Greater Wilmington Business Journal - Aug. 7 Issue

Tasty plans Sandwich shop aims to grow Page 27

August 7- 20, 2020 Vol. 21, No. 15

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WEB EXCLUSIVE High-end home Hitting the market for $16.5M wilmingtonbiz.com

SPECIAL SECTION ON REOPENING THE ECONOMY

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SURVIVING: Firms push through

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PORTS CHIEF: Looking to the future

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VIRTUAL HELP: Fundraising online

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PHOTO ILLUSTRATION

Index Health Care ........................................... 5 Banking & Finance .............................6-7 The List .................................................. 9 Economic Development ................. 12-13 Real Estate..................................... 16-17 Business of Life.............................. 26-27

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Stockpile: Wilmington-based banking software company nCino’s Nasdaq debut in July was marked by images on the middle screen above in Times Square. Other company benchmarks and IPO highlights are added in this photo illustration.

NCINO ‘ON FIRE’ FINTECH FIRM REACHES NEW MILESTONE WITH NASDAQ DEBUT

BY JENNY CALLISON

W

hen Live Oak executives let nCino leave the nest, could they have known it would skyrocket to such fame and fortune?

“It did not surprise me at all,” said Live Oak Chairman and CEO James “Chip” Mahan soon after nCino’s July 14 IPO on the Nasdaq, during which the stock price soared from $31 to over $90 per share. About 7.8 million shares changed hands during the first day of trading.

When the dust cleared that day, 9-year-old nCino, which had $138 million in revenue in its most recent

fiscal year, was valued at close to $7 billion. Its stock price has stabilized since then at about $75 per share.

Not only did Mahan compare nCino’s showing very favorably against those of comparable software-as-a-service entities; the company’s IPO performance also drew much attention from market watchers and investors. Jim Cramer, co-founder of TheStreet, said as of late July that only four cloud stocks had valuations higher than post-IPO nCino. One of those four is Zoom. “nCino sits at the sweet spot of fintech and cloud software, helping banks large and small with digital services from loan origination and approvals to compliance,” Cramer noted July 23. “The company has been on fire lately, posting 49% revenue growth in its most recent quarter.”

Cramer and some analysts have questioned nCino’s current “lofty”

valuation, especially since the company has yet to turn a profit, and the current economic climate is troubled.

But nCino CEO Pierre Naudé said in a post-IPO interview with American Banker that the pandemic will not slow the company’s efforts to become profitable in the next six to eight quarters.

When Live Oak Bank – founded in 2007 – got a few years’ experience under its belt as an industry-specific SBA lender, its founders realized they needed an electronic software system that would improve the efficiency and ensure the accuracy of their nationwide lending process.

Finding nothing on the market that effectively addressed their needs, they created their own system, using the Force.com platform of Salesforce.com and drawing on their own experience in internet banking.

“We began writing code in 2010,” See nCino, page 10

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August 7 - 20, 2020

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Greater Wilmington Business Journal

Imagine better

FOR SOUTHEASTERN NORTH CAROLINA

We are grateful for the opportunity to work toward a better future for healthcare in southeastern North Carolina.

We envision a partnership that brings more to the greater Wilmington region.

• More affordable care • More health equity and community support • More medical students • More access to quality care • More jobs and economic investment

Learn more. Lend your voice.

Visit NovantHealth.org/imaginebetter

© Novant Health, Inc. 2020

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| FROM WILMINGTONBIZ.COM | This is a sampling of stories from the Business Journal’s Daily Update.

Subscribe at wilmingtonbiz.com.

Hilton brand hotel set for site in Leland (July 31) A new hotel is in the works at a site in Leland’s Waterford community.

Clarendon Properties LLC is developing a tru by Hilton Hotel to be managed by Crown Hotel & Travel Management, according to a Crown news release. Both companies are based in Wilmington.

The hotel, which will be adjacent to the Harris Teeter grocery store at Waterford, is expected to include 93 rooms, an indoor pool, continental breakfast, and other amenities.

The same group owns the Holiday Inn Express Leland-Wilmington Area in Magnolia Greens.

“We have always been pleased with the performance of our Holiday Inn Express Leland-Wilmington Area and believe it’s time to add another hotel. Leland is a vibrant town with the type of growth we look for when evaluating new sites,” said Barry Eagle, president and CEO of

Crown Hotel & Travel Management, in the release.

ILM's deputy airport director, said in an email.

FAA announces $21M for ILM expansion (July 28)

Pender Co. reverse osmosis plant gets boost (July 24)

The Federal Aviation Administration has earmarked $21.1 million to go toward expanding the terminal building at the Wilmington International Airport (ILM).

The funding is part of more than $273 million in airport safety and infrastructure grants through the FAA to 41 states and the District of Columbia, American Samoa, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Marshall Islands, Palau and Puerto Rico, according to the federal news release.

ILM is currently working on its $61 million terminal expansion project. The airport is in the final phase of its three-part terminal expansion project. The second phase wrapped in July and included its newly expanded ticket lobby, ticket counters and ticket offices.

Monteith Construction Corp. is underway with the project’s last phase with “a target completion date of January 2023,” Gary Broughton,

Pender County’s plan to build a reverse osmosis water treatment plant that will serve the eastern portion of the county will get a boost from $20 million in state funding that the governor’s office announced recently.

The project’s funding was approved this month by the State Water Infrastructure Authority, which earmarked a $5 million grant and a $15 million loan for work on the county’s planned reverse osmosis water treatment plant in its Rocky Point Topsail Water and Sewer District, and will service the county's needs, including those in the growing Hampstead and Scotts Hill areas.

The cost of the project is estimated at about $67 million, said Kenny Keel, the county’s public utility director.

In an area of Pender County that is fast growing, such a plant is needed to meet the current and future demands of the area, he said.

TOP-READ STORIES ONLINE Here are the most popular stories for July 20 - August 3 from the Business Journal’s website.

1. New hotel planned in Leland 2. Wrightsville Beach home hits the market for nearly $16.5M 3. Two more stores set to close at Mayfaire Town Center; could bankruptcy be next for owner?

4. Major project in the works in southern Brunswick County 5. Ash Aziz halts plans for River Place restaurant 6. The Bodega Market slated to open this fall 7. Quanto Basta opening this week in downtown Wilmington 8. WDI leader Ed Wolverton to leave post 9. Two Wilmington firms involved in Moderna's phase 3 COVID vaccine study 10. Heavy hitter buys PlayerSpace To read more, go to wilmingtonbiz.com

WE WE ARE ARE EXCITED EXCITED TO TO ANNOUNCE ANNOUNCE THAT THAT MICAH MICAH LONG LONG HAS HAS JOINED JOINED OUR OUR FIRM FIRM As second-generation attorney, Micah has of estate WE ARE EXCITED TO ANNOUNCE THAT MICAH HAS JOINED As aa PROBATE second-generation attorney, MicahLONG has dreamed dreamed of practicing practicing estate OUR FIRM AND TRUST ADMINISTRATION

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Wilmington in the eighth grade, and immediately fell in love with the area.

Micah As a second-generation Micah hasbefore dreamed practicing estate administering aattorney, trust can be daunting forofmost graduated from UNCW with a degree in business attending Liberty graduated from UNCW with a degree in business before attending Liberty planning since Our he was young.

After growing upprofessionals in California,long-term heare moved to clients. team of experienced University University School School of of Law. Law. He He enjoys enjoys strategy, strategy, problem-solving, problem-solving, and and long-term Wilmington inestate the eighth grade, and immediately fell inMicah love practiced with the area.

Micah heresoto help. planning planning -- so estate planning planning is is aa natural natural fit. fit. After After law law school, school, Micah practiced law law in-house Liberty University year earning LLM taxation graduated UNCW withfor in business Liberty in-house at atfrom Liberty University foraaadegree year before before earning an anbefore LLM in inattending taxation from from Georgetown University Law Center.

Micah spending time with beautiful CallSchool today aenjoys 30-minute no-risk University of to Law. He enjoys problem-solving, long-term Georgetown University Lawschedule Center.

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Micah enjoys spending time with his beautiful WE ARE PASSIONATE ABOUT ESTATE PLANNING. WE Law FOCUS OUR PRACTICE ON COMPREHENSIVE WE ARE PASSIONATE ABOUT ESTATE PLANNING. WE FOCUS OUR PRACTICE ON COMPREHENSIVE ESTATE PLANNING WITHwife WILLS AND TRUSTS, AS WELL AS ESTATEfrisbee AND TRUST and daughter, surfing, playing golf,ADMINISTRATION and watching movies. He and his ESTATE PLANNING WITH WILLS AND TRUSTS, AS WELL AS ESTATE AND TRUST ADMINISTRATION family attend Crossway Chapel of Wilmington.

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August 7 - 20, 2020

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Greater Wilmington Business Journal

Bruce Chappell

Senior Vice President/Investments bruce.chappell@stifel.com

Jennifer Santaniello, CRPS®, CPFA Vice President/Investments jennifer.santaniello@stifel.com

Diane McNamara

Registered Client Service Associate diane.mcnamara@stifel.com

Meg George, CFP®

Client Relationship Manager meg.george@stifel.com

(910) 679-2130 | (877) 816-1229 2005 Eastwood Road, Suite 102 Wilmington, North Carolina 28403

Stifel is pleased to announce the association of

The Chappell Santaniello Group

Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated | Member SIPC & NYSE | www.stifel.com

O

UR COMMITMENT to the health and well-being of our community is part of the fabric that drives the decisions we make every day at Wilmington Health. The core values of our organization include the words Respect, Integrity, Leadership, and Accountability.

• We use these ideals in the care we show our patients.

• We use these ideals in supporting our community and moving it forward.

• We use these ideals in the interactions we have with one another.

In these times of uncertainty and confusion, our dedication is not only important for the thousands of patients that we serve, but also for our outstanding team members and their families.

Because just like you, we live here, we work here, and we always will be committed to Wilmington in all ways.

always wilmingtonhealth.com 12397_04 wh Always GWBJ Ad_10.125x6.125.indd 1

7/16/20 11:27 AM

Greater Wilmington Business Journal

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| HEALTH CARE |

Area firms play role in vaccine study

BY CHRISTINA HALEY O’NEAL

statement August 3.

patients and their families, and we are honored to be recognized as one of the nation’s best maternity hospitals,” Kristi Baker, administrator of the Betty H. Cameron Women’s & Children’s Hospital, said in a statement.

• Four NHRMC nurses were included in a list of 100 top nurses across the state compiled by The Great 100 Inc., which recognizes registered nurses in North Carolina.

New Hanover Regional’s honorees were Mary Ellen Bonczek, chief nurse executive; Jessica Nowak, staff nurse and past chair of Nursing Congress; Colleen Mistovich, sexual assault nurse examiner program coordinator; and Kimberly Duggan, surgical home manager and patient navigator.

NHRMC programs receive several accolades

Dosher Foundation gets Golden LEAF grant

T

wo Wilmington companies are supporting a phase 3 clinical study aimed at developing a vaccine for the new coronavirus.

Wilmington-based PPD Inc. is one of those companies involved in Moderna Inc.’s phase 3 study of its mRNA vaccine candidate against COVID-19, according to a news release.

Cambridge, Massachusetts-based Moderna and the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the National Institutes of Health, announced in late July that the phase 3 trial for the vaccine, known as mRNA-1273, has started.

NIAID and the federal government’s Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) are providing funding for the trial, stated the release.

Moderna is working with the NIAID and BARDA to develop the study, which is being supported by the government’s Operation Warp Speed, a multi-agency initiative consisting of private and public partners that aims to deliver a vaccine by January.

“The world is eager for solutions, and we are pleased to support Moderna in progressing its vaccine candidate,” said David Simmons, PPD’s chairman and CEO. “The depth of our relationship with Moderna has enabled us to jointly expedite strategy development from the early days of the pandemic and accelerate its COVID-19 program execution.”

On top of PPD’s work to support Moderna’s phase 3 study, it has also supported the phase 2 study, which completed the enrollment of 600 people at eight research sites within a month, according to the release.

“PPD has contributed an array of clinical development and laboratory services, including strategic expertise to the study design, patient-enrollment epidemiology modeling and biostatistics,” stated the release.

The phase 3 trial is expected to include 30,000 participants and take place at 100 clinical research sites selected by Moderna, according to the release.

Moderna “is partnering closely with those sites to ensure that volunteers at increased risk for COVID-19 disease are enrolled in the study” and is working with local communities to reach a diverse population, officials said in the release.

Wilmington is one of those sites,

PHOTO C/O FREEPIK.COM

Targeting coronavirus: Two Wilmington-based firms are supporting a phase 3 study that aims to develop a vaccine against COVID-19.

said Phil Dattilo, president of Wilmington-based Trial Management Associates LLC, a clinical management firm.

Trial Management Associates (TMA) is taking part in Moderna’s phase 3 study by working with Bart Williams and Will Jones, two physicians at Wrightsville Family Practice, to conduct phase 3 clinical trials in Wilmington.

The company announced in June that it would be part of a phase 3 trial for a potential coronavirus vaccine, but was unable at the time to confirm what the firm it was involved with.

The group was also selected by Moderna earlier this year to conduct a phase 2 trial for the potential vaccine. Wilmington was one of 10 sites selected by Moderna for the phase 2 trial, which wrapped up earlier this year.

New York City-based Pfizer Inc. also has begun a phase 3 coronavirus vaccine study. Its first four participants received their doses July 27, making it the second advanced trial in the U.S. Moderna also started its human testing July 27.

Unrelated to the vaccine work, PPD also announced earlier this week that it has signed a three-year agreement with Pfizer to provide drug development services.

Under the terms of the agreement, Pfizer can extend the term for additional two-year periods, according to an announcement from PPD. Financial details were not disclosed.

