Mayor Jeffrey Odham

09/05/2026

Congrats New Bern High School!
Another year, another Bear win over the Eagles. Mayor Chad knows the deal 😝

09/04/2026

Congratulations to our great staff in Parks & Recreation for their efforts in this grant application.

https://governor.nc.gov/news/press-releases/2026/09/03/governor-announces-nearly-10-million-parks-and-recreation-grants-awards?fbclid=IwdGRjcAUH-0pwZG9mAWZkaWQWUNyMqmNFsAmlHU7_6EH7UEwR1CaabGV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkCjY2Mjg1NjgzNzkAAR7jS0ULr1ih0XEkVWzd5QLu_PI4DDKcIUrArSrpZH6WrJbo3KGUA5Glksh-7g_aem_lqWfCkpV_RGinWvk2Vs7TA

Today Governor Josh Stein announced more than $9.8 million in grants to fund 25 local parks and recreation projects across the state through the Parks and…

09/03/2026

The City of New Bern, NC & New Bern Housing Authority have received a $25.1MM Choice Neighborhoods Implementation grant from the US Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD), announced this morning by Congressman Greg Murphy. We are looking forward to sharing more about this exciting opportunity for New Bern in an upcoming press conference, which will be announced soon. Be sure to stay tuned for more details. In the meantime, visit www.choicenewbern.com for more information.

09/01/2026

Tourism is important! Here are the numbers:

08/29/2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 29, 2026

PRESS RELEASE

HAPPY HARBOR BOWLING CENTER

New Bern, NC – Recent public statements concerning the proposed Happy Harbor Bowling Center have created an inaccurate impression about the City of New Bern’s involvement and why the project did not move forward here. The public deserves an accurate account.

Bill Prevatt met with the New Bern city manager and me on two occasions to discuss his concept for opening a bowling center in New Bern. We listened to his proposal, discussed the project with him and treated the concept seriously. As per his request, he was given letters of support from myself and other city staff.

After our initial meeting, I became growingly concerned with some of the claims and statements being made by Mr. Prevatt. He did not have site control, yet stated the bowling center would be open by the end of the year. Facebook posts requesting public input on carpet colors, sharing mockups of branded apparel, and several other items exacerbated my concerns that this was not a legitimate project.

During our second meeting, which I requested, I asked Mr. Prevatt if he had completed a feasibility study, something that would almost certainly be required by any lending institution or investor. He claimed he did, but what he produced was a data page that is commonly provided when a commercial parcel is listed. This document contained market demographics, traffic counts, etc. but had absolutely nothing to do with a bowling center. I noticed his updated package he shared with us stated he was seeking $5.3MM in funding; this was around a third of what it would realistically cost. Knowing the proposed size and average construction costs in today’s market, my suspicions were confirmed. Happy Harbor Bowling Center was an idea that was shared which garnered strong community support, but no real resources behind it.

Based on community feedback over the years, the City of New Bern spent approximately $17,000 on an independent feasibility study to determine what type and size of entertainment facility this market could realistically support. That study was intended to provide reliable information that could benefit anyone seriously considering such a development. It was a sign to the industry that the city wants to partner and support private investment.

To date, Mr. Prevatt has not requested a copy of the City’s feasibility study, claiming publicly that he has conducted or obtained his own analysis.

At no point did the City prevent Mr. Prevatt from opening a bowling center in New Bern. The City was not the project’s developer, investor, lender, or property owner. It was Mr. Prevatt’s responsibility to establish a viable business plan, secure a suitable location, obtain financing and provide the private investment necessary to move the project forward, all of which he failed to do.

The materials presented to us did not demonstrate that those essential pieces were in place. While the City is willing to work with credible developers and business owners, taxpayers cannot be expected to assume the financial risk of a privately promoted venture.

Mr. Prevatt has apparently decided to pursue a similar concept in Morehead City. That is his decision, and I sincerely hope any project pursued there is successful. However, it is inaccurate and unfair for him to blame anyone associated with the City of New Bern for his proposal not advancing here.

New Bern remains interested in additional family-entertainment opportunities, including a bowling center. We will continue working constructively with serious operators and investors who can present a financially viable proposal supported by adequate capital, market research, and a realistic development plan. As evident throughout recent projects throughout New Bern, such as the New Bern Marketplace, West New Bern, and various residential developments, city leadership and staff stand ready to work with the development community.

Mr. Prevatt was given the opportunity to present his concept and was never denied a meeting by city officials. The City took the proactive step of investing in professional market research. The facts do not support any suggestion that New Bern, or its leadership, caused his project to fail.

For any interested parties that would like to invest in family entertainment in the city of New Bern, please do not hesitate to contact us.

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08/29/2026

🏈 Congratulations to the New Bern Bears who (once again) beat the Havelock Rams! 🐻 > 🐏

08/29/2026

It was an honor to be present when former alderman and NC State House of Representative Barbara Lee was awarded the Order of the Longleaf Pine by Governor Josh Stein presented by Congressman Don Davis last Sunday. Mrs. Barbara was New Bern’s first black woman elected to the Board of Aldermen and has worked with the youth in our community for decades through her afterschool program.

08/12/2026

We received confirmation last night of exactly what type, size, etc. of family entertainment our community can support. Now, it’s time for the private-sector to step up. You know how to reach me 😃 📞 📧 🤝

07/31/2026

We are pleased to announce that the City of New Bern has received strong credit ratings from both major bond rating agencies.

Moody’s Ratings has assigned the City a Aa2 rating on the City’s $13 million General Obligation Public Improvement Bonds, Series 2026. S&P Global Ratings assigned the bonds a AA rating with a stable outlook.

For perspective:
Moody’s long-term ratings are:
Aaa, Aa1, Aa2, Aa3, A1,A2,A3, Baa1, Baa2, and Baa3.
S&P Global Ratings are:
AAA, AA+, AA, AA-, A+ ,A, A-, BBB+, BBB, and BBB-

Both rating agencies identified several important strengths supporting the City’s ratings:
- A healthy financial position with strong reserves and liquidity
- A history of positive financial performance and proactive management
- Formal financial, reserve, debt, and investment policies
- Long-term capital planning and disciplined debt management
- Steady tax-base growth, increasing property values, and positive population and development trends
- Long-term liabilities that remain manageable relative to revenues

Moody’s specifically recognized the City’s fund balance and liquidity levels, steady tax-base expansion, very low long-term liabilities, formal policies, and history of healthy financial operations. S&P similarly highlighted the City’s growing economy, elevated reserves, consistent financial performance, proactive management, and regularly updated capital improvement planning.

The reports also identified areas that we must continue to monitor, including resident income levels that remain below national averages, economic growth that trails the nation, and significant future capital needs—particularly within the utility systems. Both agencies emphasized the importance of maintaining strong reserves and carefully managing future debt.

S&P’s stable outlook reflects its expectation that the City’s consistent financial performance will continue as New Bern absorbs additional residential and commercial growth.

These ratings provide meaningful independent confirmation of the City’s strong financial condition and reflect the Board’s continued commitment to responsible financial management, sound policies, long-term planning, and maintaining adequate reserves. They also position the City well as we move forward with the sale of the bonds and implementation of these important projects.

07/16/2026

After much anticipation, some flat tires and bent rims, Simmons Street is being repaved. Construction started Monday and should be completed in a few weeks. As a reminder, this road is owned and maintained (I use that term loosely) by NCDOT and not the City of New Bern.