North Carolina’s Eastern Region encompasses nearly 7,000 square miles (11,263 sq. meters), stretching from the Atlantic Ocean’s Crystal Coast to the outer suburbs of Raleigh. The region’s population now exceeds 900,000, and it possesses a workforce of more than 400,000. Numerous factors make the 13-county region an excellent location for manufacturers, distributors and other business operations, including:

 

• Progressive business climate that fosters the growth and success of businesses;
• A highly productive workforce with a broad range of skills;
• Nationally recognized education and training resources;
• Affordable labor, real estate, utility and living costs;
• A large supply of quality industrial buildings and commercial sites;
• Utility capacities to handle most manufacturing and service operations;
• A central location for superior access to eastern U.S. markets;
• A quality-of-life that perennially ranks among America’s best.

 

Like most of North Carolina, the economy of the Eastern Region is undergoing transformation from its traditional base of tobacco and textiles to more knowledge-intensive and technology-rich pursuits. Changes in the marketplace-driven by advanced technology and globalization-demand a greater capacity to innovate continuously in the products and services offered.  To support that innovation, the region requires an appropriately skilled workforce and a comprehensive infrastructure.  

 

North Carolina's Eastern Region Development Commission (formerly the Global TransPark Development Commission), the region’s economic development agency, was established by the North Carolina General Assembly in 1993 as a municipal corporation. Today, the Commission complements its confidential site selection and business location services with an aggressive agenda of regional strategic planning, infrastructure development, advocacy and capacity building.

 

Under the banner of North Carolina’s Eastern Region, the Commission promotes economic development through low-interest loans, a family of grant programs, global marketing, business recruitment, support for Certified Industrial Sites, research, public relations, training and product development initiatives. Through the years the Commission has been recognized for the quality of its printed and online promotional literature. In 2006, the Commission’s newly re-designed Internet presence won the Website Award at the annual meeting of the Southern Economic Development Council (SEDC).

 

North Carolina’s Eastern Region
3802 Highway 58 N.
Kinston, NC 28504
Phone: 800-474-8499
Fax: 252-523-9017

www.nceast.org