Beaufort County Community College dedicated the Belhaven Troutfest Boatbuilding Laboratory on November 13 in the Boat Manufacturing Center (Building 16). The laboratory, part of the college’s Boat Manufacture and Service Technology program, honors the Belhaven Trout Tournament and Festival, which has contributed $70,000 in donations to the Beaufort County Community College Foundation over the past two years. The annual event, organized by the Belhaven Chamber of Commerce, raises funds to provide scholarships that support students in both marine industries and short-term workforce training programs.
“This dedication celebrates the partnership between the college and the Belhaven community,” said Dr. David Loope, president of Beaufort CCC. “The Belhaven Troutfest Boatbuilding Laboratory represents the community’s ongoing generosity to the college, helping ensure that our students have the space and resources to learn, grow, and contribute to eastern North Carolina’s maritime economy.”
The laboratory is inside the 5,201-square-foot Boat Manufacturing Center, which was designed by JKF Architecture and built by A.R. Chesson Construction. Opened in 2023, the facility provides a modern instructional space where students learn every stage of boat construction and rigging, from reading blueprints to final assembly.
The Belhaven Trout Tournament and Festival, founded by Captain Hugh Sutton of Pungo Charters in partnership with Tim Askew and the Belhaven Chamber of Commerce, draws visitors from across the region for fishing, food, and community activities each October. Proceeds have supported scholarships for students in programs such as boat manufacturing, HVAC, CDL truck and bus driving, industrial sewing, and healthcare technician training.
“We are grateful that Hugh Sutton, Tim Askew, and the Belhaven Chamber of Commerce believed in the work we are doing and selected us as the benefactor of their successful tournament,” said Serena Sullivan, vice president of institutional advancement. “These scholarships have already helped 22 local residents gain the skills they need to thrive in high-demand industries right here in eastern North Carolina in just the first two years.”
The dedication included remarks from college leadership and representatives of the Belhaven Trout Tournament and Festival.
Beaufort County Community College serves Beaufort, Hyde, Tyrrell, and Washington Counties, providing accessible, high-quality education through academic, continuing education, and workforce development programs.