THE SOUTHEAST COMPASS
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The Regional Economic Development Marketing Organization
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Southeastern North Carolina |
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| WWW.NCSE.ORG | WINTER 2009 |
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| Even In Uncertain Times, Opportunity Never Sleeps
The nation's worst economic downturn in three decades is not deterring North Carolina's Southeast from the task of bringing new jobs and investment to the region. In fact, a reordering of the global economy spells exciting opportunities, regional leaders believe. "While economic times are challenging, we believe the fundamental economic changes now underway in the United States and abroad do offer some specific opportunities for Southeastern North Carolina," says Jane W. Smith, chairman of North Carolina's Southeast Commission. In embracing opportunities in 2009 and beyond, regional development officials intend to highlight the Southeast's remarkable value, concentrating their marketing efforts on those industries poised for accelerated growth as the global economy emerges from this historic recession. "We are assembling the full complement of our allies and partners from across the public and private sectors whose expertise, financial resources and leadership support are more critical than ever to our region's success," reports Ms. Smith, who believes the Southeast Commission and its work have never more crucial than in the current environment. She and other development leaders are working with Congressional officials to draw federal resources into regional economic development. The U.S. government's massive stimulus plan is likely to include funds for modernizing the Southeast's infrastructure and industrial amenities. "We must do all we can to help our communities and citizens find good jobs and turn around the local economy," says U.S. Representative Mike McIntyre, who represents North Carolina seventh Congressional district. In recent weeks, Congressman McIntyre has hosted a series of roundtables throughout Southeastern North Carolina, hearing first-hand about the economic challenges facing the region and its residents. "The stimulus package that is making its way through the legislative process contains several sources of funding that could be of assistance to economic development organizations," Congressman McIntyre explains. In seeking to position the region for success as the global economy regains traction, the Southeast Commission has elevated its leadership profile among communities and businesses. Examples of the Commission's efforts include facilitating collaboration needed to build a two-county industrial park and for development of the North Carolina International Terminal. Regional officials are encouraging local economic developers to pursue opportunities in bio-fuels and "Green" industry operations, which offer exciting long-term economic potential. "Our abundant lands and pro-business local governments put us in a excellent position for alternative energy ventures," says Ms. Smith, citing projects in Sampson, Hoke and Robeson counties as ample evidence that the Southeast Region is poised to be a player in the emerging "Green Economy."
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New Businesses Continue Arriving Despite National Headwinds As a sign of the Southeast Region's unique appeal to modern industry, three companies established operations here during in late 2008. The three, which together account for $3.5 million in capital investment and the creation of 72 new jobs, each found their way to the region with help from North Carolina's Southeast Commission. In Robeson County, Carolina Pine Shavings, LLC, recently launched a busy production site that processes pine timber into a wood-shaving product used to pad equestrian stables and beds. The firm is a model of a "Green Economy" start-up, drying its product in heating tanks fueled with the bark and pine-dust by-products derived from its timber cutting. "It's an ideal example of the sustainable, responsible use of our natural resources," explains George Wilcox, a partner in the venture. "Pine trees are a precious resource, but a renewable one," he says. Mr. Wilcox explains that his firm's product is being considered for use by the poultry industry. Once shavings are removed from stables and poultry houses, it can be utilized as compost by residential landscapers, for instance, or even burned to produce clean electrical power. Currently, Carolina Pine Shavings employs about 25 workers, with additional workforce growth anticipated as the firm institutes a second shift and swaps out antiquated production machines with more modern gear. Not far away, Robeson County's COMtech Park, satellite TV provider Dish Network Communications plans to locate a 5,000-square-foot distribution center. The site will serve Dish Network customers across the Carolinas. The publicly held company, headquartered in Englewood, Colo., is bringing a $1 million capital investment to the region, along with about 27 jobs. Nor has good news escaped Columbus County, where a consumer foods manufacturer is setting up a mid-Atlantic manufacturing facility. In September, Piramide Mexican Foods announced it would invest at least $1 million at the vacant Sumitomo building in Whiteville's Southeast Industrial Park, where it will produce tortilla chips from corn and flour. "It's a start-up company," explains Justin S. Smith, director of the Columbus County Economic Development Commission. The company is now up-fitting the building to suit its production systems. "They will be up and running soon," Mr. Smith says. Piramide initially will employ 20 workers at the 48,000-square-foot building, which North Carolina's Southeast had marketed. Two-County Industrial Park Already Drawing Looks In late 2007 and early 2008, North Carolina's Southeast facilitated meetings among several organizations to discuss the potential for creating a multi-county industrial park close to the Port of Wilmington. Leaders in Brunswick and Columbus counties are now working in earnest to iron out legal and administrative hurdles in order to move ahead with development of a unique two-county industrial park. North Carolina law requires multi-jurisdictional parks to be owned by either units of government or non-profit entities, explains Justin S. Smith, director of the Columbus County Economic Development Commission. "We're organizing a non-profit board that will control the industrial park," says Mr. Smith, who presented sketches and design plans of the park at an intergovernmental meeting held in late November. Boards of commissioners in both counties have now approved articles of incorporation and bylaws for the park's governing