A $25 Million Dollar Boost For North Carolina Aquarium at Roanoke Island

By Buster Nunemaker 

Roanoke Island, NC - Gov. Bev Perdue has signed House Bill 628 for the construction of the North Carolina Aquarium Pier at Nags Head, which will create jobs and enhance tourism in one of North Carolina’s most popular destinations.

“The North Carolina Aquarium Pier is an important marker for North Carolina’s coastline and for the North Carolina Aquarium,” said Perdue. “But more importantly, it will serve generations to come as a place of learning, recreation and further appreciation of the natural resources that bring so many people from across the state and beyond to our beautiful coast.”

Construction of the pier will provide 555 on-site jobs and 1, 250 off-site jobs and a benefit of more that $14 million to North Carolina’s economy. Formerly known as Jennette’s Pier, the North Carolina Aquarium Pier will be an educational satellite facility for the aquariums and be constructed to protect the state’s sounds and beaches from storm water runoff.

“Jennette’s Pier has been a landmark on the Outer Banks for generations and this legislation will help expedite construction and jump-star the economy,” said Senate Presiden Pro Tempore Marc Basnight, D- Dare.  “When it opens, the North Carolina Aquarium Pier at Nags Head will be an environmentally-friendly attraction that will help boos our tourist economy.”

“This project will have an immediate positive effect on the economies of Dare and surrounding counties providing much-needed jobs,” said Rep. Tim Spear, D-Washington.  “Also, when completed, the State of North Carolina will continue to reap economic benefits for years to come from the millions of tourist to the Outer Banks who will visit this new facility.”

“The North Carolina Aquarium Pier will attract visitors and researchers to northeaster North Carolina and benefit the economy of our region,” said Rep. Bill Owens, D-Pasquotank.  “I am pleased that this legislation passed the General Assembly unanimously.”

The Aquarium Division of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources will construct the pier with funds from existing non-General Fund receipts of up to $25 million.  The funding will come from admission receipts, private funds, and a storm water pilot project to clean up state-maintained ocean outfalls.

The pier is the oldest fishing pier on the Outer Banks and was almost completely destroyed by Hurricane Isabel in 2003.  To rebuild this historic landmark, the Aquarium Society purchased the property and transferred it to the State of North Carolina.

This information was posted on April 22, 2009 in its entirety with authorization from Chrissy Pearson, press secretary for Governor Bev. Perdue.

To view N.C. Aquarium at Roanoke Island's we page on Z&A, go to: http://www.zandavisitor.com/forumtopicdetail-2025-North_Carolina_Aquarium_on_Roanoke_Island