Business View Civil & Municipal - May 2023

75 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 4, ISSUE 5 MOREHEAD C I TY , NC forward with the scoping of Fire Station 3, which will service the western end of our district, a heavy commerce section.” The new station will be located along US Highway 70, soon to be re-designated as I-42. Turner also clarifies that the city’s fire service has fire and EMS components that the town owns and operates without relying on volunteer services. These developments demonstrate Morehead City’s pledge to invest in essential infrastructure, public safety, and its continued growth. With a focus on business incentives and public services, the City is positioning itself for a vibrant and prosperous future. Another major attraction in Morehead City is its annual events that attract thousands of visitors , and puts the City on the map. Turner singles out the Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament, to be held from June 9-18, 2023, 2023, describing it as “the Super Bowl of fishing.” The tournament, boasting a purse of $5.8 million, is the largest and oldest Blue Marlin event in the world, attracting participants like Michael Jordan and Curtis Strange. Another significant event in Morehead City is the North Carolina Seafood Festival, from October 6th through the 8th, 2023. Turner explains the festival as “our state fair of the East,” featuring regional seafood chefs, musical performances, and fair rides. This famous festival, which has been ongoing since 1987, draws more than 100,000 people to the downtown waterfront of Morehead City. Morehead City is also renowned for its world- class scuba diving opportunities. Turner states, “We are ranked number one in the world for best recreational scuba diving.” The area, known as the “graveyard of the Atlantic,” attracts divers from around the globe. Mayor Jones quickly clarifies the name, explaining that it refers to the many shipwrecks off the coast due to the unique geographical layout explaining in the early years of maritime commerce before modern navigation equipment, numerous ships sank in waters offshore our coastline due to the shifting sandbars / shoals and inlets. The area’s clear waters, abundant marine life, and historical shipwrecks make it a sought-after destination for scuba diving enthusiasts. And for our beach enthusiasts, Morehead City is located on the “Crystal Coast” which is known for our sandy beaches and pristine waters. In addition, he mentions the importance of the North Carolina Seafood Festival’s closing ceremony, known as the “blessing of the fleet.” He describes it as “a solemn event” that honors past, present, and future watermen and their contributions to coastal North Carolina and Morehead City’s economy and way of life. As 2023 reaches the midway point, Mayor Jones emphasized that Morehead City is open for business, stating, “ We will bend over backward to