entity, he adds. Multi-jurisdictional industrial parks receive favorable treatment from the state regarding incentive eligibility for companies locating there, with more prosperous counties such as Brunswick able to tap the same benefits as those available to less wealthy neighbors. With legal paperwork soon to be finalized, county officials are turning their attention to identifying a developer for the park, which they hope to announce in the spring of 2008, according to Jim Bradshaw, executive director of economic development in Brunswick County. "We're now pursuing North Carolina Rural Center and Golden LEAF grants to fund the infrastructure we'll need," says Mr. Bradshaw. He and other leaders are also talking to N.C. Department of Transportation planners about highway access to the park. "If all goes well, the park should be operational by late 2010," Mr. Bradshaw says. But he also notes that two firms have already expressed interest in the property. "That would certainly expedite the park considerably." He and Mr. Smith are both looking forward to working with state and regional partners and allies in marketing the park once development is complete. "The inspiration for this exciting initiative has come from North Carolina's Southeast, which has been a vocal advocate for industrial product development in the region," says Mr. Bradshaw. Davenport Brings Legal, Biotech Savvy to NCSE Board The newest member of North Carolina's Southeast Commission's board of directors brings a rich professional background to the organization's leadership. Fred Davenport, who was appointed to the board last year by then-Governor Mike Easley, is a prominent attorney with a decades-long record of accomplishments in business law, as well as unique high-level executive experience with one of the region's premiere life science companies. "Fred has an excellent business background and will add a lot to our board," says Jane W. Smith, chairman of North Carolina's Southeast Commission. Mr. Davenport is currently an attorney with the firm of Murchison, Taylor & Gibson, PLLC, in downtown Wilmington. His legal expertise includes life sciences, corporate law and taxation, and mergers and acquisitions. From 2002 through 2006, he was president of Pharmaceutical Product Development, Inc. ("PPD"), a leading contract research organization with offices in 33 countries and 10,500-person workforce worldwide. Mr. Davenport had joined PPD's staff in 1996 as general counsel. "Fred's expertise in biotechnology brings a valuable perspective in an emerging area that we're excited about," Ms. Smith says. Mr. Davenport holds a B.A. degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and is also an alumnus of UNC's law and graduate business schools. He has been a member of the North Carolina Bar since 1977. Mr. Davenport also served on the faculty of the Cameron School of Business at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington from 1982 until 1991, attaining the post of associate professor. Annual TAG Planning Session to Include Top State Execs North Carolina's top workforce and economic development leaders will join county and regional business developers at North Carolina's Southeast's annual Technical Advisory Group (TAG) planning session on February 25-26, 2009. Newly appointed Commerce Secretary Keith Crisco and North Carolina Community College System President Scott Rawls will join the TAG's discussions of regional job growth and industrial investment strategies. Also on hand will be Tom Eager, chief executive officer of the North Carolina State Ports Authority, which will host the two-day session at its offices in Wilmington. Dr. Woody Hall, a professor of economics at UNC Wilmington, will offer the group an update of business trends and his forecast of what lies ahead.
"At no time in my memory has our region's economic future stood at such a crossroads," says Don Porter, chairman of the TAG, which comprises local economic development professionals, regional representatives from state government, private allies and Commission marketing staff. "We are grateful that some of North Carolina's most experienced and knowledgeable leaders are taking the time to share their unique strategic perspectives about this highly unusual environment," says Mr. Porter, who is executive director of the Raeford/Hoke County Economic Development Commission. "Equally important, they will have a chance to hear from us about the realities we're encountering out on the front lines."
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Savannah Model Illustrates Southeast's Distribution Potential A generation ago, there was only the dream of transforming the quiet coastal lands around Savannah, Georgia, in to a Mecca for retail distribution. Today, anchored by names like IKEA, Best Buy and Pier One, the region is home to more than 15 million square feet of quality distribution center space - and counting. A sizable portion of Southeastern North Carolina has the same potential, economic development leaders say, and they are learning everything they can from Savannah's experience. In December, a 13-person delegation led by North Carolina's Southeast traveled to Savannah and toured its distribution facilities. Those who attended included representatives from the N.C. Department of Commerce, the N.C. State Ports Authority, Progress Energy, Wilmington Industrial Development and several counties. "We received an overview from officials of the Georgia Ports Authority and toured several distribution parks there," explains Steve Yost, marketing manager at North Carolina's Southeast. "It was very powerful." In recent years, the Port of Savannah has emerged as America's fastest growing seaport, with a growth rate nearly double that of the national average. Much of its success rests on sound strategic planning and partnerships between port officials, state and regional economic development agencies, and private real estate investors. Mr. Yost and others believe that with the development of the North Carolina International Terminal near Southport, much of Southeastern North Carolina has comparable appeal for retail distribution operations seeking a convenient mid-Atlantic location. |
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NORTH CAROLINA'S SOUTHEAST The Regional Economic Development Marketing Organization For Southeastern North Carolina PO Box 2556 , Elizabethtown, NC 28337 Phone: 800-787-1333 Fax: 910-862-1482 |
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| ©Copyright 2009, ncse.org | WWW.NCSE.ORG |
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But there are other reasons the 1,100-acre park will be an attractive destination for industrial operations, especially those involving distribution, assembly or trade.
It will sit just 16 miles from the Port of Wilmington.