“United in purpose, we are committed to building on our long-standing relationship with Pfizer with innovative solutions, quality execution and the dedication of our talented teams to help Pfizer deliver exciting new therapies,” Simmons said in a

Several New Hanover Regional Medical Center departments and providers recently garnered state and national accolades for their work.

• NHRMC Home Care was recognized by Strategic Healthcare Programs (SHP) as a Superior Performer for achieving an overall patient satisfaction score that ranked in the top 20% of all eligible SHP clients in 2019. The annual SHPBest award program honors home health agencies that consistently provide high-quality service to their patients, officials said. The 2019 award recipients were determined by reviewing and ranking the overall satisfaction score for more than 3,000 home health providers.

• New Hanover Regional’s Betty H. Cameron Women’s & Children’s Hospital was named to Newsweek’s 2020 list of Best Maternity Care Hospitals, which recognizes facilities using 2019 Leapfrog Hospital Survey data. Those hospitals meet The Leapfrog Group’s standards for maternity care on evidence-based, nationally standardized metrics including for lower rates of early elective delivery, NTSV C-section and episiotomy. “Each year thousands of mothers trust our care teams to deliver their babies with great skill, professionalism and compassion,” said Kristi Baker, administrator of NHRMC Betty H. Cameron Women’s & Children’s Hospital. “We have outstanding providers and staff who have dedicated their careers to providing high-quality care for all of our

Dosher Memorial Hospital Foundation received $378,000 from the Golden LEAF Foundation for an on-site well water system at the Southport hospital, officials announced in a recent news release.

The system will provide a water source for both potable (drinking) and non-potable water and “support critical equipment, boilers, chillers, cooling towers and chilled water systems in the event of a disaster or other loss of municipal water,” the release stated.

The back-up water well will be critical to help keep patients safe and the hospital operational in case of a hurricane or other event that would block Dosher’s ability to use public resources, said Lynda Stanley, president of Dosher Memorial Hospital and the Dosher Foundation.

“I am extremely grateful for everyone that worked with Dosher to make the approval of this funding possible,” said Lynda Stanley, president of Dosher Memorial Hospital and the Dosher Foundation. “A special thanks to Coastal Carolinas Health Alliance for their support and the Golden LEAF Foundation for their consideration.”

The Golden LEAF Disaster Recovery Grant Program is funded through state appropriations to the Golden LEAF Foundation for grants to repair or replace damaged or destroyed infrastructure and equipment as well as for the infrastructure to support hazard mitigation resulting from hurricanes Matthew, Florence, Michael and Dorian.

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Greater Wilmington Business Journal

| BANKING & FINANCE |

I

First Carolina to open local branch

n just over a week, the Port City is set to see the full-fledged arrival of one of its newest community banks.

First Carolina Bank, which opened a loan production office in the Mayfaire area in mid-2017 JENNY and has since expanded into retail banking services from that office, officially opens Aug. 17 at 5815 Oleander Drive, Suite 100.

Based in Rocky Mount, the bank was acquired in 2012 by current CEO Ron Day, and a group of investors and reworked into a financial institution that officials say was designed for today’s regulatory environment.

In charge of the bank’s Wilmington operations are two people well known in the local banking community: market executive David Rizzo

CALLISON

PHOTO BY JENNY CALLISON

Banking on it: First Carolina Bank, which has maintained a loan production office in Wilmington since 2017, will open a full-service branch this month.

and senior banking officer Donna Cameron.

Rizzo has headed First Carolina’s local operations from the start, coming to the bank from his position as a commercial banker with FNB

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in Wilmington. Before that, he spent five years as senior vice president with Park Sterling Bank in Wilmington.

Cameron moved back to Wilmington from Charlotte last fall to as-

sume her new position. In Charlotte she had been with South State Bank and, most recently, Pinnacle Financial Advisors. She previously held management roles with SunTrust and Park Sterling banks in Wilmington.

She and Rizzo were colleagues at Park Sterling’s Wilmington branch.

Carolyn Phelps will be branch supervisor of the new First Carolina branch. She has spent nearly 30 years in the banking industry.

Working with Phelps will be two universal bankers, Laura Postlethwaite and Thomas Witherington. The concept of universal bankers is fairly new, Phelps said.

“Instead of a teller line and someone at a desk, our universal bankers will be cross-trained and can help customers from start to finish,” she said.

The new branch will be full service, Cameron said.

“We will be offering all personal banking and commercial banking products and services: deposits, cash management, merchant commercial services, commercial lending,” she

Greater Wilmington Business Journal

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Page 7

| BANKING & FINANCE | said. “We have credit cards, safe deposit boxes, residential mortgage lending and commercial mortgage lending. A big component is our wealth management piece; John Slayton leads the new wealth management and trust division of First Carolina and will be at our location every Monday.”

While the new branch does not have a drive-thru, it does offer a walk-up ATM and a night drop, Cameron said, adding There is curbside service for customers who want it.

Rizzo said last month that the bank continues to grow, even in the midst of the pandemic.

“Wilmington, with all its growth, is still a small town. We’re a community bank. With a community bank you can do things locally. We are of a size that we can react quickly. First Carolina is still the fastest-growing bank in the state and has been for the past three years.”

First Carolina’s board of directors includes two Wilmington residents: former banker and insurance executive John Gussenhoven and investor and Bald Head Island Limited CEO Chad Paul.

Some of the latest news on the PPP, disaster loan Two programs offered by the U.S. Small Business Administration intended to help keep small businesses afloat during the current economic downturn are seeing changes. One has already ended; the other is approaching an expiration date.

The Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) Advance program, “provided U.S. small businesses, nonprofits and agricultural businesses a total of $20 billion in emergency funding,” before expiring July 11, the agency stated in a news release.

The Advance program was designed to provide funds quickly to affected businesses and nonprofits to sustain them until they were approved for a regular EIDL. The EIDL program provides economic relief to businesses experiencing a temporary loss of revenue due to COVID-19. EIDL proceeds can be used to cover a wide array of working capital and normal operating expenses, such as continuation to health care benefits, rent, utilities and fixed debt payments.

While the EIDL Advance program has ended, small businesses that have

been adversely affected by the coronavirus can still apply for a regular EIDL. The second program, newer and perhaps better known, is expected to expire Aug. 8. That’s the Paycheck Protection Program, authorized in March as part of Congress’ CARES Act and assembled quickly by the U.S. Department of the Treasury under Secretary Steven Mnuchin. The first loans were made in early April.

Funded in two rounds for a total of $660 billion, the PPP had disbursed nearly five million loans worth more than $518 billion as of July 21, according to a Treasury report. Those loans were processed by 5,455 SBA lenders across the country.

One of those lenders is Live Oak Bank, the nation’s largest SBA lender by value of loans. Not only was the Wilmington-based bank an active participant in making PPP loans; it also worked with Treasury to design the program.

“Mnuchin’s Treasury [staff members] were the architects on this,” said Live Oak’s Chairman and CEO James “Chip” Mahan. “The question was how to distribute a third of a trillion dollars. Because we are the

largest SBA lender, we are familiar with the SBA’s E-Tran [Electronic Loan Processing] system. Our people know more about it than most [other lenders].”

And when the program launched April 3, Live Oak was ready to make PPP loans. As of July 23, the bank had lent more than $1.7 billion to more than 10,000 borrowers nationwide, including to 723 businesses and organizations in the Wilmington area.

As of July 21, 123,523 North Carolina entities had received PPP loans with a combined worth of $12 billion from an array of lenders, according to the Treasury report. SBA data on loans of more than $150,000 show about 587 such PPP loans were approved to businesses and organizations in New Hanover County, more than 130 in Brunswick County and about 50 in Pender County. Information on loans of less than $150,000 is not included in the database.

As of press time, Congress was still considering a measure that would allow certain businesses to borrow from the PPP a second time.

The item is included in the Senate's latest coronavirus relief funding proposal.

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August 7 - 20, 2020

wilmingtonbiz.com

Greater Wilmington Business Journal

| ACHIEVERS | Send information about company hires, promotions or awards to editor@wilmingtonbiz.com

YWCA announces executive board members EVELYN BRYANT has been elected president of the YWCA of the Lower Cape Fear Board of Directors.

The three other executive members also appointed are: VANESSA GONZALEZ Bryant (vice president), TAMMIKA BROWN (treasurer) and ASHLEY LOMBOY (secretary).

“In these unprecedented times a change in leadership was inevitable as the YWCA moves to prioritize the racial justice aspect of our mission,” officials said.

Bryant currently works in the law office of Attorney Andrew Waters.

Gonzalez founded The Law Office of Vanessa A. Gonzalez, which handles a variety of immigration matters and other concerns.

Brown, who continues to serve as treasurer on the board, owns Tammika Brown Accounting & Tax Services in Wilmington. Lomboy is a Native American Council Leader and member of the Waccamaw Siouan Tribe.

Realty firm welcomes Damitio, Mason as agents Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Advantage has added two new real estate agents to its team.

AYDEN DAMITIO and PATT MASON have joined the real estate firm's Autumn Hall office.

Damitio, a North Carolina native, has been a licensed real Damitio estate professional since he was 20 years old. He has extensive experience in the Raleigh market, where he began his real estate career, and will also continue to work with Mason Southern Dreams Realty in Raleigh.

Mason has been a resident of Wilmington since 1981. She previously worked for another brokerage but left to join Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Advantage.

She has a background in architectural design and direct sales.

Thurston joins Wilmington Fire Department The Wilmington Fire Department has welcomed REBEKAH THURSTON as its new public information officer.

Thurston previously served Greenville Fire/Rescue, where she worked for the past four years as its public information officer and fire and life Thurston safety educator. She was also a co-host for a morning radio show.

She has previous experience in reporting, working for a television news station in Springfield, Illinois, and another news station in Greenville, North Carolina.

DAVENPORT hires Bennett DAVENPORT, a professional services firm that specializes in transportation engineering and environmental services, has hired DON BENNETT. Bennett joins the team at its Wilmington office and brings 30 years of experience in traffic engineering and signal design to the Bennett firm.

He previously worked for the city of Wilmington and served as division manager for the city’s traffic engineering division for the past 14 years.

Allen joins NHRMC Physician Group practice NHRMC Physician Group – New Hanover Medical Group has welcomed DAVIS ALLEN to the practice.

Allen serves the Myrtle Grove office, where he practices internal medicine.

Allen, a board-certified physician in internal medicine, completAllen ed his residency in internal medicine at Duke University Medical Center.

He earned his medical degree from Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University.

Allen earned a bachelor's degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he also earned a Doctor of Pharmacy degree.

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August 7 - 20, 2020

Page 9

| THE LIST |

Attractions

Ranked by annual attendance PHONE EMAIL WEBSITE

NAME RANK ADDRESS

2019 ADMISSION-ADULT/CHILD/ ATTENDANCE SENIOR

TYPE OF FACILITY/ YEAR FOUNDED

TOP EXHIBITS AND ATTRACTIONS

OWNER

TOP LOCAL OFFICIAL

Guided and self-guided tours of Civil War battlefield, artifacts, fiber optic battle map, orientation video, gift shop

State of North Carolina

Jim Steele Site Manager

Government historic site 1961

State of North Carolina

Jeff Owen Park Superintendent

Beach recreational facility 1986

1

Fort Fisher State Historic Site 1610 Fort Fisher Blvd. S Kure Beach, NC 28449

251-7340 fisher@ncdcr.gov www.nchistoricsites.org/fisher and www.friendsoffortfisher.com

2

Fort Fisher State Recreation Area 1000 Loggerhead Road Kure Beach, NC 28449

458-5798 fort.fisher@ncparks.gov www.ncparks.gov/Visit/parks/fofi/ main.php

952,558

Free beach access with free parking; $20 a day Mon.-Fri.; $30 Educational and interpretive events; fishing; hiking; a day Sat.-Sun.; $90 for a calendar 1.1-mile Basin Trail with access to Fort Fisher year for 4-wheel drive vehicle Hermit bunker ending with observation deck permit for portion of beach

3

Carolina Beach State Park 1010 State Park Road Carolina Beach, NC 28428

458-8206; 458-7770 (marina) carolina.beach@ncparks.gov www.ncparks.gov/visit/parks/cabe/ main.php

843,888

Free admission; fees vary for Boating, camping, education and events, fishing, camping, use of marina, RV hook- hiking, picnicking, visitor center, RV hook-ups, four ups, four-camper cabins camper cabins

State of North Carolina

Chris Helms Park Superintendent

State park 1969

4

N.C. Aquarium at Fort Fisher 900 Loggerhead Road Kure Beach, NC 28449

772-0500 ffmail@ncaquariums.com www.ncaquariums.com/fort-fisher

463,736

sea turtles and bald eagle; activities include $12.95, ages 13-61; $11.95, ages Rescued pools, daily dive programs; new Asian small62+ and military; $10.95, ages touch otter habitat planned to open in 2020. New 3-12; free, children 2 and younger, clawed virtual education, camps and distance learning N.C. Aquarium Society members programs to assist with virtual learning needs.

