On November 16, 2021, the City Council approved a resolution authorizing the conveyance of the shirt factory property, located on the corner of King Street and Dr Martin Luther King Jr Blvd., to the Kinston Community Health Center (KCHC) to construct a new medical facility. Since that time, KCHC has been conducting pre-development in preparation for the new medical facility, which includes financial planning, engaging lending partners, and architectural planning. 

Once complete, this $20 million health center will result in expanded services, as well as an expected 41 new jobs and a 3,000-person increase in the number of patients served by KCHC annually.  

“To know that the Kinston Community Health Center has the support of our Mayor, City Council members, and many in the community, solidifies the fact that the health services we provide are very important and much needed,” said Anna Kinsey, Director of Community Development.

Given its history and prominence, the shirt factory site has long been a community economic development priority for the City of Kinston, but efforts to attract private investment have been challenging due to the site’s environmental history, size, proximity to the railroad, local market conditions, and general disinvestment in the surrounding area.

In 2021, the City of Kinston identified a redevelopment partner for the site—the KCHC,  which is currently based in downtown Kinston but has outgrown its current facility. KCHC is a federally qualified, nonprofit community-based health center that provides comprehensive, high-quality, affordable care to the community in the areas of family medicine, women’s health, behavioral health, and dental care. 

“How exciting is the fact that we may be a part of re-energizing folks’ thoughts in regards to bringing new development and revitalizing the area where the old shirt factory is located?” asked Kinsey. “I would say VERY!”