KESSEBÖHMER TO EXPAND IN NEW HANOVER COUNTY

Posted on: September 12, 2023

German Based Manufacturer Breaks Ground on New HQ off U.S. Hwy 421 September 12, 2023 (Wilmington, N.C.) Kesseböhmer, a family-owned metal processor that supplies retail display and kitchen storage solutions to U.S. and international markets, is consolidating and expanding North American operations into a new building in New Hanover County. The ...
Continue Reading

Performance Team announces plans for new cold chain facility in Wilmington, NC

Posted on: December 7, 2022

By: AJOT | Dec 05 2022 | Logistics | Ports & Terminals Performance Team continues to expand and integrate end-to-end cold chains with the announcement of a new cold storage facility in Wilmington, North Carolina opening in Q3 2023 to serve imports and exports. North Carolina accounts for 10% of total U.S. ...
Continue Reading

Product Development Strategy Keeps Greater Wilmington Ahead of the Game

Posted on:

The region’s enviable success in drawing corporate relocations and expansion means having to double-down on efforts to identify and prepare additional industrial sites, parks and buildings. Given the time and technical complexity in bringing new economic development product to market, today’s just-in-time business world looks for faster ramp-up times than ...
Continue Reading

WBD Invitational Offers Networking and More

Posted on:

Southeastern North Carolina’s premier business golf event this year brought 216 players to River Landing Country Club. Held under autumn skies on October 13, the 2022 WBD Invitational featured 72 teams. The annual event is a valuable opportunity for relaxation and relationship-building. “We had fun,” says Eric Howell, CEO of Port ...
Continue Reading

PORT CITY LOGISTICS WILL INVEST $16 MILLION IN NEW WILMINGTON FACILITY

Posted on: August 2, 2022

Savannah-Based Third-Party Logistics Leader Will Employ 75 Here August 2, 2022 (Wilmington, N.C.) – Port City Logistics Inc., a leading East Coast third-party logistics (3PL) provider, will open a $16 million facility near the Port of Wilmington as it grows supply-chain capacity, North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The company, ...
Continue Reading

CNBC NAMES NORTH CAROLINA AS AMERICA’S TOP STATE FOR BUSINESS IN 2022

Posted on: July 25, 2022

07/13/2022 CNBC has named North Carolina as America’s Top State for Business in 2022. This morning, Governor Roy Cooper joined CNBC’s Scott Cohn at the Oceanic at the Crystal Pier in Wrightsville Beach for a live broadcast where the winner was revealed. “North Carolina is the best place in America to do ...
Continue Reading

BUSINESS FACILITIES MAGAZINE NAMES NORTH CAROLINA BEST BUSINESS CLIMATE IN THE NATION

Posted on:

07/15/2022 North Carolina has been named the Best Business Climate in the nation by Business Facilities magazine, with Virginia, Utah, Texas and Tennessee in second through fifth place. The magazine’s complete 2022 Annual Rankings Report will be published in a future issue. North Carolina is no stranger to Business Facilities’ rankings, which ...
Continue Reading

EDGEWATER VENTURES AND MCKINLEY BUILDING CORPORATION ANNOUNCE THE DEVELOPMENT OF BUILDING TWO AT WILMINGTON TRADE CENTER

Posted on: July 21, 2022

WILMINGTON, N.C. (July 21, 2022) – Edgewater Ventures, in partnership with McKinley Building Corporation, announces the development of their second building at Wilmington Trade Center, following the recent completion of the 157,610 square foot Building 1. Construction is underway on Building 2, a virtually identical 157,610 square foot state-of-the-art facility ...
Continue Reading

Amazon to Open New Delivery Station in Greater Wilmington, North Carolina

Posted on: March 17, 2022

Company’s Investment is the Latest Addition to its North Carolina Presence March 17, 2022 (Wilmington, N.C.) – Amazon will build a new distribution center on 40 acres (16.2 hectares) at Pender Commerce Park, creating more than 100 full-time jobs offering starting wages of $15 an hour and comprehensive benefits beginning on ...
Continue Reading

