NCGrowth: Bolstering Businesses, Boosting Economies
NCGrowth leverages a network of academic, government and industry partners to help businesses create jobs and build sustainable communities.
NCGrowth leverages a network of academic, government and industry partners to help businesses create jobs and build sustainable communities.
Rendering of the proposed Lumbee Tribal Welcome Center, designed by EVOKE Studio
What do a town revitalization project, a manufacturer of glassblowing furnaces, a tilapia farm and a Native American welcome center all have in common? All are businesses or projects located in North Carolina communities — and all have benefited from NCGrowth’s custom services and support.
NCGrowth leverages a network of academic, government and industry partners to help businesses create jobs and build sustainable communities. Since its founding in 2012, NCGrowth has created nearly 1,000 jobs, resulting in tens of millions of dollars in new private and public investments in North Carolina’s economically distressed communities.
Here are a few of the hundreds of businesses and communities supported by NCGrowth. Visit ncgrowth.unc.eduOpens in new window for more.
Rediscovering Princeville
Princeville, NC
Princeville was founded by former slaves as Freedom Hill in 1865, at the end of the American Civil War. Over the years, Princeville has experienced a series of devastating floods, and the town’s population has risen and receded, much like the Tar River that has shaped its destiny. The Town of Princeville partnered with NCGrowth to research opportunities for economic development based on their historic and cultural assets.
Lumbee Tribal Welcome Center
Pembroke, NC
The Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina, a community of more than 55,000 members of Native American ancestry, is seeking to construct a tribal welcome center in an effort to generate revenue for the community. NCGrowth worked with tribal administration to conduct a market analysis for the site. The report enables Lumbee officials to make informed decisions surrounding the development of the welcome center.
Wet Dog Glass
Star, NC
NCGrowth worked on an employee recruitment strategy with Wet Dog Glass, a manufacturer of glassblowing furnaces that export products globally. Wet Dog Glass is based in STARworks, an arts-centered work community that promotes community and economic development by providing outstanding local artistic educational programs and business ventures.
Taylor Fish Farm
Cedar Grove, NC
Taylor Fish Farm is one of the few sustainable aquaculture operations in the U.S. The farm supplies tilapia to Whole Foods and was interested in branching out into unexplored markets. NCGrowth’s market analysis identified new potential markets and strategy.
NCGrowth is an affiliated center of the Kenan Institute of Private Enterprise at UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School. Long-time sponsors of NCGrowth include the U.S. Department of Commerce and the Golden LEAF, Z. Smith Reynolds and Sun Trust foundations. Visit ncgrowth.unc.eduOpens in new window for more information.
< Back to the 'Impact across North Carolina' homepageOpens in new window
