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A Thriving Hub for Industry
The region’s economy is powered by advanced manufacturing, life sciences, healthcare, agribusiness, and logistics. With East Carolina University, a regional medical center, and a skilled workforce, businesses have direct access to research, innovation, and a strong talent pipeline. Competitive costs, modern infrastructure, and a supportive business climate make the area an ideal location to launch, expand, or relocate. Continued investment in broadband, education, and public-private partnerships is fueling growth and shaping a vibrant economic future across eastern North Carolina.
- Advanced Manufacturing
- AgTech and Food Processing
- Healthcare & Medical Technology
- Life Sciences & Biotech
- Logistics & Distribution
Driving Innovation in Advanced Manufacturing
Advanced manufacturing is a cornerstone of the local economy. With a skilled workforce, modern infrastructure, and a strong business climate, the area continues to attract companies focused on innovation and expansion.
Key Highlights
- Economic Impact: Advanced manufacturing contributes about 24.4% of the area’s total GDP.
- Employment: More than 6,800 people work in this sector, earning an average annual salary of $75,929.
- Training Resources: The Pitt Community College Advanced Manufacturing Institute offers hands-on training in lean manufacturing, OSHA standards, and problem-solving.
- Strategic Sites: The 400-acre Farmville Corporate Park offers ready-to-develop land with full utilities and direct highway access.
- Transportation: Manufacturers benefit from freight rail, major highways, and proximity to 25 airports within a 50-mile radius.
- Global Reach: Easy access to the North Carolina Global TransPark supports efficient air, rail, and highway logistics.
- Business Climate: A low corporate tax rate and competitive incentives create a pro-growth environment for industry.
- Diverse Sectors: Local producers manufacture machinery, metal products, automotive and marine equipment, chemicals, plastics, and paper goods.
Skilled Workforce and Training
A dedicated, high-performing workforce drives success across the manufacturing sector. Facilities operate in collaborative, union-free environments, supported by ongoing skills training through Pitt Community College and regional workforce programs that prepare talent for high-demand careers.
Sites, Infrastructure, and Connectivity
Strong logistics keep production and distribution running efficiently. Rail, major highways, and regional airports connect businesses to markets across the East Coast, while Farmville Corporate Park provides shovel-ready sites equipped with water, sewer, and broadband.
Access to the North Carolina Global TransPark strengthens global trade links through multimodal air, rail, and roadway connections.
Business Climate and Incentives
North Carolina’s competitive tax rates and partnerships with groups such as the Greenville ENC Alliance support continued growth. Businesses can access customized incentives and assistance that reward investment and job creation.
Key Employers
Avient Protective Materials, Grady-White Boats, Hyster-Yale, and Thermo Fisher Scientific
Leveraging Eastern NC’s Agricultural Strength
North Carolina’s agriculture is as diverse as its landscape. The state ranks first in the nation for farm cash receipts from tobacco and sweet potatoes, second for poultry and eggs, and third for pork and trout. Farmers also produce cotton, soybeans, peanuts, nursery crops, and aquaculture goods. Agriculture generates nearly $76 billion each year, making it a cornerstone of the state’s economy.
The region blends a rich farming tradition with modern infrastructure and pro-business policies, creating ideal conditions for AgTech, food processing, and agricultural innovation. Local agriculture now extends beyond crops to include agritourism, exports, and research that drive both economic growth and community wellness.
Key Highlights
- Diverse Crop Production: Fertile soils support tobacco, cotton, peanuts, corn, wheat, and soybeans.
- AgTech Innovation: Companies like J.P. Davenport and Son use advanced seed technologies to boost yields and quality.
- Sustainable Energy: Power Resource Group in Farmville converts poultry waste into electricity, advancing renewable energy and environmental stewardship.
- Food Processing Hub: The Eastern NC Food Commercialization Center in Ayden provides cold storage, custom processing, and business support for local producers.
- Strategic Industrial Sites: A 1,000-acre megasite near Highway 11 in Bethel is being developed for food processing and AgTech growth.
- Workforce Development: Programs like Grow Local connect students with career opportunities in agriculture and food industries.
- Competitive Incentives: Local and state tax benefits, grants, and workforce programs help attract and retain agribusiness investment.
- Pro-Business Climate: North Carolina’s 2.5% corporate tax rate and low energy costs make it a cost-effective place for agricultural industries to thrive.
Food Processing and Infrastructure
The Eastern NC Food Commercialization Center in Ayden supports farmers and entrepreneurs with processing, packaging, and cold storage. Through the NC Agricultural Manufacturing and Processing Initiative, more than $12 million in grants has expanded food manufacturing capacity statewide.
Sites, Workforce, and Growth
The Bethel Megasite offers ready infrastructure and highway access for large-scale agricultural and food processing operations. Workforce programs like Grow Local build a strong talent pipeline to meet the needs of modern AgTech and processing industries.
Incentives and Business Climate
Local tax benefits, grants, and workforce training support combine with North Carolina’s low corporate tax rate and affordable utilities to create a competitive, business-friendly environment for agriculture, food processing, and AgTech expansion.
Growing Hub for Healthcare Innovation
Anchored by ECU Health and East Carolina University’s Brody School of Medicine, the region has built a strong ecosystem for healthcare delivery, medical research, and workforce development.
