Over the past four years we have seen a significant rate of economic growth in greater Southport/Oak Island and Shallotte area of Brunswick Count, North Carolina. Brunswick County itself is the fastest growing county in North Carolina and fourth fastest in the nation in terms of both new housing starts and economic growth. Why? Because this is a great place to live, of course.

Southport is a town close enough to Wilmington to reach the conveniences of a big city and college campuses, yet just out of reach of the interstate traffic. The road from Wilmington passes a southern attraction, Orton Plantation, which is open to the public in the spring and summer months. The two-lane slowly meanders towards the coast, live oaks hang across the highway. Just before you get to town there are the conveniences of the super stores so you aren't ''in the woods'' entirely. Southport touts a 2,600 year round population that spurts up with the temperatures.

Several marinas in the area cater to the dock and dry lift boat enthusiasts and their services spill over to non-boaters. Fosters, located just behind the Southport Marina, offers a user-friendly ships' store, grocery, deli, kayak and bike rental, and a wash and fold service for the laundry-bound traveler. Steve Foster and Robin Schuster opened the store in 1999. ''We've got it all for coastal cruisers,'' he exclaimed when I walked over to talk with him and to drop off my laundry! Coastal cruisers come by car, boat or by plane to this quaint town. There is a small airport for private planes to land. Nearby Wilmington offers a larger airport (ILM) servicing the southeastern NC region.

The area is also home to some of the most recognized planned communities in the country, including St. James Plantation, Winding River Plantation, RiverSea Plantation, SeaWatch, Indigo Plantation, Magnolia Greens and River's Edge.

In addition, you will find lustrous white sand beaches, championship golf and fishing just minutes away. Southport itself boasts award-winning primary and secondary schools, and children find the are perfect for outdoor activities.

The greater Southport area has everything you could ever need in a community. Let the experts as Baio and Sons help you find the right place and build the right house to make your dream home a reality.