When it was time to move to something new, she says, the Eastern Shore's beauty was intriguing, as was its commitment to preserving natural resources and promoting small business. State and locally sponsored loans helped the trio invest in their three pieces of equipment, which churn and bag such delectable mixes as Salty Dogs, cookies strewn with peanut butter chips and salty peanuts, and Plumberry Muffins, which mix the tart taste of dried plums and cranberries with the sweetness of brown sugar. An estimated 70 sculptors and other niche businesses quietly operate across the two counties in tiny shops, wooded industrial parks and living rooms. Economic development officials say more are needed, though, to curb unemployment rates, which can climb to more than double the state average during the off-season. U.S. 13 runs through the center of the shore like the spine of a whale, bringing boatloads of tourists.
Hospitality is an economic anchor.
Chincoteague, long a refuge for city dwellers from the north, and Assateague Island National Seashore, with 15 miles of undeveloped shoreline, draw more than 1 million people each year. The money they spend on food, lodging and recreation is critical, but the business is highly seasonal. To create year-round economic impact, local officials are trying to attract major employers with cheap, unsullied land and a way of life that has been virtually lost along the coast. The Port of Cape Charles Sustainable Technology Park could become an economic anchor for the south end of the shore, while the new Virginia Spaceflight Center, a commercial spaceport, is expected to boost the north end. All the efforts here are only now beginning to bear fruit.