Ready workforce and close proximity to interstates, ports & rail

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FIGURES FOR JULY 2021

FIGURES FOR JULY 2021

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A number of four year universities are located within one hour of Columbus County, with attractive benefits to pursuing education, such as $500 per semester tuition at UNCP. This allows industries easy access to workforce training options for potential employees. 

 

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Columbus County is the right place for opportunity and industry in southeastern North Carolina. 

 

Our trained workforce and close proximity to the state port at Wilmington and interstate highway systems conveniently position Columbus County for manufacturing and distribution.

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Southeastern Community College and Columbus Career and College Academy offer opportunities in food processing certification and HACCP training. Onsite training is available for local industry to meet workforce development needs.

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Columbus County economic development partners with both the state of North Carolina and the Columbus Jobs Foundation to provide attractive incentive packages to industrial firms looking to locate within the county.

 
Columbus County is the only “Work Ready” community in the region.

Columbus County is the only “Work Ready” community in the region.

 
 

Southeast Regional Park is a triple certified park on 160 acres with an additional 85 acres available. The industrial park is located on Highway 130 (Chadbourn Hwy.) in Whiteville, N.C.

 
 

Take a look inside the new, state-of-the-art facility at Southeastern Community College. Home to programs like Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering Technology, and more.

The Tabor City Industrial park is conveniently located on the North Carolina and South Carolina Border. With access to rail, water, sewer and electricity this prime location has much to offer for prospective businesses.

 

We think you'll like what we have to offer

 

Affordable country living with easy beach access. Situated in southeastern North Carolina, Columbus County offers businesses and residents an outstanding location in proximity to local lakes, beaches, golf courses, and the historic port city of Wilmington. Our rich agricultural heritage combined with a diligent workforce and excellent infrastructure have created the foundation for a strong agri-business and food processing cluster -- one that will only strengthen as the surrounding area continues to grow. 

 

Recreational opportunities are abundant in Columbus County. Golf, youth athletics, hiking and fishing at Lake Waccamaw State Park and zipline fun at Cape Fearless Extreme are just a few of the many ways to get out and enjoy the mild climate and open land. Known for a rich legacy of players and coaches, baseball is strong in Columbus County. MacKenzie Gore, pitcher for Whiteville High School, was recognized as the 2016-2017 National Gatorade Baseball Player of the Year and was the MLB third draft pick in 2017. In 1986, Sports Illustrated declared Whiteville "Baseball Town U.S.A." In 2017 and 2018, Whiteville High School baseball teams won back-to-back state championships and have earned nine state championships in team history. 

COLUMBUS DEMOGRAPHIC QUICK FACTS

Population - Columbus County 55,655 (2018) & North Carolina 10.49 million (2019)

Taxes  

  • Columbus County - FY 2017-2018 $0.8050 per $100 valuation

  • City of Whiteville - FY 2017-2018 $0.530

  • Town of Chadbourn - FY2017-2018 - $0.6200

  • Town of Fair Bluff - FY2017-2018 - $0.6500

  • Town of Lake Waccamaw - FY 2017-2018 $0.2000

  • Town of Tabor City - FY 2017-2018 $0.6700

Employment 

  • Labor Force - Columbus County 21,604 employed and 1,221 unemployed

  • Unemployment - Columbus County 5.3% unemployment rate

  • Average Weekly Wage - Columbus County $665 average weekly wage

 

Higher Education

  • Southeastern Community College

Education

  • 18 county schools

  • 4 Whiteville city schools

  • Columbus Charter elementary & middle school

  • Columbus Christian Academy

  • Columbus Adventist Academy

  • Graduation rate is 85%

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Columbus County Economic Development Commission

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Gary Lanier
Economic Development, Director

 
 

 CCEDC  Board Members

Kathy Ashley
Horne Bay Farms

John Blosser
Local Business Owner

Giles E. (Buddy) Byrd
Columbus County Commissioner

 

Jerry Freeman
Columbus County Hospital Regional Hospital (retired)

Michael Pease
TBD

Rep. Brenden Jones
N.C. House District 46 

Mitchel Tyler
Columbus County Courthouse Administrator (retired)

Chris English 
President of SCC

Eddie Madden
Manager, Columbus County

  

 

Lavern Coleman
Columbus County Commissioner

J.E. Thompson
Building Contractor

Les High
Chair, Columbus Jobs Foundation

Dr. Gary Lanier
Economic Development Director (ex-officio)

 Columbus Jobs Foundation Board of Directors

Nancy Sigmon

Rashad Robert

Stephanie Miller

John Young

Richard Wright

Les High

Amy Bailey

Matt McLean

Ken Clark

Al Leonard

Lisa Fisher

John Council

Rick Edwards

John Bullock

George Wooten

Jonathan Medford


Butch Pope

Henry Edmund

Amber Dinkins

Jordan Carter

Andy Anderson

Kevin Williamson

Rep. Brenden Jones

Dr. Janice Timothee

Boyd Worley

Ex-Officio Members

Mike Stephens

Dalton Dockery

Mitchell Tyler

Trent Burroughs