“We started operation April 6,” said County Road Seafood owner Richard Newman. “We’re going to end up doing some shrimp and oysters as well, later in the year, but for right now, we’re just doing crabs.”

As the business gets established, Newman says the facility is sending most of its products to out-of-state markets before it begins navigating the retail side of business.

I think Belhaven was a good choice, just in the fact that there was some labor here. The people of the town have been really receptive to us. They’re happy to see us back and happy to see the jobs here.

For Belhaven, the company marks the return of an industry that was once a mainstay of the town’s economy. Operating as an affiliate of the Hyde County-based Newman Seafood, the plant will also buy from local commercial fishermen on the Pungo River, creating new possibilities for that industry in Beaufort County.

“Belhaven has a rich history in seafood processing. They’ve always done it here. I think over the years, they’ve had as many as five crab processors here.” Newman said. “So we knew there was a population of people here who knew how to work with seafood, and that’s big.”

Right now, County Road Seafood is providing employment for about 12 workers at the Belhaven plant, with about eight experienced crab pickers showing the newbies the ropes. Newman says he could still use a few more experienced workers at the plant.

“I think Belhaven was a good choice, just in the fact that there was some labor here,” Newman said. “The people of the town have been really receptive to us. They’re happy to see us back and happy to see the jobs here.”

The revitalization of the plant, which was formerly home to Seafood Safari, was partially funded by a $500,000 building reuse program grant from the North Carolina Department of Commerce, in addition to private investment and a $50,000 economic development grant from Beaufort County.

Through a competitive application process, the USDA selected Tideland EMC and County Road Seafood, LLC for a Rural Economic Development Loan. The loan combined with the funding above will serve the purpose of permanent financing for the company’s investment in facilities, equipment and site development at the Belhaven location.

“Tideland EMC is proud of its successful partnership with USDA Rural Economic Development and our ability to bring federal financing assistance to successful local projects,” said co-op chief executive officer and general manager Paul Spruill.

For more information about County Road Seafood and to check out a virtual tour of the facility, find them on Facebook @countyroadseafood.