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About us
The North Carolina Eastern Region Commission, also known as NC East and NCER, was founded in 1993 by the NC Legislature due to the creation of the Global TransPark. NCER is a development agency for a 13-county region (Carteret, Craven, Duplin, Edgecombe, Greene, Jones, Lenoir, Nash, Onslow, Pamlico, Pitt, Wayne, and Wilson). Though it does not encompass the entire Eastern region, there is a population of one million with a workforce close to 500,000. The five small metros and three micropolitan areas covered in NCER's 13 counties and abundance of developmental land makes the economic possibilities of the area enormous. With all the access to major highways such as I-95 and I-40, airports both local and international, and ports for easy shipping - it is clear why Eastern North Carolina is a region that is being targeted for growth.

To learn more about the Eastern Region of North Carolina (Which consists of 42 counties total), click here To visit the tourist site for Eastern North Carolina, visit click here

NCER's Objectives Provide resources/advocacy for transportation, retain/expand existing industry, expand adult education programs/facilities, emphasize business cluster marketing, create regional marketing brand, and cultivate entrepreneurship

Economic Clusters
Aerospace & Defense Millions of dollars have been invested in aerospace development to make Eastern North Carolina the ideal destination for corporate expansion or relocation. The region already contains 160 aerospace companies and prompted the development of the Global TransPark to serve the industry. It is no surprise that this region is an ideal location for aerospace and defense development considering the military bases located within the area. The community colleges have worked with the aerospace idustry to create two-year programs that are relevant to aerospace and defense (e.g. Advanced Machining and Welding).

Advanced Manufacturing and Logistics In North Carolina's Eastern Region, you can tap the full potential of one of America's top manufacturing states. There are no inventory or intangible taxes in addition to no sales tax on raw materials. Besides the reduction in manufacturing costs, Eastern NC is an optimal mid-east coast location. Eastern NC has the largest manufacturing workforce in the southeast and ninth in the US (with Unions <1%) with easy national and international distribution. In addition, the workers compensation and unemployment insurance rates are among the lowest in the nation. All of this in collaboration with a large quantity of the workforce possessing CNC machining skills.

Life Sciences North Carolina's Eastern region is part of an internationally acclaimed life sciences corridor. It is adjacent to the Research Triangle with NC being recognized as the national leader in Research & Development and innovation. The 13-county region NCER covers has a big part to play due to the international firms and homegrown startups that has attracted biotech and pharmaceutical innovators as welkl as medical device manufacturers. The workforce is highly skilled due to local programs at community colleges and the acclaimed medical program at East Carolina University. A regional articulated life sciences ladder, developed with guidelines from the life sciences community, is in place. It includes Associate Degrees; BS programs in Biology, Biochemistry, Bioprocess Engineering and Industrial Technology, an MS in Biotechnology and a PhD in Microbiology.

Value-Added Agriculture & Food

Marine Trades

Easy Distribution
The Eastern North Carolina Region is also a great place for national and international distribution. With access to highway 40 and 95 within the counties, it makes lorry transportation less time and cost consuming. The international distribution centers such as the Global TransPark and convenient ports make it so that manufacturers wont go far in order to ship their wares.

Land Distribution

Primary Highways

I-40, I-95, I-795 with I-85, I-440 and I-540 being easily accessible via I-40, US 264/64/70/117. A project to expand I-540 is in process that will make transportation to and around the Research Triangle even simpler. US Roads include US 70, US 64, US 264, US 117, US 17, US 258, US 301, and US 13 with many alternate routes for easy access to business districts.

Motor Freight Carriers Over 60 motor freight carriers provide service to all parts of the nation.

Small Package/Parcel Services FedEx, UPS, DHL and Emery have offices in all major communities.

Railroads

CSX, Norfolk Southern, and the NC Railroad Company serve the region. Amtrak passenger stations are located in Rocky Mount and Wilson. The National Railroad Passenger Corporation, Amtrak, is a train service for passengers.

Air & Water Distribution

Air Transport

Three Regional Airports: Greenville, Jacksonville and New Bern provide commuter service to Charlotte, Atlanta, Cincinnati and Philadelphia.

Two international airports, Raleigh-Durham and Wilmington, are within a short driving distance. Raleigh-Durham international can be reached via i-40 (with i-440 or 540 being additional options). Wilmington International Airport can be reached from NC East's region via i-40 in addition to local US roads or US 17, depending on which way one is traveling.

There are also an additional thirteen airports that serve general aviation within the region.

Water Transport - Ports

There are deep-water bulk cargo and container facilities in Morehead City, NC, Wilmington, NC, and Norfolk, VA. One of these three facilities are within a two hour drive from any city covered in NC East's 13 counties.

