Currituck’s Location is an Advantage for Wind Energy

Wind energy technology is a huge opportunity for the Currituck economy.  Through the Obama Administration’s strong stance on developing domestic energy, wind energy has been placed in the forefront of the energy policy.  

Part of the energy strategy includes offshore energy research.  A recent announcement from the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) revealed that it was actively looking for interest from the energy community to acquire commercial wind leases in three areas off the Atlantic coastline that surround Currituck County, North Carolina.

Offshore wind resources “are abundant, stronger and blow more consistently than land-based wind resources,” say the US Department of Energy.  By developing and demonstrating the capabilities of offshore wind technologies off the North Carolina coast and converting it to electricity, the domestic energy capabilities enormously increase. 

In a separate announcement, Dominion Virginia Power of Richmond which serves Currituck County, received a $4 million grant to“design, develop, and install two 6-megawatt direct-drive turbines off the coast of Virginia Beach,” from the US Department of Energy’s Wind Program funding.This grant is an excellent opportunity to prove the capabilities of wind technology as well as provide more jobs to the area.

BOEM plans to hold several public information sessions in Currituck North Carolina in an effort to answer questions, provide an overview of the recent Call for Information and the Notice of Intent, and talk about the next steps for the wind energy research plans.  Please go their website for a list of dates, locations and times.  

Offshore wind energy is poised to be very beneficial to communities in the US.  Not only does it benefit the environment by offering clean and renewable energy that is generated by pure wind at a cost that is on par with other fuel sources, wind energy technology creates more jobs and funnels more money into local communities where projects are located.  

The potential for what this wind energy project can do for Currituck and Hampton Roads business is outstanding.   In fact, area community colleges have createdalternative energy career trainingbecause of the future direction of domestic energy is excellent.

For more information on offshore wind energy and research, contact the Currituck County Economic Development Department at (252) 232-6015 or pbishop@thinkcurrituck.com.

For more Contact:

Think Currituck 

P153 Courthouse Road, Suite 207

Currituck, NC 27929

Phone:             252-232-6015      

http://www.thinkcurrituck.com/

Agriculture Remains Strong in Currituck County

While most of the nation’s farmers faced significant drought this summer, agriculture remained a strong economic force in Currituck North Carolina. Recent trends in Currituck County point to an increase in agriculture production in the area. These factors, combined with increased food and fuel demands throughout the world have Currituck North Carolina in position to have long lasting economic growth in the agriculture industry.

Recently Business North Carolina published a report that said Currituck North Carolina was 10^th in the state among county’s producing corn in 2011. With more Currituck North Carolina land being developed for agriculture, corn producing numbers in Currituck County figure to expand. The U.S. Department of Agriculture predicts North Carolina’s corn yield will rise nearly 36% per acre compared with last year, which is good news for Currituck County farmers because the price of corn has skyrocketed due to the drought. 

As the rise in food demands continue to increase Currituck County agriculture is expected to remain a strong economic force in the region. Because of the increase in food demand Currituck County agriculture will continue to play a major role in the local and global economies for at least the next 10 years. USDA projections show continued population growth expected in developing nations and over the next 10 years those countries will continue to be the source for most of the growth in agriculture exports in the United States. Additionally population increases mean an increased need for energy sources which will further add to a need to produce more bushels of corn.

Agriculture companies in Currituck North Carolina are taking note of this expected growth and using more Currituck County land for agricultural purposes. County officials report almost all of the tracts of land available for farming in Currituck County are currently being used. This is a shift from just a few years ago when, in 2007, many tracts went for sale for residential development.

As the agriculture industry continues to thrive in Currituck North Carolina so does the local farmer and small business owner. Larger farm units like Justice Farms are fast becoming major players in the agriculture industry in the Currituck County and the region as a whole. Roadside markets continue to grow in Currituck County and wineries continue to thrive, which are just a few of the factors that will help the Currituck North Carolina tourism growth rate improve as well.

For more Contact:

Think Currituck 

P153 Courthouse Road, Suite 207

Currituck, NC 27929

Phone:             252-232-6015      

http://www.thinkcurrituck.com/

Hyde County Bid to Host Drone Site Could Impact Currituck County

North Carolina is known for being “first in flight,” and Currituck County hopes that the state will also be “first in drones.” Currituck County officials are hopeful Hyde County is successful in its bid to become North Carolina’s first approved drone aircraft launching site.

Hyde County recently submitted a bid to host drones, or unmanned aircraft, launches at Hyde’s remote airport along highway 264. Currituck North Carolina hopes Hyde County is successful because the boom in the aviation and defense industries is expected. This would allow Currituck County officials to recruit contractors and companies to locate to Currituck North Carolina.

Currituck County also has a current defense-contractor industry, with companies like National Technology Associates and Cutting Edge Tactical, to name a few located in Currituck North Carolina. Currituck County officials say that opportunities for synergy and growth exist at the COA Regional Aviation and Tech Training Center and Currituck County Regional Airport.

The drones for the military would be tested in Hyde County, which is south of Currituck County in Eastern North Carolina. North Carolina’s Division of Aviation is seeking a permit to create a 3-mile long testing area at the airport. Currituck North Carolina and surrounding areas are expected to see a boost in the economies of the respected counties if this plan is approved.

As part of the project, Elizabeth City State University, near Currituck County, would expand its engineering program to include designing and building remotely piloted aircraft. Currituck County officials say programs like this will further help raise Currituck North Carolina’s profile in the aviation and defense industries.

If approved, North Carolina would become the first state on the East Coast with a testing site. The FAA will choose six sites to test the drones. It is expected that private companies and academic researchers will also be able to test unmanned aircraft at the site. Researches expect that the testing area could encourage research and development worth billions of dollars. This research boosts the belief among Currituck County leaders that approval of the site is vital to the region’s long aviation history. There are currently no timetables set for approval. Counties in Maryland and Virginia are also being considered.

For more Contact:

Think Currituck 

P153 Courthouse Road, Suite 207

Currituck, NC 27929

Phone:             252-232-6015      

http://www.thinkcurrituck.com/