Perquimans County is primarily known for its natural resource assets, historic heritage and quality of life. As a result, Perquimans County has seen a relatively rapid growth in residential population and visitors/ tourists in recent years.

However, because of the closing of textile companies in the late 1990s/early 2000s, Perquimans County lost its manufacturing employment base. Today, most of the employment within the County is provided by government, retail, health care and agriculture- related jobs and approximately 70% of its workforce works outside the County. In the mid-1990’s, the County Board of Commissioners purchased over 400 acres of land adjacent to the Perquimans River to establish the Perquimans County Commerce Centre to stimulate the growth of quality light industrial and service jobs.

Based on a recent strategic planning, the following economic development priorities were identified for the County:

• Marine
• Tourism
• Small Business Development
• Downtown Hertford Redevelopment