5.) ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Five Projects That Will Change the Way Currituck County Does Business
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
The Future Looks Bright for Currituck County
There’s a list of reasons why Forbes Magazine ranked North Carolina
as 2017’s Best State for Business. At the top of that list: low business
costs, incentives and a young, educated workforce. I’d like to add
“location,” “opportunity” and “quality of life” to that list, because those
are three things that help make Currituck the Best County in the Best
State for Business.
Those who visit Northeastern North Carolina know there’s something
special about our part of the world. People who live and work here
understand it even more. As Economic Development Director, part
of my job is translating that “something special” into a language that
makes sense for new and expanding business owners.
How do we attract outside companies to Currituck County? How do
we help local businesses thrive? How do we grow the local economy?
One project at a time.
Mega-Site Coming to Moyock
One of the county’s biggest projects will transform over 3,000 acres
in Moyock. The Currituck Station Mega-Site is part of a long-term
economic development plan to attract residential and commercial
opportunities.
While you may be familiar with other mega-sites that are designed to
attract large industrial or manufacturing companies, Currituck Station
is a mixed-use project. That means it will include a wide variety of
space including retail, commercial, office, industrial and residential.
The goal is to create a kind of “Moyock town center,” where residents
can live, work and play.
The Currituck Station site is adjacent to the border with Virginia and
located on the western side of North Carolina 168/Caratoke Highway.
It’s perfectly positioned to take advantage of a growing upper
Currituck population and can become a vibrant attraction for both
residents and visitors.
Keep in mind the Currituck Station Mega Site is not something that
will spring up overnight. It’s part of a larger vision for the county
that requires the collaboration of private citizens, the business
community and local government. It’s still in the planning stages and
development won’t likely start until late 2018 or early 2019.
14 Currituck Chamber of Commerce
Making Connections in Mid-Currituck
Every day, the Mid-Currituck Bridge is closer to becoming a reality.
The proposed 7-mile toll bridge will connect mainland Currituck
County to Corolla and the Outer Banks. This major infrastructure
project has been in development for years, but will take significant
steps forward in the months and years ahead. The Mid-Currituck
Bridge is a project and it is funded in the North Carolina 2016-25
State Transportation Improvement Plan (STIP).
This new access point to the Outer Banks will reduce travel times
and ease traffic congestion. It will give first responders quicker, more
direct access to residents of Carova and Corolla and speed evacuation
during an emergency.
The Mid-Currituck Bridge will also act as a development catalyst on
the mainland. The Coinjock/Barco/Maple area side of the bridge will
become an ideal spot for restaurants, retail shops, attractions and
lodging.
But when it comes to economic development, Mid-Currituck hasn’t
been waiting on the bridge to get started. Head west on 158 from
Barco and you’ll find a remarkable hub of pro-business activity.
The Maple Commerce Park features shovel-ready lots with flexible
acreage configurations (2 acres and up), and is designed to attract a
variety of businesses.
Maple Commerce Park is adjacent to the Currituck County Regional
Airport and the College of the Albemarle’s Regional Aviation and
Technical Training Center, a 40,000 SF facility focusing on FAA-certified
programs and mechanical training for a wide range of industrial
workforce needs. Nearby there are also walking trails, a YMCA
community center, a 3-field baseball/softball complex and even more
premier recreation facilities.
And coming soon is College of the Albemarle’s new Public Safety
Center, which will be a collaboration between COA and Currituck
County.
Image provided by Currrituck County Economic Development