20 Jan 2025
2025 Economic Trends: Growth, Opportunity, and Local Challenges
As we head into 2025, Southeastern North Carolina finds itself at a pivotal moment. Economic growth in our region is no longer a possibility—it’s a certainty. Communities either grow or stagnate, and we are firmly in the “grow” category. While federal and state governments influence our regional economy, the pressing question is how we, as
01 Aug 2024
Cape Fear Memorial Bridge Replacement Awarded $242 Million Grant
In a significant development for Wilmington and the surrounding region, federal, state, and local officials gathered in July to celebrate the announcement of a major grant. The U.S. Department of Transportation has awarded North Carolina $242 million to replace the aging Cape Fear Memorial Bridge, as announced by Governor Roy Cooper and U.S. Senator Thom
01 Aug 2024
Brunswick Continuing to Discuss Major Development Ordinance Changes
At their meeting in early July, the Brunswick County Commissioners heard a two hour staff update on the proposed Traffic Impact Analysis (TIA), tree and landscaping requirements, and the Transportation Overlay Zone (TOZ) text amendments. As a reminder, both the tree/landscaping and TOZ amendments were unanimously denied by the Brunswick County Planning Board at a
09 Jul 2024
New Hanover County’s western bank policies need to facilitate the cleanup of the brownfields and environmental degradation across from a vibrant city center while also providing for infrastructure investment, economic growth, and resilient development that complements downtown Wilmington.
The most effective way to address the environmentally damaged property on the western bank of the River is to encourage private development that will, consistent with current regulations and the established brownfields agreements, facilitate improvement and preservation of natural resources in harmony with effective use of the land.
09 Jan 2024
Bridging Futures: The Case for Toll Funding in Wilmington’s Cape Fear Memorial Bridge Revamp
Written by Natalie English, President and CEO of the Wilmington Chamber of Commerce and Tyler Newman, President and CEO of BASE (full article link here) In late January, the Wilmington Metropolitan Planning Organization will stand at a crossroads, tasked with taking the next step that will define a generation – the replacement of the
09 Jan 2024
BASE Updates Brunswick Planning Board on Regional Growth Issues
In December, BASE was asked to make a presentation to the Brunswick County Planning Board regarding ongoing housing demand. The Planning Board has seen increased calls from a small faction of citizens to “stop development” in the County. As we explained to the Planning Board, Brunswick has seen remarkable growth—and will continue to over the
14 Aug 2023
BRUNSWICK RETURNED TO WILMINGTON MSA
After a decade-long endeavor, Brunswick County has been successfully returned to the Wilmington Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA). This regulatory triumph is not only a significant win for our region but also for the entire state of North Carolina. The exclusion of Brunswick County from the Wilmington MSA has been a longstanding concern for local officials,
12 Jun 2023
2023 REALTORS Congressional Visits
In May, we joined thousands of REALTORS® from around the United States for the annual NAR Legislative Conference in Washington, DC. In addition to speakers, meetings and education sessions at the Washington Convention Center, NAR rented out the entirety of Nationals Park for an evening event with all the members of Congress and their staffs.
12 Jun 2023
Federal Action Clears Path For Wrightsville Beach To Get Sand This Fall
Among the issues we have continued to discuss with state and federal lawmakers is the dire situation with sand at Wrightsville Beach. On the same Wednesday we were in Washington, DC with the REALTORS®, Congressman Rouzer delivered remarks on his bill (HR524) during the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries legislative hearing. Critically important
12 Jun 2023
UPDATE: Brunswick *NOT* tripling development fees as proposed
At their FY2024 budget workshop on June 5, the Brunswick County Board of Commissioners and management were clear that they are NOT recommending changes to the System Development Fees as previously proposed. Without our involvement, “excessive” fee increases would have gone into effect July 1 and immediately halted ongoing projects and new investment in Brunswick County.