Pender County Request for Board Action

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1 TO: FROM: Board of County Commissioners Sara Humphrey DATE: November 6, 2017 Pender County Request for Board Action SUBJECT: Resolution in Support of a North Carolina Satellite Facility at Blake Farm SUMMARY: Vision: The primary focus of the approximate 10,000 square-foot satellite aquarium is the North Carolina oyster and other shellfish along with the cultural, economic and environmental impact of the shellfish industry. The Aquarium Satellite Facility at Blake Farm will serve a target market that is outside of reasonable travel times for the existing North Carolina Aquariums and will provide unprecedented opportunities in education and cultural recognition for our residents along with sales tax revenues which will benefit the entire county. The history of oystering, crabbing and to a lesser extent, harvesting clams, scallops and shrimp were a critical part of Southeastern North Carolina s economy and cultural fabric until a steady decline in harvests significantly impacted the oyster population and the shellfish industry. Fortunately, new aquaculture technology and improved awareness have resulted in vastly improved harvests and economic results. The eat local and farm to table movements have placed a premium on North Carolina shellfish and argue for the need and success of the satellite. Not only will the satellite serve as an educational facility and historical archive, it will operate as a high volume economic development tool and branding vehicle for NC Seafood. Blake Farm Location: Placing the Aquarium in the Blake Farm Restaurant and Retail Campus is good planning as the Aquarium is sited in a vibrant commercial project and benefit from a mix of uses including a built-in customer base of restaurant diners, shoppers and visitors to the YMCA. It will be within walking distance of 480 multifamily units and 100,000 feet of future retail. In short, Blake Farm is a pedestrian friendly area that helps create public/private funding for the Aquarium and ease of access while adhering to the architecture of the Scotts Hill community.

2 The existing traffic count is approximately 40,000 cars per day and the Blake Farm Community is strategically positioned to provide access to I-140, I-40 and Highway 17 traffic. Its proximity to the county line will create improved and increased connections between Pender County and New Hanover County. Economic Development: The Aquarium satellite is an impressive branding opportunity for North Carolina seafood, with its presence alone providing a reminder to approximately 40,000 automobiles every day. The programming will create additional publicity and the electronic footprint of the project will reach an exponentially greater number of people with the constant reminder to purchase and consume North Carolina seafood. Historical/Cultural: exhibits will feature a mix of historical implements, including early period ( s) wooden boats, oyster tongs, oyster and clam rakes and geographical information along with maps and charts. We anticipate interactive video/audio stations featuring historical narratives regarding the work necessary for the harvest, the creation of the boats and tools and the delivery to market. Natural/Biology: exhibits will be focused on sophisticated touch and feel tanks featuring moving water, live crabs and other wow factor aspects of the estuarian environment. These areas of the Aquarium can also be contained in an indoor/outdoor area to provide educational opportunities to the customer base. Aquaculture and Science: The growing investment in our state s shellfish research and aquaculture, particularly with UNCW s significant steps forward in the area of oyster regeneration and nursery management, create made to order programming for the Blake Farm Satellite. UNCW s coastal research facility (CREST) and oyster hatchery will provide a continual supply of juvenile and mature shellfish along with applied learning and educational opportunities for the facility. Seafood programming allows for creative and interactive programming, visually appealing photography and sales of different categories of sauces, spices, cookware, recipes. This is also an excellent branding opportunity to drive the desirability of NC seafood to a wide demographic. This Satellite Aquarium will provide a historical, educational and cultural recognition for North Carolina shellfish and the shellfish industry. The satellite will also operate as a high volume economic development tool and branding vehicle for North Carolina seafood. Revenue from the Gift Shop: The focus on shellfish and the location in Blake Farm s restaurant and retail campus will provide for an expanded line of shellfish related items and increased sales revenue for the gift shop. A conservative estimate of annual revenue is $1,500,000. Page 2 of 16

3 ACTION REQUESTED: It is requested that the Board adopt a resolution in support of a North Carolina Satellite Facility at Blake Farm. Page 3 of 16

4 Page 4 of 16 Blake Farm Satellite Aquarium PRESENTED BY TRASK LAND COMPANY, INC.

5 VISION Page 5 of 16 Approximately 7,500 square-foot satellite aquarium in Blake Farm, Scotts Hill Focus on oysters and other shellfish along with the cultural, economic and environmental impact of the shellfish industry Serve a target market that is outside of reasonable travel times for the existing North Carolina Aquariums Will provide unprecedented opportunities in education and cultural recognition for Pender County residents Sales tax revenues benefitting Pender County

6 The History of Harvesting Oysters Page 6 of 16 Exhibits will feature a mix of historical implements, including early period ( s) wooden boats, oyster tongs, oyster and clam rakes and geographical information along with maps and charts We anticipate interactive video/audio stations featuring historical narratives regarding the work necessary for the harvest, the creation of the boats and tools and the delivery to market Exhibits will be focused on sophisticated touch and feel tanks featuring moving water, live crabs and other wow factor aspects of the estuarian environment. These areas of the Aquarium can also be contained in an indoor/outdoor area to provide educational opportunities to the customer base.

