Residents and guests in the Currituck Outer Banks (COBX) rely entirely for health care needs on facilities in Dare County to the south. The County’s recent Land Use Plan analysis showed that there is a peak summer population of more than 55,000, and annual average population of about 15,000 and a minimum population of at least 5,000 people each month. Despite this heavy demand, no commercial entity has so far been able to sustain a permanent health care presence in COBX.
In 2019 the Corolla Civic Association (CCA) sought Federal funding to cover the start-up and initial operating costs for a non-profit health care center in COBX that would serve the day-to-day healthcare needs of the community and provide time-urgent triage as needed. CCA Board member, Betsy Wheeler, applied her professional skills to the development of an excellent proposal and with the help of CCA President, Barb Marzetti, they worked with local businesses and Dare County health care providers to be prepared for an immediate start upon contract award. Unfortunately CCA did not receive a grant this time, but we learned some important lessons to improve our chances of success next time.