The newly published report “2018: Evidence and Opportunity: Impact of Life Sciences in North Carolina” is a fascinating story of transformation. It also marks the 10th anniversary of the North Carolina Biotechnology Center’s contract with TEConomy Partners to track and evaluate the state’s life science landscape. Bottom line: The nation’s 10-year escape from the Great…

The Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina’s work with Randolph County illustrates how a strong local and state partnership supports the growth of smaller manufacturers located in rural communities. In 2018, six manufacturers — assisted by Tracy Dellinger of the EDPNC and Kevin Franklin of the Randolph County Economic Development Corporation — announced expansions expected…

After several years of significant growth for Indian investment in the state, in 2018 the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina opened its first overseas office committed to identifying and attracting corporate investors from India. “We’re among a handful of states to establish an office in India dedicated to cultivating foreign direct investment,” said Ryan…

The Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina (EDPNC) recently released its annual report for 2018, marking the state’s second-best year in a decade for the number of new jobs attached to announced project wins. That’s just part of the good news reflected in the EDPNC’s latest annual report, which looks at our role and results…

Superior Plastics Extrusion Company, Inc., known as Impact Plastics, will expand its manufacturing operations in Richmond County and create 13 jobs. The company will invest $5.3 million in Hamlet. Salaries for the new jobs will vary by position, but the average annual wage will be $76,412. The average annual wage in Richmond County today is…

Chewy, a leading online pet-supply retailer, has selected Rowan County in North Carolina for a 700,000-square-foot fulfillment center, with plans to create 1,200 new jobs and invest $55 million over the next several years. “This represents the largest new jobs announcement in Rowan County’s history,” said Greg Edds, chairman of the Rowan County Board of…

North Carolina’s internationally based trade representatives recently traveled to communities stretching from Boone to Wilmington to meet individually with nearly 70 businesses that want to grow their revenue through exporting. “These businesses, many of them too small to have in-house international sales experts, signed up for one-on-one appointments with our trade representatives working in Mexico,…

North Carolina-based high-growth companies raised a record-setting $2.7 billion in venture funding in 2018, a 144 percent increase over 2017, according to the Durham-based Council for Entrepreneurial Development (CED). The CED recently released its 2018 Innovators Report, which tracks the activity of technology-based entrepreneurial enterprises in North Carolina. “Having large, noteworthy fundraisings such as those…

Fresenius Kabi, a global health care company based in Germany, hosted a topping off ceremony last week to celebrate the $100 million expansion of its pharmaceutical manufacturing campus in Wilson, North Carolina. The topping off ceremony was a traditional celebration of construction projects upon the installation of the topmost structural member – in this case,…

New Jersey-based Pacon Manufacturing Corporation, a contract manufacturer of wipes, pads and liquids, has selected the North Carolina town of Navassa in Brunswick County for its new plant, creating 299 new jobs and investing $37.6 million. “Pacon Manufacturing chose North Carolina because of our strong workforce, infrastructure and community support,” said Gov. Roy Cooper. Pacon…

Antibodies are Y-shaped molecules produced by the immune system’s plasma cells that have the ability to neutralize toxins and pathogens like bacteria or viruses. They were originally described in the late 1800s as the active component of antiserum and a key component of most types of immune response. In the 1970s, scientists developed techniques to…

Grady-White Boats got its start in the Old Star Tobacco Warehouse No. 2 on Albemarle Avenue in Greenville, North Carolina. The company was founded in 1959 by entrepreneur Don White and boat builder Glen Grady. The fledgling business offered two boat models—a 16-foot and 17-foot runabout. They shipped their first four boats in February 1960…