County flags proposed ferry schedule cuts; requests letter to state, and welcomes $10.4M airport appropriation

Craven County officials raised alarms about proposed reductions in state-operated ferry service that would reduce departures on the Cherry Branch–Minnesott Beach route by roughly 43 percent, and the board directed county staff to draft a letter to state transportation leadership and legislative delegation seeking further study.

County Manager Veidt said the proposed change would remove about 24 departures and could affect school transportation, daily commuters and military personnel who rely on the crossing. "What there's a misconception amongst the ferry system that this ferry happens to be related to tourism. Well, it is to some degree. This is workforce development. This is an economic development. This is national security. This is educational," Veidt said.

Veidt and several commissioners asked for a letter to be sent to the new secretary of transportation and to House and Senate leadership urging more study and stakeholder input before schedule reductions take effect. The manager noted multiple East Carolina counties are coordinating responses and that Pamlico and Hyde counties are also raising concerns.

Separately, the county manager reported that a recent state mini-budget included a $10.4 million allocation for the county airport, funds the manager said will allow opening roughly 90 acres for aerospace and related economic development, strengthening military and national-security partnerships.

Commissioners instructed staff to draft the ferry letter promptly and said they would consider a future resolution describing the ferry system's importance to the region.