North Carolina's Eastern Region Economic Development Guide 2013 14

North CAROLINA’s businessclimate.com/nc - eastern

Eastern Region Economic Development

Region invests in supporting, funding tech-based firms Local restaurants, attractions draw attention from travelers and tourists

Sailing Ahead

Region’s dedicated, skilled workforce propels growth Sponsored by North Carolina’s Eastern Region | 2013-14

BUSINESS

UTILITIES

GOvERNmENT

LANd

Statewide Law Practice Focused on Transactions and Litigation Involving Business, Utilities, Government and Land Offices in: WILSON • RALEIGH • KINSTON Toll-free: (877) 641-8848 • www.cauleypridgen.com

North CAROLINA’s Eastern Region Economic Development

14 Business Climate

Sailing Ahead

Dedicated, skilled workforce propels business growth in North Carolina’s Eastern Region, creating new jobs and strengthening the area economy.

18 Advanced Manufacturing

A Well-Oiled Machine The region builds expertise in industrial machinery production thanks to strong ecosystems and training programs.

Contents

2013-14 Edition | Volume 3

34

38 Education

Transportation

Today’s Students, Tomorrow’s Leaders

Roadways, rail carriers, airports and deepwater ports make the region a thriving logistics and shipping center.

Workforce training programs and STEM initiatives help the Eastern Region’s students get career ready.

Corridor for Growth

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Online

What’s on businessclimate.com/nc-eastern Business Climate Read more about the competitive advantages of North Carolina’s Eastern Region.

Education Explore workforce development and training programs offered by area educational institutions.

Transportation Learn more about logistics and transportation infrastructure in the region.

Tablet Take the region with you with a digital edition optimized for tablet viewing.

Trends Twitter

Demographics

Top Industries

Keep updated and informed on the latest real-time news, developments and information.

Drill down on the numbers behind the region’s powerhouse economy with a full set of statistics and data.

Learn more about the key industry sectors and top companies that make the region work.

Photo Gallery & Videos Our award-winning photographers show you the unique faces, spaces and places of North Carolina’s Eastern Region.

Learn more about what’s shaping the region’s business climate.

Top Employers Find out who the major players are in the region.

Livability Arts, culture, recreation, entertainment, education, health care and all the things that make the region an outstanding place to live.

Site Guide Links to comprehensive data on available land and buildings.

Cool Companies Meet more innovative, fast-growth businesses finding success.

6 || North Carolina's Eastern Region Economic Development

Contents

on the cover Water is an integral part of the culture in North Carolina’s Eastern Region.

Located on the Trent River, the New Bern Grand Marina is home to 225 boat slips.

Photo by Brian McCord

22

26

44

9 Overview

11 Discover

30

43 Economic Profile 60 Gallery

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Life Science

The Right Formula

30

Energy & technology

Energizing Startups

Partnerships give regional life science firms an innovative edge and support industry growth in the area.

Region invests in supporting and funding entrepreneurs and techbased firms.

26

44

Defense & Agriculture

Joining Forces Region’s agriculture industry seeks to fill food and fuel needs for local military installations.

Tourism & hospitality

Dishing it Out

Local restaurants, establishments draw a heaping of new business from travelers and tourists.

48 Livability

Stay Awhile Relaxed lifestyle, cultural gems and family-friendly attractions make the Eastern Region a top destination.

54

Health Care

Healthy Returns Advances in health care keep Eastern North Carolina on the cutting edge.

All or part of this magazine is printed with soy ink on recycled paper containing 10% post-consumer waste. Please recycle this magazine

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Amenities

• Complimentary hot breakfast buffet for hotel guests in the Ivy Room • City Bistro Restaurant in our hotel offers a variety of menu options with nightly entertainment • Outdoor pool • Exercise room offering a variety of equipment

• Extra-large business-class king hotel rooms with sofas • Junior suites and a Presidential suite

• Safety deposit boxes available • Copy machine and fax service available • 185 hotel rooms, seven luxury suites, four stories with interior corridors, electronic keyless entry for all guest rooms • Corporate boardrooms and meeting facilities available for groups of 10-500 people

• Same-day valet service (except weekends)

• Complimentary wireless high-speed Internet access at the lobby, pool, restaurant/lounge and meeting rooms, provided by Suddenlink.

• Free parking for our hotel guests

• New guest coin laundry facility

• News and Observer papers in lobby Monday-Saturday

Call (877) 271-2616 for reservations.

203 S.W. Greenville Blvd. • Greenville, NC 27858

(252) 355-8300 • www.cityhotelandbistro.com

Overview

Delivering the ‘Wow’ Factor North Carolina’s Eastern Region is An inviting place to invest, work and live

W

elcome to North Carolina’s Eastern Region, a 13-county area of more than 1 million people.

The region offers a favorable labor environment, low cost of living, developable land and sites, worldclass transportation, a central location to market, and colleges and universities. A signature development in the region is the 5,700-acre Global TransPark near Kinston, which combines space for industrial development with an airport offering an 11,500-foot runway and one of the region’s two Foreign Trade Zones. The Port of Morehead City sits just four miles from the open waters of the Atlantic Ocean and handles break-bulk and bulk cargo.

The North Carolina Community College System’s 11 campuses that serve the area give the region a powerful set of tools for developing labor skills, and brand-name manufacturers have invested here including Mt. Olive Pickles, Moen, Bosch/ Siemens, Lennox, General Electric, Electrolux, Sara Lee, the Cheesecake Factory, Spirit Aerosystems, AAR and Honeywell.

With its proximity to the Research Triangle, the region has crafted a life sciences sector employing more than 5,000 people in pharmaceuticals, medical device manufacturing, marine sciences and nutrition, and advanced biofuels. East Carolina University, a major research center, includes a medical campus

with schools of medicine, nursing, allied health sciences and a new school of dental medicine.

Playing on North Carolina’s high national ranking in areas like sweet potato, cucumber, hog, poultry and seafood production, more than 20,000 people in the region work for some 160 valueadded agriculture facilities.

The Eastern Region is not all business. From the earliest Colonial settlements to the African-American experience, the region embraces its history. It offers spectacular natural assets, world-class culture and top-rated beaches. Music and entertainment

options coupled with a moderate temperatures, safe neighborhoods, unique locally owned shops and shorter commute times provide an unparalleled quality of life.

Whether it’s coastal living or larger city amenities, the Eastern Region delivers a sophisticated, multi-faceted economy that will make you want to work where you want to live.

North Carolina’s Eastern Region 3802 Highway 58 N. Kinston, NC 28504 (800) 474-8499 www.nceast.org

north carolina’s eastern region

95

NASH

64

Raleigh

Nashville EDGECO M BE Rocky Mount Tarboro

264

Wilson

Greenville

WILSO N

40

GREENE 70 95

795 13

Goldsboro

Snow Hill

Kinston

WAYNE

LENO IR

Mount Olive

CRAV EN

Trenton

11

JO NES

Kenansville

17

24

DUPLIN 40

Washington

PITT

Bayboro New Bern PAMLICO

Oriental

CRAV EN

O NSLOW

Havelock

Jacksonville

CARTERET

Morehead City ATL ANTIC OCEAN

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Discover North Carolina’s Eastern Region

One of the region’s top attractions is the North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores.

Things to Do

The Eyes Have It Scenic wonders dot North Carolina’s Eastern Region, from sightings of wild horses along Shackleford Banks in Beaufort and white sea turtle exhibits at the North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores to historic lighthouses and fishing villages along Cape Lookout National Seashore. Other must-see attractions in the area include: Whirligig Park: Opening in November 2013, the downtown

Wilson park will showcase more than 30 eclectic windmill-styled sculptures created by late local folk artist Vollis Simpson. The park will also include an amphitheater, an interactive water feature and picnic seating.

CSS Neuse: Used by the Confederate navy during the Civil War, this ironclad gunboat draws Civil War buffs to Kinston. Visitors can check out the new CSS Neuse Civil War Interpretive Center to see the historic vessel.

Croatan National Forest: Filled with pine trees, black bears, bogs, saltwater estuaries, raised swamps and wading birds, this Havelock preserve is the only true coastal forest located along the East Coast. Blackwater creeks and saltwater marshes run through the 160,000-acre forest, attracting canoers and kayakers. Visitors also enjoy bicycling, hiking, camping, fishing, hunting, horseback riding, picnicking and wildlife viewing. businessclimate.com/nc-eastern

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fast fact

Cool Companies

480K+

people make up the Eastern Region’s thriving workforce, which includes more than 34,000 business establishments in a wide variety of industries

Cooler Than Ever Eastern North Carolina is home to two of the nation’s leading cold storage manufacturers, both of which have operated in the region for several years.