MegaCorp Logistics Will Create 300 New Jobs as it Expands in Wilmington

Posted on: March 9, 2022

March 8, 2022 (Wilmington, N.C.) – MegaCorp Logistics, one of America’s top freight brokerage firms, will launch an expansion to its Wilmington operations over the next five years, growing its workforce by 300 jobs, company officials announced today. “We have a presence and opportunity to expand in multiple markets, but our ...
Continue Reading

Pacon Expands into New Hanover County

Posted on: July 19, 2021

In April 2019, when Governor Roy Cooper announced that New Jersey-based Pacon Manufacturing Corporation would be opening a 300-job production site in Navassa, the news was greeted as a win for the region. WBD had worked closely with officials of the medical supplies manufacturer prior to their decision to transform ...
Continue Reading

EDGEWATER VENTURES AND MCKINLEY BUILDING CORPORATION ANNOUNCE THE DEVELOPMENT OF A 425,000 SF CLASS A INDUSTRIAL PARK IN WILMINGTON, NORTH CAROLINA

Posted on: March 31, 2021

WILMINGTON, N.C. (March 30, 2021) – Edgewater Ventures, in partnership with McKinley Building Corporation, announces the development of Wilmington Trade Center, a three-building Class A industrial development that will total 425,000 square feet upon completion.  Construction is underway on Building 1, a 157,610 square foot state-of-the-art facility that will feature ...
Continue Reading

Cardinal Foods to Invest $26 Million in Burgaw, Becoming One of the Largest Sweet Potato Fry Production Facilities in the World

Posted on: February 17, 2021

February 17, 2021 (Wilmington, N.C.) -- Cardinal Foods LLC, a Burgaw-based food processor, announced today significant plans to expand its facility and services in Pender County. The company currently provides growers across the eastern US with solutions for fruit and vegetable processing, marketing and distribution. Company plans call for expanded capacity ...
Continue Reading

$8 Million Spec Building in Development at Pender Commerce Park

Posted on: June 5, 2020

Plans are well underway by Pender Commerce Partners 1 LLC to build an $8 million, 126,360-sq-ft. speculative building at Pender Commerce Park. Based in Winston-Salem, the company consists of Ramm Capital Partners LLC and Taylor Development Group LLC. Groundbreaking occurred in February on the 15-acre property, and the project is ...
Continue Reading

WBD Joins NC Southeast in Interactive Regional Property Database

Posted on:

New Hanover and Pender counties are among the 18 counties working with North Carolina’s Southeast in showcasing available buildings and sites via a state-of-the-art interactive regional database. NC Southeast, the Elizabethtown-based regional economic development marketing partnership, launched the system in January of this year. Built on the “ZoomProspector” tool suite, ...
Continue Reading

Edgewater Ventures Acquires 240,000-Sq. Ft. Distribution Facility

Posted on:

Edgewater Ventures, a commercial real estate investment firm, announced in April its acquisition of a 240,000-sq.-ft. distribution facility on Landmark Drive in Wilmington. It’s the Raleigh-based company fourth industrial real estate acquisition in the Wilmington region in three years. “We’re pleased to add the 421 Landmark Drive building to our growing ...
Continue Reading

New Hanover County Initiates a Small Business Economic Incentive Grant Program

Posted on:

NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NC – Small businesses in New Hanover County that have been impacted by COVID-19 can apply Monday, June 1 through Friday, June 5 for a $10,000 grant through the Small Business Grant Program the county created, utilizing federal funding from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) ...
Continue Reading

SOUTH-TEK SYSTEMS SET TO TAKE ADDITIONAL SPACE AS PART OF MAJOR GLOBAL EXPANSION EFFORT

Posted on: October 14, 2019

A Year After Acquisition by Private Equity Group, Company Operations Will Relocate to Vacant Property on US 421 October 14, 2019 (Wilmington, N.C.) South-Tek Systems LLC, a leading designer and manufacturer of nitrogen generators for a diversified worldwide marketplace, will move into an existing 66,000-sq.-ft. building on US Highway 421 in ...
Continue Reading

