Growth

ECU’s Office of Innovation and Economic Development (OIED) delivers and supports regional transformation by fostering community enhancement & regional development, a regional innovation workforce, cluster-based economic development, and the proliferation of innovation, entrepreneurship and small business.

East Carolina University’s Operation Reentry North Carolina (ORNC) is a national research support organization developing novel technologies and approaches that address the resiliency, rehabilitation and reintegration concerns of our nation’s service members, veterans, their families, as well as the civilian and military healthcare providers who care for them.

The Small Business and Technology Development Center (SBTDC) has helped North Carolina businesses grow and create new jobs since 1984. We provide management counseling and educational services to small and mid-sized businesses.

NCBC connects the company and university researchers; the funders and the small companies; the job seekers and job providers. We provide funding when few others do. We keep an eye on emerging biotech sectors. And we make sure North Carolina leads the way.

Mark Phillips is responsible for directing and promoting biotechnology-related growth and development activities for the Biotechnology Center’s Eastern Office in Greenville. Phillips serves as the regions’ contact to the Biotechnology Center’s grant and loan funding programs, while working with companies, schools and institutions throughout a 27-county region to strengthen biotechnology research, business, education and workforce training, and to identify new opportunities for commercial biotechnology

The Minority and Women Business Enterprise (MWBE) Program is a joint venture launched by the City of Greenville and Greenville Utilities (the City’s public utilities) to provide minority and women-owned firms an equal opportunity to do business with the City and GUC. The MWBE program offers one-on-one mentoring to coach firms on how to best position themselves for success in government contracting. The MWBE Program also provides training opportunities on a variety of topics, including “How to Submit Responsive Bids,” “Certification Made Easy,” and “Understanding Local Preference.” In the Fall and Spring, the MWBE Program hosts events to directly connect firms with government purchasers and to provide marketing and promotion of MWBE firms to the larger Greenville community. Visit our website to search our directory of local, state, and federal government opportunities.

The department writes grant applications, and administers the resulting grants including public works projects, hazard mitigations, public facilities development, CDBG/ED direct loans to companies that result in job creation and Rural Center economic development grants.

Commercial lending office

Established in 2012, SpringBoardNC was created to foster and support entrepreneurship in the I-95 / Hwy 64 Region of Eastern North Carolina, by serving as a resource hub to individuals looking to start or grow their business

As a component unit of Pitt County government, the Pitt County Development Commission recruits new industry and supports existing industry in Pitt County. Its mission is to promote job growth, diversify the County’s economy, and expand the local tax base. The Commission maintains a website which includes extensive information on doing business in Pitt County including a free listing of available industrial and major office buildings and sites. To help fulfill its mission, the Commission works closely with many partners including the North Carolina Department of Commerce, local municipalities and Chambers of Commerce, East Carolina University, Pitt Community College, and Vidant Health.

Fostering the development of technology-based businesses, the Technology Enterprise Center offers office, laboratory, and light manufacturing space to technology-based companies on a short-term lease basis. If you are a technology-based company and wish to discuss leasing space, contact Brad Hufford at (252) 902-2077, brad.hufford@pittcountync.gov.

CED is its network. A broad, dynamic array of entrepreneurs, investors, strategic partners, service providers, academics and researchers feed the entrepreneurial success CED has fostered for more than three decades. Their stories are our stories. With their help, CED has become one of the most powerful networks for entrepreneurs in the US.

The Office of Economic Development works with citizens, neighborhood groups, business and property owners, local commissions and organizations, and elected officials to revitalize and preserve Greenville’s Center City and surrounding neighborhoods.

The Institute is a nonprofit management consulting and services firm focused on business diversity. We are trusted advisors to businesses large and small, government agencies, policymakers and organizations that understand the key role diversity plays in ensuring business and economic success.Our client services include customized one-on-one assistance, training, knowledge, networks and solutions that create diverse, globally competitive companies.We are a leading voice and constant advocate for public policies and business practices that promote marketplace diversity.

The state of North Carolina is home to more than 800,000 small businesses and Commerce is strongly committed to their success. Commerce serves as a one-stop resource for small businesses and start-up companies with big ideas. Many partners and allies support Commerce’s work in assisting North Carolina’s small businesses, but Commerce provides a centralized point of contact to assist them. Services include planning and feasibility assessment, licensing, individualized research-based products around change management, strategic performance and leadership development; help accessing and acquiring government contracts; and assistance in commercializing new technologies and accessing innovation research. Through marketing and outreach activities, Commerce reaches small business owners and those considering a start-up to offer services and support designed to ensure these businesses are afforded the best opportunity to Thrive in North Carolina.

The N.C. Community Development Initiative leads North Carolina’s collaborative community economic development effort, driving innovation, investment and action to create prosperous, sustainable communities.

Our mission is to develop, promote and implement sound economic strategies to improve the quality of life of rural North Carolinians. We serve the state’s 80 rural counties, with a special focus on individuals with low to moderate incomes and communities with limited resources.

The Small Business Center (SBC) is dedicated to the training of potential and existing small business owners. Training sessions are offered as free seminars as well as customized individual business training events. The Small Business Center offers more than 125 free seminars each year on various business topics including: Financing, Management, Marketing, and Accounting/Record Keeping. The SBC also offers free, confidential one-on-one business consulting services to assist you in the daily operation of your business. These services can include: a Financial Analysis of Your Company, Market and Industry Research, Loan Packages, Business Plans, Marketing Plans, and Strategic Planning.

Business Link North Carolina (BLNC) is a free resource for anyone seeking to start a small business in the state. We offer one-on-one phone consultations to hundreds of individuals interested in establishing a business start-up, small business owners in need of general support, and small-business entrepreneurs interested in moving to North Carolina. Our team of business counselors offers straightforward, easy-to-understand guidance in both English and Spanish on topics including regulatory requirements, licensing stipulations, small-business training and more.

The NCEast Alliance (The Alliance) is a regional, private, not-for-profit,economic development agency serving more than 1 million residents within several small metropolitan and micropolitan areas from the fringe of the Research Triangle to the Atlantic Coast. The Alliance provides community capacity building and assists companies with site location and expansion decisions.