Carolina, and the 47th fastest-growing county in the entire nation. With the huge growth in the area, the Town of Leland has seen a massive influx of new residents, as has Brunswick Forest, a master-planned community located in Leland.

Since 2007, Brunswick Forest has welcomed over 1,300 families, more than 300 in 2014 alone. “The census figures are not surprising to us,” says Brunswick Forest Director of Sales Jerry Helms. “More and more, people are starting to realize that this is an incredible place to live, and subsequently, are moving to the area. We have it all here: beautiful homes, plenty of amenities and a mild, coastal climate.”

Many of the area’s new residents relocate from other parts of the country where winters are long and cold, such as the Northeast and the Midwest. “At Brunswick Forest, we have designed our homes and the entire community so that our residents can take full advantage of the mild, year-round weather,” says Helms. In addition to warmer temperatures, Helms says many people are attracted to Brunswick County’s lower tax rates and relief from ?metropolitan area traffic concerns.

Road Expansion for Better Traffic Flow
The increase in residents has prompted significant growth in Brunswick County’s infrastructure and commercial properties,?as well as an expansion of county parks and recreation offerings. Additionally, the North?Carolina Department of Transportation ?recently began several major road construction projects, all of which are expected to be completed in the next couple of years. Currently, work is being done on the causeway along U.S. Highway 17/74/76 between Leland and Wilmington, which will widen the highway from four to six lanes. Construction was recently finished on the southern section of I-140, connecting U.S. 74-76 with U.S. Highway 17 just a few miles south of Brunswick Forest. This new section will ultimately connect with the I-140 bypass, which will link? U.S. 74-76 with U.S. 421 and allow all motor?ists coming from I-40 headed south to Myrtle?Beach to bypass Wilmington and Leland.

For local residents, the bypass will provide ?another option for crossing the Cape Fear ?River. “We are excited about all the road ?improvements happening in the area,” says Helms. “Ultimately, the new causeway and bypass will make getting around that much easier, making this area even more desirable to new residents.”

More Commercial and Recreational Options
Along with residential growth, Leland has seen tremendous expansion in commercial businesses. Brunswick Forest’s 160-acre commercial town center, The Villages at Brunswick Forest, has grown exponentially in the past few years, welcoming restaurants, professional offices, retail businesses and medical establishments. The Villages defies national trends by being 100% leased. “The fact that our commercial center has no empty storefronts is a big deal,” says Helms. “Our ?developer has taken care to hand pick the businesses at The Villages to make sure we ?have the right mix. We consider whether they

are well-suited not only for Brunswick Forest?residents, but for the greater Leland area, too.”?Brunswick County’s green spaces and recreational amenities have also expanded in?recent years, with significant changes to ?existing parks and the addition of a new 911-acre nature park. Currently, the finishing touches are being completed on Winnabow’s Town Creek District Park, just a few miles from Brunswick Forest. The newly revamped park includes paved walking trails, nature trails, baseball fields, tennis and basketball courts, a dog park, playgrounds, soccer fields, batting cages and bocce ball courts. The expanded park also connects to Town Creek Elementary School via a paved pathway.“It’s another reason this area is so appealing,” says Helms. “Not only do Brunswick Forest residents have a wide range of fantastic ?amenities within their community, the area also has additional great resources for ?families of all ages, such as all of the parks and green spaces just a short distance away.”

“While the area has undergone tremendous growth in recent years, Leland retains its small-town charm,” says Helms. “Longtime residents will tell you, it’s an exciting time to live in Brunswick County.”

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