State of North Carolina

Hap Fatzinger Aquarium Director

Government 1976

5

Battleship North Carolina 1 Battleship Rd NE Wilmington, NC 28401

6

Airlie Gardens 300 Airlie Road Wilmington, NC 28403

7

Legion Sports Complex 2131 Carolina Beach Road Wilmington, NC 28401

8

Wilson Center at Cape Fear Community College 703 N. Third St. Wilmington, NC 28401

9

Thalian Hall Center for Performing Arts Inc. 310 Chestnut St. Wilmington, NC 28401

399-9100 michelle.robinson@ncdcr.gov www.battleshipnc.com

988,962

193,000

Free for all ages

Children 5 and under: free; ages 6-11: $6, 12 and above: $14 ($10 during COVID-19 restrictions); military with ID and seniors: $10

Battleship; permanent exhibit

State of North State organization; Carolina, operated 501(c)3 under Department of Capt. Terry Bragg nonprofit Friends of the Cultural Resources Executive Battleship North and the USS North Director Carolina Carolina Battleship 1961 Commission

Formal gardens, walking trails, views of Bradley $9 for adults; $5 New Hanover Creek, 10 acres of freshwater lakes, azaleas, the Tara Duckworth County residents/military with ID; 475-year-old Airlie Oak, NC Birding Trail location, New Hanover County Executive $3 for children 4-12; free to Bottle Chapel, Butterfly House(May-Sept.), Art Director members Exhibit(Aug.-Nov.), seasonal events.

Football/soccer field, stadium, pool, practice field, Buck Hardee Field (baseball), four lighted tennis courts.

Legion Stadium is home to the New Hanover City of Wilmington Varies by event High Wildcats, Wilmington Sharks, Cape Fear Community College Sea Devils, and Legion Post 10 baseball.

798-7700 airlieinfo@nhcgov.com www.airliegardens.org

136,256

343-3682 andrea.talley@wilmingtonnc.gov www.wilmingtonrecreation.com

100,000

910-362-7999 questions@capefearstage.com www.wilsoncentertickets.com

98,500

Varies

National Broadway tours, national and international concerts, comedy, world-class contemporary dance

Shane Fernando Cape Fear Vice President of Community College Advancement & The Arts

632-2241 Friends@ThalianHall.org www.thalianhall.org

89,000

Varies by attraction

Main Attractions series, Opera House Theatre Company season, Thalian Association Community Theatre season

City Of Wilmington

10

798-7660 www.arboretum.nhcgov.com

70,000

Free

11

Cape Fear Museum of History & Science 814 Market St. Wilmington, NC 28401

798-4370 info@capefearmuseum.com www.capefearmuseum.com

62,561

$8 adults; $7 student, senior, military; $5 youth ages 6-17; under 5 are free

12

Cameron Art Museum 3201 S. 17th St. Wilmington, NC 28412

395-5999 info@cameronartmuseum.org www.cameronartmuseum.org

61,001

Adult: $10; seniors/active military: $8; ages 19 and under: no charge

Rotating exhibitions in two wings of the museum, Louise Wells 9.2-acre park including sculptures, large Whirligig, Cameron Art Museum nature trail, pond and a Civil War historic site

13

The Children's Museum of Wilmington 116 Orange St. Wilmington, NC 28401

254-3534 info@playwilmington.org www.playwilmington.org

55,000

$9.75 for children and adults; $8.75 for military and seniors; children under a year old get in free, members free on weekdays and 1/2 off on weekends

Grocery Store, The Science of You, Toothasaurus, Animal Alley

14

Brooklyn Arts Center at St. Andrews 516 N. Fourth St. Wilmington, NC 28401

910-859-4615 rich@brooklynartsnc.com www.brooklynartsnc.com

40,000

Varies by event

Weddings, concerts, events, fundraisers

15

Wilmington Sharks Baseball 2149 Carolina Beach Road Wilmington, NC 28401

343-5621 media@wilmingtonsharks.com www.wilmingtonsharks.com

35,548

16

Bellamy Mansion Museum 503 Market St. Wilmington, NC 28401

251-3700 info@bellamymansion.org www.bellamymansion.org

26,037

17

Wilmington Railroad Museum 505 Nutt St. Wilmington, NC 28401

763-2634 info@wrrm.org www.wrrm.org

22,000

18

Battle House-Tactical Laser Tag 1817 Hall Drive Wilmington, NC 28405

434-5544 SalesILM@BattleHouseLaserCombat.com https://www.battlehouselasercombat.com/ wilmington/

20,018

19

Burgwin-Wright House and Gardens 224 Market St. Wilmington, NC 28401

762-0570 info@burgwinwrighthouse.com www.burgwinwrighthouse.com

List is based on voluntary responses to a Business Journal survey.

Government/Sports Complex N/A Performing arts center and classrooms 2015 Not-for-profit 1963

NC Cooperative Extension office, Ability Garden and associated Programs, Pond with Koi, Japanese Garden with Tea House, Carnivorous Plants, Rose not-forSingleton Government; Garden, Children's Area, Vegetable & Herb Garden, New Hanover County Lloyd profit Director Contemplation Garden honoring the U.S. Military, 1989 Wedding Lawn and Gazebo, Gift Shop and Picnic Area

New Hanover County Arboretum 6206 Oleander Drive Wilmington, NC 28403

12,000

Tony Rivenbark Executive Director

Government and nonprofit (Foundation) 1901

Cape Fear Stories; Space Place: Discovery Gallery; Sheryl Mays Museum Park; rotating exhibits three-four times per New Hanover County Museum Director year

Jaws-n-Paws - Bring your dog to the ballpark on $7 general admission, $10 select nights Thirsty Thursday - $1 select beverages reserved bleacher, $12 home plate Fireworks Friday - Post-game fireworks show box Pregame Giveaway Saturdays - Free gifts to 500 kids or fans through the gates $12-adult/$10-college, military, seniors, national trust Rotating exhibits throughout the year focused on fine members/$6-students through art, history, historic preservation and design arts; jazz high school/free for children concerts, history lectures, special community events, under 5 and Bellamy Museum summer camps, Christmas open house, and more members

Anne Brennan Executive Director

Nonprofit 1962

Wilmington Children's Museum

Jim Karl Executive Director

Not-for-profit 1997

Tara and Jason Tatum

Richard Leder Executive Director

For-profit 2011

National Sports Services

Carson Bowen, General Manager

For-profit 1997

Preservation North Carolina

Gareth Evans Executive Director

Nonprofit 1993

Holli Saperstein Set in a 1883 Railroad Freight House, exhibits, Railroad Colette Anderson Adult: $9.50; children ages 2-12: history, model layouts, interactive displays, rolling Wilmington Museum Foundation Mark Koenig $5.50; senior/military: $8.50 stock includes 1910 Engine and tender, box car and Inc. Executive caboose Directors

Not-for-profit 1979

Darek Huckbody Owner

For-profit 2015

Home to four colonial structures; three 1744 Jail Christine National Society Adults-$12, college students with buildings and the 1770 House. Acre of seven colonial The Lamberton, Colonial Dames of Museum ID and active/retired military $10, revival gardens, fully furnished house, art gallery, of Director in the State youth 8-18 $6, children 5 and exhibit hall, gift shop. Tours include stories of the America Joy Allen, of North Carolina under-free people who lived and worked on the property, as well Executive (NSCDA-NC) as the prisoners here during British rule Director

Nonprofit 1951

Ages 7 and older

Laser tag, parties, team-building and fundraising events

Government 1898

Darek Huckbody

Page 10

August 7 - 20, 2020

Greater Wilmington Business Journal

wilmingtonbiz.com

| FROM THE COVER | 219 Station Road, Suite 202 Wilmington, NC 28405 (910) 343-8600 Fax: (910) 343-8660 wilmingtonbiz.com PUBLISHER Rob Kaiser rkaiser@wilmingtonbiz.com PRESIDENT Robert Preville rpreville@wilmingtonbiz.com ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER Judy Budd jbudd@wilmingtonbiz.com

nCino MILESTONES Spins off of Wilmingtonheadquartered SBA lender Live

Oak Bank

2011

Receives $10M

investment

from Wellington Management Co.

2012

2013

Raises $9M in one of

its first fundraising rounds

EDITOR Vicky Janowski vjanowski@wilmingtonbiz.com ASSISTANT EDITOR Cece Nunn cnunn@wilmingtonbiz.com REPORTERS Johanna Cano jcano@wilmingtonbiz.com Christina Haley O’Neal chaley@wilmingtonbiz.com SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Craig Snow csnow@wilmingtonbiz.com ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Ali Buckley abuckley@wilmingtonbiz.com OFFICE & AUDIENCE DEVELOPMENT MANAGER Sandy Johnson KEN sjohnson@wilmingtonbiz.com

LITTLE

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From nCino, page 1

Mahan said recently. “Neil [Underwood, now Live Oak Bancshares president] and his brother Pete picked the force.com platform because we had a challenge. We had 158 documents per loan and we needed to get all the data in one place, to treat every customer like the only customer in the bank and enable our lenders, our underwriters, our closers and our services to do the best job of any bank in the land.”

The resulting Bank Operating System did the job, and it occurred to Mahan and Underwood that the system could be helpful to other financial institutions as well. In late 2011, they created a separate software unit, raised about $3.5 million to fund it and recruited Naudé from his position as a divisional president at Atlanta-based S1 Corp. to lead it.

Named nCino, a riff on “encino,” the Spanish word for live oak, the fledgling operation took shape hunkered down in office space near that of its parent in the Iron Gate Office Park. Naudé’s job, as described by Mahan, was to take the code developed by Live Oak Bank and “make it elegant for use by us and other banks.”

Initially, nCino eyed smaller institutions as adopters of the Bank Operating System.

“Our target market is the traditional community banking market: banks and credit unions with assets between $1 billion and $10 billion,” Naudé said in mid-2012. “This is a market size of roughly 1,500 banks and credit unions in the United States. We are evaluating a strategy to make this software available to large financial institutions as well.”

Six months into its existence, nCino boasted six clients and had several others in the pipeline. Its marketing approach combined direct sales and channel partnerships, Naudé said at the time.

“The nCino system is built upon

Named one of America’s

Most Promising Companies by Forbes

2014

2015

Ends the year with 10 of the 30 largest banks in the U.S., world’s largest credit union as customers

2016

2017

Debuts on the Inc. 500 list, an exclusive ranking of the fastestgrowing privately held companies

the Salesforce.com platform; we have developed a strong partnership with Salesforce.com that has led to further sales and marketing opportunities,” he said. “This has coincided with the growth of our sales team and our marketing efforts, which will involve targeted banking conferences, establishing our image as the inventor of cloud banking, and creating case studies on how our existing bank clients have benefited and prospered with the nCino system.”

With a $9 million “friends and family” capital raise in early 2013, nCino accelerated its growth, logging 25 customers by late that year and attracting a further $10 million investment by Wellington Management.

While it was still not profitable, nCino’s steady growth continued to impress the business community. Forbes chose nCino as one of “America’s 2015 most promising companies” and, in February 2015, the software company announced the successful completion of a Series B financing round totaling $29 million. nCino’s leadership team decided that while their cloud-based lending software was gaining acceptance among a broad range of financial institutions, it needed to do more. So in 2016, nCino expanded the software to streamline deposit account opening and also introduced an auto-decision loan function. Two years later, the Bank Operating System grew to cover retail banking operations.

It’s called “land and expand”: in other words, sell your signature product to customers and make yourself indispensible to them with complementary products. “[nCino’s] thesis has always been to create a bank operating system, land and expand first its loan origination, [then] deposit account opening, compliance and risk management, artificial intelligence,” Mahan

2018

Announces IPO and debuts

on the Nasdaq; shares soar 195%

2019

2020

Opens an office in Sydney, Australia, expanding its global reach after establi

said in July. “This is incredibly sticky software and as you move across the enterprise from the wholesale side of the bank to the retail side of the bank, you can see why this company has become so interesting.”

From start to finish, 2017 was a milestone year for the company.

Barely five years into its existence, nCino had a customer list of about 130 financial institutions and employed 265 people. In January, SunTrust Bank, with assets of $205 billion, adopted the Bank Operating System, becoming nCino’s largest client. Two other big clients – Regions Bank ($125 billion) and Bank of the West ($74 billion) – were evidence that larger banks were seeing the benefits of a cloud-based, integrated software system.

At the same time, Naudé and his team were scouting opportunities on the other side of the Atlantic, and in mid-2017, the London-based OakNorth Bank became nCino’s first customer outside the U.S. nCino also opened an office in London to pursue sales in the U.K. and beyond.

“We will be supporting the European market from our London-based office and have already seen intense interest from European financial institutions for nCino’s Bank Operating System and the value it can provide,” Pullen Daniel, nCino’s managing director for Europe, said in July of that year.

Since then, nCino has established offices in Sydney, Toronto and, last fall, in Tokyo. At about the same time, it completed an $80 million capital raise, bringing the total investments between 2014 and late 2019 to about $205 million.

“We believe the next phase will be all about the intelligent enterprise,” Naudé said last year. “Every stage of every product will be enhanced through AI [artificial intelligence], machine learning, robotics and analytics. Banking is going from product-based to relationship-based.”

Greater Wilmington Business Journal

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August 7 - 20, 2020

Page 11

SPECIAL FOCUS: TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS

WORKING THROUGH IT Catching up with businesses

Editor’s Note: Starting in March, the Business Journal featured area businesses and how they are adjusting operations, innovating and coping in general with the economic impacts of the coronavirus. For this issue, we’re providing updates on some of those businesses as they continue to work through the ongoing pandemic.

Print shop gets a boost from loans, county grant For Betsy Kahn, owner of Copycat Print Shop, “March seems like an eternity ago,” she said.

“While business has not been stellar, in part because of a traditional summer slowdown, it has been steady,” Kahn said. “As a financial safeguard, we applied for and received the EIDL grant, PPP, the EIDL loan and were honored to have been one of the 130 [New Hanover County] businesses to have received a $10,000 grant to be applied to COVID-response measures.”

More safety precautions are in place at the business at 637 S. Kerr Ave., including a mandatory mask requirement. The print shop’s general manager, Sue Meier, has sewn many of the masks and provided them to the team.

“We have signage in our bathrooms reminding everyone to wash their hands for 20 seconds,” Kahn said. “Every morning huddle begins with “How’s everyone feeling today?’

