Company Plans $6 Million Boat Manufacturing Campus In Chocowinity

CHOCOWINITY, N.C. – A boat manufacturer plans to create 179 jobs and invest more than $6 million in a new production campus in Beaufort County, state officials announced Wednesday.

Boater’s World Manufacturing Group, LLC will establish the operation in Chocowinity at a 212,000-square-foot waterfront facility along the Pamlico River.

The company is part of Outdoor Network, which is entering boat manufacturing following its acquisition of NauticStar Boats. Outdoor Network has operated in the recreational marine and powersports industry since 1999.

The Chocowinity facility will serve as the company’s flagship manufacturing operation.

“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,” Outdoor Network CEO Martin Polo said.

The new positions will include assembly, engineering and operations jobs. Salaries will vary by position, with an average annual wage of $54,916, according to the N.C. Department of Commerce.

The average annual wage in Beaufort County is $50,175.

The project will receive a performance-based grant of up to $375,000 from the One North Carolina Fund.

Companies receiving OneNC grants do not receive money upfront and must meet job creation and investment requirements before payments are made. Local governments are also required to provide matching participation.

According to the state, Boater’s World Manufacturing Group must invest at least $1.3 million to qualify for OneNC grant payments.

Gov. Josh Stein said the project reflects North Carolina’s manufacturing workforce and efforts to attract investment to rural areas.

“From building materials to building boats, North Carolina’s manufacturing expertise is second to none,” Stein said.

The project was supported by the N.C. Department of Commerce, Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina, N.C. General Assembly, N.C. Community College System, Beaufort County Community College, Beaufort County and the Town of Chocowinity.