Resources

Community and Regional Development (CRD) takes an innovative approach to program development that focuses on building a comprehensive menu of products and services that fosters strong regional partnerships around community and economic development priorities and projects. CRD programs include the Municipal Management and Innovation initiative, the Talent Enhancement and Capacity Building program and the Rural Community Consortium.

Entrepreneurs are North Carolina’s economic engine. If you’re thinking about starting a business in North Carolina, we salute you! We’re here to help you navigate the state requirements. Find all the information you need to get your startup started.

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.

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.

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 Network, comprised of 58 Small Business Centers throughout North Carolina, supports the development of new businesses and the growth of existing businesses by being a community-based provider of training, counseling, and resource information. Confidential counseling services and access to resource libraries are free of charge.Some seminars and workshops require a minimal registration fee. Services provided by the Small Business Center Network can be customized to suit your specific business needs.

ECU Technologies that are available for licensing

Provide small business loans and financial training to start-ups and existing businesses along with lending services to community-based organizations.

Thorough resource for the early stages of starting a business in NC. BLNC provides checklists and links to statewide services for entrepreneurs including help writing business plans, licensing, help determining business structures, financing options and taxes, among others.

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.

The Office of Public Service and Community Relations is responsible for the quality improvement of public service through strategic planning and strategic assessment, coordination of ECU’s public service endeavors, and the development of students, faculty and staff who conduct quality public service. Using collaboration as a strategy, the office enhances ECU’s relationships with communities.

IMAF-RTP is one of the Inception Micro Angel Funds and is a member-managed seed stage angel capital fund designed to capitalize on the growth in entrepreneurial activity and venture financing, primarily in the Research Triangle Park area of North Carolina, greater North Carolina and in selective areas of Virginia and South Carolina.

ACA is a collective of accredited angel investors, North America’s most prolific early-stage investment class. The association is the largest angel professional development organization in the world. ACA provides an insider perspective that can help you make smart investment decisions.

The North Carolina Lawyers for Entrepreneurs Assistance Project (NC LEAP) is a public service program of the North Carolina Bar Association to provide legal assistance to low wealth entrepreneurs and small business owners.

Connect entrepreneurs with mentors

The Innovation Design Lab (IDL) is a collaborative venue for leading edge research and design-driven innovation. A best-in-class facility, the IDL was one of three national finalists in the category of Community Connected Campus Awards of Excellence by the University Economic Development Association.