Tyler Newman, President & CEO, Business Alliance for a Sound Economy, contributed to this Insights article
Over the past several weeks, our community has had a robust discussion about the health of the Cape Fear River.
Historically, the river has served as critical infrastructure supporting shipping, the port, power generation, jobs and water needs, while also enabling a thriving recreational function and serving as a centerpiece for Wilmington's downtown.
Among its many benefits, the Cape Fear River provides a crucial water source for our region and is vital to our future prosperity. Due to numerous technological advances, regulatory oversight and millions in infrastructure investment, our waterways and drinking water are the healthiest in our history.
The revelation regarding the presence of the perfluorochemical compound known as GenX in the Cape Fear River has understandably raised questions. Until more is known about this compound, we are pleased that Chemours announced the company will capture, remove and safely dispose of wastewater containing the byproduct GenX.
In addition, the EPA, N.C. Department of Environmental Quality and N.C. Department of Health and Human Services have taken quick action regarding this matter. We applaud these actions and have asked Gov. Roy Cooper to ensure that the agencies involved maintain a rigorous, yet urgent, process to drive improved clarity as quickly as possible.
We support the community’s quest for a better understanding of the issue at hand. Unfortunately, the public nature of our community discussion means potential investors, buyers and job creators have immediate access to media coverage and headlines that are written before the questions have been fully answered. While the “toxic” narrative has dominated headlines, we want to ensure a more comprehensive picture emerges about the health of the people and water resources in our community.
We encourage everyone to rely on the facts, as they become available, to assess the situation and take appropriate actions.
Here are some facts that bear repeating:
New Bakeries, Including Breadsmith, Coming To Wilmington
Jessica Maurer
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Feb 18, 2019
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Chef And Managing Partner Dean Neff Leaving PinPoint Restaurant
Jessica Maurer
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Feb 20, 2019
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City Council Set To Consider Castle Street Property's Future
Christina Haley O'Neal
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Feb 18, 2019
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Business Owners, Elected Official Among TEDxAirlie Speaker Lineup
Johanna Cano
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Feb 20, 2019
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Pita Delite Welcomes Diners At New Landfall Shopping Center Location
Jessica Maurer
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Feb 20, 2019
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The Southeast Tourism Society recently named the N.C. Azalea Festival one of the group’s Top 20 Events in the Southeast for April this year....
Homebuyers in the market for a historical dwelling seem to have at least one thing in common: a love of storied structures, big or small....
Food halls have been popping up throughout the United States, often in downtown cores. Some estimates predict that there could be more than...
The 2019 WilmingtonBiz: Book on Business is an annual publication showcasing the Wilmington region as a center of business.