Boater's World Manufacturing Group LLC will invest US$6 million to establish a new boat manufacturing facility in Chocowinity, Beaufort County, creating 179 new jobs as it expands production in one of North Carolina's historic marine manufacturing hubs.The project will see the company develop a 212,000-square-foot flagship manufacturing campus on the Pamlico River waterfront, supported by a US$375,000 performance-based grant from North Carolina's OneNC Fund. The company must meet agreed investment and job creation targets before grant funding is awarded.Boater's World Manufacturing Group is a new venture launched by Outdoor Network, a recreational marine and powersports company that has operated since 1999. The facility will manufacture the NauticStar line of boats, marking the company's expansion into boat production."Our growth over the last 27 years has always been driven by a simple focus on doing right by our customers, and building boats of our own has always been one of our goals to better serve the marine community," said Martin Polo, CEO of Outdoor Network. "We are grateful for North Carolina's partnership and excited to make Beaufort County our manufacturing home."The new positions will span assembly, engineering and operations, with an average annual salary of US$54,916, above Beaufort County's average wage of US$50,175.The investment further strengthens Beaufort County's long-established boatbuilding industry. Located along the Pamlico River and North Carolina's coastal waterways, the county is home to a cluster of marine manufacturers producing recreational boats, luxury yachts and high-performance vessels."Boatbuilding has a long and proud history in Beaufort County," said Susan Squires, Director …
Boater’s World Manufacturing Group LLC will invest US$6 million to establish a new boat manufacturing facility in Chocowinity, Beaufort County, creating 179 new jobs as it expands production in one of North Carolina’s historic marine manufacturing hubs.
The project will see the company develop a 212,000-square-foot flagship manufacturing campus on the Pamlico River waterfront, supported by a US$375,000 performance-based grant from North Carolina’s OneNC Fund. The company must meet agreed investment and job creation targets before grant funding is awarded.
Boater’s World Manufacturing Group is a new venture launched by Outdoor Network, a recreational marine and powersports company that has operated since 1999. The facility will manufacture the NauticStar line of boats, marking the company’s expansion into boat production.
“Our growth over the last 27 years has always been driven by a simple focus on doing right by our customers, and building boats of our own has always been one of our goals to better serve the marine community,” said Martin Polo, CEO of Outdoor Network. “We are grateful for North Carolina’s partnership and excited to make Beaufort County our manufacturing home.”
The new positions will span assembly, engineering and operations, with an average annual salary of US$54,916, above Beaufort County’s average wage of US$50,175.
The investment further strengthens Beaufort County’s long-established boatbuilding industry. Located along the Pamlico River and North Carolina’s coastal waterways, the county is home to a cluster of marine manufacturers producing recreational boats, luxury yachts and high-performance vessels.
“Boatbuilding has a long and proud history in Beaufort County,” said Susan Squires, Director of Economic Development for Beaufort County. “Generations of skilled craftsmen have built and repaired vessels here, and that tradition has evolved into a diverse marine manufacturing industry that continues to be an important part of our economy and identity.”
According to county officials, the marine manufacturing sector contributes approximately US$55.7 million to Beaufort County’s annual GDP, supports around 250 jobs, and generates more than US$60 million in annual economic output.
The project also reinforces North Carolina’s position as one of the United States’ leading manufacturing states.
“From building materials to building boats, North Carolina’s manufacturing expertise is second to none,” said Governor Josh Stein. “When companies choose rural North Carolina, it reminds the world that North Carolina is a top-tier state for business.”
