The author discusses specific accomplishments in North Carolina that led to development and growth in the tourism trade and overall economy of the state.
Pitt County Development Commission has been around since 1959. The newly formed Greenville-Eastern North Carolina Alliance is augmenting the work of the commission. East Carolina University's development partner, Elliott Sidewalk Communities unveiled a master plan in October to bring life to ECU's Millennial Campus. Manufacturing comprises nearly 25% of Pitt County's gross domestic product.
The Carolina Economic Recovery Corps is a group of UNC graduate students and recent graduate professionals who aim to help impoverished communities research and apply for federal stimulus funding. Many of the corps interns were recently hired for full-time positions working with the government councils they had worked with.
Because of the William S. Lee Quality Jobs and Business Expansion Act, the state is more competitive with other states in industrial development. The act includes tax credits for companies creating new jobs and engaging in product research.
The Charlotte Regional Partnership has branded itself as “Charlotte USA.” The partnership’s intent is to connect companies and their job opportunities to the workforces in towns with their own distinct economies but still within the Charlotte area. While the partnership says it successfully bid and recruited twelve economic development projects in 2017, some officials wonder if the partnership is as effective as it could be, especially in light of a high-profile failure in January.
Explanations of North Carolina's rapid industrial, agricultural, and commercial growth are tied to the increasing importance of the developing system of industrial education centers, technical institutes, and community colleges. These institutions are a still growing network serving approximately 200,000 students a year.
North Carolina’s electric cooperatives are profiling prime industrial sites as part of a new determination to become a visible force in the competitive bidding for major industrial plants. They are doing this economic development “homework” so they can speak fluently with industry representatives about how much their territories have to offer. New industrial operations would improve the economy of the state’s rural areas.
“The Currituck Plan†included controversial plans to create a large housing-commercial-recreational development called Ocean Sands on the 23-mile stretch of Outer Banks in Currituck County. Plans failed that included retaining 1,150 acres of open space as a state park for general public on Monkey Island, near Corolla.
Cultural facility development is a key issue facing arts organizations and communities across North Carolina. Seventy counties are currently in some phase of cultural facility development, but are struggling to mobilize their cultural resources for economic growth.
One of Governor Bob Scott’s goals is to encourage smaller communities to participate in the economic development of North Carolina. So far, the North Carolina Governor’s Award Program has awarded twenty-seven communities which have successfully achieved steps in attracting industrial and economic growth. This article highlights those communities and discusses five categories in the award program.
Income inequality in North Carolina is illustrated through the map revealing where the one hundred counties fall, annual income wise. Only in four counties—Mecklenburg, Durham, Orange, and Wake—can individuals can earn ten percent over state average, pegged at $45,000. The author cited opportunity as a substantial factor. However, this inequality could narrow, with the annual salary increase in forty-seven counties revealing this promise.
Some of the state's industries, including furniture, textiles, and tobacco, have declined in recent years, but newer industries, including biotechnology, telecommunications, and auto-parts manufacturing, are rising stars in the state's economy.
Silverman highlights ten of North Carolina's most successful economic developers. These professionals are hired by counties and other government entities to recruit business and industry to a particular area.
Using figures from the U.S. Department of Commerce, the Employment Security Commission, and the N.C. Department of Revenue, Greenville economist Dr. James Kleckley, has projected growth rates for the state's 100 counties up to the year 2000.