Record Attendance Highlights WBD’s 17th Annual Golf Tournament

Posted on: June 6, 2019

Regarded as one of the best business golf experiences in the Southeast, this year’s Wilmington Business Development (WBD) tournament did not disappoint. A record 46 teams participated in the 17th Annual WBD Golf Tournament on May 8th at River Landing. The networking, prize package and weather made it a tournament to ...
Continue Reading

Help Establish New Hanover and Pender Counties as a Work Ready Community

Posted on: May 10, 2019

Being designated an NCWorks Certified Work Ready Community reflects the Cape Fear Region’s efforts to improve economic growth by giving students and others the foundational & technical skills needed to thrive in the workplace. One requirement is that businesses recognize the value of the Career Readiness Certification (CRC). The CRC ...
Continue Reading

Posted In: Member News, News

Website Upgrades Provide Clearer Picture of WBD, Greater Wilmington

Posted on:

Given their global footprints and 24/7 time frames, site selection professionals increasingly rely on economic development websites for their initial market research. Internet-based promotion by communities and regions is thus rapidly growing and rapidly changing. Ease of use is a top consideration: the digital research firm Hosting Facts found, for ...
Continue Reading

Posted In: Member News, News

Meet WBD’s Newest Employee: Cliff Pyron

Posted on:

WBD’s seasoned staff of economic development professionals has recently grown. As of January 15, Cliff Pyron is serving in the role of Senior Manager, Business Development.  A Wilmington resident, Pyron spent more than four years at the NC State Ports Authority, working most recently there as account manager. His responsibilities ...
Continue Reading

STEM Teacher of the Year Focuses on 21st Century Skills

Posted on:

In her role as an educator, Amy Engle, the 2018 recipient of the Corning/WBD Award for STEM Teaching Excellence, doesn’t settle for the usual science, technology, engineering and math content. Her approach also incorporates art into STEM learning models. She calls it “STEAM” education.  One learning activity, for example, starts ...
Continue Reading

Burgaw Manufacturer Guns for Global Market Leadership

Posted on:

Privately-held businesses are the lifeblood of the U.S. economy. In Greater Wilmington, entrepreneurial companies fuel much of the region’s job and investment growth. For the past year, Edge-Works Manufacturing Company has been quietly growing its presence in Burgaw, drawing talent from across the region as it builds market share through ...
Continue Reading

Millions in Improvements Coming to Wilmington Port

Posted on: April 9, 2019

By Alexis Bell, Spectrum News PUBLISHED Apr. 08, 2019 The latest addition to the Port of Wilmington sailed in on Monday, their third Neo-Panamax crane. This is part of NC Ports' $200 million improvement project These Neo-Panamax cranes are taller than the older ones The COO says the crane will be fully operational in the next ...
Continue Reading

NEW YORK’S FINE FIXTURES CHOOSES CAPE FEAR INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX FOR NEW DISTRIBUTION CENTER

Posted on: December 17, 2018

Port Connection Plus Access to Southeastern U.S. Markets Brings Bathroom Furnishings Company to Greater Wilmington December 13, 2018 (Elizabethtown, N.C. and Wilmington, N.C.). Fine Fixtures Inc., a New York based supplier of bathroom furnishings, will establish an 80,000-sq.ft. distribution center at the Cape Fear Industrial Complex in Rocky Point. The company ...
Continue Reading

CAPE FEAR COMMUNITY COLLEGE WINS RECOGNITION AS CAMERON MANAGEMENT ALLY OF THE YEAR

Posted on: October 24, 2018

WBD Award Cites College’s Partnership Role in Workforce Innovation and Economic Leadership October 24, 2018 (Wilmington, N.C.) – Wilmington Business Development (WBD) has named Cape Fear Community College its Cameron Management Ally of the Year for 2018. The honor was given at the organization’s annual meeting on October 17 at the ...
Continue Reading

HURRICANE FLORENCE RECOVERY

Posted on: October 3, 2018

In the wake of Hurricane Florence, Wilmington Business Development (WBD) is working vigorously to help facilitate the complete restoration of the economy of Greater Wilmington. Our staff and leadership are safe, and our operations suffered very little downtime in the storm’s immediate aftermath. Still, not everyone was so fortunate. Florence ...
Continue Reading

