Chincoteague has been featured in Business View Magazine as part of the publication’s ongoing series highlighting economic growth and best practices in cities and towns across North America.
The feature is based on an in-depth interview between Chincoteague Mayor Denise Bowden and Business View Magazine Editor-in-Chief Karen Surca, focusing on how the island community balances tourism-driven prosperity with long-term sustainability and preservation of its local character.
Business View Magazine is a global business-to-business publication with more than 840,000 executive subscribers across North America. The magazine profiles municipalities, companies, and organizations involved in economic development and innovation.
The article, titled “How Wild Horses Drive this Virginia Island’s $1 Million Tourism Machine,” explores Chincoteague’s evolution from a seafood and poultry-based economy into one centered on tourism. Mayor Bowden notes that the town has repeatedly adapted to economic shifts over the past several decades, particularly after the devastating Ash Wednesday Storm of 1962 helped accelerate the island’s transition toward tourism.
Central to that transformation are the Chincoteague ponies and the annual Pony Swim, which marks its 100th anniversary in July 2025. According to the feature, the ponies help drive more than one million visitors each year to the island and the nearby Assateague Island National Seashore. The Pony Swim alone is expected to draw approximately 50,000 spectators next summer.
Town leaders interviewed for the story, including Council member Chris Bott and Town Manager Mike Tolbert, discuss the challenges that accompany tourism success, including infrastructure limitations, rising home prices, and the difficulty of expanding affordable housing on a geographically constrained island. Median home values on Chincoteague have climbed from under $100,000 in 2000 to nearly $350,000 today, creating pressure on the local workforce.
The feature also highlights ongoing efforts to revitalize historic downtown Chincoteague. Recent acquisition of additional sewage treatment capacity is expected to allow new businesses and mixed-use development that had been restricted for decades. Town officials say improvements to walkability and bike access are also part of the long-term vision.
Chincoteague Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Joanne Moore told the magazine that year-round events are key to stabilizing the local economy beyond the summer season. Festivals celebrating seafood, oysters, art, and local heritage help attract visitors during the spring and fall, while holiday events sustain activity during the winter months.
Environmental concerns and climate impacts are also addressed in the article. Erosion, storm recovery costs, and a major beach relocation project on nearby Assateague Island underscore the ongoing challenges coastal communities face as they plan for the future.
Mayor Bowden emphasized that responsible growth remains the town’s guiding principle. While economic development is necessary, she said preserving wildlife, historic character, and waterfront access is equally critical to Chincoteague’s identity.
The full feature appears in a current issue of Business View Magazine and is available through the publication’s digital platforms.