It’s important to us to check in with the team.”

Khan said that everyone at the print shop has been responsible for taking their temperature with a provided thermometer upon entering the building.

She said, “We continue to offer curbside and delivery service to our clientele. Rarely does anyone other than our employees enter the building, but when they do, proper wearing of masks is mandatory.”

The business has received many orders for banners and window signage, among other products, and has donated banners to area businesses.

Store in Porters Neck debuts despite virus While the coronavirus crisis meant Sydney Slaska had to postpone the grand opening of her clothing

PHOTO BY MICHAEL CLINE SPENCER

All dressed up: Sydney Slaska, owner of Cloth + Design, opened her Porters Neck store in May after having to delay the grand opening because of the coronavirus.

store in Porters Neck, previously set to take place the last weekend in March, she was able to open Cloth + Design in May. The 1,400-square-foot, high-end women’s clothing boutique is in Unit BB at 8211 Market St. “Thankfully each month that goes by, we continue to build more and more relationships within the community,” Slaska said in July. “Everyone that has walked in has been incredibly supportive in opening Cloth + Design during this pandemic.”

She said there have been obstacles, “such as extensive supply chain issues with our vendors, our neighboring restaurants that help drive foot traffic having to periodically close, and the general public is understandably hesitant to be out and about.”

Slaska said that much like every small business owner, she is dealing with this pandemic head-on.

“We have incorporated a 30-day return policy if our customers are not comfortable with trying on instore,” she said. “For the clothing that is tried on in-store that is not purchased, we disinfect these items by steaming before placing the cloth-

ing back on the floor. We also offer personal shopping, online shopping and same-day door drops for our local community.”

Slaska grew up in the Brunswick County town of Ocean Isle Beach, and her last retail job was at clothing and accessories boutique Ann Paige in Morehead City.

In July 2019, “I was ready to take the chance for myself instead of running somebody else’s business,” she said.

Slaska said at the beginning of April that she knew the delayed grand opening would mean she’d have to increase her marketing efforts.

“The good thing about retail is that you can launch it online,” Slaska said Slaska continues to feel optimistic, she said.

“I have worked the past 10-plus years to put myself in this position, and I know it’s all going to work out,” Slaska said. “We can’t be more thankful for our clients support, and the relationships being built daily.

Even though these are difficult times, I’m extremely grateful to have my

doors open, and for the support of our community.”

For local commercial real estate firm, mixed news One of the largest commercial real estate firms in the region, Wilmington-based Coldwell Banker Commercial Sun Coast Partners provided an update on how the company is doing as the pandemic rages on.

There’s good and bad news.

“We’re four months into this health and economic crisis, and now we’re seeing the effects much more clearly,” said Mark Johnson, executive vice president/sales manager.

“Leasing activity has dropped significantly year over year. At the same time, our sales volume is up around 50%.”

He said the sales increase makes sense because “there’s still a lot of money in the market that has to go somewhere, thus keeping sales activity high. The drop in leasing also makes sense – especially in the retail market segment. So I guess it’s a mixed bag, and we’re surviving.”

– Cece Nunn

Page 12

August 7 - 20, 2020

wilmingtonbiz.com

Greater Wilmington Business Journal

SPECIAL FOCUS: TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

A

Next in line to lead ports

s one of his many goals as the next leader of the N.C. State Ports Authority, Brian Clark aims to support the ports’ role in economic development efforts across the CHRISTINA HALEY region and state.

Clark will become the new executive director of the authority, also known as N.C. Ports, come Jan. 1, following the retirement of Paul Cozza. Cozza has served as executive director since 2014.

Clark joined N.C. Ports in 2017 and has more than two decades of experience in the maritime industry.

Currently the ports’ chief operating officer, Clark is preparing between now and January to take on the leadership role by talking with key stakeholders, making plans and

O’NEAL

keeping an eye on the global trade and shipping trends that are fluctuating because of the COVID-19 pandemic, he said.

Clark’s leadership will come in the middle of a challenging fiscal year.

“As we enter into what is a very difficult time with this new fiscal year, it’s setting both short- and long-term strategies; the impact of the global pandemic and the impact to cargo volumes is still an unknown,” Clark said. “So we’re approaching this fiscal year in a bit of a conservative manner until we see the development of cargo volumes and revenues associated with that.”

On top of managing and preparing for challenges that come with the pandemic, Clark continues to help oversee investments at the Port of Wilmington and the Port of Morehead City that are part of the ports’ more than $221 million capital improvement plan.

The enhanced capabilities from those investments bring more to the

table during economic development discussions, he said.

“From a ports perspective, one of my goals is to take a more active role to work very closely with the economic development groups and ensure that the value we can provide as N.C. Ports is communicated early and often as prospective clients, customers or investors are investigating opportunities,” Clark said.

That goes for economic activities in the Wilmington area as well, he said.

“Over the last several years, we’ve seen a growing level of interest for development in the area. We’ve seen the development of warehouse facilities to support cargo volumes.

We’ve seen new industries move into the area,” Clark said. “The investments we are making in the ports, we believe play a very important role in those overall projects.”

When improvements to the Port of Wilmington’s container cargo facilities are complete, Clark plans to turn focus on general cargo facilities

PHOTO C/O N.C. PORTS

Taking the lead: N.C. Ports Chief Operating Officer Brian Clark will take on the executive director role in January after Paul Cozza retires.

Greater Wilmington Business Journal

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August 7 - 20, 2020

Page 13

SPECIAL FOCUS: TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT at Wilmington and Morehead City.

In addition, he plans to focus on the ports’ inland network, both rail and highways, he said.

A part of that plan lies in the completion of the Carolina Connector (CCX), a intermodal hub under development by Florida-based CSX Transportation in Rocky Mount.

“The CCX in Rocky Mount will be coming online next year. And as we look at growing our volumes, we have a strong focus on growing intermodal volumes that will support the development of the Rocky Mount facility,” Clark said. “We’re working with the state and with CSX to identify the opportunities … we certainly see value, and we are looking forward to that facility opening.”

Investments were made in the Charlotte Inland Port last year to increase capacity there, he said. And N.C. Ports is working to further develop its client base for the Queen City Express, an intermodal rail service between Charlotte and Wilmington.

“We have seen tremendous growth of those buy-ins since the service went live in 2017,” Clark said.

“And we continue to work with customers to identify cargos that could benefit from that rail operation.”

Another key component to further the ports’ influence on economic development locally is the development of facilities around the Port of Wilmington.

“We continue to work with potential interested customers for development of near-port warehouse facilities. We have property located near the Port of Wilmington that we are hopeful will lead to some development in the near future,” Clark said.

As part of his leadership, Clark said he is looking forward to growing the team at N.C. Ports.

“I think we have done a great job as an organization building the N.C. Ports name throughout the industry. We are certainly recognized as a strong performer when it comes to port services,” Clark said. “And my goal is to continue to develop that and build volumes and build opportunities for employment both here and at our facility in Morehead City.”

Pacon brings initial jobs to Navassa facility Pacon Manufacturing Corp. has created at least 40 jobs in Navassa as of July.

The company had its initial startup this spring, moving into the former U.S. Marine site at 100 Quality Drive in April, said Brunswick Business and Industry Development Executive Director Bill Early, one of the economic developers who helped recruit the industry to Brunswick County.

Pacon develops and manufactures wipes, pads, towels and liquids for the consumer, industrial and medical industries.

“As would be expected, Pacon has been quite busy with the COVID-19 [pandemic] since they produce Clorox wipes. Currently, they have one production line in place, and things are going well,” Early said in July.

The company plans to move its New Jersey location, eventually bringing all its production to Navassa, company officials have previously said.

Operations in New Jersey, however, are still ongoing, Early said. The

New Jersey facility has experienced strong production demands due to the pandemic. Plans are to have a phased move to Navassa from the New Jersey site.

Pacon is eligible for economic development incentives: $1 million in state grants and $300,000 in a local match approved by Brunswick County commissioners in July. For the incentives, the firm must meet certain benchmarks for investment and job creation.

The 40 initial jobs are out of the nearly 270 jobs the company is required to create to receive some of those incentives. The firm promised to create 299 jobs in Navassa and make a $37.6 million investment over several years, a plan announced by Gov. Roy Cooper at a press conference in April 2019.

It took economic developers, including those with North Carolina’s Southeast over a year to recruit the firm.

Early said, “Pacon is a strong family-owned manufacturing business that will provide quality jobs to Brunswick County and the Navassa community for years to come.”

Page 14

August 7 - 20, 2020

wilmingtonbiz.com

Greater Wilmington Business Journal

SPECIAL FOCUS: TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS

IN THE NEWS

Nonprofits move to virtual fundraisers

BY CHRISTINA HALEY O’NEAL

T

he shift from in-person to virtual fundraising events for several area nonprofit organizations is bringing in much-needed cash in light of the increasing demand for services during the COVID-19 pandemic.

StepUp Wilmington’s Stand With Us event in June surpassed its $150,000 fundraising goal, raising over $153,000, said Bethany Leighton, StepUp Wilmington’s community engagement director.

The fundraiser was held via email and online because the nonprofit had to cancel its annual spring luncheon.

The nonprofit helps individuals find jobs with a fair wage and provides support and training to help with individual and family stability, according to the group.

“I see virtual events as a way to replace traditional in-person fundraising events that many nonprofits rely on for revenue. They also offer us a way to stay connected with our donors during this unusual time and communicate the stories of those

we serve,” said Leighton, who is also board chair of the Association of Fundraising Professionals’ Cape Fear region chapter.

Last year, the Stand With Us luncheon brought 550 people to the Hotel Ballast in downtown Wilmington. But this year, in an effort to slow the spread of the coronavirus, statewide restrictions remain in place on large gatherings.

“Certainly, the virtual event through the website was an opportunity to still capture the essence of that event in terms of format … So, for us, we weren’t sure if we would be able to reach that goal, and we’re really excited to exceed it,” added Leighton, The nonprofit will need to continue to fundraise, however, to meet its increased demand for its services, Leighton said.

“Due to COVID-19, we anticipate an increase in the number of unemployed and underemployed individuals approaching SUW [StepUp Wilmington] for employment assistance in the coming year, leading to

as many as 500 individuals needing employment assistance alone over the next year—a 76% increase over last year’s employment program demand,” she said.

The Good Shepherd Center recently hosted an online auction and virtual fundraiser because its annual fundraiser, its 17th annual golf, tennis, games day and pickleball tournament previously scheduled for July 27 at the Country Club of Landfall, was canceled due to the pandemic.

It’s the organization’s biggest fundraiser of the year, said Katrina Knight, executive director of the Good Shepherd Center, which is a provider of homeless services, including shelter and food in the region.

“We had hoped to simply postpone it, but then again like so many nonprofits when the community health crisis did not resolve in a matter of weeks, a reality set in that we were going to have to cancel altogether,” Knight said.

To recoup some of those losses, Good Shepherd continued with the event auction as an online activity.

The virtual auction ended in late July, raising $30,000, and exceeding the nonprofit’s $20,000 fundraising goal, Knight said.

“The auction piece of the fundraiser was one that they could still have and safely get information and photos out to supporters and offer a safe way to support Good Shepherd,” she said.

Hope Abounds Cancer Network had to cancel five in-person events this year, including The Legacy of Hope Brunch, its annual board of director’s luncheon, said Elizabeth Barnes, co-founder and executive director of the local organization that serves cancer patients during their treatment.

The nonprofit instead launched an event online last month as the Legacy of Hope Virtual Fundraiser, with a goal to raise $50,000 by Aug. 8. That funding would be a fourth of the $200,000 operation budget the organization raises yearly.

“We felt we needed to get out there and do what we can,” Barnes said. “It’s a lifeline at this point.”

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Actionable Information

Wilmington’s Key to Business Intelligence WilminGton B iz 2 0 1 9 c o m m e r c i a l r e a l e s tat e i s s u e

Planting roots

Lloyd Singleton on tree management for storm prep Page 9

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Closing up shop

Several national retailers are shuttering stores Page 10

Cheers for causes

The social side of philanthropy Page 19

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Preparing for takeoff: Julie Wilsey, director of the Wilmington International Airport, stands outside the facility where an expansion is set to take place over the next few years to accommodate growth.

ILM’S NEXT FLIGHT PLAN

BY CHRISTINA HALEY O’NEAL anding a third carrier and new flights at the Wilmington International Airport triggered unprecedented growth in passenger traffic last year.

The new additions came as the airport embarks on its $60 million expansion that will increase ILM’s ability to handle more travelers in the coming years.

Just over 934,000 passengers flew through the airport in 2018, 12 percent more than the previous year’s record.

And that was despite a winter storm last January, a series of flight cancellations in the summer because of PSA Airlines’ technical issues nationwide and major disruption due to Hurricane Florence in September.

Officials are now eyeing a milestone mark this year.

“One million is an exciting number for us,” Airport Director Julie Wilsey said. “As we get closer, or break that 1 million passenger mark, it opens a lot of opportunities for ILM.” ILM wants to grow the airport but at the same time maintain that small-town, Southern charm that it has been known for, said Gary Broughton, the airport’s deputy director.

L

“Our growth has been well thought out,” he said.

Pushing the airport expansion forward is the biggest focus for ILM officials in 2019, with construction underway over several contracts between now and 2022. The airport is expected to grow from 95,000 square feet to more than 173,000 square feet, based on the most recent designs, and would be able to accommodate an estimated 705,000 outbound passengers a year, when the expansion is complete.

There are times at ILM now when areas of the airport are reaching capacity, Wilsey said.

“We need to get the building expanded so we can support more services and more passengers as the airport grows,” Wilsey said.

