FOIA Request to Bladen County regarding new or amended contracts on January 16, 2026.
On January 16, 2026, Old North News submitted a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to Bladen County in North Carolina. The request seeks access to records of all newly executed contracts or amendments entered into by the county between January 1, 2024, and December 31, 2024. The specific areas of interest include public works, information technology or digital services, and consulting or professional services.
The request emphasizes that it applies only to existing records and asks for signed contracts or amendments executed during the specified time period. The preference is for these documents to be provided in electronic format where possible. As part of their role in gathering and reporting news to the public, Old North News highlights the importance of accessing public records to hold public institutions accountable and provide transparency.
Old North News also mentions its affiliation with The Coalition Opposing Governmental Secrecy, a non-profit organization that assists media companies and advocacy groups in investigating governmental agencies using Freedom of Information and Sunshine Laws. More information about this organization can be found on their website: https://stopsecrecy.org/about/.
Of note is the educational context within Bladen County: Of 296 junior students taking the science portion of the ACT in Bladen County school districts, only 28 (9.5%) were considered ready for college in the 2022-23 school year.
We look forward to receiving this information in an electronic format as it will greatly aid in our reporting efforts. As always, we remain open for any questions or clarifications regarding this request.
