Beach Mayor Talks Economic Engine

Atlantic Beach Mayor Trace Cooper was the featured speaker at Newport Rotary on Monday, March 31, 2014. His talk centered on the importance of the beach community to the overall health of Carteret County, including Newport, and also on a number of initiatives progressing in the beach town. Councilman Rick Poillon was also present. Both guests graciously answered many questions posed by the group. 

Mayor Cooper stated that the town was in excellent shape with it's primary local government responsibilities, that of providing basic safety services to its citizens, like police, fire and water. A unified strategy on sewer still eludes the town, but is a very divisive issue and is a discussion for another day. "The Circle" privately owned project is still a slow moving venture in this economy, but is key to the town's branding effort and future prosperity.   

The town is now looking at proactive and achievable ways to draw people to the beach community. It is a far different recipe to develop Atlantic Beach's recreation sites, meant to attract visitors, than for the mainland communities, who are providing recreation opportunities for their own residents like ballfields, etc.   

Key among the initiatives are the town's ambitious Park project, including a Children's Splashpad (Newsletter, p.11), and a massive Skateboard Park, a town re-branding effort, the First Annual Beach Music Festival May 17, 2014 at the Circle, and beautification of the entry to town (site of the old bridge). We appreciate Mayor Cooper and Councilman Poillon being with us. We also welcomed Guest Amanda Keller from First Citizens Bank.