By Peter Biello
Wilmington, NC – The Brunswick County town of Oak Island is leading nearby Southport in the effort to annex some of the land between them.
The Oak Island Town Council began the process to annex land along Long Beach Road to Highway 211 last week.
Mayor Johnie Vereen says a few days after meeting with Southport's mayor, he saw maps showing Southport was planning to annex the entrance to Oak Island.
"We want to annex up and take in the entrance to our town from 211 and look after our folks," says Vereen, "and I want an economic development area and to bring about more services and get a better tax base. And we can offer these people the same kinds of services that we offer Oak Island."
A bill making its way through the General Assembly would put a moratorium on annexations after June of next year.
Vereen says Oak Island should finish annexing the land along 211 by this time next year.
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