The residents of Ocean Isle, North Carolina pride themselves for having a picturesque, small town, but with all of the amenities of a larger coastal community. And according to the Town of Ocean Isle’s promotional video, it has “family friendly events throughout the year, waterfront dining, and a great place for bonding with family or reconnecting with friends.”
Earlier this year, Ocean Isle received the title of “The South’s Best Tiny Town 2018” by Southern Living Magazine. It draws tourists from major urban areas such as Wilmington and Myrtle Beach, and North Carolina Department of Transportation highway signs direct people to "Brunswick County Beaches" as a tourist and recreational area. It provides an alternative location for recreational opportunities outside of the more heavily visited areas of Wrightsville, Kure, and Carolina Beaches.
The Wilmington District recently added to the aesthetics of Ocean Isle Beach through the Coastal Storm Risk Management project which is designed to minimize loss of life and property during hurricanes or other inclement weather. Wilmington District officials and the Town of Ocean Isle leaders have had a strong relationship since 2001 when the first project began, and through cooperative understanding the partnership involves listening and understanding the concerns of Ocean Isle. The Wilmington District accommodates the citizens and leadership alike through proactive dialogue. Local officials laud the fact that the benefits the project provides help keep the Town of Ocean Isle and the surrounding area economically sound.
“The Ocean Isle project is an economic generator and offers plenty of recreational opportunities,” said Navigation Project Manager Jim Medlock. “The number of people who visit Ocean Isle helps provide a strong economy for the town, Brunswick County and the state of North Carolina. People spend money to stay in hotels or rental homes, dine out, go to movies, use surf shops, etc., which trickles down to local businesses.”