Healthcare and social assistance make up the area’s largest economic sector, contributing about $1.95 billion to local GDP and employing more than 15,500 people.
Economic Growth and Workforce
- Workforce Expansion: Employment grew by 0.157% in recent years, led by healthcare-related jobs.
- Physician Access: The area ranks third in North Carolina for the number of physicians per capita.
- Health Coverage: About 90% of residents have health insurance, improving access and overall community health.
Major Healthcare Infrastructure
- ECU Health Medical Center: A 974-bed flagship hospital in Greenville and the region’s only Level I Trauma Center.
- James and Connie Maynard Children’s Hospital: The only children’s hospital in eastern North Carolina, providing specialized pediatric care.
- East Carolina Heart Institute: A leading center for cardiovascular treatment and research.
Regional Reach
ECU Health serves more than 1.4 million people across 29 counties, positioning the area as a healthcare hub for eastern North Carolina.
Workforce Development and Education
- Brody School of Medicine: Nationally recognized for training primary care physicians, advancing research, and improving rural and global health systems.
- Pitt Community College: Offers nursing, radiography, and health science programs that build a skilled medical workforce.
- Health Sciences Academy: Provides high school students with early hands-on experience in healthcare careers.
Innovation and Research
- Medical Research: The Brody School of Medicine leads studies on heart disease, diabetes, and infectious diseases.
- Telemedicine: ECU Health continues to expand telehealth services that connect patients across rural communities.
Rising Leader in Life Sciences and Biotechnology
The region combines pharmaceutical expertise, advanced research, and specialized workforce training. With more than 50 years of pharmaceutical production and strong academic and industry partnerships, it offers life sciences companies the talent, resources, and stability to innovate and grow.
Economic Impact and Employment
- Pharmaceutical Location Quotient (LQ): 13.22, showing one of the state’s highest concentrations of life sciences activity.
- Competitive Salaries: Average annual wage of $70,354.
- Skilled Workforce: More than 2,300 employees work in local life sciences and biotech roles.
- State Ranking: North Carolina ranks third in the nation for biotech employment.
Regional and Industry Networks
- BioPharma Crescent: A five-county hub with highway, airport, and port access and a highly trained workforce.
- Pharmaceutical Services Network: Provides customized pharmaceutical training developed with industry partners.
- NC Biotechnology Center (Eastern Office, Greenville): Supports research, business growth, and biotech innovation across eastern North Carolina.
Workforce Development and Education
- BioNetwork: Offers biotech and pharmaceutical training from entry level through management.
- East Carolina University: The Brody School of Medicine and College of Engineering and Technology lead cross-disciplinary research in biomedical engineering, device design, and healthcare innovation.
- Pitt Community College: Provides hands-on training in bioprocessing and biomanufacturing for immediate career placement.
Innovation and Research Leadership
- Collaborative Research: ECU brings together medicine, engineering, dentistry, nursing, and business to advance healthcare technologies.
- Statewide Strength: North Carolina is home to more than 500 biotech companies and 58,000 workers, supporting a thriving statewide network that enhances local opportunity.
Key Employers
Thermo Fisher Scientific, Mayne Pharma, CMP Pharma
Capitalize on the Region’s Competitive Edge in Logistics and Distribution
The area is becoming a leading hub for logistics and distribution, combining advanced infrastructure, skilled labor, and a business-friendly climate. Its central location connects companies to I-40, I-95, I-587, I-795, and NC 11, offering efficient access to East Coast, national, and global markets. Proximity to ports, airports, and top-ranked academic programs, along with lower operating costs than major metro areas, creates a strong foundation for growth and innovation.
Geographic Advantage
Located in eastern North Carolina between Raleigh and the Atlantic Ocean, the region provides quick access to major Southeastern markets. This position helps businesses optimize supply chains and minimize weather-related disruptions.
Transportation Access
- I-587: Links Greenville to I-95 and I-795, supporting both north-south and east-west routes.
- Proximity to I-40: Direct east-west access to national markets.
- NC 11 Bypass: A 17.9-mile, four-lane freeway opened in 2019 that improves freight mobility.
- Ports and Airports: Convenient access to Raleigh-Durham International Airport, the Port of Wilmington, and the Port of Morehead City for domestic and international trade.
- Industrial Megasite: Nearly 1,000 acres near Highway 11 in Bethel, positioned for large-scale logistics, distribution, and manufacturing projects.
Industry Overview
- Established Employers: Companies such as TES Logistics operate full-service warehousing and distribution facilities in Greenville Industrial Park, showcasing local capacity for large-scale operations.
- Economic Role: Logistics and distribution support major sectors including manufacturing, agribusiness, healthcare, and e-commerce, strengthening employment and regional competitiveness.
Workforce Development and Education
- East Carolina University (ECU): Offers a nationally ranked Bachelor of Science in Industrial Distribution and Logistics, recognized as #6 in the U.S. for online programs (2024). ECU students also placed third in a recent international logistics competition.
- Pitt Community College: Provides industry-focused training, certifications, and continuing education tailored to logistics and supply chain needs.
Economic Indicators
- GDP Growth: Local GDP grew 3.1% recently, following an 8.2% increase in 2022, signaling continued strength.
- Employment Base: A workforce of more than 81,000 supports logistics, distribution, and related industries that diversify and sustain the local economy.