A developer shared plans for a resort in Corolla that the company says will create more than a thousand construction jobs as it’s being built and also provide 75 year-round jobs once it’s established.

And a nonprofit agency that works with employers and workers alike to strengthen job training and match worker skills to business needs spread the word about its programs.

“I know with this economic situation we all know somebody that’s laid-off,” Teri Holliday of Northeastern Workforce Development told the audience during the organization’s presentation.

At the Workforce Development booth, Holliday explained that the group offers support to people looking for work — or for work skills — and also to businesses looking to train workers.

“That’s what we’re trying to do is match up our local people with the jobs,” she said.

The Business and Community Expo attracted fewer exhibitors this year.

Previous expos have featured as many as 60 different businesses and community groups. While only two-thirds as many turned out this year, Currituck Chamber of Commerce President Shannon Kinser noted some companies understand the value of getting their message out any way they can and take advantage of the expo as a way to increase their public exposure.

Overall attendance also was down somewhat from previous years’ events, with about 200 people visiting the expo. Still, organizers said they were satisfied with the day.

Participants ranged from volunteer fire departments and government services to businesses large and small. The Animal Lovers Assistance League was there with its “adopt-a-pet” program and the American Red Cross bloodmobile collected 25 pints of blood during the day-long event at Currituck County High School.

Amit Gupta of Saga Construction in Kill Devil Hills promoted plans for the Corolla Club and Resort, a proposed multi-use development in Corolla that’s designed to blend high-end retail boutiques, condominiums, a hotel and fine dining in an oceanfront setting.

Literature distributed at the company’s booth indicates the development would result in 10-15 additional retail sales jobs, $250,000 in annual sales tax revenue, $32 million a year in tourism dollars, $400,000 in annual property tax revenue and $550,000 in annual occupancy tax proceeds.

Gupta said the idea is to keep dollars in Currituck County.

“There’s a leakage of retail to Dare County,” he said, referencing an economic development strategy study for the county conducted by the University of North Carolina Center for Competitive Economies.

He said the project is going before the Currituck County Board of Commissioners April 5.

In contrast with companies that have dialed back their plans during the economic downturn, “we’ve been very proactive,” Gupta said. Lower costs for land, labor and materials may the project much more affordable to build right now, he said.

“It takes an economy like this to fund a project like this,” Gupta said.

The company believes construction of the mid-Currituck Bridge will be a boon to Corolla and bring visitors to the Corolla Club and Resort.

This year’s assortment of exhibitors includes some newcomers.

“We’ve got some new folks this year that haven’t done it in the past, which is exciting,” Kinser said.

Civic groups and local eateries offered fun and filling fare for those browsing the booths.

The expo, Kinser explained, is a good way for Currituck residents — many of whom moved to the county from elsewhere — to learn about the goods and services that are available in Currituck.

It’s also a way for businesses to connect with potential customers and for nonprofit organizations to inform people about the services they privide, she said.

In particular, many residents have ties to the Hampton Roads area of Virginia and may travel back that way for things they could find in Currituck, she said.

“We’re hoping to open everybody’s eyes to what is available in the county,” Kinser said.

This years expo theme was “Unleash Your InnerSuperhero.”

“We try to come up with something fun each year,” said Kinser, who celebrated the theme in her green and yellow “Wonder Pet” costume.

One of this year’s first-time exhibitors was Currituck Kids, a newly formed nonprofit that assists local students with needs such as school supplies, medicine and books.

“That’s kind of exciting,” Kinser said of the group’s participation in the expo.

Sandy Kinzel, a board member with Currituck Kids, explained that the organization was started within the past year under the umbrella of the Currituck-Dare Community Foundation. The group’s goal is to coordinate help for students through the schools and “step in and meet immediate needs,” Kinzel said.

Currituck Kids needs volunteers who can help with fundraising, match community resources with student needs, and even provide hands-on help such as performing home repairs.

“We’re looking for members,” Kinzel said.

More information on Currituck Kids is available at www.currituckkids.com or (252) 491-8166. Contributions may be mailed to NCCF: Currituck Kids Funds, The Harbinger Center, Ste 4, Point Harbor, N.C. 27964.

Currituck Kids recently sponsored an elementary school book program to help with the purchase of a book for students who otherwise couldn’t afford one.

“We want to get books in the hands of as many kids as possible,” Kinzel said.

Article provided by Reggie Ponder - Staff Writer - The Daily Advance