Frank Door Company in Newport manufactures cold storage doors and traffic doors installed in coolers, freezers and refrigerated warehouses. In operation since the late 1980s, the manufacturer was the first to introduce a choice of color in cold storage doors. Its doors can be found in hospitals, supermarkets, convenience stores, restaurants, universities and processing facilities. Another industry leader is Bally Refrigerated Boxes, which makes walk-in coolers, freezers and refrigerated buildings in Morehead City. The company has been producing iceboxes since the 1930s – back when they were actually cooled by blocks of ice – and is known for pioneering the use of non-ozone-depleting panels in cold storage doors, reducing ozone damage from its products by 90 percent.

signature business

Sweet Success One of the most popular wineries in the Southeast happens to be in the Eastern North Carolina community of Rose Hill. Known for its premier sweet red wine, Duplin Winery was founded in the early 1970s and is the oldest operating winery in North Carolina. Forty employees work at the 1,800-acre winery, producing and shipping more than 1.4 million gallons – which fills about 300,000 cases – each year. Duplin Winery welcomes 100,000 visitors annually to free tasting events Monday through Saturday at its 40-foot bar, and on-site banquet facilities for weddings, celebrations and corporate functions are also available. In addition to its popular Magnolia wine that has been featured as a summertime favorite in Martha Stewart Living magazine, the winery’s menu includes Hatteras red, scuppernong, blush, fruit, seasonal, specialty, champagne and non-alcoholic bottles. Thanks to its steady growth and success, Duplin Winery has also been honored with a Hot Brand award from Impact magazine, as well as a Fast Track award from Beverage Information Group.

For more information about the winery, visit www.duplinwinery.com.

The area is home to North Carolina’s oldest operating winery.

made Here

Where Pepsi Was Born New Bern is known as the birthplace of Pepsi, thanks to pharmacist Caleb Branham’s invention of a concoction he called Brad’s Drink in the late 1800s. Since 1898, the drink has been marketed as Pepsi-Cola, and the drugstore where it was invented is open to the public, known today as The Pepsi Store. Owned and operated by Ayden-based Minges Bottling Group, the store opened its doors on the cola’s 100th anniversary. Visitors who stop by can enjoy a Pepsi served from an old-fashioned soda fountain and browse through memorabilia and Pepsi-themed souvenirs.

Fast Fact

65

miles of white-sand beaches are located in North Carolina’s Eastern Region and stretch across Carteret, Craven and Onslow counties

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Business Climate

Sailing Ahead N

Dedicated, skilled workforce propels business growth in North Carolina’s Eastern Region

orth Carolina’s 13-county Eastern Region traditionally ranks among the state’s top five areas in which to do business and for good reasons, says John Chaffee, president and CEO of North Carolina’s Eastern Region Development Commission.

“We’ve made infrastructure improvements, and we have the backdrop of highly regarded universities and community colleges,” he says. “We’re globally minded, and we have excellent logistics and location, with the transcontinental interstate I-40 connecting our region to California and the East Coast ‘Main Street’ Interstate 95. During the recession, we continued to grow, and our average salary went up.”

Chaffee says his office strives to provide local companies with every advantage possible.

14 || North Carolina's Eastern Region Economic Development

“We are doing what we can to spur economic growth,” he says. “We’ve worked with the U.S. Commercial Service and North Carolina International Trade Division to promote exports and have identified where companies can go to receive assistance to manage international trade.

We’ve also formed partnerships with East Carolina University to help entrepreneurs.”

Workforce Powers Region Leading all of the region’s growth is its top-notch workforce, Chaffee says.

“We’re a relatively rural region,” he says. “We have five small metro areas, but not one that exceeds a 200,000 population. Our rural area means we have a strong work ethic on the part of residents.”

Draka Elevator Products recently expanded its Rocky Mount operation in Nash County, investing $3.1 million and adding more than 67 jobs to the workforce. The facility creates specialized cable for cellular communication towers.

High-school graduation rates are higher than state and national averages, and several of the region’s high schools offer STEM programs to prepare students for future careers in science, technology, engineering and math. The region also has 11 community colleges, five of which offer advanced manufacturing and machining programs.

“Businesses are often looking to recruit graduates who have applied science degrees,” Chaffee says.

“They need people who can build components for medical devices, appliances, auto parts and industrial machinery. Our schools offer training programs that feed directly into those industry segments.”

Chaffee notes that the region also leads the state in promoting WorkKeys and Career Readiness Certificates, a program that matches people to jobs.

“Local companies enter job profiles, and we can

match candidates who have those skills,” he says. “It accelerates the hiring process because companies look at only the most qualified employees. We have over 40,000 individuals in our region with career readiness certificates and more than 135 companies that do job profiling. Our employers are saying that it’s a great tool, lowers their hiring cost and reduces turnover.

That has a huge impact on our business environment.”

Industries, Businesses Grow North Carolina’s Eastern Region is home to a diversified economy that supports an array of industries, including defense, aerospace, logistics, life science, automotive production and value-added agriculture. All of these clusters are growing.

“One of our largest clusters is the aerospace businessclimate.com/nc-eastern ||

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North Carolina’s Eastern Region: By the Numbers Rising High School Graduation Rate

Regional assets

11 campuses of the North Carolina Community College System

85

Percentage

80

40,000 workers with Career Readiness Certificates, or CRCs

75

5,700-acre Global TransPark, which includes a Foreign Trade Zone and an 11,500-foot runway

70

Access to the transcontinental I-40 as well as I-95, known as the East Coast’s “Main Street”

65

60 2005-06

2007-08

Region

2009-10

State

20+ top manufacturing companies including Georgia-Pacific and Kidde Aerospace

2011-12

National

Growth in Population:

50000

Per Capita Income:

NCER North Carolina United States

45000

Percent Change from 2009 to 2014: 9.8%

34941

34893

2004

35122

2003

34601

5000

33364

2014 Projection

33276

2010 Census

25000

32508

30000

31656

1,101,399

2009 Estimate

1,035,502

2000 Census

1,002,771

916,141

35000

35993

40000

20000 15000 10000

2005 2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

Employment by Sector:

Services

297,723

Education and Health

94,664

Goods Production

83,098

16 || North Carolina's Eastern Region Economic Development

Trade, Transportation and Utilities

74,114

Manufacturing

49,697

[industry], with 12,000 people employed,” Chaffee says. “The life science sector is also strong, with about 6,000 people employed.”

Several area companies have experienced recent growth. Wire and cable manufacturer Draka Elevator Products completed a $3.1 million expansion and added 67 jobs to its Nash County facility, where it makes specialized cable for cellular communication towers.

Hospira, a medical device manufacturer, just embarked on a $270 million expansion and modernization of its Nash County facility, while metals processor and distributor Joseph T. Ryerson & Son Inc. added 44 jobs to its Wayne County fabrication facility and increased its square footage to 90,000. In addition, EastCoast Packaging Corp. relocated its custom-packaging operation to Nash County, investing $1.5 million in the area and creating nine new jobs.

“Our area is very diverse,” Chaffee says. “We have continued to grow, providing job opportunities for our residents and growth opportunities for our area businesses.”

Story by Stephanie Vozza Photography by Brian McCord

East Carolina University is one of the region’s many higher education institutions.

BUSINESS

CLIMATE

Sailing Right Along

N

DEDIC WORKFORCEATED, SKILLED GROW TH IN PROPELS BUSINESS NORTH CAROL INA’S EASTERN REGIO N

orth Carolina’s 13-county Eastern Region traditionall y ranks among companies with every the state’s top advantage possible.

“We are doing five areas in to do business which what we can growth,” he to spur economic and for good says. “We’ve reasons, says worked with Commercia John Chaffee, the U.S. l Service and Carolina’s Easternpresident and CEO North Internation of North al Trade Division Carolina Region Developmen Commissio have identified to promote n. t exports and “We’ve made assistance to where companies can go infrastructu manage to we have the re improvemen formed partnership international trade. receive backdrop of ts, and highly regarded and community to help entrepreneu s with East Carolina We’ve also universities colleges,” he University rs.” minded, and we have excellentsays. “We’re globally Workforce with the transcontin logistics and Powers Region location, ental interstate our region to I-40 connecting Leading all California and of the region’s Street’ Interstate the East Coast workforce, growth is its ‘Main 95. During Chaffee top-notch continued to “We’re a relativelysays. grow, and our the recession, we average Chaffee says rural region,” five small metro his office strives salary went up.” he says. “We areas, but not to provide local 200,000 population. one that exceeds have Our rural area a strong work 14 || north carolina's means ethic on the part of residents.” we have a eastern region economic

Development

review

Draka Elevator than 67 jobs Products recently expanded to the workforce.

The facility its Rocky Mount operation creates specialized in Nash cable for cellular County, investing $3.1 million communicatio and adding n towers. more

High-schoo l graduation rates are higher and national averages, and high schools several of the than state “Local companies offer STEM region’s programs to students for match candidates enter job profiles, prepare future careers and we can who have those engineering in accelerates skills,” he says. and math. The science, technology, the hiring process “It community look at only colleges, five region also has 11 the most qualified because companies of which offer manufactur 35,000 individuals employees. ing and machining advanced We have in our region “Businesses readiness certificates programs. with career are who have applied often looking to recruit that do job profiling. and more than 135 graduates companies science degrees,” Our employers “They need it’s a great tool, Chaffee says. people are saying that medical devices, who can build components turnover. That lowers their hiring cost and reduces appliances, has a huge impact industrial machinery. auto parts and for environmen on our business t.”

Our schools programs that offer training feed directly Industries, segments.” into those industry Businesses Grow Chaffee notes North that the region Carolina’s Eastern in promoting also leads the diversified WorkKeys and economy that Region is home to a Certificates Career Readinessstate supports an industries, , a program array of including defense, that matches life science, people to jobs. aerospace, logistics, tourism and value-added All of these agriculture. clusters are growing. businessclim

ate.com/nc-e

astern

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Digital Magazine Read it online or on your tablet and quickly share articles with friends.