Results for 2017-2018 Include $25 Million Increase in Regional Payroll

Posted on: August 31, 2018

“I pass with relief from the tossing sea of Cause and Theory to the firm ground of Result and Fact.” --Winston Churchill While the best economic development strategies prepare communities for prosperity well into the next generation, their results get measured today. Sound planning and effective execution made 2017-2018 a banner year ...
Continue Reading

New Leadership Takes the Helm at WBD

Posted on:

Bill Cherry has assumed the organization’s chairmanship, effective July 1. Cherry founded Air Wilmington, the fixed base operator (FBO) at the Wilmington International Airport. Air Wilmington provides fueling, MRO and hangar services to general aviation, military and commercial customers. Its facilities include an 8,400-square-foot terminal and over 100,000 square feet ...
Continue Reading

WBD Exec Named One of NC’s Top Business Leaders

Posted on:

Scott Satterfield has long been recognized as an influential mover and shaker in Wilmington. Earlier this year, Business North Carolina magazine recognized Wilmington Business Development’s CEO for his impact as a statewide leader, listing him among its “Power 100.”  The publication called Satterfield, who has led the organization since 1995, ...
Continue Reading

MojoTone Celebrates Grand Opening

Posted on:

Congressman David Rouzer was among the dignitaries joining the staff of Mojotone LLC in marking the April ribbon-cutting of their new Burgaw facility in Burgaw. The fast-growing company has operated in Pender County since 2005, but its previous space had become inadequate. “Being in this new building definitely opens up more ...
Continue Reading

44 Teams Compete in WBD’s 16th Annual Golf Tournament

Posted on:

Regional executives recently showed their support for WBD while also doing something they love: playing golf. Members and guests gathered on May 17 at River Landing for the 16th Annual WBD Golf Tournament. This year’s event included competition on the links by 44 teams. The tournament has become a valuable opportunity ...
Continue Reading

NEW JERSEY-BASED LOGISTICS PROVIDER TO SET UP OPERATIONS IN ROCKY POINT

Posted on: July 27, 2018

July 26, 2018 (Elizabethtown, N.C. and Wilmington, N.C.). BlueArrow Warehousing & Logistics LLC will establish operations in Southeastern North Carolina in a move that will boost traffic at the Port of Wilmington. Based in Monroe Township, N.J., privately-held BlueArrow provides warehousing, distribution, transportation, pick-and-pack and logistics services for numerous "big ...
Continue Reading

NATIONAL GYPSUM WILL INVEST $25 MILLION IN RE-OPENING WILMINGTON LOCATION

Posted on: May 8, 2018

Global Construction Materials Maker Will Create at Least 51 Jobs May 8, 2018 (Wilmington, N.C.) – National Gypsum Company will re-open its Wilmington production facility, investing $25 million over the next five years in new infrastructure and equipment, and creating at least 51 jobs at salaries averaging $57,000 per year. “We expect ...
Continue Reading

MOJOTONE LLC TO CUT THE RIBBON ON NEW HOME AT PENDER PROGRESS INDUSTRIAL PARK

Posted on: April 23, 2018

Music Electronics Maker Eyes Continued Growth April 20, 2018 (Burgaw, N.C.) Local business, government and economic development officials will join executives and staff today at Mojotone LLC in marking the grand opening of the company’s 40,000-square-foot facility in Burgaw. The company, which has operated in Pender County since 2005, outgrew its previous ...
Continue Reading

AT-PORT DISTRIBUTION MODEL ADVANCES

Posted on: March 5, 2018

  Given the global nature of modern commerce, port facilities now play a key role in the movement of finished goods between producers and consumers. As North Carolina’s gateway to the world’s marketplace, Greater Wilmington is well-suited to prosper from this trend. An "at-port" distribution center model moves the port ...
Continue Reading

ANNUAL MEETING DRAWS MORE THAN 300

Posted on:

