NO PORT Southport announces contest winners

Back in April, I posted an entry regarding NO PORT Southport's contest to determine how a 600 acre track of marshes, wetlands, and woodlands on the Cape Fear River should be used...instead of as a giant shipping port. The contest rules specified that the proposal "must create jobs and generate revenue as well as be environmentally friendly, fiscally responsible, and generally enhance the quality of life in our area."

I'm happy to announce that the winners have been chosen! From their press release:

"First place went to Frank A. Bausch of Caswell Beach, second place to Robert Mark Santi from Southport and third place was taken by Richard & Kimberly Bandera also from Southport. Cash prizes of $500, $300, $100 were awarded.

[...]

The winning entry focused on creating a state park with renewable energy as its theme. The park is divided up into seven individual sites showcasing or demonstrating renewable/alternative energy production and storage technologies. Called the “Southport Energy Park”, this use of the 600 acres excelled in meeting the criteria established: Job creation, an environmentally friendly alternative to the proposed port, generating revenue, being a positive addition to our unique region and co-existence with a nuclear power plant and an ammunition terminal."

Check out this article from the Brunswick Beacon, and this one from Star News Online for all the details. You can also watch a video about the project by clicking here.

Our congratulations to the winners for their innovative proposals, which will be sent to Governor Perdue.