Grow a Business

When you are ready to grow your business, our team of Existing Industry Expansion Managers will provide personalized support to help you overcome the hurdles.

Expand Your North Carolina Business with Confidence

The EDPNC’s Existing Industry Expansion Mangers (EIEMs) facilitate the business growth and expansion of already established North Carolina companies by providing counseling and access to state and local resources for workforce development, manufacturing support, environmental and infrastructure issues, grants and loans, and more.

aerial view of heavy machinery on construction site

Services

Our EIEMs help existing businesses prosper and expand across the state by identifying barriers to growth and by helping businesses find qualified workers, new local suppliers, implement energy-efficient processes and more.

Business Expansion Support

Prepare to expand with personalized assistance to address your needs and find resources.

Supply Chain Connections

Connect with potential local business partners and suppliers.

Workforce Training

Learn about North Carolina’s workforce solutions system such as job fairs and customized training programs.

Market Research & Analysis

Access data that enables you to make informed decisions about expansions, workforce, and key markets.

Manufacturing

Access expertise that can help your company innovate, minimize costs, and create better workflows.

Export Assistance

Identify, enter, and expand to global markets with our international trade managers.

Comprehensive State-Wide
Business Support

Map of North Carolina prosperity zones

The team is comprised of one manager for each of the state’s eight multi-county prosperity zones, and in addition to helping businesses expand, each manager visits businesses within their respective areas to help navigate state incentives, identify supply chain resources, connect with workforce recruitment and training programs, and much more. The EIEMs also help companies secure grants to renovate buildings or upgrade manufacturing equipment during an expansion.

Their assistance continues long after an expansion, as EIEMs continue to serve as business advisers and liaisons in areas such as facilitating workforce recruitment and training plans.

Find Your Regional Contact

Additional Resources

Workforce Development

Our partners at NCWorks offers customized training programs that yield the most highly skilled workforces in the nation.

Learn More

Clean Energy

For businesses looking to reduce their carbon footprint, NC CleanTech offers support in adopting clean energy technologies.

Learn More

Manufacturing

Several state agencies offer small- to mid-sized manufacturers programs that help you stay competitive, retain jobs, and increase profits through the NC Manufacturing Extension Partnership (NCMEP).

Learn More

Waste Reduction

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality offers programs to help your company minimize impacts on the environment while reducing your bottom line.

Learn More

Transportation and Infrastructure

North Carolina continues to enhance the state’s infrastructure while supporting economic growth, job creation, and quality of life.

Learn More

Recent Business Growth News

View All Resources
News
Automotive Parts Supplier to Create 21 Jobs in Columbus County Expansion
Automotive Parts Supplier to Create 21 Jobs in Columbus County Expansion

DMA Industries, LLC, a supplier of aftermarket automotive and heavy duty replacement parts, will expand and...

News
American Woodmark Adds 131 New Jobs in Richmond County Expansion
American Woodmark Adds 131 New Jobs in Richmond County Expansion

American Woodmark Corporation (NASDAQ: AMWD), one of the nation’s largest manufacturers of cabinets, will expand its...

News
BioAgilytix Chooses Durham for 878 Jobs Expansion
BioAgilytix Chooses Durham for 878 Jobs Expansion

BioAgilytix Labs, LLC, a leading life science testing company, will create 878 jobs and invest $61.5...

News
Bosch Announces 400 New Jobs and $130M Investment in Lincolnton, North Carolina Expansion
Bosch Announces 400 New Jobs and $130M Investment in Lincolnton, North Carolina Expansion

Bosch, a leading global supplier of technology and services, has announced it will invest $130 million...

Stay on Top of Business Growth

Expand NC is a quarterly newsletter highlighting business resources, project announcements, and more for growing NC companies.

Our Regional Contacts

Tracy Dellinger

Tracy Dellinger

Director of Existing Industry, Piedmont Triad Region

Counties Alamance, Caswell, Davidson, Davie, Forsyth, Guilford, Randolph, Rockingham, Stokes, Surry, Yadkin

Email tracy.dellinger@edpnc.com

Phone 336.214.7283

Bill Slagle

Bill Slagle

Senior Existing Industry Expansions Manager, Northwest Region

Counties Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, McDowell, Mitchell, Watauga, Wilkes, Yancey

Email bill.slagle@edpnc.com

Phone 828.592.1029

April Riddle

April Riddle

Existing Industry Expansion Manager, Western Region

Counties Cherokee, Graham, Clay, Swain, Macon, Jackson, Haywood, Transylvania, Madison, Buncombe, Henderson, Rutherford, Polk

Email april.riddle@edpnc.com

Phone 828.772.9128

Melanie O'Connell Underwood

Melanie O'Connell Underwood

Existing Industry Expansions Manager, Southwest Region

Counties Anson, Cabarrus, Cleveland, Gaston, Iredell, Lincoln, Mecklenburg, Rowan, Stanly, Union

Email melanie.underwood@edpnc.com

Phone 980.256.0497

Harry Swendsen

Harry Swendsen

Existing Industry Expansions Manager, North Central Region

Counties Chatham, Durham, Edgecombe, Franklin, Granville, Harnett, Johnston, Lee, Nash, Orange, Person, Vance, Wake, Warren, Wilson

Email harry.swendsen@edpnc.com

Phone 919.703.5369

Jennifer Holcomb

Jennifer Holcomb

Existing Industry Expansion Manager, South Central Region

Counties Bladen, Columbus, Cumberland, Hoke, Montgomery, Moore, Richmond, Robeson, Sampson, Scotland

Email jennifer.holcomb@edpnc.com

Phone 910.640.8287

James Wolfe

James Wolfe

Existing Industry Expansion Manager, Southeast Region

Counties Brunswick, Carteret, Craven, Duplin, Greene, Jones, New Hanover, Onslow, Lenoir, Pamlico, Pender, Wayne

Email james.wolfe@edpnc.com

Phone 910.620.7981

Sarah Bernart

Sarah Bernart

Existing Industry Expansion Manager, Northeast Region

Counties Beaufort, Bertie, Camden, Chowan, Currituck, Dare, Gates, Halifax, Hertford, Hyde, Martin, Northampton, Pasquotank, Perquimans, Pitt, Tyrrell, Washington

Email sarah.bernart@edpnc.com

Phone 252.343.2653

Joyce Spivey

Joyce Spivey

MEP Program Manager

Email joyce.spivey@edpnc.com

Phone 919.447.7785