Business on the Crystal Coast
The Crystal Coast offers many resources and opportunities to help you start, grow or locate your business. Whatever you need, the Carteret County Economic Development Department is here to assist you.
Business Advantages in Carteret County
The Crystal Coast has great resources to help your business flourish. When you choose to do business on the Crystal Coast, you have access to:
Low county property taxes.
Carteret County has the lowest county property tax in all of North Carolina!
Low labor, real estate, transportation, and living costs.
Access to a skilled workforce.
There’s a continuous pipeline of skilled labor with separating Marines from Camp Lejeune and Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point and their families.
Easy access to ports.
The outstanding bulk/breakbulk/specialty cargo Port of Morehead City is located in Carteret County.
Easy access to the Research Triangle Region.
4-lane U.S. 70 (being upgraded to I-42) connects Carteret County to the Raleigh-Durham area.
And more!
No-Cost Business Resources
If you are considering expanding your current business, you have free resources available to help you. Contact these resources today for help:
Carteret County Economic Development Department
Located on the Carteret Community College campus in Morehead City, the Economic Development Department is the primary point of contact for businesses located in Carteret County or for businesses seeking to locate or expand on the Crystal Coast.
Contact: Rod Kirk, Director, 252-732-1809, rod.kirk@carteretcountync.gov
Carteret County Small Business Center
Located on the Carteret Community College campus, the Small Business Center offers education and training, counseling, and referral information.
Contact: Brandy Bell, Director, (252) 222-6127, brandyc0937@carteret.edu
Small Business and Technology Development Center (SBTDC)
As the business and technology extension service of The University of North Carolina, the SBTDC can help you make better and more informed decisions, access capital and financing resources, evaluate and improve your financial performance, obtain quality business and market information, and improve leadership skills and employee performance.
Contact: Ariana Billingsley, Regional Center Director, East Carolina University, (252) 737-1368, abillingsley@sbtdc.org
Business Link North Carolina (BLNC)
Working in partnership with N.C. Department of Commerce, BLNC representatives can answer many of your questions about business licensing and permitting, legal structures, forms, tax requirements, financing resources, hiring employees, and more.
Contact Toll-Free: (800) 228-8443, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Grants and Other Savings
The Carteret County Economic Development Department works with the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina (EDPNC) to identify any incentives, grants or other savings for which you may be eligible if you are relocating or expanding your business in North Carolina.
Assistance Finding Qualified Workers
When looking to locate or grow your business in Carteret County, we can help you find qualified workers. View our resources here.
Video by Triwork Studios