When you speak of economic development in the coastal counties of North Carolina, our beaches and waterways are just as big of a part of the total economic picture as the companies that bring in much needed jobs to our region. The tourism industry in the NC counties that have beaches depend on our beaches being re nourished in timely intervals and our inlets dredged to allow both commercial and recreational traffic to navigate up and down the eastern seaboard. I am committed to working hard to secure the funding needed to maintain this vital part of the tourist economy of southeastern NC.