And as ILM gains more travelers and more capacity, possibilities open up for the regional airport. That includes employing more people.

Currently, there are about 480 people working there, 50 of whom are ILM staff, Broughton said. ILM will need to hire more help in the future, but just how much help is still being determined, he said.

Airport officials continue in 2019 to market for addi-

2020

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“Fun Fact: There’s a Cadillac in the Cape Fear” by Heather Divoky

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Banking & Finance ................................ 4 The List .....................................5, 14, 15 Health Care .......................................... 6 Economic Development ........................ 8 In Profile ............................................... 9 Real Estate ................................... 10-12 Business of Life ............................. 18-19

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August 7 - 20, 2020

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| REAL ESTATE |

Major project would impact Southport

BY CECE NUNN he developer of River Place in downtown Wilmington is partnering with Bald Head Island Limited on a nearly 400-acre development dubbed Project Indigo.

The $565 million project by Bald Head Island Limited and East West Partners, the River Place developer, would incorporate single-family homes, apartments, townhomes, duplexes and some commercial space for what would be considered amenities for the residents: medical offices, restaurants and other users.

Project Indigo is a culmination of the vision that Bald Head Island Limited and the Mitchell family, which bought Bald Head Island in the 1980s, have had for the future of the property just west of downtown Southport.

“Our goal has been always to make it a legacy Southport community,” said Chad Paul, CEO of Bald Head Island Limited, during a pre-

T

CONCEPTUAL PLAN C/O BALD HEAD ISLAND LIMITED

Big plans: A conceptual plan for Project Indigo shows its mix of residential and commercial uses.

sentation last month to the Southport Board of Aldermen.

Paul said the development would be a “10- to 15-year transaction.”

He said 15% of nearly 400 acres is within Southport’s city limits while the rest is in extra-jurisdictional territory [ETJ] and unincorporated

Brunswick County. The idea would be for the city to annex, via a voluntary annexation, the rest of the property, Paul said.

The new community would incorporate Indigo Plantation Marina, home to Indigo Plantation Yacht Club, on the Intracoastal Waterway close to the Cape Fear River. The marina previously held the ferry landing and ferry terminal for Bald Head Island.

The concept development plan for the property where Project Indigo would be built is a much less intensive use than what would be allowed by current and previously approved development rights, Paul said.

“We have pre-existing development rights associated with the current PUD in place, which we will alter. It’s really going to be downscaling the current PUD intensity and downscaling of what was previously approved for the land tracts that currently reside in the county, which

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| is a good thing in terms of creating a legacy Southport community,” he said.

Project Indigo will have as much connectivity as possible and emphasize walkability, with sidewalks on both sides of the streets.

Keeping natural features will be key, Paul said.

“We’re not mass grading; we’re not mass clearing,” he said.

He added, “We’re going to lay out lots just like we do on Bald Head … there will be no cutting of 200-yearold oak trees.”

Paul said if a street might run into the path of an ancient oak, the street will be moved. The plan is for 30% of the community to consist of greenspace.

“It’s all going to be about ecology, and it’s all going to be about stewardship development,” Paul said.

The portions of the site located within Brunswick County were culled together by Bald Head Island Limited LLC from 13 different parcels that were part of a previous planned development that went bankrupt.

The portion of the site located near Indigo Plantation Marina is part of a pre-existing PUD that already has

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REAL ESTATE

water and sewer availability via the city of Southport.

Paul said Bald Head Island Limited has a 35-year relationship with the city “in terms of bringing on good, ecologically friendly and considerate development to include Indigo Plantation and Marina in the 1980s-1990s and the Deep Point Bald Head Island Ferry Terminal facilities in 2009.”

That relationship is expected to continue, members of the Project Indigo team said.

“We’re not coming here to tell you how we’re going to do our development; we’re coming here in a collaborative spirit,” said Lucien Ellison, senior partner with East West Partners in Wilmington, during the presentation. “We want to have a collaborative relationship with the city of Southport and the Board of Aldermen and the city staff … to come up with something that works for everybody.”

One of the specific tasks the project team also wants to accomplish is to form a relationship with Dosher Memorial Hospital in Southport, Ellison said, adding that the project might offer an opportunity to take

August 7 - 20, 2020

Page 17

|

some pressure off of the hospital.

Paul said Dosher Memorial Hospital is an essential facility to southern Brunswick County and needs room to expand.

That’s one reason why the plan for Project Indigo includes about 80,000 square feet of mixed-use facilities to include medical office space.

“The idea is some of the mixed use will be the ancillary doctors’ offices, the ancillary outpatient services that we can do and work with the hospital on their expansion needs,” Paul said.

In addition, Project Indigo could also have a first-rate, state-of-the-art assisted living facility with 150 to 200 beds, he said.

“That’s something that if the city wants to do it, we’ll do it,” Paul said.

“It’s trying to work with the pieces we have to really support Southport and the hospital.”

Southport Mayor Joe Pat Hatem said after the presentation in July that Project Indigo is “probably one of the most exciting projects” for the city’s future, pointing out the ability of residents there to age in place because of the different types of housing, including senior living units,

in the plan.

Hatem also said at the end of July that the next step in the governmental process includes the project team working with the city staff and city planner Thomas Lloyd, after which the plans would eventually be part of a Southport Planning Board agenda.

RIVER PLACE UPDATE

In addition to partnering with Bald Head Island Limited on Project Indigo, East West Partners has been working with the city of Wilmington on River Place, a 13-story, mixed-use structure in downtown Wilmington that includes apartment, condominiums, a parking deck and commercial space.

Upcoming River Place residents have begun finalizing their purchase of some of the condos in the development, and apartment residents are expected to soon move into the apartment section, The Overlook at River Place. Tenants coming to the commercial space include Mellow Mushroom, Axis Fitness, high-end urban market DGX and a branch of Bank of America.

Founded in 1976, East West Partners is based in Chapel Hill and has a Wilmington office.

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INDUSTRIAL EXPANSION IN THE CAPE FEAR REGION

HANS BEAN Chief Commercial Officer, North Carolina Ports

KEN DULL President, McKinley Building Corporation

HILL ROGERS Broker-In-Charge, Cameron Management

J. CLARK HIPP President and Principal Architect, Hipp Architecture & Development, PC

CODY CRESS Vice President,

TYLER PEGG Vice President,

The CRESS Group and Coldwell Banker Commercial Sun Coast Partners

C

ontinuous growth of the Cape Fear Region’s industrial sector is a vital component to making key advancements in our area and contributing to the global supply chain. Industrial projects have been steadily on the rise in our area and are expected to increase over the coming years, providing positive impacts and increased opportunity for our community. We asked a panel of local experts to share their thoughts about recent projects and their predictions for what lies ahead.

What is making southeastern North Carolina an increasingly attractive region for industrial projects?

KEN DULL: The industrial activity we continue to see in the region is the culprit of decade’s worth of work from our business development community.

This certainly didn’t happen overnight. The forward thinking of New Hanover and Pender County has

led to a diverse array of project announcements in our region – from corporate/back office to food processing to manufacturing and distribution/logistics, etc. Quality of life, healthcare, education and transportation infrastructure play important roles in the dynamics of this market.

HANS BEAN: North Carolina is the ninth largest state and growing larger each day and southeastern North Carolina alone has the fastest growing county in the state. Global markets recognize this growth. New businesses are moving into the region to take advantage of our workforce, rail and truck

capability, and a growing community of supply chain logistics professionals. It also helps that our region offers convenient access to a deep-water port and international airport in Wilmington. These assets help connect North Carolina to the world.

HILL ROGERS: Southeastern NC is an attractive region for industrial projects for a variety of reasons: 1) highway and rail infrastructure providing critical linkages to attractive east coast markets, 2) the NC Port of Wilmington, 3) strong population growth, 4) strong university and community college system, 5) low tax and “right to work” status offered

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Page 19

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The investments in “ infrastructure and population

The industrial activity we “ continue to see in the region is

growth are the primary drivers for making our region attractive for industrial projects.

the culprit of decade’s worth of work from our business development community.

”

”

HILL ROGERS Broker-In-Charge, Cameron Management

by the State of North Carolina, 6) a strong local business community, and 7) last − but not least − a coordinated and unified approach to recruitment.

CODY CRESS & TYLER PEGG: The basic answer to this broad question is southeastern North Carolina (SE NC) offers a high quality of lifestyle. The various amenities include an historic downtown riverfront and multiple beaches along with medical facilities and educational facilities that all add to this lifestyle. SE NC has a relative low cost of living index, low taxes, and a low unionization rate. SE NC has access to several local and statewide incentives, grants, and public/private partnerships that can help expanding and relocating businesses. This process is one area that can be improved upon from a procedural and competitive standpoint, but we are still fortunate to have access to these. Lastly, SE NC offers a midway point between northern and southern states with a network of infrastructure that offers a competitive advantage for logistics. This infrastructure includes the deep-water Port of Wilmington, a major interstate and road network (74/76, I-40, HWY 421, and HWY 17), rail service, and an international airport.

What investments has our community made to position ourselves well given the current economic conditions?

KEN DULL President, McKinley Building Corporation

CRESS & PEGG: Community investments have been made in education and infrastructure for healthy future economic growth in SE NC. Expansions and improvements in both UNC-Wilmington and Cape Fear Community College help attract additional and more-talented students. The Pathway to Excellence Program partnership between CFCC

“

Bringing water and sewer services to the HWY 421 corridor has expanded the potential for larger, more complex users -J. CLARK HIPP President and Principal Architect, Hipp Architecture & Development, PC

and UNCW provides a track for guaranteed admission to UNCW for CFCC students that maintain certain academic criteria. Infrastructure improvements have been, and continue to be, made in roads, rail, the port, the airport and in other important utility expansions, such as water, sewer, natural gas, internet, and power. Pre-Covid-19, DOT had plans for approximately 40 major projects in our local area; hopefully, these projects remain on the books.

ILM International Airport is in the middle of a 3-phase and 4 plus-year

expansion where the terminal would grow by about 75 percent, expanding to approximately 160,000 square feet.

The Cape Fear Public Utility Authority (CFPUA) recently completed the Hwy 421 water and sewer expansion, providing service to nearly 1,000 developable acres along this corridor.

This corridor, from the Isabel Holmes Bridge to the Pender County line, is one of the last portions of New Hanover County suitable for industrial development − and this infrastructure is essential to growth.

DULL: Growth in New Hanover County, from an industrial perspective, is likely to continue on the northern side of the county. With that in mind, the investment made in infrastructure (water & sewer) along the U.S. Hwy 421 corridor was absolutely critical. Product development, in terms of shovel ready sites and spec buildings, is of equal importance. What Pender County and our economic development allies at Wilmington Business Development continue to do in the Pender Commerce Park has positioned us well for future investment. Between the U.S. Hwy 421 corridor − which includes the Pender Commerce Park − and what New Hanover County is doing at its Blue Clay Road Site, we are certainly excited about the current and future economic conditions of the region.

ROGERS: The investments in infrastructure and population growth are the primary drivers for making our region attractive for industrial projects. The infrastructure investments include water and sewer expansion along US 421 in New Hanover and

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Pender Counties and along US 74 in Brunswick and Columbus Counties.

The NC Port of Wilmington has dramatically increased their infrastructure with new neo-Panamax cranes, deepened shipping channel, and expanded turning basin. Our community colleges play a critical role in educating and training our region’s workforce as well as being an active participant in recruiting industry.

BEAN: The recent investments by the North Carolina General Assembly are paying off in our region. The General Assembly has allotted $45 million to North Carolina Ports in each of the last two budget cycles. Those funds have supported major infrastructure improvement efforts at both the Port of Wilmington and the Port of Morehead City. Thanks to these investments, North Carolina Ports is able to better support its growing customer base by offering greater port capabilities and global connectivity.

What industries are showing interest in expanding or relocating to the Cape Fear region?

ROGERS: Industries involved with skilled manufacturing are actively looking at our region, as well as industries looking to capitalize on our port infrastructure and our natural resources infrastructure. I think these inquiries will continue as executives and their employees want to relocate away from high tax, high regulatory,

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and congested urban areas and into lower tax regions.

CRESS & PEGG: SE NC has a diverse background in industry beginning with importing/exporting via the Cape Fear River. During the 20th century, shipbuilding along the Cape Fear River flourished and Wilmington housed, until 1960, the headquarters of the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad (ACL). More recently, SE NC has seen expansion in light manufacturing, warehouse and distribution, last mile distribution, e-commerce, finance, software, healthcare, education, tourism, agricultural, aerospace, research and development for several pharmaceutical operations, as well as national defense and military.

BEAN: Our economic development partners across the state are seeing growth opportunities in warehouse/ distribution, e-commerce, manufacturing, as well as cold storage opportunities to support the North Carolina agriculture and grocery sectors and the medical,

How can our region capitalize on the growth of e-commerce?

CLARK HIPP: Continue to invest in quality of life issues, like bike paths, greenspace, cross city trail, and other activities. Schools are another important area to focus.

ROGERS: Our region can certainly be viewed as a “last mile” destination. As e-commerce becomes more localized with same day delivery, having an inventory of warehouse and industrial product to meet those logistical needs will help our region become more attractive to business and industry.

DULL: In order to take advantage of the trends accelerated by the pandemic we must have product ready for those enticed by speed to market. Modern industrial buildings of scale with accessibility to highways, ports and airports are essential in e-commerce recruitment.

We also must have state New businesses are and local support, in the way of incenmoving into the region tives, accelerated to take advantage of our

“

workforce, rail and truck capability, and a growing community of supply chain logistics professionals.

”

HANS BEAN Chief Commercial Officer, North Carolina Ports

pharma and life sciences sectors.

DULL: Our project engagement continues to be strong through these unprecedented times and it’s certainly not limited to one specific industry.

