Business View Civil & Municipal - May 2023

73 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 4, ISSUE 5 As the city reaches its housing capacity, especially for its service industry workers, it is looking for unique ways to increase housing availability. One such project is Elijah’s Landing, a grant-focused housing initiative involving public-private partnerships between the city and private entities. Turner explains that this project aims to provide attainable housing for those working in the tourism development industry and for individuals who wish to live in Morehead City without purchasing a home. These housing initiatives often involve grant funding. Elijah’s Landing is just one example of the many projects being pursued to address the need for attainable housing in the city. The emphasis on attainable housing is crucial to support Morehead City’s diverse population, particularly those in the service industry or tourism-related sectors. As the city continues to grow and evolve, Turner and other city officials are committed to finding innovative solutions to ensure residents can access affordable, quality housing options. Morehead City’s development efforts are not limited to the commercial and residential sectors. The city is also seeking to make the most of its unique status as the home to the largest concentration of marine scientists in the US. Turner explains, “Morehead City is the home of the North Carolina Center for Marine Science, Pivers Island, and the NOAA Beaufort Laboratory at Pivers Island. Nearly 90% of the marine scientists in our county live in Morehead.” In addition to its economic aspirations, Morehead City places immense importance on providing attractive outdoor spaces for residents and visitors. MOREHEAD C I TY , NC