THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, July 16, 1995 TAG: 9507160048
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
SOURCE: BY ANNE SAITA, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CURRITUCK LENGTH: Long : 123 lines
Directing traffic during a hurricane isn't something John Mulvey is excited about.
``That's a job I hope I never have to do,'' the 34-year-old native of Fairfax, Va., says, referring more to the heartaches than the headaches that can accompany such a task.
However, Mulvey is anticipating directing an economic course to attract more business and industry to one of North Carolina's fastest growing counties. Monday, he begins his new job as economic development director for Currituck County.
The former community and economic development specialist at the Albemarle Commission said he's eager to take on the county's challenges, even if one of them includes assisting in emergencies like a hurricane.
``I think it's going to be very demanding but rewarding. I think it will be a challenge, but a good one,'' Mulvey said in an interview last week.
It's been 10 months since Currituck County's first economic development director, former broadcaster and journalist Charles Hartig, resigned to take a public information post in neighboring Dare County.
In the interim, Bob Henley and Phil Heffernan of the county's nine-member Economic Development Board have tried to keep business from becoming stagnant in the county.
``I'm glad to see John on board because there are a lot of people soliciting Currituck County for startups now,'' said Henley, chairman of the all-volunteer economic board.
The 43-mile-long county mainland, located between metropolitan Hampton Roads and a heavily developed portion of the Outer Banks, has been among the state's fastest growing counties for the past few years.
County planners, commissioners and citizens have, at times, been at odds over Currituck's plans for progress.
``You can turn your back on it, close the door and let it walk over you,'' Mulvey said of his personal philosophy.
``Or you can open the door to it and tell it where to walk. And that's what I propose to do.''
In February, the Board of Commissioners placed a moratorium on most new mainland residential developments until it could be sure the county had the space, personnel and equipment to service more people, particularly school children.
To further control growth - and to keep the county's rural feel - commissioners voted to increase minimum residential lot sizes on the mainlandto 3 acres. The board later made exceptions for families and farmers.
Commissioners also voided certain ``paper'' subdivisions approved prior to April 1989, when the county's Unified Development Ordinance was adopted.
At least one rejected developer has challenged the new rule in court.
Mulvey said Currituck anticipates a 15 percent increase in growth over the next few years, compared with 5 percent in Dare County.
``I feel like an economic developer is what the county needs,'' he said.
And apparently county officials feel Mulvey is that person. The former banker was chosen from more than 40 applicants and was up against some tough competition, Henley said.
``As we weeded through the applications during the selection process, his name kept coming back and back again,'' said County Manager Bill Richardson.
So what set Mulvey apart from the others?
``Probably John's background in economic development. And he had been working with several businesses in the county on a financial aid status,'' Henley said.
Since January 1994, Mulvey has worked at the Hertford-based Albemarle Commission, a 10-county consortium that provides technical assistance and economic planning and development to its member counties. Geographically, it is the largest of 18 similar panels in North Carolina.
Mulvey's involvement with microenterprise loans, aimed at giving financial aid to qualifying small businesses, also put him in contact with some Currituck businessmen.
County commissioners waited until last spring to advertise for a new economic developer to replace Hartig.
And when they did, the job description was different.
Mulvey will not be involved in the operations or promotions of the county-owned Whalehead Club in Corolla.
Hartig had spent a considerable amount of time soliciting interest in the former hunt club that will eventually be home to a wildlife museum and a major tourist attraction.
Instead, Mulvey mainly will work to recruit new industry and commercial enterprises to Currituck County to diversify the tax base and provide more local jobs and opportunities.
He'll also work to expand existing businesses.
Competing with neighboring, more developed communities, particularly Hampton Roads, won't necessarily be easy.
``I think recruitment is going to be the biggest challenge,'' Richardson said.
About 25 percent of Mulvey's job will involve disseminating public information, including composing a quarterly county newsletter.
Mulvey's $28,767 salary will come from the county's occupancy tax, which is paid by tourists renting campground space, motels or beach rental units.
His contract will be up for renewal in a year.
Among the things on Mulvey's ``to do'' list next week: catalog county businesses and commercial sites and look for a county waterfront rental for him and his 6-year-old chocolate Lab, Cody.
He's asked for citizens' assistance on both matters.
He'll also spend time becoming better acquainted with Currituck County's largely rural communities, each boasting pristine surroundings and a pride in the county's heritage.
``There's a fine edge between keeping the past and allowing the future to be productive, and I think with proper management you can have both,'' Mulvey said. ILLUSTRATION: Color photo
JOHN MULVEY
What: Currituck County Economic Development Director
Duties: Help recruit business and industry to the growing county
to diversify tax base and provide local jobs and opportunities. Also
promote tourism locally.
Education background: Bachelor's degree in political science,
with business concentration, from Old Dominion University in 1987.
Professional background: Community and economic development
specialist with the Albemarle Commission since January 1994.
Previously worked with a variety of financial institutions in such
places as Raleigh, Virginia Beach and Norfolk.
Personal: Single, Northern Virginia native.
by CNB