We are seeing interest in distribution, manufacturing, corporate/back office, etc. It’s important that we keep this region’s economy diverse, thus retaining home grown talent − products of UNCW & CFCC. Our general contracting teams take pride in their experience and relationships across multiple sectors.

permitting, etc. to encourage these types of investments and compete with other attractive locations.

BEAN: Speed and e-commerce go hand in hand. Wilmington and the southeast region are a perfect fit for demand-based models that require guaranteed performance and flexible distribution options. Additionally, our region’s access to fintech with acceleration of trade transactions and our massive supplier base for indus-

“

Our educated, talented workforce is another valuable and unique asset for our community - Cody Cress Vice President, Tyler Pegg Vice President, The CRESS Group and Coldwell Banker Commercial Sun Coast Partners tries such as furniture and DIY adds e-commerce value.

CRESS & PEGG: Embrace it and make future investments in this sector! We have several top tier universities and community colleges that we can train to work and compete in these e-commerce occupational fields.

Other ways we can capitalize are to invest in new and updated infrastructure, including fiber gigabit internet such as Google Fiber. The region is beginning to see Class-A office and industrial speculative buildings in several areas. Investments that are already completed or in the process are: expansion of ILM International Airport, new water and sewer services to unserved areas such as highway 421 corridor, increased expansion of fiber services, etc. We need to continue our expansion of these services and help encourage smart growth of our bridges and road network.

Talk about one current or upcoming development project in our region that you’re excited about.

DULL: There are numerous projects we are heavily involved in and excited about but due to the competitiveness

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of these projects we cannot breach confidentiality requirements.

HIPP: The completion of I-40 some 20 years ago greatly enhanced our region’s connection to Raleigh and the Research Triangle. The continued enhancement of Hwy 74 into I-74 will provide a similar enhanced connection between our region and the Charlotte metro area. It also enhances our connection to the I-95 and I-26 transportation corridors. This continued enhancement will provide another transportation link for our region to the major north and south interstates.

ROGERS: Our team is very bullish about the development of International Logistics Park (“ILP”), a North Carolina Department of Commerce certified mega site situated on US Highway 74 in Brunswick and Columbus Counties consisting of over 1,000 acres. The first phase of our park consists of approximately 70-acres, which has been cleared, graded, and permitted with four lots approved for over 1.2 million square feet of industrial development. ILP has water, sewer, electricity, and fiber optic capacity in place or readily available. The first building at ILP will be the International Commerce Center, a 150,000 SF industrial spec building that will be expandable to 300,000 SF. Architectural plans for the building are nearing completion and will be submitted for a building permit within the next 30 days. Construction could be completed as early Q1-2021.

BEAN: A couple of areas NC Ports is really excited about development is in the cold chain and food processing.

We are working with multiple developers to deliver much needed chilled and fresh capabilities to our region.

This will help serve the produce and medical, pharma, and life sciences in logistics and distribution. We are also working with established food producers and developers focused on expanding food processing to leverage the region’s significant agriculture production base for more finished products.

CRESS & PEGG: Pacon Manufacturing has been making news over the

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past 18 months for their relocation and expansion from Somerset, NJ, to Navassa, NC. Pacon manufactures sanitary wipes, pads, towels, drapes, and liquids. Pacon has been in the process, over the past 12 months, of building out their new space, installing new manufacturing lines and relocating lines from New Jersey, and is committed to employing 300 essential workers. This project proves how the economic development groups, including Wilmington Business Development (WBD), North Carolina’s Southeast (NCSE), and Brunswick Business and Industrial Development (BBID), work to not only attract, but also provide vital guidance during the entire relocation and expansion process.

NC Ports to meet the demand of increased volume on container moves at the Port of Wilmington. Lastly, the re-launching of a next-day intermodal rail service connecting Wilmington to Charlotte provides us the ability to play a larger role in integrated manufacturing and distribution supply chains.

HIPP: Increased port activity results in increased transportation of goods and materials. This activity should result in increased attention to transportation

has private land “asOurwellarea as port-owned land that provides flexibility and options for industrial users.

”

What opportunities have recent upgrades at the Port of Wilmington opened up for our region?

BEAN: North Carolina Ports has an aggressive expansion plan backed by more than $200 million in capital improvements. This initiative enables us to tailor our growth to meet customers’ needs and better facilitate long-term plans and business projections. Completed improvements include a wider turning basin, berth enhancements, air draft improvements, and three neo-Panamax cranes which allow the largest vessels transiting to the East Coast to reach the Port of Wilmington. NC Ports also recently opened a multi-million dollar refrigerated container yard at the Port of Wilmington. This project triples the port’s on-terminal refrigerated container capacity and allows us to better support the growing agriculture and grocery sectors across North Carolina. Other improvements in development include the container terminal master plan which will increase the Port of Wilmington’s annual throughput capacity to more than one million TEUs as well as the building of a new truck gate complex.

Together, these projects will enable

has led to tremendous growth at the Port of Wilmington. With an expanded turning basin, new cranes, expansion of its container yard, etc. we’ve seen the arrival of the largest ships now calling on East Coast Ports. The port now has a proof of concept and the ammunition to attract additional carriers/services to

CODY CRESS Vice President,

TYLER PEGG Vice President,

The CRESS Group and Coldwell Banker Commercial Sun Coast Partners

issues, including a new or upgraded crossing of the Cape Fear River.

CRESS & PEGG: The Port of Wilmington made history in May 2020 when the MV Hyundai Hope became the largest container ship to ever dock there. The Port Authority completed four projects over recent years to enable this, including expanding the turning basin, expanding container berth space, improving air draft over the river, and installing additional and larger cranes. This $200M in improvements to accommodate 14,000 TEU (twenty-foot equivalent units) container ships opened the Port of Wilmington up to additional markets including SE Asia, India, etc. In addition, the port has added avenues for additional revenue, such as refrigerated cold storage space under a public-private partnership. Furthermore, these upgrades and business expansions have brought more awareness to our representatives in Raleigh, which should help our area obtain more incentives and grants.

DULL: Recent investments by the State of North Carolina in its ports

Wilmington. With additional carriers comes added volumes, thus further demands in trucking, warehousing, etc.

What advantages does our region offer over other East Coast port communities that make it attractive for commercial investment?

ROGERS: The Port of Wilmington has always been viewed as a niche port. It will never be the size of Savanah, Charleston, or Norfolk. As a result of not being “too big,” the Port of Wilmington has the ability and track record of providing excellent service to the small and mid-size shipping lines that struggle to gain market share at the larger East Coast ports. Notwithstanding the Port’s overall lack of size, the recent investments now allow for the Ultra-Large

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Container Vessels (ULCV’s), which carry 14,000 TEUs, to utilize the Port of Wilmington, thereby increasing our region’s accessibility to other markets. The first ship of this size sailed in the Port on May 20, 2020.

DULL: We’ve got more land available − at a competitive cost − within 20 miles of the port than most of the competition. This 20-mile radius, from a transportation perspective, is cost favorable. You often hear the phrase “at-port model”. Advancing the “at-port model” represents opportunity to us developers. Another key differentiator for us is the efficiencies associated with North Carolina Ports.

From a truck turn time perspective to crane moves per hour, they are on a different level than neighboring ports and in that industry, time is money.

CRESS & PEGG: Available industrial-zoned by-right acreage within proximity close to the port is unique to our area. Many East Coast port communities do not have developable industrial land within 20 miles of its port. Our area has private land as well as port-owned land that provides flexibility and options for industrial users. The Port of Wilmington, in itself, offers the advantage of efficiency. The port touts a 32-minute average dual turn rate, for both container drop-off and pickup. Time is money and this makes it advantageous for port users.

Our market also features industrial space with lease rates that are highly competitive to other East Coast port communities.

BEAN: Southeast North Carolina offers convenient access to the Port of Wilmington, Port of Morehead City and Wilmington International Airport. The region offers rail access via CSX and is conveniently connected to major thoroughfares including U.S. 421, I-40, I-95, I-85 and I-77.

Speaking from a ports perspective, North Carolina’s ports are among the most market-accessible ports on the U.S. East Coast. Within 1,000 miles of North Carolina’s borders are more than 170 million U.S. and Canadian consumers, more than 65 of the country’s top 100 metropolitan areas and nearly 60 percent of total U.S. retail sales. More specifically, what makes the Port of Wilmington so

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competitive is its level of efficiency.

The Port of Wilmington offers the fastest truck turn times on the East Coast and lacks the waterside congestion that many neighboring ports face. These landside and waterside efficiencies make our port an attractive option for customers.

HIPP: From a transportation standpoint, our connection to I-40 and our regional airport offer significant benefits. From an educational standpoint, we have UNC Wilmington and CFCC providing opportunities for higher learning and job training. But maybe more importantly, our region is blessed with a quality of life prized by many. We have an active, historic downtown, wonderful beaches, and a very active arts and entertainment community. Employers understand that these qualities attract workers and therefore look to locate in such areas to encourage a productive workforce.

What role does the expansion at the Wilmington International Airport play in creating business opportunities locally?

CRESS & PEGG: Simply put, being more connected to areas outside of Wilmington is critical for our growth.

What is really needed are more direct flights for business travelers. With the expansion of ILM’s terminal, expectations are to see more direct options in the near future. ILM gets very high remarks at being very efficient and a pleasure to move through. Parking is generally ample, lines are short, and security works well. The expansion might come with some short-term growing pains, but it is what our region needs long-term.

ROGERS: It is critical that our region have a first-class airport with daily non-stops to important Tier-1 cities and primary markets. ILM has done a fantastic job of staying ahead

“

Industries involved with skilled manufacturing are actively looking at our region as well as industries looking to capitalize on our Port Infrastructure and our natural resources infrastructure.

- Hill Rogers Broker-In-Charge, Cameron Management of our region’s population growth and anticipating critical business traveler needs. Additionally, ILM has the runway infrastructure to support air cargo shipments.

HIPP: Even with the current impact to travel from the Covid-19 outbreak, work-related travel will remain an important part of business. Our airport is a significant element in connecting our region to the larger, global market.

DULL: Wilmington International Airport (ILM) provides a convenient travel experience for companies and people in Southeastern North Carolina seeking reliable links to the global marketplace. The expansion efforts of ILM could/should also lead to additional carriers/services, which is imperative as we compete with other successful markets that have made notable investments their airports.

How have co-investment projects, such as that between New Hanover County and CFPUA along the US Hwy 421 corridor, improved our area’s commercial attractiveness?

HIPP: Bringing water and sewer services to the HWY 421 corridor has expanded the potential for larger, more complex users. Structures housing large industrial users typically require fire suppression systems and limited water pressures makes these systems very expensive. Such collaborations also demonstrate to companies interested in investing in our community that our region’s leaders are willing to find solutions that will benefit both the community and the growth of business.

CRESS & PEGG: The co-investment project between New Hanover County and CFPUA was considered a cost-recovery project with developers, or private money, aiding in the project. Duke Energy was a major contributor as a result of environmental fines from its Sutton Power Plant located along this Hwy 421 corridor.

This corridor is a vital connection for our manufacturing, warehousing, and distribution companies where the interconnectivity to I-140, I-40, Port of Wilmington, and rail service makes this area convenient and efficient for these uses. This water and sewer infrastructure allows for smart industrial growth in accordance with the New Hanover County Unified Development Ordinance (UDO). This smart industrial growth is evidenced by recent development in the Pender Commerce Park and industrial/flex buildings along this corridor. This development allows creation of core jobs and a strong economic foundation for SE NC. DULL: Water & sewer are essential utilities for any community to thrive − creating business and lifestyle opportunities alike. As previously discussed, this forward-thinking investment made by New Hanover County has already resulted in business and industry relocating to the U.S. Hwy 421 corridor − nearly 100 businesses big & small are between the Isabel Holmes Bridge and Pender Commerce Park. We expect this trend to continue and plan to play a major part in further development here.

ROGERS: Access to water and sewer is always a primary criterion to be commercially attractive for industry.

Without water and sewer, a commu-

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nity has no chance to compete for these industrial opportunities. NHC and CFPUA are to be congratulated for making those investments to this industrial corridor.

How have other policies and decisions of our local governments and elected officials affected the commercial interest in our region?

DULL: Most recently, the City and County are making, or have made, more innovative zoning codes which expand business development opportunities that quite frankly did not exist previously. The drawback is that special use permits have impeded some growth, but, overall, these changes have been a positive. Increased infrastructure investment in the region previously mentioned, like water and sewer, port expansion, and the completion of I-140 have helped spark additional interest as well.

“

…the re-launching of a next-day intermodal rail service connecting Wilmington to Charlotte provides us the ability to play a larger role in integrated manufacturing and distribution supply chains - Hans Bean Chief Commercial Officer, North Carolina Ports

ROGERS: Separate and apart from the industrial opportunities that are coming to our region, we will continue to see population growth regardless of what happens in the

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August 7 - 20, 2020

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ful DISCUSSIONS Sponsors’ Content Distributed By Greater Wilmington Business Journal

industrial space. Employers want their employees to have “numerous” options for quality housing, education, and healthcare. Our leaders must embrace this growth, as it will lead to infinitely more employment opportunities and improved quality of life for everyone. Additionally, our local and state officials have invested in economic development efforts and their support of Wilmington Business Development, Brunswick Business & Industry Development, and North Carolina’s Southeast is critical to our future success.

HIPP: Both county and city governments are completing major updates to their land development codes and ordinances. These reviews have been long overdue and appear to be addressing current issues and goals of future development.

What factors make the Cape Fear region uniquely appealing for warehouse distribution centers?

BEAN: One of the factors that makes the Cape Fear region appealing for warehouse distribution centers is readily available sites near the Port of Wilmington with room to grow.

