MURFREESBORO — Yet another Murfreesboro entity is lobbying for the relocation of the Hertford County Courthouse to this historic community.

Murfreesboro Chamber of Commerce officials recently drafted a letter to the Hertford County Board of Commissioners voicing their support for moving the courthouse to Murfreesboro, therefore, moving the county seat.

Joshua Barker, president of the Murfreesboro Chamber of Commerce, said the idea of moving the courthouse to Murfreesboro would be “exciting,” not only for the community, but its economy.

“Murfreesboro is a gracious host to all those who come here and the same goes for the courthouse and the employees it would bring to town on a daily basis,” he said. “This is an opportunity the Murfreesboro Chamber must pursue earnestly for the benefit of all our members.”

In an Aug. 25 letter, Barker wrote Murfreesboro would be an “ideal location” due to its hospitable local citizens, longstanding history in the area as well as “the perception of Murfreesboro as a neutral common ground amongst the rest of the county.”

Barker outlined the town’s cultural contributions, including several museums and a prominent historic district, annual festivals and dinner tours.

“Murfreesboro also has the fine arts, athletics and academics that come along with being the home to the region’s only Baccalaureate and Master’s Degree accredited institution of higher education, Chowan University,” Barker said in the letter. “The university itself brings in a constant and steady stream of fresh and talented individuals to our area each year for building a strong workforce.”

He also noted land was available for development near the town and was convenient to US 158 and 258 as well as NC 11.

“You are always home in Murfreesboro,” the letter concluded. Officials with the town of Murfreesboro recently sent a letter to the commissioners showing their support to relocate the courthouse to their community.

Recently, the Hertford County Board of Commissioners decided to explore moving the county seat to Ahoskie and/or relocating the site of the new courthouse after having several issues with the town of Winton, including a variance on the town’s street setback ordinance for the new courthouse and how to address vehicle parking once construction begins.