Hospira is investing $270 million in an expansion of its Nash County facility.

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Advanced Manufacturing

A WellOiled Machine Region builds expertise in industrial machinery production thanks to strong ecosystems and training programs

Low costs, prime location and other advantages serve the region’s advanced manufacturing cluster

colleges and universities train students to enter the workforce at local manufacturing firms

18 || North Carolina's Eastern Region Economic Development

Students have access to state-of-the-art equipment and can intern with area companies for on-the-job experience

NACCO Materials Handling Group, the operating subsidiary of Hyster-Yale Materials Handling, Inc., makes industrial equipment in Greenville for a range of industries.

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A

semi carrying a load of pharmaceuticals down the highway has deep roots in North Carolina’s Eastern Region.

That semi is likely powered by a Cummins diesel made in Rocky Mount, the pharmaceuticals were probably packed by machines made by Aylward Enterprises in New Bern, and the truck may have been loaded using materials

Advanced manufacturing students get hands-on training at Edgecombe Community College’s Tarboro campus.

handling equipment produced by Greenville’s NACCO Materials Handling Group, the operating subsidiary of Hyster-Yale Materials Handling, Inc. These are just a few of the companies that power the region’s advanced manufacturing cluster, which is developing a growing niche in the production of industrial machinery.

Another company based in Wilson, Industrial Automated Systems, designs and builds control systems for automation and information applications used to power many manufacturing operations.

Ecosystem Offers Competitive Edge Several advantages make the region a competitive location for manufacturers in this niche, including: low taxes and

20 || North Carolina's Eastern Region Economic Development

costs; financial incentives for job creation, investment, and research and development; a central location along the East Coast and multimodal transportation network; and a skilled workforce with CNC-machining expertise and, often, military training.

A growing ecosystem like this offers manufacturers a support base that promotes excellence.

“The benefits of having other industrial machinery manufacturers here include opportunities to benchmark other facilities and grow our knowledge of best-in-class processes and procedures,” says John Angster, Vice President of Human Resources, NMHG Americas.

These firms draw on a rich pool of regional talent, as well as training programs offered by area colleges and universities to prepare workers for this field.

To support its production of diesel engines for industrial and marine applications, Cummins Rocky Mount Engine Plant has partnered with North Carolina Wesleyan College to provide management education to its employees.

Workers seeking to enhance their skills or complete their college degrees can enroll and attend in a location adjacent to their workplace, and courses such as Organizational Behavior and Human Resource Management are available.

NMHG has partnered with Pitt Community College in Winterville to offer customized technical and leadership training to its workers.

“Also we have utilized East Carolina University and North Carolina State University to provide training on more specialized topics, which include supply chain management, and quality tools such as Value Stream Mapping for several of our more complex internal processes,” Angster explains.

Bringing Workers Up to Speed The demand for skilled positions at area manufacturing firms is growing all the time, and the N.C. Advanced Manufacturing Alliance at Edgecombe Community College equips students to fill those needs. With campuses in both Tarboro and Rocky Mount, the school

offers programs that are geared toward recent high-school graduates as well as experienced workers looking for skills to help them advance or pursue a new career. The college offers a variety of certification programs to help workers meet national standards.

“Our focus is training machine integrators to be able to set up a complex network and to automate the manufacturing process, and maintain and troubleshoot that network,” says Dr. Paul Petersen, project coordinator at Edgecombe Community College.

The U.S. Department of Labor recently awarded the N.C. Advanced Manufacturing Alliance $18.8 million to help train workers in the manufacturing industry.

Edgecombe received $1.2 million of that grant and used it to add new equipment, including computercontrolled vertical milling machines and lathes, robots to service the lathes, and a robotic welder. Along with state-of-the-art training equipment, the college allows students in the program to intern with area companies to gain on-the-job experience – and

possibly future employment.

“Students know when they come out of the program they will have the technical background they need, and the internships give the company and the potential employee a chance to work with each other before they’re hired,” Petersen says.

Story by Gary Wollenhaupt Photography by Brian McCord

Read more about advanced manufacturing in the region at businessclimate.com/nc-eastern.

Advanced Manufacturing in North Carolina’s Eastern Region

Along with makers of industrial machinery, a diverse group of advanced manufacturers call North Carolina’s Eastern Region home. Some of the area’s fastest-growing niches within the industry include:

Aerospace Industry size: More than 13,000 workers in the region produce aircraft fuselages, precision tools, fuel systems, electrical components, signal testing instruments and more.

Leading firms: Spirit Aerosystems, AAR Mobility Systems and Eaton

Automotive Components Industry size: Approximately 2,700 employees in more than 40 firms throughout the region are involved in the manufacturing of engines and engine parts.

Leading firms: Cummins Rocky Mount Engine Plant, Stanadyne, ASMO, Cooper Standard and Bridgestone/ Firestone

Household Goods

HVAC Equipment

Industry size: Nearly 4,000 employees in the region make consumer durable goods, from cabinets and wood components to commercial appliances and household products.

Industry size: The region is home to a growing group of companies that manufacture heating and cooling equipment and related products, as well as more than 40 machine shops capable of providing parts and support services to HVAC manufacturers.

Leading firms: Weyerhaeuser, BSH, Electrolux, Moen, MasterBrand and Lenox

Leading firms: Mestek, Field Controls and Air Systems Components

Precision Instruments and Equipment Industry size: Sixteen firms in the region employ 1,400 workers in operations involving the production of precision tools, electrical and signal testing instruments.

Leading firms: Honeywell, Kidde Aerospace and Aylward

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Life Science

The Right Formula

N

orth Carolina is ranked the third-largest state for life science companies and its 13-county Eastern Region is a big reason why.

From international firms to homegrown startups, the region is a magnet for biotech and pharmaceutical innovators as well as medical device manufacturers.

Proximity to North Carolina’s Research Triangle and leading hospitals, universities and

research centers are reasons life science companies choose to locate in the area. Other draws of the region include its low operating costs, skilled workforce and customized programs through the North Carolina Community College System to train workers for the field.

Pharmaceutical manufacturer Hospira, a leading provider of injectable medicines and infusion technologies, is expanding its operations in Nash County, investing up to $270 million over the next three years and creating an additional 200 jobs.

Partnerships give regional life science firms an innovative edge and support industry growth in the area Spinoff firms launched by higher-education institutions like East Carolina University (ECU) are also thriving.

“Relative to where we’ve been, the life sciences are exploding (in this area), but we’re still developing,” says Dr. Samuel Sears, partner at QOL-Apps Inc. in Greenville and director of cardiac psychology services at ECU’s East Carolina Heart Institute.

QOL-Apps creates phone applications that help patients adjust to implanted defibrillators.

These defibrillators sense when a patient’s heartbeat becomes too

“Relative to where we’ve been, the life sciences are exploding (in this area), but we’re still developing.”

Dr. Samuel Sears, partner at QOL-Apps Inc.

22 || North Carolina's Eastern Region Economic Development

The East Carolina Heart Institute at East Carolina University is a leader in cardiac research.

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Distribution of Region’s Life Science Assets

TA RBORO

NASHVILL E

ROCKY MOUN T

W I L S ON

G REE NV I L L E S NOW H I L L G OL SB O RO K I N STO N NE W B E R N B AY B O R O T R E NT O N WA RS AW

JAC K S O N V I L LE

University or Federal lab

MOREHEAD CITY

R&D Biopharma mfg.

Medical products mfg.

Life science suppliers and service providers Other Bioscience mfg.

fast and send a high-energy shock to the heart to prevent the patient from going into cardiac arrest.

Living with a device like this can be a difficult adjustment on many levels, including psychologically and emotionally.

QOL-Apps’ app helps patients develop strategies to overcome their issues with the device. The app is currently on the market, and Dr. Sears hopes to develop more apps for other health

conditions, such as chronic pain and insomnia.

Innovative Partnerships QOL-Apps exemplifies the business-university partnerships that give the region’s life science industry an innovative edge.

Cutting-edge technology is also being developed through ECU’s Training for Optimal Performance Biofeedback Program, which helps wounded

24 || North Carolina's Eastern Region Economic Development

warriors manage traumatic brain injuries and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), among other potential problems, such as cardiac conditions.

“Primarily, it’s an educational training program around brain waves, heart rate or any physiological variable,” says Dr. Carmen Russoniello, director of ECU’s Psychophysiology Lab and Biofeedback Clinic. “Patients learn how to change in relationship to

Regional Biotech Leaders Key companies in eastern North Carolina’s life science industry include: Alderon Biosciences: Conducts research and development for point-of-care diagnostics BD (Becton, Dickinson & Co.): Develops, manufactures and sells medical devices, instrument systems and reagents Carolina Medical Products: Makes dermatological products CTMG: Manages clinical trials DSM Pharmaceuticals: Manufactures biopharmaceutical drugs Goldsboro Labs: Makes animal vaccines Hospira: Produces injectable medicines and infusion technologies Merck: Makes medicines, vaccines, biologic therapies, and consumer health and animal products Metrics: Provides analytical services, drug development and manufacturing

the stimulus that affects them.”