This is important because as this area grows and the consumer base advances, we will need access to more distribution.

ROGERS: People want to live here.

They need a reason to live here.

Often that “reason” is their job, or an opportunity for a job. When I travel around the state and the country, I hear constantly from people saying, “I would love to live in Wilmington.”

The combination of job opportunities and natural resources is a unique feature. While that is more of a qualitative reason, I believe it is an import-

ant factor that influences the thinking of decision makers. Nonetheless, a growing population (as opposed to a shrinking population) will drive more demand for warehouse distribution centers.

CRESS & PEGG: From a trucking and rail distribution perspective, we can only serve half the pie, the Port of Wilmington and ILM provide the other half, and more, allowing a global connection and network to the world. The Cape Fear region also includes two military installations, Camp Lejeune and Fort Bragg, within a one- to two-hour drivetime making this a prime location for military contractors and businesses affiliated with the military. According to local census data, approximately 18,000 military personnel exit the military on an annual basis and many of them look for work to remain in SE NC. Our educated, talented workforce is another valuable and unique asset for our community.

DULL: Previously mentioned advancements/investment at the Port of Wilmington obviously play into the appeal for additional warehouse and distribution projects. But the port is just a piece of the transportation pie. Interstate connectivity to major markets and our appealing Mid-At-

“

Our project engagement continues to be strong through these unprecedented times and it’s certainly not limited to one specific industry - Ken Dull President, McKinley Building Corporation

HAVE SOMETHING INSIGHTFUL TO SAY? For more info, email marketing@wilmingtonbiz.com or call (910) 343-8600 x204

ress on that front with companies like nCino, Live Oak Bank, PPD, Alcami, Screen Gems, Pacon, Verizon, New Hanover Regional Medical Center, UNCW, GE, and others, but we definitely need more. Think of all the UNCW and CFCC graduates along with our military service men and women that would love to stay and be a part of our community. With the

lantic location − within 700 miles of 70 percent of the U.S. industrial base − are of equal importance. Not to mention ILM and the advantages associated with the continued expansion of our convenient airport.

Our airport is a “ significant element in

connecting our region to the larger, global market.

”

J. CLARK HIPP President and Principal Architect, Hipp Architecture & Development, PC

What impact will commercial investment have on the citizens of southeastern North Carolina?

continued commercial investment, we hope to have the jobs that attract and retain this talent already in our area.

CRESS & PEGG: There are several ways that commercial investment will positively impact the citizens of our region. First, there will be tax revenue generated from these companies. This is huge positive impact for keeping our property taxes lower while being able to still afford the infrastructure investment for continued growth. No one likes higher taxes, and one way to keep them low is to foster smart growth. Another way commercial investment helps the community is through job growth. Our area thrives on having lots of retirees coming to our region, but we also need and want to attract younger people with families. To attract them, we need jobs and decent levels of compensation. Our area has made a lot of prog-

DULL: An enhanced job and tax base keeps the tax rate lower for residential users. In addition, a diversified economy provides jobs for those that want to stay in the region, retaining home grown talent. A rising tide floats all boats!

BEAN: As we see more investment in our region, we can anticipate an increase in jobs, tax base, global connectivity and market access, manufacturing potential, just to name a few.

You can expect to see a multiplier effect as these areas improve which will ultimately increase opportunities across the board.

ROGERS: #1- jobs, #2-jobs, #3-jobs.

More jobs will lead to more investments within our community, be it roads, healthcare expansion, recreational opportunities, and cultural amenities. Our region cannot thrive without a healthy private sector.

UPCOMING INSIGHTFUL DISCUSSIONS TOPICS: September 4, 2020

September 18, 2020

Women in Business

Wealth Management

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Greater Wilmington Business Journal

wilmingtonbiz.com

August 7 - 20, 2020

| BIZ LEADS | Reader’s Guide BizLeads is a collection of information gathered from greater Wilmington courthouses, state government offices and informational websites. These listings are intended to help the business community find new customers and stay on top of happenings with current customers, vendors and competitors.

New Corporations lists firms that were recently incorporated in the state of North Carolina. All information is gathered from the North Carolina Secretary of State website. Addresses listed may not be the actual address of the business.

NEW CORPS June 6 - 26 GIBVATER SOUND LLC 3415 Winston Blvd.

Wilmington 28403 Agent: Norman Giblin GREEN MEADOWS AUTOMOTIVE LLC 6201 Timber Creek Ln Wilmington 28411 Agent: Richard Duvall GREEN SWAMP CONSTRUCTION LLC 3001 Answorth Drive

Wilmington 28405 Agent: Felicia W Prease GREGORY’S FLOORING LLC 725 Briar Creek Way Apt 102 Wilmington 28411 Agent: Gregorio Rodriguez Vargas GSD VENTURES INC. 1328 Goldengrove Lane Wilmington 28411 Agent: Michael Aversano H.C. BENNETT COMPANY 3620 W. Medinah Ave. Southport 28461

Agent: David A. Bennett HAPPY AND SUNSHINE INC. 33850 Rooks Road Atkinson 28421 Agent: Christopher Shane Tally HD HOUSING NCILM LLC 1001 Military Cutoff Road Suite 204 Wilmington 28405 Agent: Colby & Mincey PLLC HEALING WATERS HEALTH & WELLNESS LLC 420 Bayshore Drive Wilmington 28411 Agent: Christine C. Brigham HELL WEEK CHALLENGE L.L.C. 6800 Parker Farm Drive #150 Wilmington 28405 Agent: Daniel M. McPherson HELLASHOT LLC 106 W 12th Street Southport 28461 Agent: Malcolm Walcott HENNE ORGANICS LLC 205 N. 5th Avenue Wilmington 28401 Agent: Aaron D. Lindquist Esq. HI-TECH DETAIL LLC

3701 Excalibur Way Apt 208 Wilmington 28403 Agent: Daniel Falconer HIDEAWAY HILLS FARMS LLC 107 Southeast 54th St. Oak Island 28465 Agent: Norma Rejeanna Haiderer HOOD CREEK COMMERCIAL LLC 115 North 3rd Street Suite 300 Wilmington 28401 Agent: Greta L Harrelson HOPE LEARNING CENTER 131 Goodman Rd. Leland 28451 Agent: Rochelle King Moore HRS WRIGHTSVILLE LLC 6201 Wrightsville Avenue Wilmington 28403 Agent: Robert Borday HURRICAINSURANCE. COM LLC 4508 Rondo Place Wilmington 28412 Agent: Hernan A Lois IGNITION ORANGE MOBILE DETAILING L.L.C 412 N. Culverton Rd Winnabow 28479 Agent: Jesse Hutchings INNOVATION CONCRETE SERVICES LLC

4910 Bridger Rd Unit 15 Shallotte 28470 Agent: Laura Baez INTERIM CLEANING LLC 325 Avendale Drive Rocky Point 28457 Agent: Savannah Kalnen INTRACOASTAL STORM SHUTTERS LLC 716 Hughes Road Hampstead 28443 Agent: Clayton Wilson

JAVIER’S MASONRY COMPANY LLC 7457 Courtney Pines Rd Wilmington 28411 Agent: Juvenal Garcia Hernandez JEMMA INVESTMENTS LLC 756 Lanier Avenue Rocky Point 28457 Agent: Juan Ramon Rojas Toledo

Agent: Jordan Michaels JMN1 FINANCIAL SERVICES L.L.C. 7214 Gregory Thorpe Ln Wilmington 28411 Agent: Jonathan Narcisi JOCO CUSTOM CARTS LLC 448 Sandman Drive Kure Beach 28449 Agent: Joshua Corbitt

INVESTMENTWISE LLC 4140 Lake Ave Wilmington 28403 Agent: Colton Florentz

JEND LANDSCAPES LLC 101 Jacksonville Street Wilmington 28403 Agent: Nery Adelso Ramirez

JOHN A. OVERTON II DDS P.A. 6311 Towles Road Wilmington 28409 Agent: John A. Overton

IT IS WRITTEN MINISTRIES INC 4933 Seabrook Ct Wilmington 28403 Agent: Steven McHale

JENNY’S PET SERVICES LLC 3735 Marsh Hen Dr SW Shallotte 28470 Agent: Jennifer Cozzolino

JRH CONSULTING INC 1505 Wagon Ct Wilmington 28412 Agent: Jennifer Reinholt

ITS IN THE DETAILS NC LLC 112 Sandybrook Road Wilmington 28411 Agent: Nicholas Jones

JESS REAL ESTATE INVESTMENTS LLC 127 Ridgeway Drive Wilmington 28409 Agent: Jessica Newcombe

J B DAHL LLC 3013 Sunnybranch Drive Wilmington 28411 Agent: Jason B. Dahl J.O.B.M CONSTRUCTION LLC 5140 Carolina Beach Rd. Lot 212 Wilmington 28412 Agent: Abimelec Merlo Estrada

JIMMY SIMMONS REALTY LLC 5949 Saltaire Village Ct Wilmington 28412 Agent: James William Simmons III JMICHAELS & COMPANY LLC 138 Combine Lane Leland 28451

K & A HOLDINGS LLC 4506 Bramton Road Wilmington 28405 Agent: Kammel Jaziri KING ONE PROPERTIES INTERNATIONAL LLC 12 Sunfield Drive Carolina Shores 28467 Agent: Leann Everhart KLEIN DESIGN AND BUILD INC. 4335 Harrington Road Leland 28451 Agent: Willis S. Klein KOSINSKI PROPERTIES LLC

8514 Reisling Ave Wilmington 28411 Agent: Dylan Kosinski KW-RC PROPERTIES LLC 4014 Oleander Drive Suite 102 Wilmington 28403 Agent: Kevin G Walker LAINSNOW LLC 76 Laurinburg St Ocean Isle Beach 28469 Agent: Rebecca E Ingle LAKIS PROPERTIES LLC 2020 Robert Ruark Drive SE Southport 28461 Agent: Karen Lakis LDE FAMILY FARMS LLC 6626-C Gordon Rd Wilmington 28411 Agent: Adam G Sosne LDI COMMERCIAL LLC 60 Gregory Rd Ste 1 Belville 28451 Agent: D I Logan LEAP COACHING AND CONSULTING LLC 504 Mayfair Notch SW Ocean Isle Beach 28469 Agent: Adam Orlan LEGACIES WORTH REAL ESTATE LLC 420 Campbell Street Wilmington 28401 Agent: Julius Ray James LEPE INC.

Greater Wilmington Business Journal

wilmingtonbiz.com

August 7 - 20, 2020

Page 25

| BIZ LEADS | 202 NE 42nd St. Oak Island 28465 Agent: Lynn Hefele

737 Arboretum Drive Wilmington 28405 Agent: Lesley Lubbers

LETTER MY LAWN LLC 4217 Edward Hyde Pl Wilmington 28405 Agent: John Mechtly

MASSA LANDSCAPE DESIGN LLC 422 Benjamin Avenue Wilmington 28403 Agent: Drake Massa

LOGANSONG LLC 8707 Decoy Ln Wilmington 28411 Agent: Shirley Logan LOVE WINS LLC 1529 Shepard Road SE Southport 28461 Agent: Jonathan B. Clarke LUCAS VOLLEYBALL L.L.C. 5008 Laurenbridge Ln Wilmington 28409 Agent: John Lucas LUMINA ENTERPRISES LLC 444 Marsh Oaks Drive Wilmington 28411 Agent: George H Hieronymus MAEVA PROPERTIES 2 LLC 110 Bluefish Lane Kure Beach 28449 Agent: Michael A Cavanaugh MARIN PAINTING SERVICES LLC 302 Donald E Gore Dr Wilmington 28412 Agent: Raul Ruiz Marin MASK HUT LLC

MATTOX PROPERTIES LLC 6216 Tree Toad Court Wilmington 28411 Agent: Charles Mattox MAYBEAM LLC 318 S Front Street Wilmington 28401 Agent: Alexandra May MEDITATION MAGNETS LLC 2500 N Lumina Ave Wrightsville Beach 28480 Agent: Jeffrey David Lioon Jr MENDENHALL OAK PROPERTIES LLC 137 Mendenhall Dr Wilmington 28411 Agent: Warren Smith MERCHANT PROPERTIES LLC 502 Market Street Wilmington 28401 Agent: J. Albert Clyburn MIKES HELPING HANDS LLC 4151 Windham Ln Southport 28461 Agent: Alan Bryant

MIKESITES LLC 303 Sable Oak Cir SW Supply 28462 Agent: Michael Wayne Lucas MILLER CARTER AZ LLC 806 N. 23rd Street Wilmington 28405 Agent: Russell M Carter MINIBRU LLC 3819 Park Avenue Wilmington 28403 Agent: GM Entity Services Inc. MIRACLE MOVERS OF THE TRIAD LLC 5228 US 421 N Wilmington 28401 Agent: Samantha Wilhoit MM-RC PROPERTIES LLC 4014 Oleander Drive Suite 102 Wilmington 28403 Agent: Michael E. McCarley

PLLC 1342 Element Way Wilmington 28412 Agent: Justin A. Moulin MSC POWERSPORT LLC 108 East Strawberry Lane Rocky Point 28457 Agent: C.R. Sikes MYFU.TV LLC 1507 Military Cutoff Road. #108 Wilmington 28403 Agent: William Joseph Lewis MYRISE LLC 312 Kemper Rd Hampstead 28443 Agent: Mariko Mie Yamashita NAMASTE BEYOUTY & WELLNESS LLC 1013 S 6th Street Wilmington 28401 Agent: Kristen S Barnes

MOOREFIELD GILBERT PROPERTIES 4602 OINC LLC 5423 W. Beach Dr. Oak Island 28465 Agent: Durral R. Gilbert

NATURAL SANITIZING SOLUTIONS LLC 4916 Nicholas Creek Circle Wilmington 28409 Agent: Chris Nesselroade

MOSSY ROCK PROPERTIES INC. 1115 North Twin Lakes Drive Southport 28461 Agent: Rex Allen

NC PREFERRED HOMEBUYERS LLC 341 Englewood Drive Wilmington 28409 Agent: Kurt Geller

MOULIN LAW OFFICE

NESPERO LLC 329 Brookshire Ln.

