North Carolina Global TransPark Economic Development Region

Today, we celebrate Independence Day and the birth of our nation. As we give thanks for our independence and freedoms, may we remember to work together as a united people to strengthen our country for future generations! Happy Independence Day!

Press Release: Norris Tolson Joins the Rocky Mount Area Chamber of Commerce in Economic Development/Special Projects We are proud to announce that Norris Tolson has joined our team to spearhead Special Projects relating to Economic Development initiatives. With a distinguished career in both the public and private sectors, Tolson brings a wealth of experience and expertise to this critical role. Tolson’s career is marked by significant leadership roles, including his tenure as Vice President of Special Projects and as the former CEO and President of the Carolinas Gateway Partnership, where he served from January 2016. Most recently, he was a senior advisor for economic development with the Williams Mullen law firm. His extensive background also includes serving as the President and CEO of the North Carolina Biotechnology Center from 2007 to 2014. Tolson’s contributions to public service are notable. He has served as the North Carolina Secretary of Commerce, the North Carolina Secretary of Transportation, and the North Carolina Secretary of Revenue from 2001 to 2007. In 1999, he chaired the North Carolina Hurricane Floyd Relief Fund, demonstrating his commitment to state-wide recovery efforts. Elected to the North Carolina General Assembly, Tolson represented parts of Edgecombe, Nash, Pitt, and Wilson Counties in the House of Representatives from 1994 until 1997. His dedication to higher education is reflected in his service on the Board of Trustees of North Carolina State University, where he held positions as Vice Chairman and First Vice Chair of the executive committee. Tolson graduated from North Carolina State University (NCSU) with a bachelor's degree in crop science and agribusiness. His outstanding career achievements and dedication to community service have earned him the Distinguished Alumni Award from NCSU. Additionally, Tolson served in the U.S. Army from 1963 to 1965, further exemplifying his commitment to public service. Before embarking on his public service career, Tolson worked with E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company, where he held various roles in marketing, research, and sales for the agricultural products and electronics divisions. His career with DuPont included several years of international experience, particularly in Europe. "We are thrilled to welcome Norris Tolson to the Chamber," said David Farris, Chamber President/CEO. "His vast experience and deep understanding of economic development will be invaluable as we continue to drive growth and innovation in our region. We are confident that Norris’s leadership will further our mission of enhancing the economic vitality of our community." Norris Tolson's addition to the Rocky Mount Area Chamber of Commerce underscores our commitment to leveraging seasoned expertise to foster economic growth and prosperity. His proven track record of success and dedication to service will undoubtedly enrich our efforts to advance the interests of our members & the broader community.

Congratulations, NCSE team! Thank you for your support and partnership in promoting economic growth in Eastern NC.

Today, local and county leaders gathered for a ribbon-cutting ceremony that was held for the new Greene County EMS Station 3 on Highway 903 North in Snow Hill. The station will serve the communities of Maury, Hookerton, Lizzie, Castoria, and Scuffleton within Greene County. The new facility is expected to improve emergency services in these communities by enabling faster response times and better care. EDR and Greene County Government, N.C. express their gratitude to all those who worked to make this facility possable and the North Carolina General Assembly for their support of this project!

We are excited to share some wonderful news! Our very own Trey Cash was nominated and elected to the North Carolina Economic Development Association (NCEDA) Board of Directors today at their annual conference. EDR is incredibly proud of Trey and look forward to the positive impact he will make in this new role. Please join us in congratulating Trey on this significant accomplishment! #NCEDA2024Annual

It was great seeing state and local leaders come together at today's groundbreaking ceremony for Lenoir Community College's Senator Jim Perry Aviation Center for Excellence (ACE). The planned new learning facility will strengthen our region's commitment to aerospace industries, manufacturing, and Department of Defense operations support. The Jim Perry Aviation Center for Excellence will be located at The North Carolina Global TransPark It will address the existing and future needs of the aviation/aerospace workforce in our region and Eastern NC by training the next generation of aviation professionals! We applaud all those who support this endeavor, which will impact the economic future of our communities for years to come. #LenoirCommunityCollege #AviationExcellence #GlobalTransPark #GoldenLEAFFoundation

We are pleased to announce that Trey Cash and Craig Foucht have achieved the distinguished status of North Carolina Certified Economic Developers. This certification, administered by the North Carolina Economic Development Association (NCEDA) in partnership with East Carolina University (ECU), represents a significant accomplishment in the field of economic development. The North Carolina Certified Economic Developer Program is a rigorous and comprehensive course that requires 84 contact hours of in-person instruction. The program is designed to impart practical knowledge of economic development practices specific to North Carolina. The certification ends with a comprehensive capstone project. The curriculum covers vital areas such as retention and expansion, innovation and entrepreneurship, attraction, data analytics, organization and operation, and the legal framework. The program is hosted and led by ECU's Office of Continuing and Professional Education and the NCEDA. With less than 75 certified developers statewide, Trey and Craig’s certification is a testament to their dedication and expertise in economic development. EDR congratulates them both for their hard work and commitment to fostering economic growth in North Carolina. #NCEDA2024Annual

Fleet Readiness Center East MRO Complex Groundbreaking at the North Carolina Global TransPark.

We are pleased to announce the commencement of construction on the new Fleet Readiness Center East MRO Complex at the North Carolina Global TransPark This marks a significant milestone in the advancement of our regional and state economic landscape. This state-of-the-art facility will generate over 440 high-quality, well-compensated positions and represents an investment of $400 million, underscoring our commitment to enhancing North Carolina’s capacity for military support and aerospace excellence. We extend our deepest gratitude to our collaborative partners, including the Fleet Readiness Center East the NCDOT, and the The Golden LEAF Foundation whose invaluable support has been crucial to this project's initiation. This initiative is a testament to our dedication to bolstering the U.S. Navy’s operational capabilities and reaffirming North Carolina’s status as the premier military-friendly state in the nation. We look forward to the positive impacts this project will have on our community and the continued prosperity it will bring to Eastern North Carolina. For full details: https://hubs.la/Q02DgG800

Great news for Wayne County Government, North Carolina, today: it was announced during the County Commissioners Meeting that Alianza-Team Foods USA, Inc. will be coming to ParkEast! Team Foods USA, Inc. plans to create 16 new jobs and invest $36.4 million in capital. Alianza-Team Foods USA, Inc. is a multiple Latin American organization with over 75 years of experience and is the leader in producing vegetable lipids, fats, and oils. The company's extensive operations span Colombia, Chile, and Mexico, and its exports reach the United States, Puerto Rico, Peru, Costa Rica, Panama, Curacao, Argentina, and Bolivia. The ParkEast location will allow Alianza-Team Foods USA, Inc. to meet customer demand in the Northeastern US with a state-of-the-art food production facility. Construction is slated to begin in 2024, and operations are expected to be fully functional by November 2025. The North Carolina Global TransPark Economic Development Region n and Wayne County Development Alliance, Inc. are excited about Alianza-Team Foods USA, Inc.'s decision to relocate within the region. It continues to show that eastern North Carolina is "primed" for attracting innovative agriculture companies. Press Release: https://hubs.la/Q02C70M10 Alianza-Team Foods USA, Inc. https://hubs.la/Q02C702Z0