Settled in the 18th century by Scots, Scotland Neck, NC is located in Halifax County at the "neck" of the Roanoke River, 24 miles northeast of Rocky Mount and 72 miles east of Raleigh. For almost thirty years, Scotland Neck has experienced severe economic decline. Thirty-two percent of the town's population of approximately 2,300 lives below the poverty line, which equals more than twice the state rate. Scotland Neck's economy has traditionally been based on manufacturing, textiles, lumber and agriculture, but now the majority of the town's residents must commute to neighboring towns and cities for work. As a result, the population has declined and many of the remaining residents are older and poorer. At the same time, more and more jobs seem to disappear each year.
In realizing that the town could not be sustained on manufacturing alone, town officials began to usher in other industries such as ecotourism and small business. The town launched its Developing Our Own Resources (DOOR) initiative in order to diversify and stimulate the town's economy. As part of the initiative, local incentives have attracted a small manufacturing cluster, which has created 92 jobs and brought $13.5 million in private investment to the community.
The town also partnered with NC Wildlife Resources to improve the area's wildlife attractions and encourage hunting, cycling, and birding in the area. The Roanoke River basin supports one of the most prolific populations of songbirds on the East Coast, with more than 200 species, as well as many kinds of waterfowl. In addition, the North Carolina Zoo worked with the Sylvan Heights Waterfowl Center to create a world-renowned facility for breeding and studying rare and endangered waterfowl that draws thousands of visitors from all over the state each year.
Watch the NC Now Feature
An interview with Mike Lubbock