DENTAL

OFFICE

INNOVATION Since 1975

910.350.0554 chambliss-rabil.com

Wilmington 28409 Agent: Daniel Fisher NOO COVERS PUBLISHING INC. 3131 Reminisce Rd Castle Hayne 28429 Agent: Daawud El-amin NUTTY BUDDIES L.L.C. 810 Aqua lane Winnabow 28479 Agent: Gregory Carpenter OAK ISLAND FIRE DEPARTMENT AUXILLARY 8510 E Oak Island Dr Oak Island 28465 Agent: Chris Anselmo OCEAN EVENTS USA LLC 1715 Canal Drive Suite 10 A Carolina Beach 28428 Agent: John M Carrillo ORGANIZED BY ALICIA L.L.C. 4102 Randall Pkwy 3 D Wilmington 28403 Agent: Alicia Benedict OTH EQUIPMENT LLC 6317 Market Street Wilmington 28405 Agent: Jason Ruegg

Agent: Jason Ruegg P&C PARTNERS LLC 5101 Dunlea Ct Wilmington 28405 Agent: Joshua Benson PAAL INVESTMENTS LTD. LIABILITY COMPANY 410 Lakeview Drive Hampstead 28443 Agent: Patricia Homa PATRIOT MOVING OF THE CAROLINAS LLC 816 Sound View Drive Hampstead 28443 Agent: Michael J Rokoski PATRIOT MOVING SENC LLC 816 Sound View Drive Hampstead 28443 Agent: Michael J Rokoski PELICAN FLIGHT LLC 601 N Howe Street Southport 28461 Agent: James Prevatte Jr PENNY’S INTERNET MARKETING LLC 51 Meadow Lark Ct. Burgaw 28425 Agent: Penny Williams

OTH REALTY LLC 6317 Market Street Wilmington 28405 Agent: Jason Ruegg

PHOENIX RISING OF NC LLC 105 Grace Street Wilmington 28401 Agent: Andrew R. Jones

OTH SERVICE NC LLC 6317 Market Street Wilmington 28405

PHOENIX SPIRIT GROUP L.L.C. 2821 N Kerr Ave

Wilmington 28405 Agent: Rodney Fowler PHR FENCING L.L.C. 1131 Jordan Lake Ct Leland 28451 Agent: Jonathan Kendle PINES CONSTRUCTION LLC 347 Misty Lakes Dr Hampstead 28443 Agent: Joseph Shingleton PINKY LAVISH HAIR COLLECTION LLC 2620 Northchase Pkwy SE Apt F 104 Wilmington 28405 Agent: Akeema Henry PLACENCIA PROPERTIES 7350 LLC 209 N Crestwood Drive Wilmington 28405 Agent: Jason Tierney PORT WALLIS TECHNOLOGIES L.L.C 4216 Dutch Cove Ct Castle Hayne 28429

Agent: Robert Wolfe PRESERVE HOMES & NEIGHBORHOODS NC LLC 7900 Flip Flop Lane Wilmington 28409 Agent: Robert Masters PRG TRANSPORT L.L.C. 108 South Lloyd Street Burgaw 28425 Agent: Brittany Guyton PRISSY LITTLE RENTALS L.L.C. 104 SE 5th St Oak Island 28465 Agent: Julie L Poovey Pro-Quality Painting and Drywall LLC 5312 Golden Rod Dr Wilmington 28405-2658 Agent: Carlos Rapaccioli PROGRESSIVE PRACTICE PARTNERS INC. 5601 Captains Lane Wilmington 28409 Agent: Tina Rivenbark

GET ALL THE DATA! Receive a weekly Data Feed with new corporations, people in new positions, contracts up for bid, press release roundups, real estate transactions and building permits. Learn more and subscribe at WilmingtonBizData.com

Page 26

August 7 - 20, 2020

Greater Wilmington Business Journal

wilmingtonbiz.com

SOUTHEAST NORTH CAROLINA’S NEWEST AND MOST AFFORDABLE PORTABLE STORAGE SOLUTION RESTAURANT ROUNDUP

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This is a sampling of stories from the Business Journal’s weekly Restaurant Roundup email.

Subscribe at wilmingtonbiz.com.

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Editor’s Note: Because of potential changes in restrictions put in place as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, some of the information below might have changed after press time.

Ash Aziz cancels plan for River Place restaurant Wilmington restaurateur Ash Aziz, owner of Circa 1922 and Pizzeria Il Forno, has announced he will no longer be moving forward with Bijou on the River, an upscale restaurant planned for the mixed-use River Place development in downtown Wilmington.

Aziz signed on for the River Place project, which is part of a public-private partnership between East West Partners and the city of Wilmington, in 2017. While there are a number of factors that led to his decision, Aziz said he could no longer see a clear path for the success of the Bijou on the River concept.

“It’s with great disappointment that I needed to discontinue construction of our new venture at River Place,” Aziz said. “I was very excited about this project and felt Wilmington would have been very happy with the concept. As a result of multiple hurdles during this pandemic, I felt that continuing the project would have been counterproductive in this environment.”

Aziz began construction on the project with Wilmington-based McKinley Building Corp. in January this year, but put a stop to it in midMarch given rising concerns surrounding the coronavirus pandemic and measures to slow its spread.

Aziz said he was willing to take his losses in terms of construction costs, and that McKinley Building was both understanding and hospitable throughout the entire process.

Sweet D’s offers sweet menu on S. 17th Street Brian Dickey, owner of Gifted Hands Services, a local property maintenance company that has been in business for 15 years, is embarking on a new business, Sweet D’s Cuisine.

Dickey described his vision for Sweet D’s, which opened Aug. 1, as being a family-friendly place with a little something for everyone.

The Wilmington native, along with wife, Shante, and daughter, Nyla, will serve fresh, homemade baked goods such as fried croissants, doughnuts, pastries, cakes, pies and cupcakes.

They will also serve ice cream, mini-pies, shortcake and banana pudding cups and are currently working on incorporating some gluten-free items on to the menu.

Brian Dickey said his family is passionate about food, and while they are starting with a bakery, they may expand to a restaurant down the road, offering more savory creations.

Located at 2321 S. 17th St. in the space that formerly housed Priddyboy’s, Sweet D’s will offer seating for about 30 guests, limited to half capacity to start in the space under the current state guidelines for COVID-19.

Quanto Basta opens its doors downtown The owners of Spring House Restaurant, Kitchen & Bar and Quanto Basta Italian Eatery & Wine Bar, both located in Winston-Salem, recently opened the doors to their new restaurant, Quanto Basta Wilmington.

Located at 107 N. Second St., the restaurant is housed in a former law office building that dates back to the 1800’s.

Owners Lynette Matthews-Murphy, Lynn Murphy and Vance Matthews set out to find an older building to bring back to life.

After purchasing a second home in Wrightsville Beach, the family said the more time they spent in downtown Wilmington, the more they knew it was the right fit for another Quanto Basta location.

Fully restored by Parker Construction Group, with interiors by Lucie Matthews Patton of Winston-Salem, the building houses a brand new kitchen, a private event space, a 17seat bar, a 130-seat dining area and a courtyard.

Quanto Basta’s menu highlights curated artisanal provisions from Italy, with a dedication to Italian traditions. Many of the recipes come from chef Timothy Grandinetti’s family, including a variety of fresh salads and antipasto, freshly prepared pasta with long-simmered sauces, rotisserie fire-roasted meats and poultry and hand-crafted pizzette.

Grandinetti also plans to serve nightly specials featuring local seafood.

-Jessica Maurer

Greater Wilmington Business Journal

wilmingtonbiz.com

August 7 - 20, 2020

Page 27

| BUSINESS OF LIFE | Planning a bigger sandwich bite

BY KYLE HANLIN hose who have called the Carolinas home for a substantial amount of time likely are not familiar with Potbelly Sandwich Shop.

Brent Brouse wants to change that and share with his neighbors his passion for the brand’s warm, toasty sandwiches, signature salads, hand-dipped shakes and eclectic atmosphere that combine to create an almost cult-like following in its existing markets.

Brouse, a Durham native, along with his wife, Michele, a Chicago native, opened the Cape Fear region’s first Potbelly Sandwich Shop on July 6, at 2525 S. 17th St. in Wilmington, near New Hanover Regional Medical Center.

Take it to the bank, it will not be their last.

In early 2019, the Brouses signed a franchise agreement with Chicago-based Potbelly Corp. (Nasdaq: PBPB) to open a minimum of 13 stores, with growth potential to as many as 25.

“The goal for me is to be a largescale operator,” said Brent Brouse. “I wanted some scale so I could actually deliver Potbelly up and down the eastern coast of both North and South Carolina.”

T

A FAN TO GROW THE BRAND

After earning a degree in restaurant management from Purdue University, Brent Brouse moved to Chicago and worked with one of the city’s premiere restaurant groups, Lettuce Entertain You. There, he focused on opening locations of the company’s high-end concepts and was sent to oversee restaurant openings in Minneapolis and Las Vegas.

But, as he and Michele, who also holds a hospitality degree from Purdue, looked to start a family, they knew the late nights and long hours of the restaurant industry needed to stop.

“Fortunately, I had a transferable skill which was, instead of opening restaurants, I could open bank branches,” said Brent Brouse. “I got the opportunity to open bank branches in Chicagoland for PNC Bank, which is where I fell in love with Potbelly. I ate Potbelly almost daily.”

In 2012, Brent’s work with PNC Bank led the Brouses, now with three sons, to North Carolina.

RESTAURANT ROUN DUP

PHOTO BY MICHAEL CLINE SPENCER

Home base: Husband-and-wife team Brent and Michele Brouse opened a Potbelly Sandwich Shop in Wilmington this summer. They plan to open several more locations of the Chicago-based chain in the Carolinas.

But his passion for the food service industry kept calling.

“I decided I wanted to get back to the industry that I’ve always loved,” he said.

STARTING CLOSE TO HOME

The Brouses’ territory with Potbelly includes sizeable metro centers such as Charleston and Myrtle Beach in South Carolina and Wilmington, Fayetteville and Jacksonville.

After scouring those cities for spaces they felt best suited Potbelly’s first eastern Carolinas location, they found their sweet spot in the heart of Wilmington.

The Brouses plan to grow locally in the short term.

“I would like to have my first two to three, maybe even four locations here in Wilmington,” Brent Brouse said. “I’d really love to have something in the Mayfaire-Military Cutoff corridor. Porters Neck is an area of interest, and South College Road. around UNCW is a big interest.

“I just think it makes a lot more sense to bring the brand to a single market at a time,” he added.

Brent Brouse said COVID-19 is not so much an impediment to

opening Potbelly locations because of the company’s already stringent health, sanitary and safety guidelines. Instead, he is seeing the pandemic’s effects primarily in finding suitable and cost-sensible spaces for new locations.

“I think a lot of landlords assume nobody’s looking to grow and expand,” he said. “We are. We’re looking to find those next couple locations. We’re putting the foot on the gas. I’d love to have two additional stores open by the end of the year.”

STAYING AHEAD OF THE CORPORATE CURVE

Established in Chicago in 1977, Potbelly has around 450 locations nationwide. Unlike many of its competitors, the vast majority of Potbelly locations – more than 400 – are company owned, leaving just a small percentage owned by franchisees like the Brouses.

“If you look at Jimmy John’s or Jersey Mike’s or Subway; those are 99 % franchisee-owned,” said Brent Brouse. “We’re probably closer to 90 or 95 % company owned, and that’s not the right mix.”

But Potbelly Corp. is making dra-

matic changes to its model.

On July 20, Potbelly named Robert D. Wright as its president and CEO. Wright joined Potbelly from Wendy’s Co. where he oversaw operations for 6,000 company-owned and franchise-owned restaurants as executive vice president and COO. “They have made a commitment to franchising,” Brent Brouse said about Potbelly’s company goals. “I tried to franchise with them as early as 2015, and they weren’t 100 % on board with doing that. They really love their brand. They’re very proud of their brand. They’ve got a very good following.

He added, “However, when you’re opening only company stores, it’s very capital intensive and it’s very hard to maintain consistency and quality. So, when you get away from a mothership like D.C. or Chicago, and you don’t have individuals that are financially vested in the outcomes of the stores, it’s hard to get them to be as passionate as most Potbelly employees are.

“So, they’ve realized that the best way to do this is to franchise. Let Potbelly fans and lovers who want to open their own shop join the team.”

Page 28

August 7 - 20, 2020

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Greater Wilmington Business Journal

HEALTH CARE

HEROES NOMINATIONS NOW OPEN!

Nominations being accepted in these categories: • LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT • COMMUNITY ACHIEVEMENT

HEALTH CARE • COMMUNITY OUTREACH

HEROES • INNOVATION IN HEALTH CARE

The Greater Wilmington Business Journal’s

HEALTH CARE HEROES AWARDS

honors individuals and organizations that are making an impact on the quality of health care in Wilmington. Whether they are companies, doctors, nurses, specialist or managers, join us in recognizing those who embody the word “hero” and prove their excellence in helping others. With this year’s pandemic, we need your help to recognize the dedication and achievements of our local health care community.

Visit WilmingtonHCHeroes.com to nominate!

Nomination deadline is Sept. 10.

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