Economic study shows Havelock needs to diversify
An economic diversity study presented to the Havelock Board of Commissioners Monday found that the city is overly dependent on Cherry Point as a catalyst for the growth.
Mark Plesko, a consultant with the Public Private Solutions Group, Inc., said that Havelock is not currently in control of its economic future.
Military personnel represent 55 percent of all people 18 years or older in Havelock and some 7,500 jobs come directly from Cherry Point, according to the study.
The study found that given the importance of Cherry Point to Havelock, the city and Craven County should do everything to encourage the Department of Defense to locate the proposed Outlying Landing Field in either North Carolina or Virginia. Having the OLF nearby would be a step toward securing military air operations on the East Coast, thereby ensuring the continued operation of Cherry Point.
The Navy has started the process to select an OLF site again after giving up on a site in Washington County. All the proposed sites are closer to the Oceana naval base in Virginia Beach, Va.
Plesko said while the base provided jobs, the city has a non-diversified economy with limited perceived opportunities and stagnant relative growth.
The study suggested that Havelock needed more marketing and to place an emphasis on its location near the Neuse River and Atlantic Ocean.
Plesko said that recreation and tourism should be touted, and older adults should be encouraged to see Havelock as an active retirement community.
Plesko suggested the city create a new position to act as an economic advocate for Havelock.
The study suggested that Havelock needed to create a downtown or center of the city, which may require city officials to "re-draw" the city. It suggested that the city needed to have its goals set forth by the next fiscal year.
Commissioners took no action on the study.
In other business, the commissioners:
• agreed to meet at 7 p.m. Aug. 6 to review a draft service agreement between Havelock and New Bern.
• approved the CAMA Land Use Plan that will be submitted to the N.C. Division of Coastal Management.
• heard from City Manager Jim Freeman that the U.S. 70-Slocum Road flyover study was moving along. According to Freeman, the military was pre-screening firms to conduct the Scope of Work study and that a contract could be awarded by the middle of September.
• agreed to annex land for the new West End Fire Station.
• approved a contract with CGI Communications to produce and host free online videos linked to the city's Web site.
• approved Pam Holder-Dorman as the Township 6 representative on the Recreation Advisory Board.
• approved Victor Alvarez as a representative on the Appearance Commission.
