AHOSKIE – A small rural county in northeastern North Carolina is preparing for major economic transformation through an ambitious infrastructure project that could reshape its future for decades to come.

Hertford County, home to fewer than 20,000 residents, recently secured $51 million in state funding to construct an inland port facility, including a county-owned barge transportation system, according to a story from the National Association of Counties. The project, which also includes $6 million for infrastructure improvements, represents the culmination of six months of intensive collaboration between county officials, state legislators, educational institutions, and industry partners.

The funding comes as United States Forged Rings Inc. announced on its website, plans to operate three plants, including a piping facility, a fabrications facility and a forging and ring-rolling facility, all by the end of 2029.

The project will be along the Chowan River, but the specific location has not been released to the public.

The initiative comes at a critical time for Hertford County. During the 2010s, the area experienced significant population loss, with roughly 3,000 residents leaving the county primarily due to limited job opportunities. Commission Chair André Lassiter Sr. described the situation as their most talented young people being forced to relocate for employment elsewhere.

The new inland port aims to reverse this trend by attracting manufacturing facilities and creating employment opportunities that could encourage families to return to the region.

The county’s location provides several competitive advantages for industrial development. Situated approximately one hour from both the Norfolk Naval Shipyard and the port city of Norfolk, Virginia, Hertford County offers something its coastal neighbor cannot: abundant, affordable land suitable for large-scale industrial operations.

The area already hosts established manufacturing operations, including Nucor Steel and Structural Steel Coatings, creating a foundation for expanded industrial activity. The proximity to Norfolk’s naval facilities also provides ready access to major customers for manufactured goods.

A New Approach to Economic Development

What distinguishes this project is the county’s commitment to ensuring local residents benefit directly from new economic activity. Learning from past experiences where major industries received substantial tax incentives without corresponding community benefits, county leaders took a different approach this time.

Lassiter references a 2000 state legislative action that granted a permanent tax exemption to one corporation, allowing billions in personal property to remain untaxed while providing minimal benefit to county coffers. Determined to avoid repeating this pattern, county officials insisted on meaningful community commitments from new corporate partners.

“I think we have positioned ourselves for a future that’s limitless, and I’m excited for the opportunity. I think this would mitigate our outward migration situation,” Lassiter said. “Our brain trust has left because there were no job opportunities — I think we will see an influx of those young people and families coming back to the community because people don’t want to travel an hour-plus to work when these industries are built out.” 

The result is a proposed community benefit agreement that commits up to $24 million over 10 years specifically for education and workforce development programs. This agreement ensures that job creation comes with accompanying training opportunities and workforce housing support for local residents.

Economic Development Director Kelly Leggett Bowers played a key role in attracting potential industrial partners by highlighting the county’s strategic positioning for companies serving diverse manufacturing sectors, including nuclear power, hydrogen energy, offshore wind, oil and gas, aerospace, automotive, and shipbuilding industries.

The county also established strong partnerships with educational institutions to align workforce training with industry needs. Regular coordination involves Roanoke Chowan Community College, Chowan University, the NC East Alliance, and East Carolina University. Monthly meetings led by county officials bring together community organizations, state officials, and residents to maintain transparency and foster collaboration.

State legislators recognized that the inland port offers benefits extending beyond Hertford County’s borders. The facility promises to enhance North Carolina’s competitiveness in attracting new businesses, create high-wage employment opportunities, and stimulate economic growth throughout this economically distressed rural region.

The barge transportation system will enable both existing and incoming businesses to efficiently ship manufactured goods to markets throughout eastern North America, with Lassiter noting potential access from Nova Scotia to the Gulf of Mexico.

County leaders express optimism about the project’s transformative potential. Rather than watching residents commute an hour or more to jobs in other areas, Lassiter envisions young professionals and families choosing to build their lives in Hertford County as new industries establish operations there.

The inland port represents more than just infrastructure development. It reflects a comprehensive economic strategy built on transparent community engagement, meaningful corporate partnerships, aligned workforce development, and sustainable regional growth that prioritizes local benefit alongside business attraction.

For a rural county that has struggled with outmigration and limited opportunities, this project offers the possibility of writing a new economic story — one where growth serves the community and creates pathways for residents to prosper in their hometown.