N.C. Marine Industrial Park Authority

The N.C. Marine Industrial Park Authority, an eleven-member state board whose members come from counties in the region, operates two marine parks, the Wanchese Marine Industrial Park and the Engelhard Marine Industrial Park.

Through the Authority, the State of North Carolina promotes, develops, constructs, equips, maintains and operates the two marine industrial parks within the State. The Marine Park Authority has the power to set and regulate land lease fees, building rental fees, and make most operational decisions necessary to attract and keep tenants in the state's marine industrial facilities. The Authority leases land to tenants who typically build their own buildings, thus avoiding costly capital outlays for property. In some instances, the Authority will erect a building for tenants. The Authority’s flexibility and efficiency over the years has created a business friendly environment in the facilities.

If you have a business or hope to open one that is directly seafood/marine related, or supports either of these industries, you should visit, call, or email us at the Wanchese Marine Industrial Park to get details.

Contact

Location

P.O. Box 549 • 633 Harbor Road Wanchese, N.C. 27981 Telephone: (252) 473-5867

Google Map - click to view map

Authority Members

The roster of current members of the Authority is available.

Tab/Accordion Items

The Wanchese Marine Industrial Park is centrally located on the East Coast of the U.S. on the south end of historic Roanoke Island in Dare County. Its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean, the Intercoastal Waterway, and the region's sounds systems make it ideal for water-dependent businesses.

The Park's mission is to promote, enhance, and offer business opportunities for marine-related businesses in Northeastern North Carolina.

Wanchese Marine Industrial Park Facts

  • The Wanchese Marine Industrial Park opened in 1981.
  • It contains 53 acres of land, a 15-acre basin, and its own wastewater treatment and water systems.
  • Buildings in the Park range from 3,200 to 30,000 sq. ft.
  • The Park's 30 lots are fully leased to a number of marine businesses, including boat building, commercial fishing, marina, and supply chain operations.
  • In 2015, the Wanchese Seafood Industrial Park had an annual impact to the State of North Carolina of $105 million.
  • Tenant List | North Carolina Marine Industrial Parks

Due to the success of Wanchese, in 2007 the NC Marine Industrial Park Authority began pursuing additional sites, resulting in the acquisition and development of the Engelhard site.

The Engelhard Marine Industrial Park in Hyde County is a small, 7.5-acre site on federally maintained Far Creek in the fishing village of Engelhard. The site's first tenant, Wild Water Protein, opened in 2020. Currently, there are eight other parcels at the site that are ready for development.