The town of Scotland Neck is a great example of how an old, proud, eastern North Carolina community hit hard by the decline of tobacco has taken the initiative to make things better. Civic leaders came up with a plan called “Developing Our Own Resources,” or DOOR for short. They assessed their bountiful natural resources, developed a plan, and received Golden LEAF assistance to launch a promising eco-tourism industry.

Outdoor enthusiasts are coming to Scotland Neck to hunt the spacious woodlands and fields and fish the Roanoke River with guides employed by new small businesses. Some stay in bunkhouses and others in a new hotel that often has a “No Vacancy” sign. These sportsmen spend thousands of dollars.

Also a part of the town’s plan is promoting the Sylvan Heights Waterfowl Park and Eco Center, internationally known for breeding and conserving rare species of waterfowl. The North Carolina Zoological Society has built an education center in Scotland Neck that will draw upon the resources of Sylvan Heights. Funded in part by a Golden LEAF grant, it will accommodate thousands of visitors annually who will help boost the local economy.

The people of Scotland Neck are excited about what is happening. An additional benefit of the renewed civic pride was the selection of Scotland Neck by Air Boss, a manufacturer of rubber products, as home to a new plant, which already has created 29 new jobs. In turn, the Air Boss plant has attracted a new support industry as its neighbor.