Over 300 WBD members and guests gathered in Live Oak Bank’s corporate aviation hangar at Wilmington International Airport for networking, news and more on November 15th. "An airport hangar may at first seem unusual for a business event, but in reality, it says a lot about where Greater Wilmington’s ...
Continue Reading

COASTAL BEVERAGE TO INVEST IN NEW OPERATIONS AT PENDER COMMERCE PARK

Posted on: February 6, 2018

Eastern NC Beverage Company Will Build HQ and Distribution Center   February 5, 2018 (Wilmington, N.C.) – Coastal Beverage Company, Inc., one of eastern North Carolina’s premiere distributors of beer, wine, and non-alcoholic beverages, has selected a 27.7-acre parcel at Pender Commerce Park that will serve as regional distribution space as well ...
Continue Reading

WILMINGTON BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT ANNOUNCES ADDITION TO PENDER COMMERCE PARK

Posted on:

FedEx Freight Will Be Property’s Third Tenant February 2, 2018 (Wilmington, N.C.) – Wilmington Business Development has announced FedEx Freight, a less-than-truckload (LTL) carrier, a unit of FedEx Corporation (NYSE: FDX) has selected a 12.5-acre parcel at Pender Commerce Park for a new service center. "The arrival of FedEx Freight highlights the ...
Continue Reading

ILM sets new passenger record

Posted on: January 9, 2018

Officials say 2018 will be strong as well NEW HANOVER COUNTY -- For the second year in a row, Wilmington International Airport has set a passenger-count record. The airport, also known as ILM, saw 836,589 people fly out of and into the airport in 2017. That’s an increase over the former record ...
Continue Reading

ILM lands more flights to Chicago, Washington

Posted on: December 19, 2017

American service to match new nonstops planned by United NEW HANOVER COUNTY -- American Airlines has announced it is expanding its service from Wilmington International Airport to offer year-round service to Washington, D.C., and seasonal flights to Chicago, the airport announced Monday. “We see it as additional capacity and additional options for ...
Continue Reading

ILM lands nonstop flights to Chicago, Washington-Dulles

Posted on: November 21, 2017

New United services, twice daily on each route, to start in early April   WILMINGTON -- Wilmington International Airport is spreading its wings to the Windy City and the nation’s capital. The airport, commonly known as ILM, is getting new daily nonstop service this spring to Chicago and Washington, D.C., on United Airlines. “We’re ...
Continue Reading

UNCW gains in regional college rankings

Posted on: September 13, 2017

The school is 14th in the Best Regional Universities South Rankings, up from 16th last year. WILMINGTON -- The University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW) climbed in this year’s U.S. News & World Report college rankings, released Tuesday. UNCW is 14th out of 149 schools in the report’s Best Regional Universities South ...
Continue Reading

NORTH CAROLINA PORTS, CSX TO COMMENCE QUEEN CITY EXPRESS

Posted on: July 20, 2017

JULY 20, 2017 Wilmington, N.C. – North Carolina Ports and CSX will commence a daily, intermodal rail service between Wilmington and Charlotte starting July 28, 2017. This double stacked train, dubbed the Queen City Express, marks the official return of intermodal rail to North Carolina Ports. "The Queen City Express provides ...
Continue Reading

Mojotone Closes on Pender Shell Building, Expands Product Line and Workforce

Posted on:

Mojotone LLC has closed on its purchase of a 40,000-square-foot shell building in Burgaw that will accommodate an expanded product line. “We should be in the building by September,” says Michael McWhorter, the company’s co-owner. The Burgaw firm makes amplifiers, sound system cabinetry and components for electric guitars. It will ...
Continue Reading

2017 WBD Golf Tournament Draws 41 Teams

Posted on:

With its moss-draped trees and immaculate landscaping, River Landing provides an ideal backdrop for golf anytime. But add in friends, colleagues, a festive atmosphere and a worthwhile cause, and you have the ingredients of a top-notch annual business golf event. That was the case on May 17th at the annual ...
Continue Reading

I-140 Completion Spells Opportunity for Professional Builders Supply

Posted on:

