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Public Notices

Pender County’s tourism industry sees increase in 2019 visitor spending

PENDER COUNTY – Visitors to and within Pender County spent $105.76 million in 2019, an increase of 4 percent from 2018.

“Tourism is the second leading industry behind agriculture in Pender County,” said Tammy Proctor, Pender County Tourism director. “The increase to $105.76 in visitor spending is a record high.”

Proctor added, especially in the first quarter of 2019, the community was rebuilding from Hurricane Florence and many beach rentals and motels were still under construction. To achieve an increase was significant for the Pender County Tourism industry.

The data released Sept. 1, outlines that the tourism industry employs more than 860 people in Pender County with a total payroll of more than $19.5 million.

State tax revenue generated by visitor spending in Pender county totaled $5.01 million. About $7.31 million in local taxes were generated from sales and property tax revenue from travel-generated and travel-supported businesses.

“Good tourism is economic development in Pender County as more people discover our region as a great place to live, work, and play,” said Proctor.

Domestic visitor spending increased statewide. The $26.7 billion in total spending represented an increase of 5.6 percent from 2018.

Visitors to North Carolina set a record for spending in 2019. The $26.7 billion in total spending

The data documenting the 2018 domestic visitor spending impact comes from an annual study commissioned by Visit North Carolina, a unit of the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina. The study was prepared by the U.S. Travel Association.

Gov. Cooper extends 11 p.m. Alcohol Curfew through September

RALEIGH: In an effort to continue slowing the spread of COVID-19, Governor Roy Cooper signed Executive Order 162 to extend the limited hours on the sale of alcoholic drinks in North Carolina. As the state continues to fight the spread of COVID-19, the Order requires restaurants to end the sale of alcoholic beverages at 11 p.m. This Order will remain in effect through Oct. 2, 2020.

“North Carolina has made good progress stabilizing our COVID-19 numbers, and this order will help us continue it,” said Governor Cooper. “Now is the time to continue staying cautious and vigilant as we work to beat this pandemic.”

Local governments that have implemented orders that end alcohol sales before 11 pm or that apply to other entities remain in effect.

Read Executive Order 162.

State seeks feedback on Chemours Consent Order Addendum

RALEIGH – The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality seeks public comment on the Addendum to the Consent Order, which requires significant additional actions by Chemours to prevent PFAS pollution from entering the Cape Fear River via contaminated groundwater from the Fayetteville Works Site. Comments will be accepted through Sept. 17.

Since 2017, DEQ actions and the Consent Order have stopped the process wastewater discharge from the facility and drastically reduced air emissions of PFAS by 99.9 percent.  The additional actions in the Addendum to the Consent Order between DEQ, Cape Fear River Watch and Chemours will further reduce the PFAS contamination to the Cape Fear River and improve water quality for downstream communities.

Moving forward, Chemours is required to treat four identified ‘seeps’ which account for more than half of the contaminated groundwater reaching the river in two phases.

  • The interim measures to filter PFAS at an efficiency of at least 80 percent from the first of the four seeps will go into effect starting by Mid-November – with all four completed by April 2021.
  • The permanent measure is the construction of a subsurface barrier wall approximately 1.5 miles long and groundwater extraction system that will remove at least 99% of PFAS to be completed by March 2023.

Chemours is also required to treat on-site stormwater that is adding residual pollution to the river with a capture and treatment system that must remove at least 99 percent of PFAS.

Failure to meet the schedules or achieve the removal goals will result in financial penalties, including:

  • Failure to meet the construction schedule for the interim measures will result in fines of $5,000 per day for the first 14 days and $10,000/day until construction is complete.
  • Failure to meet the barrier wall installation schedule results in a $150,000 fine followed by $20,000 per week until installation is complete.
  • Failure to meet the barrier wall’s 95 percent mass loading goal in the initial demonstration results in a $500,000 fine, with a $100,000 fine for failure to meet any of the four subsequent demonstrations.

Comments on the Addendum will be accepted through Sept. 17. Comments can be submitted electronically to comments.chemours@ncdenr.gov or mailed to Assistant Secretary’s Office, RE: Chemours Public Comments 1601 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1601.

DEQ will consider the public comments before the Addendum is presented for entry by the Bladen County Superior Court.  The Addendum is available here.

Water System Pressure Advisory for Factory Road-area is Rescinded

HAMPSTEAD – Pender County Utilities rescinded the Aug. 11 system pressure advisory issued to its water customers along in the area of Factory Road, 1st Street, 2nd Street, Lea Drive, Howards Channel Drive, and all of Salter’s Haven.

“Bacteriological analysis results of drinking water samples collected after completion of the water system upgrade on Wednesday, Aug. 12 show no coliform bacteria present,” said James Proctor, PCU water and sewer superintendent. “The system has resumed normal operations as of 9 am and you may use the water without boiling.”

“Additional flushing was performed in this area to help remove trapped air and any loose sediment from the repairs,” said James Proctor, PCU water and sewer superintendent. “Please, remove and clean strainers on faucets in your homes to also remove any potential debris.”

The system pressure advisory is hereby rescinded today, August 13, 2020.

-END-

RFQ # 200807-108- Engineering Consulting Services for Reverse Osmosis Water Treatment Plant and Associated Improvements, RPTWSD

The Rocky Point/Topsail Water & Sewer District (RPTWSD) and Pender County Utilities (PCU) are seeking Statements of Qualifications (SOQ) from consulting engineering firms experienced with reverse osmosis (RO) water treatment plant and well design. The engineering firm will provide complete design, permitting, and construction administration/observation of a proposed 3 MGD RO water plant, wellfield, and related water utilities improvements planned for the US 17 corridor in Eastern Pender County.  RFQ # 200807-108 issued August 7, 2020.  Statements of Qualifications Due: August 21, 2020 by 3:00 PM (EST).  See the full Request for Qualifications: RFQ_ROPlant_EngrSvcs 200807-108

 

RFQ # 200807-107- Engineering Services for Elevated Water Tank, Wells and Associated Improvements, SHWSD

The Scott’s Hill Water & Sewer District (SHWSD) and Pender County Utilities (PCU) are seeking Statements of Qualifications (SOQ) from consulting engineering firms experienced with elevated water tank and well design. The engineering firm will provide complete design, permitting, and construction administration/observation of a proposed 300,000 gallon elevated water plant, 3 water supply wells, and related water utilities improvements planned for the US 17 corridor in Eastern Pender County.  RFQ # 200807-107, issued August 7, 2020.  Statements of Qualifications Due: August 21, 2020 by 3:00 PM (EST).  See full Request for Qualifications here: RFQ_ElevTankWells_EngrSvcs 200807-107

 

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