7 Page 7 of 16 Benefits to NC Aquariums Dramatically increased brand exposure Expansion into underserved markets Collaborative learning opportunities Growing investment in shellfish research and aquaculture Will provide a continual supply of juvenile and mature shellfish along with applied learning Creative and interactive programming Revenue Neutral will not take funding from other NC State Aquariums

8 Page 8 of 16 Benefits to Pender County Collaborative Learning for Pender and neighboring county school children Historical archive and cultural recognition High volume economic development tool Branding vehicle for seafood industry Tourist attraction Increase tax base

9 Location of Blake Farm Satellite Page 9 of 16 Traffic Counts Approximately 40,000 cars per day Strategically positioned to provide access to I- 140, I-40 and Highway 17 traffic Proximity to the county line will create improved connections between Pender County and New Hanover County Blake Farm Restaurant and Retail Campus is sited in a energetic commercial project and will benefit from a vibrant mix of uses including a built-in customer base of: Restaurant diners Retail shoppers Visitors of the YMCA Within walking distance of 480 multifamily units 100,000 feet of future retail

10 Oyster Recycling and Restoration Page 10 of 16 Shell Recycling The Satellite aquarium will serve as a recycling center for shells which will then be returned to natural habitats The state lacks in areas for shells to be dropped off and therefore has to bring in shells from other states to restore our waters Oysters provide numerous ecological benefits including increased water filtration, additional habitat for other fish and other ecosystem services. Overall, the more oysters, the cleaner the water.

11 Potential Partnerships with Local Businesses Page 11 of 16 Ecological Marine Adventures Karen Beasley Turtle Rehab Pender County Homeschoolers NC Oyster Blueprint Coastal Preparatory Academy NC Coastal Land Trust NC Coastal Federation NC Shellfish Growers Association NC Aquaculture Association

12 Tourism & Target Markets Page 12 of 16 Currently according to Jay Stryon, oysters are bringing in around 1 million dollars a year to the economy. NC is 20 years behind in terms of mari-culture to other states like Virginia that has a 64 million dollar economy (including clams). NC has better waters for oyster growth but is so far behind in applying productive mari-culture practices and needs more citizen awareness of what these farms can do Distances to Target Markets: Sneads Ferry - 34 min (28 miles) Topsail - 8 min (5.7miles) Surf City - 24 min (18 miles) Jacksonville: min (40 miles) Fort Fisher: 55 min (30.5 miles)

13 Information for Satellite Page 13 of 16 Aquarium Projected Aquarium Opening Date 4 th quarter 2019 Estimated Admission Cost Adults (Ages 13-61): $10.95 Seniors (Ages 62 and older): $9.95 Military: $9.95 Children (Ages 3-12): $8.95 Hours of operation 9-5 daily Proposed State Funding - $140,000 recurring for lease payments, $100,000 recurring for staffing and $700,000 one-time appropriation for programming and exhibits

14 Page 14 of 16 Ecological Marine Adventures Use aquarium to host events, school field trips and presentations Collaboration on projects and community causes Give visitors the chance to learn about local marine life and species through hands on activities

15 Blake Farm Conceptual Layout Page 15 of 16

16 Board of Commissioners George R. Brown, Jr., Chairman County Manager Archibald Fred McCoy, Vice Chairman Randell K. Woodruff Jaqueline A. (Jackie) Newton David A. Piepmeyer County Attorney J. David Williams, Jr. Carl W. Trey Thurman Resolution in Support of a North Carolina Satellite Facility at Blake Farm WHEREAS, The primary focus of the approximate 10,000 square-foot satellite aquarium is the North Carolina oyster and other shellfish along with the cultural, economic and environmental impact of the shellfish industry; and WHEREAS, The history of oystering, crabbing, and harvesting clams, scallops and shrimp were a critical part of Southeastern North Carolina s economy and cultural fabric until a steady decline in harvests significantly impacted the oyster population and the shellfish industry; and WHEREAS, not only will the satellite serve as an educational facility and historical archive, it will operate as a high volume economic development tool and branding vehicle for NC Seafood; and WHEREAS, Placing the Aquarium in the Blake Farm Restaurant and Retail Campus is good planning as the Aquarium is sited in a vibrant commercial project and benefit from a mix of uses including a built-in customer base of restaurant diners, shoppers and visitors to the YMCA; and WHEREAS, The existing traffic count is approximately 40,000 cars per day and the Blake Farm Community is strategically positioned to provide access to I-140, I-40 and Highway 17 traffic and its proximity to the county line will create improved and increased connections between Pender County and New Hanover County; and WHEREAS, exhibits will feature a mix of historical implements, including early period ( s) wooden boats, oyster tongs, oyster and clam rakes and geographical information along with maps, charts, and interactive video/audio stations featuring historical narratives regarding the work necessary for the harvest, the creation of the boats and tools and the delivery to market; and WHEREAS, exhibits will be focused on sophisticated touch and feel tanks featuring moving water, live crabs and other wow factor aspects of the estuarial environment. These areas of the Aquarium can also be contained in an indoor/outdoor area to provide educational opportunities to the customer base; and WHEREAS, the growing investment in our state s shellfish research and aquaculture, particularly with UNCW s significant steps forward in the area of oyster regeneration and nursery management, create made to order programming for the Blake Farm Satellite as UNCW s coastal research facility (CREST) and oyster hatchery will provide a continual supply of juvenile and mature shellfish along with applied learning and educational opportunities for the facility; and WHEREAS, This Satellite Aquarium will provide a historical, educational and cultural recognition for North Carolina shellfish and the shellfish industry and will operate as a high volume economic development tool and branding vehicle for North Carolina seafood. NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved that the Pender County Board of Commissioners do hereby support and welcome a North Carolina Satellite Aquarium Facility at Blake Farm. Adopted this the 6 th day of November, ATTEST: George R. Brown, Chairman Pender County Board of Commissioners Melissa Long Clerk to the Board Page 16 of 16