Some employees of Professional Builders Supply weren’t happy when an NC DOT project prompted the company to vacate its longtime location on Military Cutoff Road. “It was convenient for some of our people,” says Troy Wilkerson, Wilmington Market President for the company, which supplies residential construction products across Brunswick, New ...
Continue Reading

WBD Hosts Location Advisers During Wells Fargo Championship

Posted on:

David Schrock, a Dallas-based site selection consultant, is not much of a golfer. But when he received an invitation to travel to Wilmington and attend the Wells Fargo Championship, he couldn’t pass up the offer. “I had been to North Carolina before, but never Wilmington,” says Schrock, who is senior ...
Continue Reading

Wells Fargo Championship Showcases Greater Wilmington to the World

Posted on:

The Wells Fargo Championship, held in early May at Eagle Point Golf Club, offered pro golfers a look at one of Wilmington’s premiere courses. But the event, which was broadcast in 32 languages to 225 countries around the world, was also a unique showcase for Greater Wilmington as a destination ...
Continue Reading

New Chamber CEO Natalie English Brings Advocacy Expertise and Partnership Ethos

Posted on:

A 30-year career in legislative and regulatory affairs has laid the groundwork for Natalie English to be an effective advocate for Greater Wilmington’s business community. In March, English assumed her new duties as president and CEO of the Wilmington Chamber of Commerce. “I’ve been in the chamber business a lot of ...
Continue Reading

NORTH CAROLINA PORTS, ZIM PARTNERSHIP TO PROVIDE UNPRECEDENTED ACCESS TO SOUTHEAST ASIA

Posted on: March 20, 2017

MARCH 20, 2017 Wilmington, N.C. – North Carolina Ports is pleased to announce a new partnership with ZIM Integrated Shipping Ltd. The container carrier recently added the Port of Wilmington to its Z7S all-water Asia-U.S. East Coast service rotation. This weekly service will begin calling on the port in June and ...
Continue Reading

NORTH CAROLINA PORTS ATTRACTS ADDITIONAL TRANSPACIFIC CONTAINER SERVICE

Posted on: March 15, 2017

MARCH 14, 2017 Wilmington, N.C. – North Carolina Ports is pleased to announce a new partnership with THE Alliance with the addition of the EC2 all-water Asia-U.S. East Coast container service. This weekly service will begin calling on the Port of Wilmington in May and touts some of the largest ...
Continue Reading

NORTH CAROLINA PORTS ADDS ANOTHER TRANSATLANTIC SERVICE

Posted on: March 2, 2017

FEBRUARY 23, 2017  Wilmington, N.C. – North Carolina Ports is pleased to announce another new partnership with Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) and Maersk Line with the addition of the TA2/NEUATL2 Europe-U.S. East Coast container service. The enhanced TA2/NEUATL2 service will provide unprecedented access between Bremerhaven, Felixstowe, Le Harve and Wilmington, North ...
Continue Reading

Container rail service to Port of Wilmington could start in March

Posted on: February 3, 2017

By Tim Buckland StarNews Staff SOUTHEASTERN N.C. -- The "Queen City Express," delivering freight directly from the Port of Wilmington to a transportation hub in Charlotte, could begin in early March, officials said. "That's what we're targeting for," said Paul Worley, director of the N.C. Rail Division. The weekly run of freight cars ...
Continue Reading

Wilmington International Airport Has Record Year

Posted on: January 18, 2017

Posted on January 10, 2017 by flyilm Passenger Count Highest Since 2010 The Wilmington International Airport (ILM) served 817,896 passengers in 2016; setting a new record.  When compared to 2015, passenger enplanements were up 6.6% (25,365) and deplanements were up 5.9% (22,722) year over year.  The prior record for total ...
Continue Reading

INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENTS CONTINUE AT NORTH CAROLINA PORTS, ADDITIONAL CRANES

Posted on: January 9, 2017

JANUARY 9, 2017 Wilmington, N.C. – As part of its ongoing infrastructure investment plan, North Carolina Ports has ordered two New Panamax ship-to-shore cranes with an option to purchase two more from designer Shanghai Zhenjua Heavy Industry Co., Ltd. (ZPMC). Counting the new cranes and options, the Port of Wilmington will ...
Continue Reading