Biotech innovators in the region also thrive on each other’s ingenuity.

Greenville-based MxBiodevices LLC is working on a product to treat diabetic foot ulcers based on wound care technology licensed and developed by another area biotech firm, Pioneer Surgical.

Dr. Ronald Hill, managing partner for MxBiodevices, says the company hopes its technology will receive approval in Europe in 18 months and

FDA approval in about three years.

“For Mx, eastern North Carolina is the perfect location,” Dr. Hill says. “We get great support from the North Carolina Biotech Office in Greenville.

If we can grow this cluster and increase the employment base, people can move from one company to another or expand their businesses along with their ideas.”

Story by Kelly Kagamas Tomkies Photography by Brian McCord

Purdue Pharmaceuticals L.P.: Produces oral solid dosage tablets for paint management RTI Surgical: Specializes in tissue regeneration, biopolymer research and development Sandoz (Novartis): Manufactures oral-dosage generic pharmaceuticals West Pharmaceutical: Services syringe plungers/ IV system components businessclimate.com/nc-eastern

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A jet is displayed at the Havelock Police Department near Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point.

Joining Forces Region’s agriculture industry seeks to fill food and fuel needs for local military installations

26 || North Carolina's Eastern Region Economic Development

defense & Agriculture

W

hether it’s promoting renewable energy, feeding the armed forces or preserving land around military installations, the agriculture and military sectors in North Carolina’s Eastern Region are working together in ways that could give the area a huge economic boost.

The region’s agriculture and defense industries are its biggest economic contributors by far. The military has more than a $6.6 billion economic impact on the region and is its largest employer, supporting more than 83,000 jobs.

Agriculture is the largest contributor to the region’s gross domestic product and accounts for more than 20,000 jobs.

Military, Agriculture Synergy “There is a synergistic relationship between the agriculture and defense industries in the region,” says John Chaffee, president and chief executive officer of North Carolina’s Eastern Region Development Commission.

“We are working on several fronts to improve the connectivity between these two important sectors.”

Having a strong, stable agricultural sector not only helps the region preserve farming-related jobs, it also ensures the military has viable land to use for their training and related activities, Chaffee explains. This is vital considering Eastern North Carolina has the thirdlargest concentration of military installations in the nation, including Camp Lejeune, two Marine Corps air stations – Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point and Marine Corps Air Station New River – and Seymour Johnson Air Force Base.

Having a healthy agricultural industry offers other strategic advantages, too.

The region is among the nation’s largest

A Marine tackles an obstacle course at Camp Lejeune in Jacksonville.

producers of turkeys, chickens and hogs as well as a major grower of sweet potatoes, cucumbers and soybeans. Food producers in the region include wellknown names like Butterball, Sara Lee, Smithfield Foods, Mt. Olive Pickles and the Cheesecake Factory.

With such extensive food production taking place nearby, the region’s leaders are working to get more locally produced food products on the tables of area military installations.

Region is A top producer of

Chicken

Food, Fuel for Forces One formal partnership between the region’s agricultural and military communities is the Food & Fuel for the Forces Program (FF4F). Regional leaders involved in the program are working to gauge precisely what type and amount of food production is required locally to match the consumption of area military forces, says George Miller, who manages FF4F for the region. Once that determination is made, steps can be taken to better align the supply and demand.

As a result, “growers in the Eastern Region should see increased financial opportunities,” Miller says.

Hogs

Turkey

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27

Military Might More than 84,000 active military personnel serve at four major bases located through North Carolina’s Eastern Region, and nearly 7,000 are discharged from these bases annually. These transitioning military personnel have expertise in the following areas: engineering, logistics, simulation, IT service, food preparation, engineering, truck driving, heavy equipment operation, and aircraft, engine, vehicle, facility and electrical maintenance.

A change of command ceremony takes place at Stone Bay, a satellite facility of Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune.

28 || North Carolina's Eastern Region Economic Development

The military is also undertaking major efforts to reduce its dependence on foreign oil and use more renewable fuels, or biofuels setting a goal of using 50 percent biofuels by 2016.

Helping the military achieve that goal could significantly benefit the Eastern Region, which is working with the Biofuels Center of North Carolina in Oxford to increase biofuel production in the area. Known as the Eastern Gain biofuels project, the initiative draws upon growers, producers and the military to meet strategic needs for both renewable fuels and preservation of land around bases. Its goal is to build infrastructure to produce 50 million gallons of advanced biofuels per year for the military and other users by 2015.

“Eastern North Carolina perfectly merges rich agriculture, vital bases and this new biofuels vision,” says the Biofuels Center’s Director of Eastern and Military Partnerships Terry Carter.

The region is full of crops and trees that serve as primary sources of feedstock for biofuels, and developing production facilities in the area capable of converting this feedstock into biofuels for the military is a future possibility for the region.

In July 2011, Camp Lejeune received its first shipment of biodiesel fuel that was grown, processed and blended in North Carolina.

“This represented the first fruit of our efforts to get homegrown biodiesel to our military forces,” Miller says.

Story by John Fuller

Discover more about the region’s agriculture and defense industries at businessclimate.com/nc-eastern.

Number of military jobs in the region: 84,000

Number of agriculture jobs in the region: 20,000

= 5,000 jobs

Source: North Carolina’s Eastern Region

A MV-22 Osprey receives user maintenance on board MCAS New River.

The Food & Fuel for the Forces Program (FF4F) is working to sustain both the defense and agriculture industry within the region.

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energy & Technology

Energizing Startups Region invests in supporting and funding entrepreneurs and tech-based firms

E

ntrepreneurs have an ally in North Carolina’s Eastern Region.

A wealth of regional initiatives and partnerships give startup firms, especially those in advanced manufacturing and other high-tech fields, the support they need to bring their ideas to fruition and get their ventures off the ground.

One of those support systems is the Center for Strategic Economic Growth, a $1.6 million center launched by the University of North Carolina’s Kenan Institute to back high-growth businesses and entrepreneurial ventures in Eastern North Carolina.

“We are currently developing a model that will efficiently allow us to identify companies in Eastern North Carolina that have the highest potential to expand and add jobs, finding out what those companies need to grow and mobilizing community resources to assist them,” says Dennis English, coordinator at the center.

30 || North Carolina's Eastern Region Economic Development

The center has worked with the Carolinas Gateway Partnership, which serves Nash and Edgecombe counties, to develop a road map for expanding economic activity, broadening the tax base and increasing job opportunities for residents.

“Our grant timeline indicates that direct assistance to entrepreneurs and growth businesses will commence in year two; however, we have already begun some outreach in this regard,” English says.

“For example, we have facilitated business consulting services to assist businesses exploring franchising.

We have corralled other regional resources, experts in helping business owners develop franchises and the industry’s leading franchise consultancy, providing a free executive franchise service for outplacement firms and career coaches.”

Another new collaborative initiative led by the North Carolina Rural Economic Development Center is working with local and regional groups to provide educational and business development

The Kinston Enterprise Center is a small business incubator that comprises 30,000 square feet in the city’s downtown area.

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business plans, perform market research and complete grant applications.

“We work with those in emerging technology,” she says. “We look for companies on a rocket growth path, which creates a high return on investment.”

ECU’s Entrepreneurial Initiative has assisted several companies, Hackney says, including Greenville-based Clinical Trial Management Group, which has grown from zero to 40 employees in just a few years.

The outlook for more entrepreneurial activity is positive. Other seed funds like the Inception MicroAngel Fund (IMAF) East in Greenville and in Rocky Mount have been created in the region to serve startup companies.

Business incubators are also prevalent throughout the region in cities like Greenville, Goldsboro, Kinston and Wilson. Offering low-rent space to startups in Kinston and Lenoir County, the Kinston Enterprise Center helps with writing business plans, developing marketing strategies and funding proposals, and can accommodate as many as 30 office suites.

In Pitt County, the Technology Enterprise Center of Eastern Carolina offers office, laboratory and light manufacturing space for technology-based companies.

Story by Stephanie Vozza Photography by Brian McCord

opportunities to current and future entrepreneurs in Lenoir, Greene, Wayne, Wilson, Edgecombe and Pitt counties. Its focus includes spurring growth among area aerospace and automotive manufacturers and their suppliers.

East Carolina University’s Entrepreneurial Initiative In Greenville, East Carolina University’s Entrepreneurial Initiative matches up resources with firms in need.

“Our foremost mission is to create an investment community for entrepreneurs,” says Director Marty Hackney. “Most entrepreneurs are interested in funding, and our investor network has provided money for companies in different stages.

“The second thing an entrepreneur looks for is mentoring,” she continues. “We have a network of more than 100 people who are experienced in entrepreneurial and commercialization pathways.

Some are investor advocates; not only is that person willing to write a check, but they roll up their sleeves and work alongside the entrepreneurs. Many of the companies we’ve helped have investors serving on their board.”

Hackney says her offices also provide support in grant funding, market analysis and business models.

She has a team of MBA students who help write

Incubators in Eastern North Carolina The Eastern Region has a wide network of incubators where entrepreneurs can find resources to help get their startups off the ground.

