Currituck tourism director outlines marketing, Historic Corolla Park repairs and America250 plans

Tamara Coogler, Currituck County director of travel and tourism, told commissioners March 2 that marketing for summer 2026 is already underway and that occupancy‑tax collections year‑to‑date stand a little over $17 million, slightly down from the prior year’s comparable cumulative total.

Coogler highlighted a recent digital campaign with HOBY that generated strong impressions and opt‑in interest, and reviewed progress on Historic Corolla Park: an architect is completing documentation and measured drawings, door repairs are underway, a new geothermal system and wellhouse work are in progress, and the county will seek bids this summer once documentation is complete. She said the county is arranging appraisals for the wellhead, the WRC and the maritime museum, and that the decoy collection has been previously appraised as a multimillion‑dollar collection.

Coogler also reviewed America250 programming (traveling exhibits and a commemorative Betsy‑ride event rescheduled for May 30), upcoming community events funded with event grants, and renovation steps for the Jarvisburg Colored School visitor center and a new Currituck Jack statue being fabricated for placement at the historic visitor center. She said some publicity (PBS North Carolina) is underway and that staff will continue to use digital marketing dollars to pivot when needed.

Coogler closed by noting continued event support, progress on site repairs and a request that commissioners alert staff to any facilities that need America250 flags or displays.