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/

Currituck Economic Development Shows How Business Incentives Can Help Your Company

From all indications the economy looks to be on the mend, at least for many of the businesses on the Eastern Seaboard which includes Currituck, North Carolina. There are new developments in many areas of Currituck County and the local government knows the best way to keep that development growing is by giving them good reasons to come.  Luckily there are several great business incentive programs that are already in place to offer anyone who wants to establish a new business, expand their present one or relocate from their current location to Currituck, North Carolina. 

Work Force Expansion - Job Development Investment Grants

This is a program that is run by the State of North Carolina. The Currituck Economic Development Agency can assist companies who are interested in this discretionary incentive program through their network of business centers throughout Currituck County. This program can assist businesses that are looking to relocate to currituck north carolina or expand, if they meet the following criteria:

•     They are looking to increase employment and the local opportunity for employment.

•     Their plans will help to strengthen the state’s economy.

•     Their plans for relocation or expansion are within the economic development goals of North Carolina and Currituck County.

•     This relocation or expansion will be competitive with another state or county.

•     They can show how this grant is necessary for their expansion in Currituck, North Carolina or relocation.

There are some additional guidelines that companies interested in expanding their current Currituck, North Carolina business or relocating to currituck co will need to adhere to, but the Currituck County Redevelopment Agency can work with these businesses to help them become and stay compliant for the grant program.

Structural Improvements - One North Carolina Fund

This is a one-time grant to Currituck, North Carolina companies that are considering expanding or businesses relocating to Currituck, North Carolina to make their business more competitive with other companies outside of North Carolina. For industries that are considered high quality, value added and knowledge-driven enterprises, this grant can create an opportunity to expand on their current physical location in Currituck, North Carolina and cover a significant portion of the following:

•     Purchasing and/or installing new equipment

•     Renovations to existing Currituck, North Carolina buildings including structural repairs or improvements

•     The improvement or construction of existing buildings that facilitates new or existing water, gas, sewer, or electrical distribution including lines or equipment.

There are additional program requirements including the agreement to an average wage test and Currituck County Economic Development Agency will work with the businesses to arrange matching funds from the county.

Housing – Community Development Block Grants

For developers considering low and moderate income housing in Currituck, North Carolina, The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) provides, through the state of North Carolina, funding to enhance the vitality of communities through affordable housing. These block grants are primarily awarded to local governments in areas that are either cities with a population under 50,000 or counties with a population under 200,000. Currituck County falls easily within these parameters. Currituck, North Carolina projects are funded under the following categories:

•     North Carolina Catalyst – for the development of low and moderate income housing

•     Economic Development – for creating and retaining jobs

•     Scattered Site Housing –  for addressing critical needs of very low-income housing

•     Small Business Entrepreneurial Assistance – for struggling small local businesses

•     Neighborhood Stabilization – assisting repurchase and/or redevelop foreclosed homes

Since these funds are handled at the county and city level, the Currituck County Economic Development Agency will work directly with Currituck, North Carolina businesses interested in developing projects that fall under these block grants.

Other Opportunities

In addition to these larger business incentives programs, Currituck County Development Agency can assist Currituck, North Carolina businesses in discovering more about how custom workforce training programs through our local college and training facilities can help you meet your workforce needs. In addition, Currituck North Carolina offers several machinery and equipment tax credit programs as well as sales and use tax relief for those that qualify. 

These kinds of programs offer the chance for existing and new Currituck, North Carolina businesses to expand or relocate here in Currituck County, and can offset the investments it takes in both real and personal property. Currituck County Redevelopment Agency can help your business to find the program that will assist you the most to stay competitive, strong and growing here in beautiful Currituck County, North Carolina.

For more Contact:

Think Currituck 

P153 Courthouse Road, Suite 207

Currituck, NC 27929

Phone: 252-232-6015

http://www.thinkcurrituck.com/

Currituck County Announces Sewer Treatment Plant Development

Currituck County was pleased to announce the approval of a $540,000 award of funding from the Rural Economic Development Center for the development and building of a 99,000 gallon-per-day (GPD) sewer treatment plant. The Development Center had invited Currituck County to send a proposal as part of their mandate to assist units of local government with the construction of water and waste projects that lead directly to job creation in the private sector, which this project will be doing.

The sewer treatment project is expected to be completed by year end and Currituck County anticipates being able to announce commencement of services by December 2012. With the application and full Execution Agreement completed, the North Carolina Infrastructure Program will have awarded the full amount to Currituck County by June 10^th to begin planning and construction scheduling.

The need for this new sewer treatment plant was precipitated by the unprecedented expansion in the Moyock region, particularly the area near the NC 168 corridor which has grown to be very busy. Developments such as the recent announcement of the plans to expand at the Academi compound have just been part of the story as both commercial and residential demand is expected to continue to rise.

In addition, there is plenty of development happening in the region beginning with the construction of the new bridge that will connect Corolla to the mainland. Another project that will impact local service needs is the development of the new 700 acre County Complex that will include the airport, a business park, a large cooperative Center and the new YMCA/Senior Center as well as the recently announced tennis and skate park. In all it is easy to see that the area is expecting to see booming business in the upcoming years.

As one of the fastest growing counties in the country, Currituck County has also seen its residential population increase by 32% in the last ten years.  “We want to be ready to handle whatever development happens before it happens,” said XX of the Currituck County “and with this latest funding for the new sewer treatment facility I think we will.” With the increased pace of industrial and commercial development and the great rate of growth in residential population, the sewer treatment plant couldn’t happen at a better time.

For more Contact:

Think Currituck 

P153 Courthouse Road, Suite 207

Currituck, NC 27929

Phone: 252-232-6015

http://www.thinkcurrituck.com/