Edgecombe County Industrial Incubator Battleboro Rocky Mount

Wilson

RMECDC Industrial And Retail Incubator

Fountian Greenville Farmville

Upper Coastal Plain Business Development Center Goldsboro

Kinston

Technology Enterprise Center of Eastern Carolina

Kinston Enterprise Center Warsaw

Trenton

West Ridge Center Morehead City

WestPark Business Tech Center and Eastern Carolina Food Ventures Incubator Kitchen

Farmville Small Business Incubator

32 || North Carolina's Eastern Region Economic Development

Jones County Business Center

success story

Courting Athletes Tech startup helps student athletes get into the job game

While playing basketball at Lehigh University in Pennsylvania, Vincent McCaffrey was a dedicated student athlete, but he often found himself at a disadvantage to his non-athlete friends.

“When employers came on campus looking for potential hires, I was always at practice or traveling for a game,” he says. “I later realized that this was an unfortunate circumstance other athletes experienced, too. Working in the business world, I’ve had a chance to hire and work with many individuals, and I’ve found that former student athletes make great employees.”

McCaffrey’s experience inspired him to found Game Theory Group, a Greenville-based tech startup that helps student athletes transition into the workforce.

“Everyone I talk with tends to have anecdotal experience about working with former athletes,” McCaffrey says.

“Employees like these tend to be goaloriented, have good time management skills and work well with teams. They also handle feedback well, having been on the receiving end of a coach’s direct criticism.”

Through its website, gametheorygroup.com, the company works with college athletic departments, student athletes and potential employers to match employees with companies.

The site also helps athletes prepare for their future careers by offering Webbased learning modules that focus on building a network, job search skills, resume development and interviewing skills. Students can also use the learning modules to improve academic performance, focusing on study skills and goals, and career placement services are available.

“We work with 17 schools across the country, including North Carolina State, University of Kentucky, University of Michigan and Michigan State,” McCaffrey says. “We’re growing rapidly, with plans to start working with high schools.”

McCaffrey says his company has

helped place student athletes with companies such as Reckitt Benckiser Pharmaceuticals Inc., Goldman Sachs and Teradata.

“The Greenville area has been fantastic,” says McCaffrey, who operates out of the Technology Enterprise Center

of Eastern Carolina. “We’ve worked with the local economic development authority and received consulting services from the Small Business & Technology Development Center. This is a great place to launch a business.”

– Stephanie Vozza

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The Port of Morehead City is situated four miles from the Atlantic Ocean.

34 || North Carolina's Eastern Region Economic Development

Transportation

Corridor for Growth Roadways, railways, airports and deepwater ports make the region a thriving logistics and shipping center

L

ogistics and distribution companies are going places in North Carolina’s Eastern Region, due in large part to the region’s diverse multimodal transportation network.

The 13-county region offers convenient east-west access along Interstate 40 as well as northsouth access via I-95. Other key routes running through the region

include I-795 and U.S. Highways 64, 264 and 70, along with U.S. 17, 117 and 258, and NC state routes 11, 24, 55 and 58.

Many road upgrades and expansions are also in the works, including U.S. 70 bypasses around Havelock and Goldsboro that will boost access to Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina Global TransPark, Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point and the Port of Morehead City. A U.S. 17 bypass of New Bern is also under

construction, as well as several projects in and around Jacksonville, which is home to USMC Camp Lejuene.

“The strong highway system in the Eastern Region is vital to us because we have warehouse and distribution facilities in Tarboro, Rocky Mount and Plymouth,” says Harold Hobgood, business development manager at Kanban Logistics trucking company, which hauls products throughout North Carolina and southern businessclimate.com/nc-eastern

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Virginia. “We also have a rail spur and a Foreign Trade Zone at Rocky Mount. The FTZ allows companies doing international business to store goods at our warehouse and avoid several customs duties, government taxes and cargo examination policies.”

Besides Rocky Mount, in the region are located at the North Carolina Global TransPark business complex in Kinston and

facilities. Together, the two projects will cost an estimated $120 million, making them the most expensive expansion project in the port system’s history.

Adding to the region’s export capabilities are Panamax-ready ports within a two-hour drive away at Hampton Roads in the Norfolk area.

Air access is also plentiful in the region. Regional airports in

Rail carriers CSX and Norfolk Southern transport goods throughout the region.

the deepwater ports of Morehead City and Wilmington.

Developments at Ports, Airports At Morehead City and Wilmington, the North Carolina State Ports Authority is planning to construct wood-pellet handling

Greenville, Jacksonville and New Bern offer daily flights to the major cities of Atlanta; Charlotte; Washington, D.C.; and Philadelphia, and a new terminal is slated for the Albert J. Ellis Airport in Jacksonville. Both Raleigh-Durham and Wilmington international airports are also

within proximity of the region.

Complementing air cargo service at regional commercial airports is the Kinston Regional Jetport, the centerpiece of the 1,500-acre Global TransPark, which features a 11,500-foot runway – the longest commercial runway between Washington, D.C., and Atlanta.

More Access Ahead A newly completed Norfolk Southern rail spur at the Global TransPark gives companies direct access to the Port of Morehead City and Midwest and West Coast markets, along with a connection to the future I-795 bypass.

“Connecting the TransPark to more transportation corridors is a key way to improve overall connectivity in the Eastern Region,” says J. Mac Daughety, chairman of the Lenoir County Transportation Committee.

“Transportation is a major economic factor in the Eastern Region, especially since millions of acres of open land are still available at very reasonable prices to business and industrial prospects,” Daughety says. “Quick access to moving goods in and out via roads, ports, rail and air – that’s what Eastern Region transportation is all about.”

Story by Kevin Litwin Photography by Brian McCord Continue learning about the region’s transportation network at businessclimate.com/nc-eastern.

Standout Site

In December 2012, CSX Corp. designated the Kingsboro Industrial Site in Edgecombe County as a Select Site, signifying that Kingsboro is a top location for manufacturers and distributors that need to utilize rail service. The CSX Select Sites program reviews land along the CSX railroad network, identifying top sites for potential new investments and job creation for companies. The Kingsboro site is North Carolina’s first recipient of the CSX Select Site designation and, in addition to its rail accessibility, it was noted for being adjacent to an interstate highway.

36 || North Carolina's Eastern Region Economic Development

Eastern Region’s Proximity to Major Markets New York City Detroit Chicago

80

80 Philladelphia

Cincinnati

70

Charlotte

Memphis 30

20 New Orleans

250 mi.

Columbia 20

59

10

Raleigh

85

40

Houston

Richmond

Louisville 65 Nashville 40

24

Dallas

95

77

St. Louis

20

Washington D.C.

Atlanta

Charleston

85 10 95 Orlando

500 mi.

Education

Today’s Students, Tomorrow’s Leaders Workforce training programs and STEM initiatives get the eastern region’s students career ready

The region is spearheading a workready communities initiative to boost career readiness skills

Career Readiness Certificates can be earned at any of the region’s 11 community colleges

38 || North Carolina's Eastern Region Economic Development

Secondary schools are focusing on stem education and growing relationships between businesses and teachers

L

eaders throughout North Carolina’s Eastern Region are taking a smart approach to developing a competitive workforce.

The region is spearheading a WorkReady Communities initiative whose goal is to boost the career readiness skills of the area workforce. Having workers certified as WorkReady has the potential to attract more technology-based companies and better serve employers, local leaders say.

“The WorkReady initiative is an education effort to ensure that our workers have the best skills and training so we can guarantee that area businesses have the talent they need to succeed,” says Kathy Howard, vice president of workforce and client development for North Carolina’s Eastern Region. “More than 135 employers in the region are already committed to ultimately hiring certified WorkReady individuals.”

People looking to be certified as WorkReady can earn a Career Readiness Certificate, or CRC at any of the region’s 11 community colleges. This initiative began in 2007 through the creation of ASPIRE (Assessing Skills for Performance in a Rebounding Economy), a network lead by North Carolina’s Eastern Region.

“Having a CRC tells employers that you are qualified for the jobs you seek, and to date, more than 40,000 individuals now possess a CRC within the Eastern Region,” Howard says. “The CRC gives job seekers proof of their workplace skills and gives employers the information necessary to plan, screen, select, train and promote appropriate candidates for their companies. It saves employers time and money in recruiting new employees and can dramatically reduce turnover.”

Schools Emphasize STEM The region is also backing an initiative called STEM East that emphasizes students learning science, technology, engineering and math in schools by developing relationships between businesses and educators.

STEM East focuses on integrating more science, technology, engineering and math into schools.

“High school technically starts in the seventh grade nowadays – due to North Carolina’s alignment of college pathways at the 11th and 12th grade level,” says Steve Hill, executive director of the STEM East Initiative. “We are working toward STEM Centers being installed in all middle schools throughout the region and building upon these with teacher internships, regional planning events, conferences and education programs, so students can start learning about careers in the STEM fields and the avenues to those careers. In fact, they are

“More than 135 employers in the region are already committed to ultimately hiring certified WorkReady individuals.”

Kathy Howard, VP of workforce and client development for North Carolina’s Eastern Region

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STEM Schools in Eastern North Carolina STEM East emphasizes science, technology, engineering and math education in schools across Eastern North Carolina by developing collaborative relationships between businesses and educators.

