Currituck House, a 90-bed facility to be located on Moyock Landing Drive, will be operated by LongLeaf Senior Living through a licensed adult home care administrator, according to Chuck White, development representative for LongLeaf.

White said the facility is expected to open in late 2010 or early 2011 and once fully occupied employ a staff of more than 50 people, nearly all of whom should be local residents.

White said LongLeaf is looking forward to serving the Moyock community.

“As Currituck House takes shape in the coming months we hope that those future residents will feel as welcome here as you have made me feel today,” he said at a ground-breaking ceremony on Thursday. “Truly this will be home to those valued individuals. Our goal is to offer them hospitality, security, services and the ability to live life here with graciousness, grace and dignity.”

Currituck House will be the first-of-its-kind facility in Currituck. Ambulatory residents who are unable to live on their own will receive help with meals and other basic life needs. The center will include a special care unit for patients with memory illnesses such as dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.

Currituck House’s opening was facilitated by a 2008 state finding that Currituck had a need for a 90-bed assisted living facility, White said.

To help make the project possible, the N.C. Rural Center awarded Currituck a $540,000 grant to help subsidize the county’s cost to bring sewer service to the site, according to Currituck County Economic Development Director Peter Bishop.

Bishop described the project as “pretty big” for the area because it will create permanent jobs. Most of the new jobs created in the county are seasonal because they’re driven by tourism.

Theassisted living facility could also boost more development, particularly as family members visitCurrituck House residents, Bishop said.

“I think it will spur some additional development in the area,” he said.

The project is also needed given that Currituck’s population is aging, Bishop said. Currently, the average age of a Currituck resident is 48.

Five of the county’s seven commissioners braved a driving cold wind to attend Thursday’s brief groundbreaking ceremony.

Commissioner Barry Nelms said the board was glad the project has materialized.

“This is something that our county has needed for a long time, and I think the entire board will join me in thinking that this is a growth spurt that we’ve needed, and it’s a positive sign that things are turning around in Currituck county,” Nelms said.

Board Chairman Paul O’Neal echoed Nelms’ sentiments in supporting the project.

“We’re excited about this,” O’Neal said. “Our economy needs something going on, and we’re glad to see private business opening up in Currituck County and we’re here to support you.”

Commissioners Vance Aydlett, Gene Gregory and Owen Etheridge also attended the event.

Article written by Diana Mazella - Staff Writer - The Daily Advance