News and Announcements

Wilmington region sees high job growth

October 28, 2016
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 at CastleBranch was a totally unexpected opportunity for Greenlaw, who initially came to Wilmington for a two-day consulting job. But then he fell in love ... Continue Reading

Local area included in expanded foreign trade zone

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 announced Tuesday New Hanover, Brunswick, Pender, Bladen and Columbus counties are among the 22 counties in the expanded area. According to officials, the expansion of the trade ... Continue Reading

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

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 158 feet (48.16 meters). On August 7, 2016 the Yang-Ming Unity became the largest vessel to utilize the expanded turning basin and call the Port ... Continue Reading

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

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 first of many post-Panamax vessels to be served at the recently updated container port in North Carolina. "Our state ports are an important asset for creating ... Continue Reading

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

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 of Wilmington and CSX’s intermodal terminal in Charlotte. The term “intermodal” refers to the combining of at least two modes of transportation, such as trains, trucks ... Continue Reading

Empire Distributors Breaks Ground at Pender Commerce Park

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 distributes beer, wine and other beverages across the region. A unit of McLane Company, Inc., Empire closed on the acquisition of 18 acres at Pender ... Continue Reading

AAI Becomes Alcami, Nears Groundbreaking on Expansion


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 presence in Wilmington reached back three decades, joined with CML in late 2013. The combined company also has a location in Durham, as well as ... Continue Reading

Momentum Builds for Infrastructure Initiative Along Highway 421


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 Public Utility Authority (CFPUA) has made application with the state for grants and low-interest loans that can help with infrastructure for the corridor. Should the ... Continue Reading

14th Annual Membership Invitational Draws 48 Teams


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