Manteo, NC (December 9, 2025) – On November 20, the Dare County Tourism Board finalized awards of $1.77 million for 12 local nonprofit organizations and Dare governmental entities. The Tourism Impact Grants (TIG) are for programs and services needed due to the impact of tourism. The expenditures received the unanimous consent of the Dare County Commissioners at its December meeting.
Sponsored annually by the Dare County Tourism Board, these grants may include, but are not limited to, multi-use paths, beach accesses, environmental sustainability initiatives and capital projects at cultural and historical attractions. Since 1993, the Dare County Tourism Board's restricted fund grants have supported 233 awards to 49 local nonprofits and municipalities, resulting in $21.31 million for programs and services that provide a tangible and sustained benefit for the community.
“Tourism should strengthen the place it touches and our Tourism Impact Grants do just that,” notes Lee Nettles, Executive Director of the Outer Banks Visitors Bureau. “This funding helps support projects in Dare County that preserve our history and culture, enhance mobility and safety and improve the quality of life for residents and visitors.”
The projects that were approved as part of the 2025-26 Tourism Impact Grants funding process include:
- Replacing three public access boardwalks on Dolphin Lane, Due East Road and Dune Way in Avon (Avon Property Owners Association - $27,750.00).
- Expanding the Community Care Clinic to add a fourth treatment room to the dental clinic as well as establishing a mental health counseling room (Community Care Clinic of Dare County - $100,000.00).
- Constructing a .35-mile pathway along Harriot Street from U.S. 64/264 to Groundhog Lane connecting the school, neighborhoods and businesses to the Roanoke Island Multi-Use Trail (Dare County - $125,000.00).
- Constructing custom cabinetry to protect, light and preserve the Richard Etheridge Collection of paintings by James Melvin that inform the aquarium visitors of the Pea Island lifesavers (NC Aquarium on Roanoke Island - $30,000.00).
- Improving the existing crosswalk with lights and signage to facilitate Island Farm visitors crossing Highway 64 between the parking lot and historical sites on the east and west sides of the road (Outer Banks Conservationists - $10,930.00).
- Restoring the Bodie Island Double Keepers' Quarters from the fire damage that occurred. Restoration would reopen the Visitors Center to allow indoor interaction with the National Park Service staff and exhibits (Outer Banks Forever - $150,000.00).
- Constructing a sidewalk along West First Street from Canal Drive to U.S. 158 at the crosswalk and along East First Street from US 158 to the beach access (Town of Kill Devil Hills - $208,739.20).
- Constructing a memorial to recognize the heritage and history of the U.S. Lifesaving Service, Weather Service and Army Signal Corps in Kitty Hawk (Town of Kitty Hawk - $49,434.00).
- Constructing a multi-use path along U.S. 158 between Carolista Drive and W Soundside Road adjacent to Jockey's Ridge State Park. The path is approximately 4490 linear feet (Town of Nags Head – $750,000.00).
- Constructing approximately 550 linear feet of sidewalk along Admiral Street extending the sidewalk in front of The Shoppes at 10.5 shopping complex to the Admiral Street Beach access (Town of Nags Head - $50,000.00).
- Constructing a sidewalk on the north side or Grouse Street from U.S.158 to NC 12 and relocate the crosswalk at Virginia Dare Trail to align with the new sidewalk (Town of Nags Head - $54,375.00).
- Replace the multi-use path from Hillcrest Drive to the northern Town line with concrete to enhance pedestrian safety (Town of Southern Shores - $220,023.62).
"We're thrilled to receive this Tourism Impact Grant from the Dare County Tourism Board that will help restore the fire-damaged Bodie Island Double Keepers' Quarters,” says Bryan Burhans, Executive Director of Outer Banks Forever, the official nonprofit partner of the three Outer Banks national parks and Cape Hatteras National Seashore. “This building, as part of the Bodie Island Light Station, is on the National Register of Historic Places and hosted more than 130,000 visitors last year. Thanks to this generous grant, we're able to jump-start the restoration process and reopen this beloved, historically significant building so park visitors can learn about the role that lighthouses and lightkeepers played in Outer Banks and American history."
The Town of Kill Devil Hills was also the recipient of a Tourism Impact Grant, with the goal of enhancing mobility and pedestrian safety. “The Town of Kill Devil Hills is excited to partner again with the Dare County Tourism Board to continue to make Kill Devil Hills a safe, walkable community,” remarks Meredith Guns, Town of Kill Devil Hills Planning Director. “This First Street Sidewalk project will create many crucial connections to the existing sidewalk and multi-use path system, allowing citizens and visitors the ability to enjoy miles of safe pedestrian routes that lead to our Town’s many amenities. The Dare County Tourism Board has provided grants to the Town for multiple sidewalk and multi-use path projects throughout the years, and we appreciate the continued support to create a better community.”
About Dare County Tourism Board Grants
The Dare County Tourism Board sponsors several grant opportunities each year to help fund and support various Outer Banks projects and events organized by non-profits and government entities. Event Grants are designed to support events that drive overnight visitation to Dare County during less-than-peak months (September 7 to June 15). In addition, the Board offers other funding opportunities through its Restricted Fund Grants, including Tourism Impact Grants and Long-Term Unappropriated Grants, supporting programs or services needed due to the impact of tourism. For guidelines, applications and a list of past grant awards, please visit outerbanks.org/grants.
About the Outer Banks Visitors Bureau
The Outer Banks Visitors Bureau is the official tourism authority for Dare County, North Carolina, encompassing the towns of Duck, Southern Shores, Kitty Hawk, Kill Devil Hills, Nags Head, Manteo and the islands of Roanoke and Hatteras. The Bureau promotes sustainable tourism while preserving the natural beauty and cultural heritage of North Carolina's barrier islands. Learn more at outerbanks.org.
###
_______________________________________
Recent Tourism Impact Grants at Work
Avon Property Owners Association – Oceanfront Boardwalks
“Our oceanfront boardwalks in Avon were originally installed back in the 1980s and over the years it has come to the point where they need to be replaced. The Tourism Impact Grants we’ve received from the Dare County Tourism Board have been a huge help in this process. It’s a big project, but this work will make Avon a better place for residents, homeowners and our visitors.” - George Hockenbury, Director, Avon Property Owners Association
The Elizabethan Gardens – Sensory Garden
“The Sensory Garden was created to spark curiosity and awaken the senses and would not be possible without the unwavering support of our partners. We are deeply grateful to the Dare County Tourism Board for their Tourism Impact Grant. The thoughtfully designed space was created to engage visitors through touch, sound, sight, taste and fragrance. Features like the wheelchair accessible raised garden beds highlight the Gardens’ ongoing commitment to accessibility, inclusion and the enrichment of all who visit.” - Brendan Medlin, Executive Director, The Elizabethan Gardens
NC Aquarium on Roanoke Island – Fish, Filter, Food: The Human-Oyster Connection Exhibit
“Oysters, through their unique filtration abilities, are essential to the health of our coastal ecosystems. But equally, they are an important economic driver for our state as a food source. The North Carolina Aquarium is committed to telling all sides of the story around these amazing creatures and appreciates the generous support of the Dare County Tourism Board through its Tourism Impact Grant to help bring this exhibit to life.” - Larry Warner, Director, NC Aquarium on Roanoke Island