Economic Development

Economic Development

The BEST choice for business growth in the heart of northeastern North Carolina!

Map showing Pasquotank County in North Carolina.
Sunset over a river winding through a lush green landscape and town.
A café window with an 'Open' sign and outdoor plants reflecting in the glass.
Aerial view of a marina surrounded by dense forest and water channels.
A series of large industrial metal pipes with blue valves outdoors.

Welcome Home to Washington County, NC!

Logo of Washington County, North Carolina with bears and stars.

Washington County, North Carolina offers rail-adjacent industrial sites with port access, a stable production workforce, and a local government ready to partner—providing a cost-effective, scalable alternative to congested coastal and metro markets.

Meet the Washington County Economic Development Advisory Council (WCEDC)

Washington County by the Numbers:

Washington County is home to over 10,000 residents and over 4,700 active employees.

Unlimited Logistical and Distribution Network Potential

The intricate transportation infrastructure systems position Washington County as a regional market powerhouse, bordering six counties (Tyrrell, Beaufort, Martin, Bertie, Hyde, and Chowan). This expands workforce, consumer access, and business growth by facilitating the efficient movement of goods and people.

LAND

The county is served by U.S. Highway 64, which provides a direct route to major cities like Raleigh, the Outer Banks, and Norfolk, Virginia, giving businesses quick access to urban markets. While currently under construction, the future NC Highway I-87 will further link Washington County to valuable markets in Raleigh and Norfolk.

SEA

Nestled on the Roanoke River, Washington County has direct access to the Cashie River and Albemarle Sound. The proximity to major ports, such as the Port of Virginia and North Carolina’s Port of Morehead City, enables cost-effective shipping for businesses involved in importing or exporting. This accessible infrastructure, combined with Washington County’s location within the Mid-Atlantic region, provides an attractive logistical advantage for businesses looking to start or expand in the area.

AIR

The Plymouth Municipal Airport (PMZ) offers private and cargo flights, fuel sales, and hangar space which can be advantageous for businesses needing flexible air transport options.

Want to search for real estate in Washington County?

View our surplus property listings here

Browse our GIS portal for property parcel maps, ownership data, soil information, flood zones, and zoning layers here

View our development ready sites here

Washington County North Carolina seal, bear silhouette.

Do you have an idea? We can help!

Starting a business in Washington County doesn’t need to be a complex process!

Washington County has staff available to answer any questions you might have. If you’re starting a business in Washington County, we want to take your ideas from dreams to reality.

CONTACT US

Kelly Chesson
Economic & Strategic Development Director
116 Adams St. Plymouth, NC
kchesson@washconc.org
252-793-5823

Check the Washington County, NC Facebook Page for updates & information!

News & Events:

Town of Plymouth: Boardwalk Renovation Project & Downtown Streetscape Improvements

Newly completed $80M K-12 Public School

Community Interest Survey: Vacant School Properties in Washington County: Click here

Community Survey: Washington County’s Economic Future: Click here

Upcoming Events:

Helping Businesses Succeed with the RIGHT Resources:

Washington County has the opportunity to work with an incredible collection of public and private partners to put local businesses in the best position to succeed, providing the resources and information you need to build your dream.

  • Enterprise Zone: Washington County is an economic opportunity zone as established by the U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. Investors may receive tax grants or reductions on capital gains when they invest in businesses, real estate, or infrastructure within the County.
  • Tailored Economic Development Incentives
  • Workforce Development and Training:
    • Washington County Schools Early College and Career & Technical Education (CTE) Program.
    • Northeast Regional School of Biotechnology & Agriscience Early College (NERSBA)
    • Beaufort County Community College offers industry recognized vocational programs
    • East Carolina and Elizabeth City State University offer workforce training and career readiness programs as well as 4-year degree programs.
    • The North Carolina Secretary of State (NCSOS) runs the Rural RISE (Resources for Innovators, Startups, and Entrepreneurs) program to help rural businesses; to access those resources, click here.
  • How to Start a Business: Step-by-step guide, licensing, permits, and registrations.
  • Historical Tax Districts: Town of Plymouth is a NC Small Town Main Street Community and historical tax district
  • Partners: NC Department of Commerce, Albemarle Alliance, Northeastern Workforce Development Board (NWDB), NC East Alliance, NC EDA, EDPNC, ICSC
Logo of Washington County, North Carolina with bears and stars.

With over 1.4 million visitors, Washington County is primed for retail development. Visit Washington County’s Travel and Tourism site for more information.

Plymouth

Roper

Creswell

The Roanoke Heron Specialty Shops

Core Care – January 2026

Speedway – 2026

Dunkin’ Donuts – 2026