Building Community in Corolla
On the Currituck Outer Banks, the focus has been directly related to
meeting the needs of a growing community while preserving the
physical and natural environments that make it distinct from other
coastal communities.
The community worked closely with the Planning and Community
Development Department to create the Corolla Village Small Area
Plan, the Corolla Village Circulation and Wayfinding Plan and
most recently, the Connecting Corolla Bike, Pedestrian, Access &
Wayfinding Plan. Their efforts have improved the overall experience
for visitors, but have also helped craft a stronger sense of community
for those who call Corolla home all year long.
Recently completed multi-use paths provide residents and visitors
better access to shopping, dining and destinations. Continued
improvements to beach accesses adding fully compliant ADA
accessible restroom and shower facilities together with additional
parking and handicap access to the oceanfront ensures a premium
experience for those who live, work, visit and vacation in Corolla.
In terms of economic development, the work that is going into
projects such as the 4.5 miles of the Corolla Greenway and the Corolla
Beautification Landscaping/Streetscape Plan directly impact our
county’s bottom line.
Raising the Profile of Lower Currituck
Lower Currituck is getting ready for its renaissance. In the past, visitors
headed to the Outer Banks might have made the long summer drive,
reached their final destination and stayed put. But thanks to the
H2OBX Waterpark, Lower Currituck is poised to become a destination
in its own right.
Last year’s opening of H2OBX signalled the start of a new era for
Lower Currituck. It gives hundreds of thousands of visitors every year
a compelling reason to travel back and forth from the beaches to the
mainland. That increase in visitor traffic from the beaches, across the
bridge and three miles up Highway 158 has the potential to transform
the landscape of Lower Currituck forever.
Providing visitors a can’t-miss activity on the mainland will
dramatically shift the dynamics and flow for Lower Currituck. In the
years ahead, it will help Route 158, become less of a pass-through and
more of a main drag. There’s already a buzz building about bringing
new business to the area.
Currituck County Travel & Tourism director Tameron Kugler believes the
waterpark could attract hotels, restaurants and other tourism-related
businesses. It could also give a boost to two nearby golf clubs: Kilmarlic
and The Pointe. “We think it will be a great boon for the county,” Kugler
said. “Getting people back over the bridge is a big thing.”
What Comes Next?
Economic development is a team sport. It’s a group effort that
requires communication, collaboration and vision.
There are big projects coming to every part of Currituck County and
each new development has the potential to change our county for
the better. Nobody can predict the future, but if we work together…
anything is possible.
By Larry Lombardi, Economic Development Director
For more information on any of these exciting projects, or if you have
questions about starting, expanding or relocating your business to
Currituck County, please visit www.thinkcurrituck.com or
“Call Larry” at (252) 232-6015
currituckchamber.org | (252) 453-9497 15
/www.thinkcurrituck.com
/currituckchamber.org
/www.robertstamey.com