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/

Increase in Port of Virginia Traffic Would Benefit Currituck County

A proposed effort by Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell to increase traffic at the Port of Virginia could have long-lasting positive economic impacts on Hampton Roads business and Currituck County.  The port has struggled to recover from the recession and increased competition along the East Coast has forced the government to step in and look for alternatives. The port is very necessary to Hampton Roads business, accounting for over 10% of the entire region’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Governor McDonnell’s plan to increase traffic is already underway as he has made changes to the Virginia Port Authority Board of Directors. McDonnell would also like to privatize the port and Virginia has already received three proposals from private businesses to operate the facilities. Government officials say brining in a private company to run the port because the current practice of recruiting shipping lines, while helping overall traffic growth, creates fewer jobs than the impact of new distribution centers that a private company would bring in. Currituck County officials also note that a private company would better streamline the port’s operations and better solicit new cargo.

What can help the port and Currituck County and Hampton Roads business is the port has advantages over its competition. The Port of Virginia has no overhead obstructions like bridges which will allow for more efficient cargo delivery than other ports in the Northeast and Southeast.

Currituck County and Hampton Roads business could benefit from private management of the port because maritime and port related industries are high target industries for Currituck County. Currituck County also has the direct rail, highway, and waterway access to the Port of Virginia and Hampton Roads Business. Currituck County also has available warehousing and manufacturing sites available for increased services to Hampton Roads business and the port.

Because Currituck County has a lower tax rate than what Hampton Roads business pay, Currituck County officials also say because Currituck is only approximately 30 miles from the port, the growth at the port will grow the industry in the county and provide jobs and a positive economic impact for county residents.

Expansion of ports and the need for ports to handle larger shipping vessels is a result of the expansion of the Panama Canal, which was a plan approved by the Panamanian’s in 2006 and is expected to double the capacity of the Panama Canal by 2014.

In early September the deadline for proposals from bidders on the Port of Virginia was pushed back to November 1, however the selection date for a preferred proposer has been left open-ended. 

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/