The county last year completed a $7 million deep-water boat basin on the Perquimans River near Hertford, the first step in officials’ decades-long goal of developing the waterfront for commercial use.
coastal economy
Murfreesboro poised for growth balanced with preservation
This perhaps lesser-known older coastal town’s embrace of its history, scenery, significant architecture and long tradition of educational excellence is driving both its economy and its push for preservation.
UNCW Blue Economy Index bests its benchmarks in May
The university’s monthly economic measure of sustainable global uses of ocean resources is published on Bloomberg under the ticker: BLUEECO.
An era ends: Wanchese seafood operation to close in March
The parent company of Wanchese Fish Co., an Outer Banks small business launched 88 years ago and with an outsized presence in the seafood industry, has confirmed the fish operation will be shuttered March 29.
Interior Secretary Haaland’s stop means more than $1.4M
Deb Haaland was warmly welcomed when she arrived at the Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge Thursday to announce federal infrastructure funding in a region where folks often feel lost in the shuffle.
Opponents say Pender shellfish leases will crowd waters
Speakers at the public hearing said they support Topsail Island-area shellfish farming, but more leases will infringe upon popular fishing spots, impede boat and kayak access, and the floating equipment used will detract from the view from waterfront properties.
Hyde County agency’s future home may be key to saving it
A new idea to house Hyde County’s Cooperative Extension agency within the Mattamuskeet Lodge could be the only sustainable way to restore, reopen and preserve the historic structure in the national wildlife refuge.
Grant could spur coastal eco-tech hub similar to Triangle
A collaboration of researchers and scientists is working to secure $160 million over 10 years from the National Science Foundation to build an innovation center that’s the ecosystems technology analog to the Research Triangle Park’s biotech boom.
Outer Banks tourism rebounded after COVID, now slowing
Presentations during the recent Outer Banks Visitors Bureau tourism summit featured an economy outperforming some state and national trends but also showing signs of cooling.
‘Catastrophic crisis’: Imported shrimp flood US market
Shrimp imports are overwhelming domestic shrimp producers and driving prices for locally sourced shrimp to record lows, prompting demands that the federal government declare a fishery resource disaster.
UNCW ramps up program to nurture coast’s blue economy
The University of North Carolina Wilmington’s Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship offers a mentor program with140 volunteers who can share their experiences in coastal business startups.
NC’s coastal national parks boost economy by $1B in 2022
The five national parks on North Carolina’s coast saw a total direct visitor spending in 2022 of nearly $724, yielding an economic output of around $964 million.
Ongoing study may show overlooked algal bloom causes
A year into a 30-month public science study, preliminary data appears to show that higher than expected nutrient loads in minor tributaries may contribute to increasingly regular and persistent blue-green algal blooms in northeastern North Carolina rivers.
NC visitor spending increased 45% last year
Visitor spending totaled $79 million a day statewide in 2021.
Officials tout economic boom from offshore wind industry
Offshore wind manufacturing could bring an estimated $140 billion and tens of thousands of new jobs to North Carolina by 2035, if steps are taken now, say those who spoke during the first meeting last week of a state Commerce Department task force.
Threats to seagrass could cost state’s economy millions
A new report from Duke University and NC State estimates economic losses associated with the decline of submerged aquatic vegetation in the Albemarle-Pamlico estuary could total $8.6 million in 10 years.
