Some interesting economic theories are being put forth here.
I wasn't aware that jiggle joints plus tackle shops add up to a fixed number. I suspect no one else is either.
The thing that is killing Virginia Beach fishing is the people who keep electing city officials who have no concept where the money comes from.
The last word I got on Va Beach revenue was that about 20% comes from tourists and about 20% comes from the military. Since the tourists are seasonal, those shops and restaurants that close outside the tourist season tell me that tourist dollars come fast for a couple of months and then taper off.
So what does Va Bch do? How about propose a 5 star resort? This is a city with it's only saltwater inlets blocked by fixed bridges, no airport, and no train station. Nearly all of those tourist dollars come through the HRBT and all you hear from the beach is how they don't want to pay for roads outside the city limits. Brilliant.
Those motels and condos aren't filled with military people. They stand mostly vacant for a good part of the year. Empty rooms support few tackle shops.
Want more tackle shops? Let's try inlets that can take a boat 60 feet tall, triple the current number of boat slips, and some serious incentives from the city to promote fall fishing to out of town people. Gosh, we might even become like San Diego and dwarf the military dollars with other revenue. Nah, it's too easy to blame someone and go back to sleep.
Those military dollars are pretty addictive. They aren't seasonal and are nearly recession proof. It's hard not to like that. The overwhelming majority of those dollars are going to such luxuries as rent, utilities, and food.
If you think North Carolina doesn't suck up to the worst elements of the military, you might want to spend a couple of days in Jacksonville. I believe Hatteras would do it too if they had a chance.