Universities and Institutions
Four Year Universities East Carolina University University of North Carolina - Goldsboro

Within minimal distance of NC East's Region University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill University of North Carolina - Wilmington North Carolina State University Duke University

Community Colleges Edgecombe Community College - A public, accredited, multi-campus, institution with campuses in Tarboro and Rocky Mount, NC. Nash Community College - A public and comprehensive educational institution with an open-door admissions policy. It is located on 86 acres midway between Nashville and Rocky Mount, NC. Wilson Community College - A two-year accredited college able to grant associate degrees, diplomas and certificates. Located in Wilson, NC. Pitt Community College - A two-year accredited institution of higher education and technical training school, and is located in Winterville in Pitt County, NC. Lenoir Community College - An accredited, public institution offering degree programs and continuing education. LCC's main campus is located in the city of Kinston. Serves approximately 5,500 curriculum students and 15,000 extension students annually. Carteret Community College - Located in Morehead City, NC, the college features a wide-range of educational, technical and vocational programs. With more than 100 courses to choose from, students can pursue programs leading to a certificate, diploma or associate degree. The student body consists of approximately 1,900 curriculum and 4,500 continuing education students. Craven Community College - A comprehensive, two-campus institution (New Bern & Havelock-Cherry Point) located in historic Craven County, NC. The college offers associates degrees, diplomas and certificates in many areas. It serves over 5,000 curriculum or college credit students and 11,000 Continuing Education students each year. Pamlico Community College - A fully accredited two-year community college with programs in varied disciplines. Located in the town of Grantsboro in Pamlico County, NC. Wayne Community College - A public two-year community college located in Goldsboro, NC. WCC offers over 70 degree, diploma, certificate and continuing education programs. James Sprunt Community College (Duplin)- A comprehensive, open door community college that awards associate degrees, diplomas and certificates. Located in the town of Kenansville in Duplin County, NC. Coastal Carolina Community College (Onslow)- A comprehensive, public community college located in the city of Jacksonville in Onslow County, NC. Partnership with local military community; 40-50% of enrolled students are active duty military and their family members. Offers courses on Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune and MCAS New River. Private Institutions Barton College - A four-year, private, liberal arts college located in Wilson, NC. Accredited to award baccalaureate degrees and the Master of Education degree. Mount Olive College - A private institution rooted in the liberal arts tradition with defining Christian values. It is accredited to award associate and baccalaureate degrees. Campus locations in Mount Olive, New Bern, Wilmington, Goldsboro, Research Triangle Park, Washington and Jacksonville. North Carolina Wesleyan College - A private four-year coeducational, liberal arts college with a number of pre-professional programs, located in Rocky Mount, NC.

Programs and Certifications
Career Ready Certificate(CRC) Business Community and Community College Alliances Specialized Programs

Atmosphere
Vibrant Atmosphere Military Presence Cultural Diversity Local Hospitality

Beach
Three counties within North Carolina's Eastern Region are oceanfront. The historic sites and towns throughout the region has been drawing people in for business and pleasure. With delectable restaurants and attractions that has only become more popular with the growing business industry. Beach attraction includes piers, parks and the famous Cape Lookout lighthouse located in Carteret county.



Amusements
Duplin Winery A taste fpr tje adi;ts. Duplin Winery was founded in the early 1970's and is the oldest operating winery in North Carolina. This 1,800 acre vineyard welcomes over 100,000 people every year to taste the product strait from the source. It has produced many popular styles, one of its most famous is a Magnolia wine that was featured in Martha Stewart Living magazine.

North Carolina Maritime Museum

CSS Neuse The CSS Neuse, located in Kinston, NC (Lenoir County) is a Confederate navy vessel that took part in the Civil War. "Here you will explore the... the remnants of the ironclad gunboat CSS Neuse, a product of the Confederate navy's ill-fated attempt to regain control of the lower Neuse River and retake the city of New Bern during the Civil War ."

North Carolina State Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores North Carolina has 3 aquariums, two in Dare county and one in Carteret County. The aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores (Carteret County) offers many attractions for tourists and locals that is enjoyable for the entire family. "Feel the spray of a mountain waterfall. Watch river otters play. Touch a stingray. Look a shark in the eye. Explore shipwrecks – without getting wet. See a rare white sea turtle and let your spirits soar as raptors and waterbirds fly overhead. Thousands of aquatic animals take you on a journey from the state’s grand peaks to the open Atlantic, much as a raindrop makes its way to the ocean. Five miles west of Atlantic Beach on North Carolina’s Crystal Coast ."

Coming Soon Whirligig Park Located in Wilson, Whirligig Park will be opening in November, 2013. There will be over two dozen sculptures along with an ampitheater, an interactive water features and picnic seating. This will be a great addition to Wilson county and will build upon the outside family atmosphere.

STEM EAST
The STEM Program (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) is a program that has been integrated into many school structures to promote the necessary skills needed in many applicable working fields. There is a natural tendency in children across the United States to lose interest in the sciences as school progresses. STEM hopes to integrate itself into school structures in a way that revitalizes the interest school students had for the fields in the past. "Specialized jobs in STEM fields will increase by 32 percent from 2002 to 2012, and the number of 18 to 24 year olds in the United States who receive scientific degrees has fallen from third to 17th in the world in the last three decades ."

"STEM disciplines identified by the National Science Foundation include engineering, mathematics, agricultural sciences, biological sciences, physical sciences, psychology, economics and other natural and social/behavioral sciences, computer science, and earth, atmospheric and ocean sciences. "