| Operating a business in a resort area with a population that varies from 33,328 in Dare County and 20,598 in Currituck County and 800 on Ocracoke Isand during the winter months to over 275,000 people per day during the peak summer season can be a challenge. You need a business plan which takes into account the changing population which you will serve and prepares for the cash flow crunches which you will face during the winter months.
The Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE) is a program sponsored nationally by the Small Business Administration and locally by the Outer Banks Chamber of Commerce. SCORE is a group of retired business executives who offer free business counseling to those considering opening a business on the Outer Banks or are already in business and looking for advice on such topics as business expansion, marketing, employee manuals, automating office procedures, and more. SCORE counseling is available Tuesdays 11:00 a.m. til 2:00 p.m. at the Chamber office in Kill Devil Hills or by calling the Chamber office during these hours for an appointment (441-8144). All counseling sessions are free and completely confidential. Find SCORE on the internet at www.score497.org or ask them questions via e-mail at mail@score497.org.
Business Licenses
All businesses located in Dare or Currituck Counties are required to have a federal and state tax i.d. number before commencing operations. Information about the State Business License can be obtained from the local office of the North Carolina Department of Revenue in Kill Devil Hills (P.O. Box 67, Nags Head, NC 27959; (252)480-0709 - open Wednesdays only) or Elizabeth City at (252)331-4746. (Raleigh office: 1-800-252-3052) Information about county business licenses and taxes that businesses are responsible for can be obtained by contacting the Dare County Tax Office at (252) 475-5950 or Currituck County Tax Office at (252) 232-3005.
Some (but not all) municipalities also require a business license. You should contact the respective Town Hall or Town Clerk for types of licenses required by the community in which you will be located. You might also wish to contact the Business License Information Office at (919)715-2864 or 1-800-228-8443.
Who to Contact
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Choosing a Location
For a listing of businesses which are for sale, contact a local real estate agent (see Real Estate Sales/Developers in our Membership Directory) or contact Sunbelt Business Brokers of the Outer Banks at (252)255-5000 or Outer Banks Business Brokers at (252)261-4944.
The Chamber of Commerce for Dare & Currituck Counties, Ocracoke Island
The Outer Banks Chamber of Commerce is a non-profit business membership organization offering a full-range of services. Some of the benefits of Chamber membership include member to member discount services, referrals through its welcome center in Kill Devil Hills and website, listings in the Outer Banks Vacation Guide, the Relocation and Investors Guide (both print and on-line), networking opportunities through Business After Hours, Legislative representation at the local, regional and state levels, economic and demographic data, and more.
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Order a free copy of "Operating a Business on North Carolinas Outer Banks," by calling (252) 441-8144 or completing our on-line request form. |
| Business Owned by Women (1999) |
| Area |
Number |
Percent |
| Dare County |
248 |
21 |
| North Carolina |
20,324 |
14 |
| United States |
73,543 |
6 |
The Importance of Travel & Tourism
Currituck County(2003) |
Tourism Expenditures
| $99.82 Million |
| Total Payroll | $23.05 Million |
| Employment | 1,590 |
| State Tax Receipts | $4.64 Million |
| Local Tax Receipts | $5.06 Million |
Dare County (2003) |
| Tourism Expenditures | $597.79 Million |
| Total Payroll | $152.83 Million |
| Employment | 11,060 |
| State Tax Receipts | $31.02 Million |
| Local Tax Receipts | $29.33 Million |
Hyde County (2003) |
| Tourism Expenditures | $24.58 Million |
| Total Payroll | $5.83 Million |
| Employment | 420 |
| State Tax Receipts | $1.25 Million
| | Local Tax Receipts | $1.42 Million |
North Carolina(2003) |
| Tourism Expenditures | $12.6 Billion |
| Total Payroll | $3.608 Billion |
| Employment | 183,220 |
| State Tax Receipts | $683.44 Million |
| Local Tax Receipts | $417.68 Million |
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