Wrights Creek has been cleared as the next destination for a public boat ramp.

Beaufort County Commissioners voted earlier this week to give the go ahead to the boat ramp project in eastern Beaufort County. The creek is located on the Pungo River, near its intersection with the Pamlico. Moreover, commissioners also gave the green light for county officials to look into expanding the project to include adjacent land for a kayak/canoe/sailboat launch, as well as a fishing pier.

“It’s probably some of the best economic development we can do in the county for the money and we’re doing it for the people,” said Commissioner Stan Deatherage.

All seven commissioners voted to move forward with the project after Assistant County Manager Jim Chrisman reported that funding from the North Carolina Coastal Management Program was in place. The project will cost an estimated $900,000, with Beaufort County shouldering roughly 10 percent of that cost. However, Chrisman said he believes additional grant funding may be able to knock the county’s cost down to zero.

“I’m happy to report it’s less than we thought it would be,” Chrisman told Commissioners on Monday.

The Wrights Creek boat ramp is the second such project in the last two years that gives the public access to Beaufort County’s waterways. In addition to the ramp for motorized boats, Chrisman said the purchase of additional property for non-motorized vessels and fishing pier will make access available to all residents.

Last August, the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission and county commissioners opened a public access ramp and fishing area on Blounts Creek. In partnership with the county, Wildlife Resources has taken over the Blounts Creek property’s care, providing maintenance and repair of structures, while the county does light maintenance, like mowing. The same partnership has been agreed upon for the Wrights Creek project, allowing the county minimal cost for the facility’s upkeep.

Commissioners tasked Chrisman to look into the purchase of the adjacent Wrights Creek property for the fishing pier and non-motorized vessel launch. The property is formerly known as Buddy’s Seafood or Wright’s Creek Seafood, which sustained severe damage during Hurricane Irene in 2011.