ENVIVA BEGINS EXPORTS AT PORT OF WILMINGTON

Posted on: December 22, 2016

DECEMBER 22, 2016 Wilmington, N.C. – The Enviva wood pellet domes at the Port of Wilmington are operational and loading the first export shipment to Europe this week. The Enviva terminal, which includes two storage domes that can hold up to 45,000 metric tons of wood pellets each, is estimated to ...
Continue Reading

Jobs Up, Unemployment Rate Down in Greater Wilmington

Posted on: December 15, 2016

Recent employment figures show a regional economy that is now surpassing its performance prior to the “Great Recession.” Figures released by the N.C. Department of Commerce for September 2016 put the Wilmington MSA’s unemployment rate at 4.5% -- below the 4.7% rate for North Carolina overall and the 5% weighted national ...
Continue Reading

Chelsea Ash Receives Corning-WBD STEM Teaching Award

Posted on:

Chelsea Ash, a science teacher at Heidi Trask High School in Pender County, is the winner of the Corning-WBD Award for Excellence in STEM Teaching for 2016. Bob Trapp, Engineering Standards Manager at Corning Incorporated, presented the award at WBD’s annual membership meeting on October 11th. “In the classroom, [Ash] uses ...
Continue Reading

Manufacturing’s Outsized Impact

Posted on:

Since its founding in 1956, WBD has pursued diversification as a central theme in its economic development strategy. The vision has been a winner, with our region’s economy featuring a balanced blend of finance, logistics, headquarters, biotech, retail, healthcare and other industries. Like North Carolina as a whole, manufacturing has long ...
Continue Reading

Annual Meeting Celebrates WBD at 60

Posted on:

About 170 members, allies and special guests gathered on October 11th to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the founding of Wilmington Business Development. The event, held in conjunction with the organization’s annual membership meeting, took place this year at the Louise Wells Cameron Art Museum. “This year marks the 60th anniversary ...
Continue Reading

Port of Wilmington Cold Storage Offers Ag Industry Many Benefits as First In-Port Cold Storage Facility in North Carolina

Posted on: December 13, 2016

Press Release provided by Talk, Inc. Wilmington, N.C. – The temperatures inside Port of Wilmington Cold Storage (PWCS) may be below freezing, but the demand for cold storage in North Carolina is red hot. PWCS is a new, 101,000 square foot refrigerated warehouse used to maintain specific temperatures for the storage of ...
Continue Reading

PORT OF WILMINGTON TOUTS NEW ASIA CONTAINER SERVICE CONNECTION

Posted on: November 1, 2016

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE OCTOBER 31, 2016 INFORMATION: Cliff Pyron Senior Manager, External Affairs (910) 343-6492 [email protected]   PORT OF WILMINGTON TOUTS NEW ASIA CONTAINER SERVICE CONNECTION Wilmington, N.C. – North Carolina Ports is pleased to announce a new partnership with Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) and Maersk Line with the addition of the TP10/Amberjack all-water Asia-U.S. East Coast container ...
Continue Reading

Four County EMC Wins First-Ever WBD Ally of the Year Award

Posted on: October 28, 2016

Four County Electric Membership Corporation (EMC) has been named 2016 Ally of the Year by Wilmington Business Development (WBD). The first-ever award from WBD is co-sponsored by Cameron Management Company. “The Ally of the Year Award showcases the exceptional leadership behind our region’s economic development success,” said Scott Satterfield, WBD’s chief ...
Continue Reading

Wilmington region sees high job growth

Posted on:

Southeastern North Carolina counties net high percentages of job creation. By Ashley Morris StarNews Staff SOUTHEASTERN, N.C. -- Terry Greenlaw relocated from Atlanta to Wilmington last year to serve as the chief technology officer at CastleBranch. He brought his family with him. And he brought four other colleagues with him to Wilmington. The gig ...
Continue Reading

