The Wilmington Chamber of Commerce board of directors on Wednesday passed two resolutions to express support for the City of Wilmington 2016 Parks Bond and for the creation of a sustainable, state funding mechanism for beaches and coastal storm damage reduction projects.
 
The City of Wilmington 2016 Parks Bond will be on the Nov. 8 ballot for consideration by voters.
 
The bond will provide $38 million ($7.6 million of which will be derived from existing funds; $30.4 million from bond funds) to complete projects ranging from development of the North Waterfront Park and new soccer fields to extensive renovations at Olsen Park and the MLK Center.
 
“Quality park, athletic and recreational facilities are sought-after amenities from the standpoint of Wilmington families and businesses looking to locate to the area,” said Wilmington Chamber Chairman Mitch Lamm in a news release. “The Chamber has been particularly interested in a signature waterfront park for Wilmington, such as those enjoyed by other coastal communities like Charleston and Savannah. The phenomenal design for the North Waterfront Park developed by the City, which will be funded by this bond, will attract thousands each year to our downtown, helping support businesses and generate more revenues through tourism.”
 
The chamber’s second resolution released Wednesday called for supporting a new sustainable funding source for beach replenishment projects, which the chamber said has become an immediate need because federal funding mechanisms for shoreline projects are becoming more difficult or are ending.
 
Beaches and inlets generate some $4.8 billion in revenues and directly support 62,000 jobs in North Carolina’s coastal communities, according to the chamber.
 
“The importance of North Carolina’s beaches cannot be understated, and this is an issue that hits especially close to home for our region,” said Lamm.
 
The N.C. General Assembly is currently doing a series of studies on the coastal economy and the benefits of tourism and travel in the region, as the state updates its Beach and Inlet Management Plan. The chamber resolution calls for the state to create additional, sustainable funding for beaches and coastal storm damage reduction projects.