The marine trades have been a part of eastern North Carolina’s
economic fabric for over 300 years, and the Eastern Region
today ranks among the nation’s leading boat building locales.
The Region’s rich maritime heritage includes world class manufacturers
and the support necessary to their continuing success.
Assets for this industry within the Region include:
An Established Industry Infrastructure. 40 boat building and
marine trade firms are located in the Eastern Region, employing
approximately 3,300 people. More than 100 boat builders are
within a 2-hour drive. Major employers in the category include
Hatteras Yachts, Jarrett Bay, Parker Marine, Grady-White Boats
and World Class Catamarans.
Affordable And Experienced Workforce. The Region has a
large pool of skilled workers, many with experience in boat
building and marine trades. Wages in the Region are below
national and state averages, and North Carolina is a Right to
Work state with minimal union presence.
The Perfect Location. You couldn’t ask for a better one — right
in the middle of the Eastern Seaboard, with year-round ice-free
operation and excellent access to Atlantic Coast boating markets
from Florida to New England. Four Eastern Region counties
have navigable waters within their boundaries, with direct
access to the Port at Morehead City and to the Intracoastal
Waterway running the entire length of the NC coast (where
upscale retirees and executives are a ready market for boats
built here).
Unsurpassed Training Resources. Our Marine Training and
Education Center(NCMARTEC) is a state-of-the-art training facility
located on the Intracoastal Waterway in Morehead City. NCMARTEC
offers customized and curriculum training in maritime trades,
including marine propulsion, boat manufacturing, composite and
fiberglass technologies, marine electrical and plumbing systems,
marine coatings, boat maintenance, repair and restoration,
rigging and welding.
Governmental Support. North Carolina is the only state with a
program dedicated to supporting the success and growth of the
maritime industry. Via the state’s Small Business and Technology
Development Center’s marine trade specialists, maritime companies
can receive help with marketing and business plan development,
leadership training, marketing to government agencies
and many other needs. A program is in place to promote networking
between boat builders and product suppliers. And North
Carolina companies pay no inventory or intangibles taxes, and
no sales tax on raw materials.
Click on the following links for more about Marine Trades in the Eastern Region:
