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Welcome
To the Eastern Shore of Virginia, a beautiful peninsula located between the Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. Hundreds of miles of shoreline provide a wealth of recreational opportunities for fishermen, boaters and beach lovers. |
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You and your business are welcome. Our diverse economy includes everything from the Virginia Space Flight Center to numerous artists and artisans. Imagine living and working in an almost national park-like area!
Come for a day or for the rest of your life. Stay in one of the quality rooms available from Chincoteague to Cape Charles or settle in a picturesque town filled with colonial and turn-of-the-century homes. |
The Renaissance of Tower Hill, Cape Charles and the Eastern Shore
During the last century, Cape Charles has remained unchanged and undiscovered, quietly presiding over the birth and death of an era that included local passenger railroads, elegant steamer lines, and water-borne ferry systems.
| The Cape recently awoke to the coming millennium era when it became landfall for the four lane, 17-mile Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel that now spans the Atlantic Ocean to Virginia Beach. Along with its connection to the 1.5 million residents of the Norfolk MSA came Baymark Development, Brown & Root, Palmer, Nicklaus and the impending renaissance of this historic city. |
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Of course it's only educated conjecture, but following the evolution of similar resort developments in the coastal US, it's not difficult to imagine that Cape Charles will benefit from its immediate proximity to the Norfolk MSA, as well as the more distant cities of Washington DC and Baltimore.
As those cities' residents have driven the prices and availability in the Outer Banks two hours to the south, so will they drive the prices and availability on the southern cape of the Eastern Shore. As they say, they're not making any more waterfront. Comparing the Eastern Shore to the Outer Banks yields some potentially valuable insights:
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The Outer Banks is accessible from the Norfolk-Virginia Beach MSA via a 2-hour drive in weekend traffic. The Eastern Shore is accessible in 1/2 hour, via a scenic 17-mile drive across the Atlantic Ocean and Chesapeake Bay on an elevated, 4-lane causeway. The closest major airport between the Outer Banks and the northeast US is Norfolk. From that airport, in traffic, the Outer Banks can be a 3-hour drive. The Eastern Shore, on a bad traffic day, is less than 1 hour and 80% of that is over water.
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An Oceanfront lot in a high-end Outer Banks community costs in excess of $500,000. A private Sound front or Bay front lot will cost $350,000 and up. For the moment the Eastern Shore is half that. |
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The Outer Banks has golf courses, but none of any special mention and no resort courses. The Eastern Shore will shortly have two championship resort courses. The Outer Banks has Ocean fishing and boating, but access to a marina can be as far as 30 miles away on a packed two-lane road. The Eastern Shore has immediate access to the Atlantic via the Chesapeake Bay. |
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The Outer Banks is a very popular resort destination for Washington DC, Baltimore, and other northeastern cities. Many of the high-end houses are built for rental and are privately owned by individuals from these cities. The Eastern Shore is beautifully poised to displace the value, drive time, and golf driven buyers that are currently invading the Outer Banks. |
Getting Here
The Eastern Shore of Virginia is easy to get to. The Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel and the US Highway 13 connect the Eastern Shore of Virginia to the major metro areas of the east coast. US Highway 13 is a 4-lane divided highway and a major north/south alternative route to Interstate 95. Commercial air service is provided by several carriers just across the Chesapeake Bay at Norfolk International Airport.
| Population |
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1980 |
1990 |
1997 |
| Accomack County |
31,268 |
31,703 |
31,300 |
| Northampton County |
14,625 |
13,061 |
12,800 |
| Eastern Shore of VA |
45,893 |
44,764 |
45,100 |
Education
The high standards of the Eastern Shore of Virginia's public schools are demonstrated by the Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence awards that local schools have earned. The Blue Ribbon Schools Program identifies and recognizes outstanding public and private schools across the nation.
All of the elementary schools in both counties have been replaced or renovated in the last few years. Other initiatives in the elementary schools include summer reading enrichment programs, summer computer camps, a visual arts workshop for artistically gifted students, and a talented and gifted student program.
Business Parks
Accomack Airport Industrial Park
Is located adjacent to the county's general aviation airport. The park has a beautiful wooded setting and is fully served with water, sewer, electric and communications infrastructure. The airport features an architecturally impressive terminal building and new t-hangers. Several sites in the park have direct access to the airport's 5,000 foot runway.
Cape Charles Sustainable Technology Park
Is America's first eco-industrial park. The park meets the high standards of businesses that have made a commitment to profitability with environmental and social integrity. It offers a Chesapeake Bay-front setting and is located across the harbor from downtown Cape Charles. |
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Both parks are within a Virginia Enterprise Zone, which offers substantial financial incentives to businesses locating or expanding in the parks. Incentives include a 10-year general income tax credit, a real property improvement tax credit, and job grants.
Other available incentives include work force training and a foreign trade zone.
Recreation
Assateague Island National Seashore
Roam the beaches, walk or ride the nature trails. 757-336-6577.
Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel
The world's largest bridge-tunnel complex, 17.6 miles long. Toll Bridge. 757-331-2960.
Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge
Home of the famed Chincoteague Ponies. 757-336-6122.
Eastern Shore National Wildlife Refuge
At the southern tip of the peninsula, the refuge is a bird lover's paradise. A museum houses an extensive and valuable waterfowl carving collection. No admission fee. 757-331-2960.
Eastern Shore Railway Museum
Two miles west of Route 13 in Parksley on the original site of the old Parksley Station. Monday-Saturday, 10:30 a.m. - 4 p.m., Sunday 1 p.m. - 4 p.m. Admission fee.
Kerr Place
Located in Onancock, it is the home of the Eastern Shore Historical Society. Built in 1799, it houses a collection of furniture and historical items relating to the Shore's history. Tuesday - Saturday, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Admission fee. 757-787-8012.
Kiptopeke State Park
One of the newest state parks, it offers 375 acres of a variety of outdoor recreation and conservation activities. Camping, boating, picnicking, fishing and bird watching. Admission fee. 757-331-2267.
NASA/Wallops Visitor Center
View collections of spacecraft and flight articles, as well as exhibits about America's space flight program. During December, January and February, NASA offers tours of Wallops Island launch site by advance reservation. No admission fee. 757 824-1344.
Oyster and Maritime Museum
The only one of its kind in the United States, it features live marine exhibits, shell specimens, historical and maritime artifacts, and implements from the seafood industry. Admission fee. 757-336-6117.
Tangier Island
Cut off from the mainland by the Chesapeake Bay, Tangier Island is a quaint mix of old and new. To get there you take an exciting excursion cruise down Onancock Creek and out across the Bay. Tickets for theTangier Island Cruise. Admission fee. 757-787-8012.
Visitor Information
Eastern Shore of Virginia Tourism Commission
P.O. Box 89
Melfa, VA 23410
757.787.8268
Email: tdirector@esvatourism.org
Website: www.esvatourism.org
Eastern Shore of Virginia Chamber of Commerce
P.O. Drawer 460
Melfa, Virginia 23410
757.787.2460 · FAX 757.787.8687
Email: esvachamber@esva.net
Website: www.esva.net/~esvachamber
Northampton County Chamber of Commerce
109 Mason Avenue, Suite A
P.O. Box 87
Cape Charles, VA 23310
757.331.2304
Email: info@northamptoncountychamber.com
Website: www.northamptoncountychamber.com
Charts
Virginia's Eastern Shore
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