Like many small towns in Eastern North Carolina, Hookerton has felt the impact of globalization on traditional economies. But this small town is not willing to go without a fight. Hookerton is working hard to reinvent itself and use its small-town charm to draw visitors and residents to the area. And, with a $113,000 grant from the North Carolina Rural Economic Development Center, Hookerton is finally beginning to see some progress. The changes might be small, but Hookerton is restoring old, vacant storefronts and converting existing, rundown buildings for economical reuse.
Using money from the Rural Center grant, the town transformed an old ABC store from a vacant retail space into a doctor's office. For a town that hasn't had a physician for many years, this is more than a small step; it's a giant leap toward reinventing itself. Two other buildings have also been restored. These efforts are bringing new businesses into Hookerton and creating jobs for residents. By restoring old buildings, the town is not only making once dilapidated buildings useful again, but also beautifying the town's main street.
With all this work, Hookerton residents and town officials hope to leverage their small-town appeal and their rich history to lure new visitors to come see what Hookerton has to offer and invite new residents to take advantage of its small-town feel.
Watch the NC Now Feature
An interview with Dr. Ribeiro