Overview of Economic Development Opportunities
Perquimans County is primarily known for its natural resource assets, historic heritage and quality of life. As a result, Perquimans County has seen a relatively rapid growth in residential population and visitors/ tourists in recent years.
However, because of the closing of textile companies in the late 1990’s/early 2000’s, Perquimans County lost a major portion of its employment base.
Today, most of the employment within Perquimans County is provided by government, retail, health care and agricultural-related jobs. In the mid-1990’s, the County Board of Commissioner purchased over 400 acres of land adjacent to the Perquimans River to establish the Perquimans County Commerce Centre to help stimulate the growth of quality light industrial and service jobs. Based on a recently completed strategic plan, the following economic development opportunities were identified for the Commerce Centre:
- Marine (boat builders and suppliers)
- Construction (primarily residential)
- Professional Services
- Distribution Facilities
In addition, other economic development opportunities exist within Perquimans County related to the growth of tourism, entrepreneurial [small business] enterprises and bio-technology expertise within Northeast North Carolina.