Local area included in expanded foreign trade zone

Posted on: September 20, 2016

Tuesday, September 20th 2016, 10:00 am EDTTuesday, September 20th 2016, 10:00 am EDTBy: WECT StaffEmail [email protected] Southeastern North Carolina has received approval to expand Foreign-Trade Zone 214, Governor Pat McCrory announced Tuesday. (Source: WECT) SOUTHEASTERN NORTH CAROLINA (WECT) - Southeastern North Carolina has received approval to expand Foreign-Trade Zone 214, Governor Pat McCrory ...
Continue Reading

NORTH CAROLINA PORTS COMPLETES TURNING BASIN PROJECT, WELCOMES 8,200 TEU VESSEL TO WILMINGTON

Posted on: August 8, 2016

Wilmington, N.C. – As part of its ongoing infrastructure investment plan, North Carolina Ports has completed the expansion project of its turning basin at the Port of Wilmington. The expansion allows the port to accommodate post-Panamax vessels with a length of 1,150 feet (350.52 meters) and a breadth of ...
Continue Reading

North Carolina Ports Welcomes Largest-Ever Containership to the Port of Wilmington

Posted on: July 21, 2016

Wilmington, N.C. – Building upon Governor Pat McCrory’s efforts to increase trade and promote economic growth at our state ports, North Carolina officials welcomed the largest containership to visit the Port of Wilmington. The Hanjin Baltimore, measuring 984 feet in length and 140 feet in width, is the ...
Continue Reading

New Direct Intermodal Rail Service to Connect Port of Wilmington and Charlotte

Posted on: July 20, 2016

New Direct Intermodal Rail Service to Connect Port of Wilmington and Charlotte Wilmington, N.C. - Governor Pat McCrory joined officials from the N.C. Transportation Department and CSX Corporation today at the Port of Wilmington to announce the debut of the new Queen City Express, an intermodal rail service between the Port ...
Continue Reading

Empire Distributors Breaks Ground at Pender Commerce Park

Posted on: July 5, 2016

Empire Distributors of North Carolina broke ground on its approximately 175,000-sq.-ft. distribution facility in March, setting the stage for a state-of-the-art facility that will be operating later this year. “We want to be in the building by October and operational soon thereafter,” says Jay McGrady, plant manager for Empire Distributors, which ...
Continue Reading

AAI Becomes Alcami, Nears Groundbreaking on Expansion

Posted on:

Just six months ago, AAI and its sister company Cambridge Major Labs (CML) announced a $20 million expansion to its lab and headquarters operations in Wilmington. Today, as that initiative moves forward, the global contract development and manufacturing organization has emerged with a new brand identity and name: Alcami. AAI, whose ...
Continue Reading

Momentum Builds for Infrastructure Initiative Along Highway 421

Posted on:

The March 15th passage by North Carolina voters of a $2 billion bond package could help facilitate the construction of water and wastewater service along U.S. Highway 421, a key industrial corridor with lucrative job-creation potential. While New Hanover County is not directly eligible for “Connect NC” funds, the Cape Fear ...
Continue Reading

14th Annual Membership Invitational Draws 48 Teams

Posted on:

The 14th Annual Verizon Invitational drew 48 teams, a new record for the golf event. Some 144 players gathered at River Landing on May 18th to show their support for economic development in the region. In addition to raising funds to support WBD’s global marketing and promotional ...
Continue Reading

AT&T Expands Access to Gigabit Speeds to more Businesses in 20 North Carolina Markets

Posted on: June 30, 2016

RALEIGH, N.C., June 29, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- AT&T1 is bringing gigabit internet speeds to even more businesses in 20 North Carolina markets. With AT&T Business Fiber, businesses can download and upload up 1 gigabit per second (Gbps).2 It's now available in these markets: • Apex • Davidson • Knightdale • Asheville • Garner • Morrisville • Burlington • Greensboro • Pineville • Cary • ...
Continue Reading

Fiber Ready ILM Business Park

Posted on: April 27, 2016

Click on links below to view Press Release and Video ILM Fiber Ready Video Press Release Fiber Ready ILM Business Park Press Release ILM Now Home to Nation’s First AT&T Fiber Ready International Airport Business Park With quick access to a deep-water port and top-notch aviation facility, ILM Business Park has unique advantages when ...
Continue Reading