Chambers in Action: NC chamber and economic development leaders look to clean energy to help rebuild economy

Written By Chambers for Innovation
Outer Banks Chamber Ready to Welcome the $70 Billion Offshore Wind Industry to the Region

Just prior to the state shutdown due to COVID-19, close to 100 gathered from the Outer Banks region including N.C. Sen. Bob Steinburg, N.C Rep. Bobby Hanig, other elected officials of Dare and Currituck counties, as well as the Currituck Chamber of Commerce and Currituck County Economic Development at the Outer Banks Chamber “Keep It Clean” Economic Summit held prior to COVID-19 gathering restrictions.

Guests were presented with a clear message that the Outer Banks Chamber supports clean energy development, including offshore wind as they work to create a stronger, more diversified and more sustainable economy.

“The Outer Banks Chamber of Commerce has been a proponent of clean energy since 2013,” shared Karen Brown, Outer Banks Chamber of Commerce President and CEO. “Our community understands the importance of our environment and the role it plays in our economic success. Off-shore and on-shore wind projects as well as solar projects are important to our region and the health of our economy.”
Chamber members and community leaders at the Economic Summit listened intently to speakers discuss the economic opportunities that will come with Avangrid Renewable’s 2000+ MW Kitty Hawk Offshore Wind project, slated for development more than 27 miles off the coast of Corolla. Opportunities previewed include up to 500 new jobs, millions in local investment including increased ecological and fishing tourism based on offshore wind development off of Rhode Island. See “Why North Carolina” box for the advantages that the state delivers for the offshore wind industry. 

“Each day, we move closer to welcoming this billion dollar industry to our area and those companies who will support the offshore wind industry,” stated Tim Beacham, Outer Banks Chamber of Commerce Divisional Vice Chair - Economic Sustainability. “As the chamber strives to encourage economic resiliency, offshore wind is perhaps is one of the greatest opportunities that our community will have while protecting our beautiful environment at the same time.”
The industry also includes the opportunity for more than $70 billion in supply chain manufacturing across the east coast. North Carolina is now working with existing manufacturers in the state to expand their product lines and is also recruiting international offshore wind companies to move their operations to the northeastern area of the state, close to project development areas.


See these links for more about the impressive economic potential for offshore wind in North Carolina: 

If you would like to learn more about the economic benefits of clean energy and/or offshore wind, please contact:
Susan Munroe
Director of Economic Development
419.203.1566
susan@chambersforinnovation.com
Photo Above: Elected officials, state and regional chamber and economic development leaders at the economic summit (from left): Josh Bass, Currituck Chamber of Commerce President; NC Sen. Bob Steinburg; Tim Beacham, Outer Banks Chamber of Commerce Divisional Vice Chair - Economic Sustainability; Larry Lombardi, Currituck County Economic Development Director; NC Rep. Bobby Hanig; Susan Munroe, CICE Director of Economic Development; Chris Chung, Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina Executive Director; Karen Brown, Outer Banks Chamber of Commerce President and CEO.

Infographic above courtesy of the Currituck Chamber of Commerce.
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