Boat manufacturer to invest $6M, create 179 jobs in Beaufort County

Boater’s World Manufacturing Group LLC promises to create 179 jobs and invest $6 million in a boat manufacturing facility in Chocowinity, Beaufort County; this project will be funded in part by a $375,000 performance-based grant from the One North Carolina Fund.  

The OneNC Fund offers taxpayer money to local governments to spend on economic development.  Companies do not receive money up front and must meet hiring and investment targets to receive payments. Local governments are required to match OneNC grants, and awards are contingent upon that match. Boater’s World Manufacturing Group must invest $1.3 million to receive OneNC grant payments. 

“These economic incentive deals make for nice-sounding press releases, but are inherently unfair,” Brian Balfour, VP of Research at the John Locke Foundation, told the Carolina Journal. “Imagine being a longtime, homegrown business owner in Beaufort County paying the full tax rate for decades, and this company, owned by a massive out-of-state corporation, receives a taxpayer handout to locate across town. The local economy, and the command over its scarce resources, is shaped by politics and not economics. And now that homegrown entrepreneur is competing for resources with a company enjoying political favors, giving them an unearned and unfair advantage. These targeted taxpayer handouts need to stop, and legislators should focus on making North Carolina even more hospitable to all business investors and owners across the board.”

Boater’s World Manufacturing Group LLC is a new venture launched by Outdoor Network, a recreational marine and powersports industry leader since 1999, according to the press release. The venture builds on the company’s continued growth while expanding its commitment to supporting partners and customers across the marine industry. The facility will span 212,00 sq ft on the Pamlico River waterfront and will be the company’s flagship facility. 

“Our growth over the last 27 years has always been driven by a simple focus on doing right by our customers, and building boats of our own has always been one of our goals to better serve the marine community,” Martin Polo, CEO of Outdoor Network, said in a press release. “Taking the helm as a manufacturer of the NauticStar marine line allows us to combine decades of marine retail experience with genuine craft building. We are grateful for North Carolina’s partnership and excited to make Beaufort County our manufacturing home.”

Wages will vary by position, but the average salary for assembly engineering and operations roles will be $54,916, exceeding the Beaufort County average of $50,175.  Jobs created by the company could create an annual payroll impact of $1.2 million for the region. 

“Boatbuilding has a long and proud history in Beaufort County, shaped by our location along the Pamlico River, Pamlico Sound, and the coastal waters of eastern North Carolina,” Susan Squires, director of economic development for Beaufort County, told the Carolina Journal. “Generations of skilled craftsmen have built and repaired vessels here, and that tradition has evolved into a diverse marine manufacturing industry that continues to be an important part of our economy and identity.”

Beaufort County remains home to a wide variety of watercraft manufacturers, ranging from recreational and sailboat manufacturers to high-performance manufacturers, including luxury yachts and sportfishing vessels, according to Squires. The boating and marine manufacturing community includes Pacific Seacraft, MJM Yachts/Pamlico Yachtworks, Fountain Powerboats, Donzi Marine, Pair Marine, VSSL Boats, Compmillennia, Prototech Manufacturing, and other marine-related manufacturers and suppliers.

“One of Beaufort County’s greatest strengths is the skilled workforce that has developed around boatbuilding,” said Squires. “Marine manufacturing requires a unique combination of craftsmanship and advanced manufacturing skills, including composite and fiberglass fabrication, lamination, marine electrical and mechanical systems, welding and metal fabrication, carpentry, finishing, upholstery, engineering, and quality control. We have generations of workers in Beaufort County with experience in these specialized trades.”

Boat manufacturing is a significant industry in Beaufort County, with a total annual GDP of $55.7 million and employment of 250 individuals; sales and output total $60.1 million, and compensation totals almost $29 million annually, according to data provided to the Carolina Journal by Beaufort County officials. 

“From building materials to building boats, North Carolina’s manufacturing expertise is second to none,” said Gov. Stein in a press release. “When companies choose rural North Carolina, it reminds the world that North Carolina is a top-tier state for business. Thanks to our workforce, our infrastructure, and our commitment to supporting long-term economic opportunity from the mountains to the coast, we have what companies need to thrive.”

In addition to the North Carolina Department of Commerce and the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina (EDPNC), other partners with this project include the North Carolina General Assembly, Commerce’s Division of Workforce Solutions, the North Carolina Community College System, Beaufort County Community College, Beaufort County, and the Town of Chocowinity.

“Boat manufacturer to invest $6M, create 179 jobs in Beaufort County” was originally published on www.carolinajournal.com.