News and Announcements
Help Establish New Hanover and Pender Counties as a Work Ready Community
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 is a credential that measures and articulates that a person has “real world” cognitive job skills that are useful for any occupation—skilled or professional, regardless ... Continue Reading
Website Upgrades Provide Clearer Picture of WBD, Greater Wilmington
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 example, that a page-load delayed by as little as one second could turn away 7% of users.
These and other trends drove recent upgrades and ... Continue Reading
Meet WBD’s Newest Employee: Cliff Pyron
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 put him in close touch with local, regional and statewide economic developers and allies. He joined the Ports Authority in September 2014 as communications manager ... Continue Reading
STEM Teacher of the Year Focuses on 21st Century Skills
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 with students drawing the human digestive system and then coding the “voice” of a human body. It is an interactive approach for teaching biology, math, ... Continue Reading
Burgaw Manufacturer Guns for Global Market Leadership
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 business partnerships and e-commerce operations. The 13-year-old firm is a leading maker of firearm holsters and related accessories under the G-Code Tactical brand.
“We moved ... Continue Reading
Millions in Improvements Coming to Wilmington Port
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 couple of months
This is part of North Carolina Ports' $200 million improvement project. Other improvements coming to the Wilmington port include berth renovation and expansion, ... Continue Reading
CFCC Associate Degree Nursing Program Ranked #1 in North Carolina
March 5, 2019
The Cape Fear Community College Associate Degree Nursing program has been ranked number one in the 2019 Best RN Programs in North Carolina.
In a recent study conducted by RegisteredNursing.org, the CFCC ADN program ranked first among 30 other RN programs in the state. Programs reviewed include schools that offer an Associate in Nursing (ADN/ASN), BSN, or Direct-Entry MSN Degree. The scores and rankings for each school were determined based on a historical analysis of the National Council ... Continue Reading
NEW YORK’S FINE FIXTURES CHOOSES CAPE FEAR INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX FOR NEW DISTRIBUTION CENTER
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 plans to
employ a 20-person workforce there. The move positions Fine Fixtures nearer southeastern U.S. markets and enables it to utilize the Port of Wilmington for ... Continue Reading
CAPE FEAR COMMUNITY COLLEGE WINS RECOGNITION AS CAMERON MANAGEMENT ALLY OF THE YEAR
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 Cape Fear Country Club.
“Today’s economy is all about just-in-time skills, and that makes Cape Fear Community College a vital resource for WBD in every aspect ... Continue Reading
HURRICANE FLORENCE RECOVERY
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 left behind death, destruction and dislocation for our residents, and the road to complete recovery will be long. Our hearts are with those who bore ... Continue Reading