School systems currently engaged in expanding the STEM network include: Craven County Public Schools Duplin County Public Schools Edgecombe County Public Schools Greene County Public Schools Jones County Public Schools Lenoir County Public Schools Nash-Rocky Mount Public Schools Onslow County Public Schools Pitt County Public Schools Wayne County Public Schools Wilson County Public Schools

A student works in the STEM laboratory at Contentnea-Savannah K8 School in Kinston.

specifically learning about what is happening career-wise at the many businesses and industries within the Eastern Region.”

The region has even received national recognition for its STEM initiative, Hill adds. That includes a visit from the U.S. Assistant Secretary for Vocational and Adult Education to a STEM Center designed to get students

excited about engineering at Havelock Middle School as well as to Contentnea-Savannah K-8 School to observe how the school is working to integrate real-world relevancy into math.

“Another area project initiated by regional county schools is a North Carolina Global Schools Network program occurring in Onslow County Schools, Greene County Schools and Duplin

40 || North Carolina's Eastern Region Economic Development

County Schools,” Hill says. “That program focuses on developing critical thinking, creativity and cultural literacy while utilizing STEM and teaching in two languages beginning in kindergarten. All of these various initiatives are in place throughout the Eastern Region so that every student will graduate high school ready for college, careers and life.”

Story by Kevin Litwin

STEM Education

A Team Effort Schools partner up to promote STEM studies Colleges, universities and public school systems in Eastern North Carolina deserve high marks for their roles in STEM training for students.

Barton College is teaming up with Margaret Hearne Elementary School to boost math, reading and science achievement scores, while Wayne Community College is presenting an automotive technology program that enables regional high-school students to earn a one-year college certificate in engine performance. At East Carolina University, the school is partnering with Lenoir and Pitt community colleges to enhance engineering career tracks.

“The popularity of engineering is growing in the Eastern Region – ECU currently has 450 students enrolled in

the program and plans to have 750 within the next couple of years,” says Hayden Griffin, chairman of the ECU Department of Engineering. “Several of those students will get their first two years of engineering education at Lenoir and Pitt community colleges.”

ECU is also working with Lenoir Community College on a curriculum in health sciences and nursing.

“ECU has partnered with four community colleges – including us – to introduce a RIBN program, an acronym for Regionally Increasing Baccalaureate Nurses,” says Alexis B. Welch, LCC dean of health sciences and nursing.

“The RIBN initiative involves attracting top high-school graduates with excellent ACT scores to enroll at LCC in the ECU

East Carolina University

nursing program.”

Welch points out that high-school nursing students can save money by taking their first two years of classes at LCC toward an eventual BS in a nursing degree at ECU. – Kevin Litwin

Economic profile Population (2012 estimate) North Carolina’s Eastern Region: 1,050,032 Craven County: 104,770 Carteret County: 67,632 Duplin County: 60,033 Edgecombe County: 55,954 Greene County: 21,429 Jones County: 10,275 Lenoir County: 59,227 Nash County: 95,708 Onslow County: 183,263 Pamlico County: 13,074 Pitt County: 172,554 Wayne County: 124,246 Wilson County: 81,867

Largest Cities Greenville

87,242 Jacksonville

69,220 Rocky Mount

57,136

Sources: North Carolina’s Eastern Region, U.S. Census Bureau

Educational Attainment NCER 2000

23.5%

NCER 2011

31.4%

18.8%

28.5%

31.7%

32.6%

Bachelor’s Degree & Above

High School Diploma

Associate or Some College

Less than High School

16.6%

17.0%

Employment by Industry Goods Producing

Manufacturing

10.9%

6.5%

Natural Resources & Mining

Services

1.3%

39.2%

Construction

Trade, Transportation, Utilities

3.0%

9.7%

Cost of Living Index Greenville

98.3

Jacksonville

94.6

Kinston

95.1 This section is sponsored by

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Tourism & Hospitality

Dishing it Out T

Local restaurants, establishments draw a heaping of new business from travelers, tourists

ourism continues to evolve across North Carolina’s Eastern Region, as restaurant and hospitality businesses expand their offerings to cater to visitors and locals alike.

Three of the region’s counties – Carteret, Onslow and Pamlico – are oceanfront, and growing as popular destinations for people traveling for business and pleasure. Historic sites and towns throughout the region continue to draw their share of heritage tourists. Additionally, road, rail and air capabilities in the area are piquing the interest of businesses and industries that are coming to Eastern North Carolina to explore relocation and expansion opportunities.

Quality dining has always been a hallmark of the region; a tradition that continues in new, innovative

44 || North Carolina's Eastern Region Economic Development

ways as award-winning restaurants experiment with local cuisine and garner rave reviews for their original cuisine.

“We love good food in Eastern North Carolina,” says Steven Pearce, marketing and communications coordinator for North Carolina’s Eastern Region.

“Local cuisine is a part of our heritage and our roots, but just as much an important aspect of our future.

Our region offers restaurants that are destinations in their own right.”

In Tarboro, On the Square boasts a 500-bottle wine list, while SoCo Farm and Food in Wilson is one of North Carolina’s few farm-to-table restaurants. Faison’s Southern Exposure was recently spotlighted in Southern Living magazine for its Southern/soul fare and eclectic atmosphere.

The shifts in local cuisine have raised the region’s

Chef & the Farmer in downtown Kinston works with more than 15 small farms in the area and serves fresh, innovative dishes.

profile for corporate travelers who are used to fine dining and now can find it here, says Ben Knight, general manager of Chef & the Farmer in Kinston.

“The community’s goal is to put in place amenities that attract people not only to visit, but also to relocate,” Knight says. “We opened in 2006, and have always worked to make sure that what people can get here is better than what they might find in their own town.

And the more unique we are, the more we can bring to them.”

Peter Edgar is doing the same thing at Quince, which he opened in Wilson in early 2008.

“We have filled a niche in the Eastern Region in terms of artisanal or craft food production,” Edgar says. “Restaurants around here are working at the next level, and people are very receptive.”

Diners will soon have more locally sourced beer to

go with their meals with the opening of Beer Army, a brewery in Trenton, which will complement other breweries in the region, including Duck Rabbit in Farmville and Mother Earth in Kinston. Beer Army organizers hope to pump $2.7 million into Jones County over the next five years and create more than 20 jobs at the brewery, which will offer weekend tours and include an on-site store.

Building a Buzz Lodging in Eastern North Carolina is on the upswing as well. A Georgia developer recently bought the Sheraton Atlantic Beach for more than $4 million with plans to renovate and reopen it.

Shuttered in September 2011 due to damage from Hurricane Irene, the nine-story hotel, once the largest in Carteret County, was known for its direct businessclimate.com/nc-eastern ||

45

Chef Peter Edgar opened his Southern bistro Quince in Wilson in 2008.

46 || North Carolina's Eastern Region Economic Development

The Beer Army brewery in Trenton serves locally sourced beer.

beach access and spacious meeting rooms. Its redevelopment could boost business and investment around the Atlantic Beach area, according to Pearce.

The tourism market is even picking up in the region’s smallest towns. In 2012, Budget Travel readers tapped Beaufort as the No. 1 Coolest Small Town in America, highlighting its “Southern charm with a dash of salty seaside spirit.”

The town, which recently celebrated its 300th anniversary, is home to the North Carolina Maritime Museum, which showcases artifacts of the infamous pirate Blackbeard’s Queen Anne’s Revenge.

“Tourists and visitors want to visit unique places that tell stories about how people of that region live and survive,” Pearce says.

“I can’t think of many places that offer such a raw, authentic and inviting scene which caters well to visitors from all walks of life.”

Story by Joe Morris Photography by Brian McCord

Eastern North Carolina Food Incubator Helps Grow Region’s Culinary Scene Expanding the size and scope of Eastern North Carolina’s alreadybustling restaurant scene is the mission of the Eastern Carolina Food Ventures Incubator Kitchen in Warsaw.

On the Square in Tarboro serves creative entrees and more than 500 wines.

This regional, shared-use commercial incubator is designed not only to help food entrepreneurs gain their footing, but also to offer workforce development and support to help new and existing food-based businesses grow. A joint effort of James Sprunt Community College, Duplin County and Pender County, the incubator is located in Warsaw’s West Park Business Technology Center. businessclimate.com/nc-eastern

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Livability

Stay Awhile 48 || North Carolina's Eastern Region Economic Development

Relaxed lifestyle, cultural gems and family-friendly attractions make the Eastern Region a top destination

The Colonial-era Tryon Palace in New Bern is one of many historical attractions in the region.

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I

n North Carolina’s Eastern Region, the livin’ is easy. Residents enjoy short commutes, a low cost of living and affordable housing.

Historic destinations, cultural stops and unique attractions keep locals and tourists coming back for more.

“We are centrally located,” says Melissa Riggle, tourism and sales service executive for the New Bern-Craven County Convention & Visitor Center. “You can get to the beach quickly, and we’re close enough to large cities like Raleigh.”

Exceptional schools and educational programs also make the area attractive for families.

The North Carolina Maritime Museum keeps the state’s coastal culture alive.

The region’s convenient location makes it a top spot for both business and pleasure. Cities across the 13-county area such as New Bern, which is located the confluence of the Trent and Neuse rivers, as well as other communities offer easy access to big cities as well as plenty of relaxing escapes.

The region boasts 11 STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) centers, as well as East Carolina University and 13 campuses associated with 11 institutions of the North Carolina Community College System.

