The CPNI Virtual Workshop with the Belhaven, NC was completed October 22-23, 2020. The CPNI team met with officials, residents, and community members from the Village of Marvin for a two-day virtual workshop. CPNI and NCGrowth conducted this workshop virtually and in person in order to maintain social distance during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Belhaven is a beautiful town on the banks of the Pungo River. Popular as a stop on the intracoastal waterways, many passersby and visitors have become permanent residents over the years. Though Belhaven is a hidden gem of the inner banks’ area, the town experienced a significant economic recession when the primary employer, Pungo Hospital, left in 2014. Since then, the town’s businesses have experienced a “renaissance,” and residential real estate sales have increased. However, the town is still left with many vacant properties and would benefit from a more robust economic development plan

Team Members

NCGROWTH WORKSHOP VOLUNTEERS:

• Jess Wilkinson, NCGrowth Economic Development Manager
• Rachel Taylor, NCGrowth Economic Development Analyst

CPNI TEAM:

• Brian Crutchfield, team leader – Timmons Group
• Doug Burns, SGA | Narmour Wright Design
• Michael Cole, ColeJenest
• Phil Jones, Retired UNCC
• Wayne Robinson, VHB
• Pat Fogleman, CPN of NC

Next Steps for Belhaven

Plan

• Appoint a planning committee or master planning taskforce
  • Recommend a five to ten-year vision guide the process
  • Make a plan for public input and diverse community engagement
  • Incorporate Land-Use & Land Acquisition plans into Master Plan
  • Consolidate Maps and Identify Community Assets and Needs

Activate Downtown

• Form a 501(c)3 Downtown Development Organization
• Create Attractive and Walkable Spaces
• Increase Wayfinding and Develop Placemaking Initiatives

Invest in Multi-use Development that is Compatible with the Environment

• Use existing assets to develop creative uses and events that work with the natural landscape

Strategically Market the Town

• Engage in External and Internal Marketing
  • Create a strategic marketing plan
  • External: focus on attracting visitors and businesses
  • Internal: focus on community engagement and buy-in
• Create an Online and Social Media Strategy
  • Start by focusing on a few platforms
  • Encourage businesses to host “review-ins” to boost search engine optimization
  • Create a “one-stop-shop” website for all trip planning and local information
• Engage in Cross-Promotion
  • Encourage businesses to work together to promote the district, each other, and the town
• Build Community Engagement through Internal Marketing

Build Equitably and Engage in Community Development

• Build Equity into all aspects of the planning and redevelopment process
• Create a community profile
• Engage community members from diverse backgrounds
• Conduct appropriate impact analyses and research
• Consider forming a community development taskforce or committee

Design and work with Council to approve form-based codes