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Luxury cat builder picks Wanchese
Gunboat 48. (www.gunboat.com)
A grant of $213,000 from the One North Carolina Fund helped seal the deal, which is expected to eventually create 71 jobs, Gov. Beverly Perdue said in an announcement Thursday.
Gunboat produces catamaran yachts that incorporate technology from round-the-world racing sailboats and feature luxurious interiors, the governor’s statement said.
It is a sister company of Gunboat International in Rhode Island.
Salaries will vary, but the average annual wage is expected to be $27,093, plus benefits. The Dare County average annual wage is $24,128.
“After more than a decade of producing overseas in lower labor cost markets, we are bringing manufacturing home to the United States,” Peter Johnstone, CEO of Gunboat, said in the statement. “Productivity and quality control are essential to our success. We spent months evaluating locations in various states along the Eastern seaboard. North Carolina stood clear above the rest.”
Interior of the Gunboat 66. (www.gunboat.com)
Bob Peele, director of the Wanchese Seafood Industrial Park, said Gunboat would move into one of two buildings vacated by Davis Yachts. The 30,000-square-foot facility will employ about 30 people its first year.
If it grows to the expected payroll of around 70 it will one the park’s largest if not the largest boat builder, Peele said. Three other boat-building companies are permanently located in the park.
“This is really a great thing for this community,” he said.
Company officials are already looking at what needs to be done with the building. Gunboat is expected to move in after a lease is drawn up Feb. 7, Peele said.
One NC Fund grants are contingent on local matches. Dare County spokeswoman Dorothy Killingsworth said the match will be in the form of in-kind services under the project to extend water lines to Wanchese.
The One NC Fund provides financial assistance, through local governments, to attract business projects. Companies receive no money up front and must meet job creation and investment performance standards to qualify.
Interior of the Gunboat 66. (www.gunboat.com)
“We are extremely happy that an established boat company like Gunboat is coming to Dare County,” said state Sen. Stan White of Nags Head. “The creation of 71 jobs is a godsend to our area and Wanchese that has been hit hard by the recession. Gunboat produces high-end sailing catamarans that represent a new market niche for Dare County and the region.”
“Our past investments in education have once again paid off,” said state Rep. Tim Spear of Creswell. “Our schools and job training programs have built the kind of educated, skilled workforce that specialty manufacturers are looking for. Today’s announcement is another example of why those investments must continue.”
For more about Gunboat, go to www.gunboat.com.
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Roger says:
How much do they cost? I want one!
Roger says:
Looks like two berths two heads but no galley
charlie says:
Hey Roger… Probably go so fast that you’re at your destination before you’re hungry….ergo appearance of no galley.
Jeff says:
Great news for Dare County.
John says:
Great that we have a new employer coming to Dare County. Funny how they quote two different totals for the number of jobs created. More interestingly is what else they say, “If it grows to the expected payroll of around 70 …” that doesn’t mean they are hiring 70 employees, but that they hope to GROW to that number. Why does government have to stretch the truth and lie about everything?
Tammie says:
Congratulations to Wanchese, I’m glad an opportunity like this is coming to your area.
OBX Resident says:
When did Dare County hire a “spokeswoman”? I wonder if Dare County really needs a spokesperson. I thought that was the role of elected officials; manager; etc….. I could only imagine the salary.
ekim says:
I havent seen anything fly with GOV grant $$$$ good luck! but I wouldnt hold my breath, Very few people out there buying YACHTS!
Maggie says:
This is a tremendous opportunity for Dare County. The family behind these boats has been successful for decades, haveing been the builders of the J24 sailnoats.
Ekim, you may be surprised to know that a Dare County boatbuilder, Mann Custom Boats, is doing quite well building Custom sportfishing yachts even during this recession, and keeping many families afloat while doing so.
OBX Resident, Ms. Toolan is the Public Information Officer for Dare County having done an incredible job in that position for several years. I am sure you would not begrudge her salary when you realize she is on call all the time particularly during hurricane situations. There is nothing wrong with a county the size of Dare to have such a position…why must you run down someone who works as hard as Ms. Toolan?
OBX Resident says:
@Maggie: did not realize that killingsworth was toolan, the public information officer.
eeyore says:
ekim do you ever write anything positive?
jmc-communications says:
Who would we talk to about getting work doing the communications for the company in the boats and in the office . We can do tv’s and more?
ekim says:
EEyore lived here 30 plus yrs an have watched this beached bulldozed an raped, I see beautiful things on the way to work everyday, seen several boat builders bite the dust to.
OBX Resident says:
@Ekim:
And your point is….”see beautiful things on the way to work everyday, seen several boat builders bite the dust.” Are these lyrics to a song, a haiku, or just bad sentence structure and grammar? Take a little time and check your spelling, and proof your comments to see if they make any sense. This is not a personal attack, just constructive criticism.
Regarding your statement “havent seen anything fly with GOV grant $$$$ good luck! but I wouldnt hold my breath, Very few people out there buying YACHTS.”
There are people buying yachts in the down economy. Builders have had to adapt to stay ahead of the changing market. Offer support for this builder who is investing in our community, and taking over a bank owned building, and creating jobs.
Government grants have done a whole lot for this country. There is waste in everything, but if you want to see examples of successful government grants in our community, ride over to Stumpy Point and talk to those people that have received FEMA grants. Talk to a student that could not attend college without a Pell Grant and is now contributing to society and paying the grant off.
Open your mind and your splel chekcer (spell checker).
one percenter says:
These yachts are built for the super rich. That market is thriving and never had issues. This should be a good thing for Dare County and may attract more high end boat builders.
ekim says:
@ OBX RESIDENT Got your spell check right here, FEMA GRANTS please your comparing apples to fish, When the gov steps in on CAPITALISM it does noyhing but DILUTE IT.
ekim says:
How many SUPER RICH are there? very small # , And they’re hiding their $$$$! We shall see.
Obx Teacher says:
@Ekim- Your attitude shows me exactly where our students get such behavior. You should be more aware of how you are interacting with others because I assure you, your kids and grand-kids are and if affects their behavior.
I am excited about the prospects of more work around the area. We have a lot of talent on this island and a lot of young men (and women) that would love an opportunity to build boats.
Tim Paul says:
This is Hot stuff! I work the Littoral Combat Ship for the US Navy (both the Trimaran & the MonoHull) in DC and commute home to Kilmarlic in Powells Point. There is alot of technology in the design and production of these watercraft. Hope COA is developing a curriculum to train the workforce??? Wanchese will never be the same!