Eastern North Carolina’s laidback lifestyle and friendly

communities also draw visitors and often turn them into residents, according to Riggle.

“We have a lot of people come to visit who end up relocating,” she says. “We always hear guests are blown away by the warmth and friendliness here.”

Artsy Attractions, Theaters In Rocky Mount, the Imperial Centre for the Arts & Sciences draws more than 100,000 tourists annually with its array of offerings and activities.

“The Imperial Centre is an exciting facility, combining galleries, theater, a children’s museum and educational opportunities in a single cultural complex,” says Maureen Daly, the Imperial Centre’s cultural arts administrator.

The 135,000-square-foot facility includes a permanent collection of more than 400 works, most created by artists from the state and region, as well as rotating exhibitions. The Centre’s theater entertains audiences with musicals, dramas, comedies and other acts, while the Rocky Mount Children’s Museum and Science Center offers hands-on, interactive exhibits.

Located in a former Vaudeville theater, the Edna Boykin Cultural Center is a favorite attraction in downtown Wilson. The venue includes a 650-seat theater where live performances and an annual film series are held, as well as a gallery featuring rotating exhibits.

Downtown Greenville’s art and cultural scene draws visitors, too,

“We always hear guests are blown away by the warmth and friendliness here.”

Melissa Riggle, tourism and sales service executive for the New Bern-Craven County Convention & Visitor Center

50 || North Carolina's Eastern Region Economic Development

The Imperial Centre for the Arts & Sciences showcases more than 400 works.

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with sites such as the local artist venue Emerge, Greenville Museum of Art and the new GO-Science Center, the first phase of which is opening this year. All of these complement the university’s multiple events.

Historic Destinations, Museums Along with the region’s wealth of cultural gems, Eastern North Carolina cities are rich in history.

One of the area’s top historic sites is Tryon Palace in New Bern,

The North Carolina Baseball Museum displays items from the state’s baseball stars.

The city’s downtown area hosts outdoor concerts weekly from June through September on the Town Common. In the fall, concerts are also held on the Fifth Street Plaza every Friday evening before home football games for the East Carolina University Pirates.

which includes a reconstructed governor’s palace, homes built in the 1700s, the state’s first publicly chartered school and 16 acres of gardens. Tryon Palace is also home to the North Carolina History Center, where visitors can learn about the state through multimedia displays,

52 || North Carolina's Eastern Region Economic Development

performances, interactive exhibits and activities.

Located less than an hour away, Beaufort features the North Carolina Maritime Museum, which includes exhibits that focus on the state’s seafood industry, lifesaving stations and lighthouses, and sailboats and motorboats. The museum is also home to artifacts from Blackbeard’s famed ship, the Queen Anne’s Revenge.

Known as the “Friendly City by the Sea,” Swansboro’s historic downtown district comprises more than 100 homes and buildings constructed over the past three centuries. Jacksonville, which is also nearby, offers many interesting sites, including several tied to the community’s U.S. Marine Corps history.

For visitors traveling through the region, other must-see stops include the North Carolina Baseball Museum at Wilson’s Fleming Stadium, which features memorabilia from several of the state’s baseball stars, including members of the former Negro Baseball League, and the Core Sound Waterfowl Museum & Heritage Center on Harkers Island, where telltale signs of British heritage are reflected in the speech patterns of the locals.

Story by Jessica Walker Boehm Staff Photos

Festivals

Getting Festive Local festivals draw revenue, visitors to region How sweet: The Carolina Chocolate Festival in Morehead City has contributed more than $350,000 to designated charities during its 11-year history. Along with its monetary contribution, the annual two-day February celebration attracts thousands of visitors who indulge in chocolate pearls, chocolate tortes, truffles, fudge, chocolate pudding and chocolate wine.

North Carolina’s Eastern Region is known for its many eclectic festivals, which generate revenue for local communities and bring curious visitors to its borders.

Morehead City also hosts the North Carolina Seafood Festival, which celebrates a valuable part of the regional economy: seafood. The event attracts about 150,000 visitors, who sample clam chowder, shrimp burgers, calamari, marinated eel and charcoal mullet. Nearly $2 million has been dispersed to Carteret County nonprofit groups since the festival began in 1987.

Another banner event in the Eastern Region is Kinston’s BBQ Festival on the Neuse, a four-day get-together each May that first began in 1981.

Touted as the largest barbecue festival in North Carolina, the event offers tons of food served along with entertainment, “beach music” and nightly fireworks.

In Mount Olive, the North Carolina Pickle Festival has been a staple each September since 1987, with thousands of visitors jamming the downtown business area. Live entertainment, an antique car show, carnival rides, petting zoo, vendors and lots of pickles to eat keep the crowds coming back.

In Ayden, the Ayden Collard Festival has been a mainstay since 1975. Now scheduled during the first week of September following Labor Day, it features a large street dance, parade, rides, beauty pageants, a road race, art show and collard-eating contests.

– Kevin Litwin

North Carolina Pickle Festival

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Vidant Medical Center in Greenville is the flagship hospital for Vidant Health, which operates several hospitals in the region.

54 || North Carolina's Eastern Region Economic Development

Cutline cutline cutline cutline

Health care

Healthy Returns

I

n North Carolina’s Eastern Region, the health-care industry is continually progressing.

Advances range from major building expansions to breakthroughs for groundbreaking treatments.

Greenville-based Vidant Medical Center recently opened a new children’s emergency department and will open a new $48 million Children’s Hospital later this year. It also added new robotic technology for patients recovering from neurological injuries. Its cardiac center, the East Carolina Heart Institute, received the maximum three-star rating for cardiovascular surgery by the Society of Thoracic Surgeons, and its Chest Pain Center earned full accreditation with the American College of Cardiology.

“We perform 1,000 open heart surgeries annually and recently had a $3 million upgrade to our

operating room with the addition of advanced imaging and robotic surgery equipment for cardiac procedures,” says Dr. W. Randolph Chitwood Jr., director of the East Carolina Heart Institute. “The institute has also been perfecting a new method for replacing wornout heart valves that uses a mini-incision into the tip of the heart through the left chest.

This procedure promises less pain and faster recovery times.”

Veteran-Focused Care Another top medical facility in the Eastern Region is Naval Hospital Camp Lejeune in Jacksonville, which broke ground in late 2012 on a $78 million construction and renovation project. It is the first major renovation since the hospital was built in 1983 to provide medical services to Marines, sailors, family members and retirees.

Construction will include a new

Advances in health care keep Eastern North Carolina on the cutting edge

outpatient wing in the hospital and expansions of six clinics – Dermatology, Family Medicine, Ophthalmology and Refractive Surgery, Orthopedic, Physical and Occupational Therapy, and Ear, Nose and Throat. The emergency department will also increase from 10 to 16 beds, with all phases of construction scheduled to be completed by the end of 2014.

A new 100,000-square-foot U.S. Veteran’s Administration healthcare center is also under construction in Greenville.

Set to open in 2014, the clinic will provide primary and specialty care to area veterans.

Expansions, Accolades Other hospitals in the region known for their excellence include Onslow Memorial Hospital in Jacksonville, which has earned accolades for its stroke program, and Nash Health Care Systems, whose Nash Breast Care Center businessclimate.com/nc-eastern

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has been designated a Breast Imaging Center of Excellence by the American College of Radiology. Rocky Mount’s Nash General Hospital recently added a nine-bed neonatal unit and is nearing completion of a $57 million expansion that will unveil a new emergency department and heart care center.

CarolinaEast Medical Center has received accreditation for cardiac and cancer programs as well as recognition for infant care, while Carteret General Hospital recently welcomed a new wound care center and a cancer care partnership. It also has embarked upon a $53 million expansion project.

“The expansion will strengthen the hospital’s ability to attract patients as well as qualified physicians and other health-care professionals,” says Dick Brvenik, Carteret General Hospital CEO. The 30-month construction project will result in a new threestory specialty pavilion housing a cancer center, women’s health center and enlarged emergency department. Other project plans include the expansion, relocation or remodeling of departments specializing in behavioral health, cardiac rehab, sleep lab, surgery, central sterile processing and imaging.

Story by Kevin Litwin

Dr. Joseph Nutz, MD serves as interim vice president of medical affairs for Carteret General Hospital, which is undergoing a $53 million expansion of its 135-bed facility.

