Heritage Development

Building a sustainable future that protects and shares our natural and cultural resources is the challenge of every small community in the United States. It starts with a vision and Core Sound is working with community leaders to create a community-based vision for Down East and the region.

NC Rural Center Innovative Economic Development Grant Update - October 2010

  • Purpose - To catalyze job retention, supplemental income generation, and small business development in natural resource-based sectors, especially the commercial fishing and eco-/heritage tourism industries
  • Focus – unincorporated communities along the Outer Banks Scenic Byway
  • Amount - $350,000 ($200,000 to implement community projects; $150,000 for educational programs, workshops and research); grant will cover two years of planning and development for the three areas of Hatteras Island, Ocracoke and Down East Carteret County.

Major themes are emerging across the region:

  • enhancing opportunities for local businesses that help support/maintain the area’s unique sense of place
  • building on the Outer Banks National Scenic Byway designation to support community development and heritage/eco-tourism markets
  • making local seafood work better for our local economy
  • enhancing entrepreneurial opportunities for young people
  • addressing infrastructure needs for our commercial fishing industry
  • providing learning opportunities for heritage development and natural resource planning for community members and business owners
  • building communication systems and increased awareness across regions

Economic development incubation concepts are beginning to identify ways to promote business start-up and development, facilitate product development, create opportunities to add value to products, foster business skills and entrepreneurship, etc.

Asset Mapping Projects – Mapping “leaders” are being designated in the Down East communities and on Hatteras Island to develop the framework and discuss ways to engage community members in the mapping process.

Saltwater Connections – online resource website for community development ideas, information and reference – is under construction by Duke University’s Nicholas School for the Environment.

A group of Hatteras and Down East business owners will participate in the Energizing Entrepreneurship Workshop – NC Rural Center – Windsor, NC – in October.

The community work currently underway will be featured at the NC Rural Center’s Partners Forum in November.

Workshops and field trips for community leadership teams are being planned for 2011.