Tactronics Grows Southeast's Defense Economy
As America's military has become more technologically sophisticated, growth opportunities have emerged for defense suppliers such as Tactronics. The trend also will now have a positive economic impact on Robeson County, which is the site of a recent expansion by Tactronics, a Westhampton, N.Y.-based provider of integrated communication systems and components to the U.S. Army and other defense organizations. The November announcement by Tactronics will add 50 or more jobs to the region's defense-supply cluster over the coming two years.
Tactronics purchased a 70,000 sq.-ft. building adjacent the Lumberton Airport that previously housed an apparel manufacturing plant. Privately-held Tactronics has relocated production of its durable, waterproof cables to the Lumberton site, operations that formerly took place at its Long Island headquarters. "We're looking at another 25,000 to 30,000 square-foot expansion on the back side of the building," says John Forsberg, vice president for combat operations at Tactronics. The building offered the specifications the company was seeking, and was available at an attractive price. Better still, it is just minutes from Fort Bragg, and the site's convenience to the Lumberton Airport also appealed to company executives. "We have a company plane, and liked the ability to get our people down here and back to New York inside of a day," Mr. Forsberg explains.
The need for additional space led Mr. Forsberg to North Carolina's Southeast's extensive Web-based building and site inventory. In addition to the property's specs and details about the surrounding community, the listing contained a "virtual tour" of the vacant building. From there, he contacted NCSE marketing manager Steve Yost, who introduced him to local officials in Robeson County. "The Southeast Commission's building and site database is the unsung hero of the region's marketing program," explains Greg Cummings, director of the Robeson County Office of Economic Development. "We've worked hard to make the Southeast's Web site one of the world's best economic development tools, and those efforts are certainly paying off," says Mr. Cummings.
By mid-January, the company's Lumberton site employed a workforce of 18 that included electricians, fabricators, welders and machinists. But the figure could grow quickly and significantly as Tactronics' government buyers place new orders. "It could grow to 50 quite easily," says Mr. Forsberg. "We've got a lot on our plate, and I don't see it letting up anytime soon."
Allies Gather to Offer Insight on Regional Program
In Southeastern North Carolina, regional economic development is a team sport, with government resources augmented by technical, financial and leadership assistance from private business. Such allies are vital to the work of bringing new jobs and investment to the region, and their knowledge of the region also make them uniquely qualified to speak to the role of North Carolina's Southeast Commission.
On January 24, a dozen allies gathered at the Commission's Elizabethtown headquarters to participate in a focus group on regional development requested by the Program Evaluation Division of the North Carolina General Assembly. Most allies remained for the Commission's monthly board meeting, which followed the focus group. "The gist of it was about value-added," explains John Monaghan, community relations manager at Piedmont Natural Gas Company. Mr. Monaghan participated in the focus group along with other utility industry representatives, bankers, real estate brokers, railroad officials and commercial insurance professionals. "Our company goes way back with North Carolina's Southeast, and appreciated having an opportunity to go to Elizabethtown to share our perspective," Mr. Monaghan says.
The Program Evaluation Division is meeting with allies, staff members and directors of each of North Carolina's seven regional partnerships and commissions as part of a comprehensive analysis of the state's regional economic development strategy.
Bradshaw Eyes Team Approach for Brunswick County's Economic Future
Brunswick County's new economic developer has led both local and regional business recruitment programs, as well as
industrial development efforts for a major railroad. Thus it's no surprise that Jim Bradshaw has a team-oriented vision for bringing new jobs and investment to Brunswick County. "Recruiting industries and encouraging economic growth here will have to be a team effort," says Bradshaw, who re-cently assumed the reigns of the Brunswick County Economic Development Commission upon the retirement of Steve Johnson, its previous director.
Mr. Bradshaw's 30-plus year career in economic development includes service as assistant director of economic development for the City of Chesapeake, Va., and executive director of the Franklin-Southampton Economic Development Commission. From 1998 through 2003, he was economic development director in Virginia for CSX Corporation. Most recently, Mr. Bradshaw was an economic development consultant for Franklin and Southampton counties in Virginia.
"This region is similar to the Hampton Roads area, only a slightly smaller scale," Mr. Bradshaw says. Under his leadership, Brunswick County's economic development program will pursue job growth opportunities through commercial development initiatives, shell building construction, support for existing industries and the creation of small-business incubators. Among the county's greatest business assets, he says: its livability. "I had heard good things about the quality of life here, but I didn't know it was this good," says Mr. Bradshaw.
Since arriving in Brunswick County last fall, Mr. Bradshaw has gotten to know several of his allies and partners inside and outside the county, including the staff at North Carolina's Southeast. "I've been pleasantly surprised by how aggressive our regional development group is," he says, "and I look forward to pursuing more opportunities with them."
Jim Bradshaw holds a Bachelors degree in urban affairs and a Masters in urban and regional planning, both from Virginia Tech University. He has also pursued professional training at the University of Oklahoma's Economic Development Institute. He and his wife, Joan, have one daughter, Lauren, who is currently a student at the University of Virginia.
Advisory Group to Hold Planning Session
County economic development directors from around Southeastern North Carolina will join private allies, NCSE staff, N.C. Department of Commerce officials and other guests at the annual planning meeting of NCSE's Technical Advisory Group (TAG) February 20-22, 2008. The event, held each year in Pinehurst, offers the chance to review regional development strategy and marketing techniques, examine results, set goals for the upcoming year and share perspective on trends affecting the region's economy and business environment. "The annual TAG Retreat puts everyone on the same page, and gets us focused on the challenges and opportunities the coming year brings," explains Don Porter, chairman of the TAG and executive director of the Raeford/Hoke Economic Development Commission. "It's a great chance for all of us to build relationships and to learn."
TAG participants will also hear presentations from two prominent site selection experts: Jonathan Sangster, Atlanta-based managing director for consulting services at commercial real estate firm of CB Richard Ellis, and Russ Smitley, manager of regional development at CSX Transportation in Richmond, Va.
NORTH CAROLINA'S SOUTHEAST
The Regional Economic Development Marketing Organization
For Southeastern North Carolina
707 West Broad Street, P.O. Box 2556, Elizabethtown,
NC 28337
Phone: 800-787-1333 Fax: 910-862-1482 |