Vaccine-Boosting Breakthrough

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n North Carolina’s Eastern Region, had a $3 million the health-car operating room upgrade to our e industry Constructi with the addition is continuall of advanced on will include y progressin imaging and outpatient a new g. surgery Advances wing robotic range equipment and expansions in the hospital for cardiac major building from procedures of six clinics ,” says Dr. W. expansion Dermatolo – s to breakthrou gy, Family Randolph Chitwood Medicine, Jr., director groundbre Ophthalmo ghs for aking treatments of the East logy and Refractive Carolina Heart Surgery, Orthopedic Greenville institute has Institute. “The -based Vidant . , Physical and Medical Center Occupation also been perfecting al Therapy, a new method and Ear, new children’s recently opened a Nose and Throat. for replacing out heart valves emergency wornThe emergency departmen departmen that uses a t and will open t will also increase mini-incis ion into the $48 million from 10 to a new tip of the 16 beds, with Children’s heart through Hospital later this year. all of constructi the left chest. procedure on scheduled phases It also added This promises less robotic technology completed to be new by the end faster recovery pain and for patients of 2014. recovering A new 100,000-sq times.” from neurologic injuries. Its Veteran’s Administr uare-foot U.S. Veteran-Focused cardiac center, al ation East Carolina care center Care the is also under healthAnother top received the Heart Institute, constructi on in maximum the Eastern medical facility in rating for cardiovasc three-star open in 2014, Greenville. Set to Region is Naval the Hospital Camp ular surgery by the Society provide primary clinic will Lejeune in of Thoracic and specialty Jacksonvil Surgeons, care to area le, which broke and veterans. in late 2012 ground Center earned its Chest Pain on a $78 million full accreditati constructi Expansion with the American on and renovation on s, Accolade project. It is College of s Cardiology the first major Other hospitals . renovation in the region “We perform since the hospital known for 1,000 open their excellence built in 1983 was surgeries annually heart Onslow Memorial to provide include medical services to and recently Hospital in Marines, sailors, Jacksonvil le, which has family members earned accolades for and retirees.

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Digital Magazine Read it online or on your tablet and quickly share articles with friends.

A recent discovery by an East Carolina University professor has the potential to boost the safety of vaccines for patients with weakened immune systems. In 2012, Dr. Rachel Roper received a patent for discovering and characterizing an immunosuppressive gene called the A35R poxvirus gene.

Pharmaceutical companies can now use Dr. Roper’s procedure to develop better vaccines for diseases such as monkey pox, HIV, tuberculosis, cancer and severe acute respiratory syndrome.

This is the second patent for Dr. Roper, who serves as an associate professor of microbiology and immunology at ECU’s Brody School of Medicine. She received her first patent in 2011 for a SARS genome sequence and its use for therapeutic or vaccine purposes. businessclimate.com/nc-eastern

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58 || North Carolina's Eastern Region Economic Development

Albert J. Ellis Airport www.flyoaj.com Carolinas Gateway Partnership www.econdev.org Cauley Pridgen www.cauleypridgen.com City Hotel & Bistro www.cityhotelandbistro.com Coastal Carolina Community College www.coastalcarolina.edu Craven Community College www.cravencc.edu Crystal Coast Tourism Authority www.crystalcoastnc.org East Carolina University www.ecu.edu Eastern Carolina Workforce Development Board www.ecwdb.org Edgecombe Community College www.edgecombe.edu ElectriCities of North Carolina Inc. www.electricities.com Greenville Utilities www.guc.com Greenville-Pitt County Convention & Visitors Bureau www.visitgreenvillenc.com Jacksonville Onslow Economic Development www.onslowedc.com Lenoir Community College www.lenoircc.edu Lenoir Memorial Hospital www.lenoirmemorial.org North Carolina Global TransPark www.ncgtp.com North Carolina’s Eastern Region www.nceast.org Pitt Community College www.pittcc.edu Pitt County Development Commission www.locateincarolina.com Vidant Health www.vidanthealth.com Wayne Community College www.waynecc.edu Wilson Visitors Center www.wilson-nc.com

Health-Care Training

Help Wanted Universities, colleges work to fill dental, health IT needs Schools and faculties in Eastern North Carolina are working to improve healthcare programs and services throughout the region and across the nation.

A total of 41 faculty members at East Carolina University’s Brody School of Medicine were named 2012 Top Doctors by U.S. News & World Report. The magazine also ranked the Brody School of Medicine, along with ECU’s College of Allied Health Sciences’ rehabilitation counseling program, among the best graduate programs in the U.S. Starting in fall 2013, ECU will begin offering a master’s degree program in health informatics and information management, and the university recently opened a $68 million School of Dental Medicine.

“This school will hopefully ease the statewide shortage of dentists, especially in Eastern North Carolina and rural areas,” says Dr. Greg Chadwick, dean of the ECU School of Dental Medicine. “North Carolina is the fifth fastest-growing state, yet ranks 47th in dentists-to-population ratio.”

ECU has also opened its first two School of Dental Medicine Community Service Learning Centers in the rural communities of Ahoskie and Elizabeth City. Additional centers to serve rural patients will also be built in Lillington, Spruce Pine, Sylva and Davidson County.

Health-Care Curriculum

Pitt Community College is helping shape health-care technology training standards through its leadership role

with the Community College Consortia Program, a consortium of community colleges across 13 states whose goal is to get more students interested in becoming professionals in health information technology, or HIT. “Estimates based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics indicate a shortfall over the next five years of about 50,000 qualified HIT workers required to meet the needs of hospitals and physicians as they move to electronic health-care systems,” says Kay Gooding, HIT program director at PCC. “To remedy this shortfall, community colleges throughout the Consortia Program are now looking to train more than 10,500 highly skilled health IT specialists per year.”

– Kevin Litwin

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Gallery

Explore Historic Beaufort The Beaufort Historic Site covers nearly two acres in downtown Beaufort and comprises 10 historic buildings, including three restored homes, the Carteret County Courthouse of 1796, the Carteret County Jail, an apothecary shop and doctor’s office, and the historic Rustell House.

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Ride Greenville’s greenway Formerly crossing over the Tar River and once known as the Greene Street Bridge, Greenville’s pedestrian greenway bridge has been relocated and now serves as an entrance to the South Tar River Greenway.

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Admire art in Rocky Mount The Imperial Centre for the Arts & Sciences, located in downtown Rocky Mount, includes the “Particle/Wave� sculpture created from steel and rocks by Karl Saliter.

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Enjoy a Pepsi in New Bern The Birthplace of Pepsi in downtown New Bern is a major tourist attraction where visitors can learn about the soft drink’s history, browse gifts and souvenirs, and sip a fountain Pepsi.

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Ad Index

37 Albert J. Ellis Airport

59 Greenville Utilities

43 Carolinas Gateway Partnership

64 Greenville-Pitt County Convention & Visitors Bureau

1 Cauley Pridgen

8 City Hotel & Bistro

13 Jacksonville Onslow Economic Development

58 Coastal Carolina Community College

53 Lenoir Community College

52 Craven Community College

42 Lenoir Memorial Hospital

C2 Crystal Coast Tourism Authority

10 North Carolina Global TransPark

C4 East Carolina University

4 North Carolina’s Eastern Region

58 Eastern Carolina Workforce Development Board

64 Edgecombe Community College

2-3 ElectriCities of North Carolina Inc.

41 Pitt Community College

56 Pitt County Development Commission

C3 Vidant Health

33 Wayne Community College

52 Wilson Visitors Center

North CAROLINA’s 2013-14 edition volume 3

Eastern Region Economic Development review

Editor | Emily McMackin Contributing writers | John Fuller, Joe Morris, kelly Kagamas Tomkies, Stephanie Vozza, Gary Wollenhaupt Content Coordinator | Jessica Walker Boehm Staff Writer | Kevin Litwin Proofreading Manager | Raven Petty lead designer | Kacey Passmore Senior Graphic Designers | Stacey Allis, Laura Gallagher, Kris Sexton, Jake Shores, Vikki Williams Graphic Designers | Jackie Ciulla, matt west Creative Technology Analyst | Becca Ary lead photographer | Brian Mccord Senior Photographers | Jeff Adkins Staff Photographers | Michael Conti, wendy jo o’barr, frank Ordonez, michael tedesco color imaging technician | alison hunter Executive Integrated Media Manager | Suzi McGruder Sales Support Project manager | Sara Quint Sales Support Coordinator | Christina Morgan Ad Production Manager | Katie Middendorf Ad Traffic Assistants | Krystin Lemmon, Patricia Moisan Web project manager | David DAy Web Developer I | Nels noseworthy Web Designer II | richard stevens Digital Project Manager | Jill Ridenour Digital Products designer | Erica lampley

Chairman | Greg Thurman President/Publisher | Bob Schwartzman Executive Vice President | Ray Langen Senior V.P./Sales | Todd Potter Senior V.P./Client Development | Jeff Heefner Senior V.P./Operations | Casey Hester V.P./Sales | Jarek Swekosky V.P./Content Operations | Natasha Lorens Media Technology Director | Christina Carden Photography Director | Jeffrey S. Otto web services Director | Allison davis Controller | Chris Dudley Senior Accountant | Lisa Owens Accounts Payable Coordinator | Maria McFarland Accounts Receivable Coordinator | Diana Iafrate IT Director | Daniel cantrell Executive Secretary | Kristy Giles Human Resources Manager | Peggy Blake

North Carolina’s Eastern Region Economic Development Review is published annually by Journal Communications Inc. and is distributed through North Carolina’s Eastern Region.

For advertising information or to direct questions or comments about the magazine, contact Journal Communications Inc. at (615) 771-0080 or by email at info@jnlcom.com.

For more information, contact: North Carolina’s Eastern Region 3802 Highway 58 N. • Kinston, NC 28504 Phone: (800) 474-8499 • Fax: (252) 523-9017 www.nceast.org Visit North Carolina’s Eastern Region Economic Development Review online at businessclimate.com/nc-eastern ©Copyright 2013 Journal Communications Inc., 725 Cool Springs Blvd., Suite 400, Franklin, TN 37067, (615) 771-0080. All rights reserved. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in whole or in part without written consent.

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64 || North Carolina's Eastern Region Economic Development