July 6, 2007 - About 600 more jobs are coming to the town of Navassa for what is charted to become the largest boat manufacturing plant on the planet. Gov. Mike Easley announced Monday that boat-building giant Brunswick Corporation is setting up shop in Navassa, having acquired the KCS International-Rampage Yachts facility. Brunswick Corp. assumed operation of the factory the next day, keeping aboard the 250 current employees.
The announcement makes good on promises by state and Brunswick County officials to attract more industry to the economically depressed town, particularly after a statewide moratorium on landfills imposed by the General Assembly put the brakes on a controversial auto-recycling landfill proposed by Hugo Neu. Earlier this year, the company announced it would no longer pursue that project in Navassa.

State Sen. R.C. Soles Jr. joined the governor in commending the team effort to accommodate Brunswick Corp.’s expansion in the state, and of the plant in Navassa. What started as a conference a few months ago with Willis and Brown to brainstorm ideas evolved into a strategic initiative of economic development thanks to collaboration between Navassa, county commissioners and the state. By Jonathan Spiers