News and Announcements

14th Annual Membership Invitational Draws 48 Teams

July 5, 2016
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 mission, the event provides valuable opportunities for informal networking, fellowship and fun. “The annual golf event has become one of the highlights of Greater Wilmington’s business ... Continue Reading

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

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 • High Point • Raleigh • Chapel Hill • Hendersonville • Wilmington • Charlotte • Huntersville • Winston-Salem • Clemmons • Jamestown "For years, we have offered business customers gigabit connections, but through AT&T Business Fiber, ... Continue Reading

Fiber Ready ILM Business Park

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 it comes to connecting businesses to the global marketplace. But the park’s connectivity assets became even more impressive in April with a “Fiber Ready” designation ... Continue Reading

Pender Commerce Park Becomes North Carolina’s First “AT&T Fiber Ready” Property

December 7, 2015
Like access to talent and supply chains, high-speed telecommunications is a basic ingredient for global business success. That’s why Pender County leaders were proud to have one of their county’s premiere industrial properties receive a first-of-its-kind designation for broadband readiness from one of the nation’s leading telecommunications providers. In October, AT&T Corporation designated Pender Commerce Park as “Fiber Ready,” which offers potential corporate residents assurance that modern telecommunications infrastructure is available. The park was the first ... Continue Reading

WBD Joins Partners and Allies in Hosting Consultant Outreach Tour


The global nature of today’s business world makes county limits irrelevant to most companies. That’s why WBD joined with economic development counterparts in Brunswick County, the NC Ports and The Southeastern Partnership in organizing a familiarization tour of the region for leading national site selection consultants. Such “Fam tours” were among the recommendations of the 2014 “Pathways to Prosperity” strategic plan by Garner Economics, LLC. Eleven consultants joined regional economic development and businesses leaders ... Continue Reading

WBD Joins Corning in Honoring Educational Innovation


  Kelly Crowley, a 3rd grade teacher at Wilmington’s Pine Valley Elementary School, is the 2015 recipient of the Corning – WBD Award for Excellence in STEM Education.  The award was given at the annual meeting of Wilmington Business Development on October 8th. “Mrs. Crowley builds interest and excitement about STEM by demonstrating that science and math are a part of almost everything we do,” said Bob Trapp, engineering standards manager at Corning, Inc., who presented the ... Continue Reading

Annual Meeting Highlights Private Equity Investing and More


The 2015 Annual Membership Meeting of Wilmington Business Development drew some 200 participants to the Burney Center at UNC Wilmington. Held the evening of October 8th, members and guests listened to a series of speakers share insight on economic development and business topics. Allen Thorpe, New York City-based managing director at Hellman & Friedman, LLC, delivered this year’s keynote address. Thorpe outlined current outcomes and expectations large private equity firms look for when investing in companies. ... Continue Reading

AAIPHARMA/CAMBRIDGE MAJOR LABORATORIES LAUNCHES MAJOR EXPANSION AT ITS WILMINGTON LABS AND CORPORATE HQ

December 1, 2015
Growth of Life Sciences Adds Diversification to Region’s Economy November 20, 2015 (Wilmington, N.C.) – AAIPharma Services Corp./ Cambridge Major Laboratories, Inc. (AAIPharma/CML), the contract drug development and manufacturing provider, will invest $15.8 million in expanded lab operations and corporate headquarters space in Wilmington over the coming three years, Governor Pat McCrory announced today. The move will bring at least 37 new jobs to the Port City over the coming three years, with a total ... Continue Reading

13TH ANNUAL VERIZON INVITATIONAL DRAWS RECORD PARTICIPATION

June 30, 2015
1st Place:  Bill Harrington, Courtney Faircloth & Steve Gunn 2nd Place:  Steve Wilkinson, Bill Rhodes & Joel White 3rd Place:  Bob Cherry, Ned Murchison & Josh Goldstein 4th Place:  Tim Eldridge, Brian Rector & Tee Nunnelee (not pictured) Clear skies and comfortable breezes greeted participants of the thirteenth annual Verizon Invitational Golf Tournament, held May 13th at River Landing Country Club in Wallace. Forty-six teams competed in this year’s event, which featured golf on Clyde Johnston-designed courses, food, beverages ... Continue Reading

EXISTING INDUSTRIES THE LIFEBLOOD OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT


Nationally, some 42 percent of job creation in a given community comes via expansions and growth of companies already there, according to a 2011 report by the Brookings Institute. Since its founding in 1956, Wilmington Business Development has supported existing industry as a cornerstone for the region’s economic strategy. Along with our product and infrastructure development programs and corporate recruitment activities, WBD’s support for existing industry is systematic, ongoing and results-oriented. Regular site visits and dialogue ... Continue Reading