Wanchese Seafood Industrial Park
The Wanchese Seafood Industrial Park is centrally located on the East Coast of the U.S. on the south end of historic Roanoke Island in Dare County. Its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean, the Intercoastal Waterway, and the region’s sounds systems make it ideal for water-dependent businesses.
The Park’s mission is to promote, enhance, and offer business opportunities for marine-related businesses in Northeastern North Carolina.
The Wanchese Seafood Industrial Park opened in 1981. It contains 53 acres of land, a 15-acre basin, and its own wastewater treatment and water systems. Buildings in the Park range from 3,200 to 30,000 sq. ft. The Park’s 30 lots are fully leased to a number of marine businesses, including boat building, commercial fishing, marina, and supply chain operations.
In 2005, the Wanchese Seafood Industrial Park had an annual impact to the State of North Carolina of $113 million.
Due to the success of Wanchese, in 2007 the NC Seafood Industrial Park Authority began pursuing additional sites, resulting in the acquisition and development of the Engelhard and Perquimans County marine sites.
The N.C. Seafood Industrial Park Authority, an eleven-member state board whose members come from counties in the region, operates the three marine Parks. Through the Authority, the State of North Carolina engages in “promoting, developing, constructing, equipping, maintaining and operating the seafood industrial parks within the State.” The Seafood Park Authority has the power to set and regulate land lease fees, building rental fees, and make most operational decisions necessary to attract and keep tenants in the state’s seafood industrial facilities. The Authority leases land to tenants who typically building their own buildings, thus avoiding costly capital outlays for property. In some instances, the Authority will erect a building for tenants. The Authority’s flexibility and “can do” attitude over the years has created a business friendly environment in all three facilities.
If you have a business (or have ever dreamed of operating one) that is directly seafood/marine-related, or supports either of these industries, you should visit, call, fax, or email us at the Wanchese Seafood Industrial Park to get details. For more information, contact:
Bob Peele, Director
Christine Walker, Assistant
P.O. Box 549
615 Harbor Road
Wanchese, N.C. 27981
(252) 473-5867
Fax: (252) 473-6139
Links
2005 Economic Analysis of Wanchese Seafood Industrial Park
2011 Update to the 2005 Economic Analysis of the Wanchese Seafood Industrial Park
Tenant Information
Dare County
Dare County Oregon Inlet & Waterways Commission
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Wilmington District)
Outer Banks Chamber of Commerce