LocationEastern North Carolina, midway between New England and Florida. Bounded on the west by Interstates I-95 & I-40 and on the east by the Atlantic Ocean.

Area15,679 sq. miles/25,232 sq. kilometers.

TopographyFlat to gently rolling terrain. Lightly wooded with large, cultivated areas.

ClimateAverage temperatures:Summer, 80°F, 27°C;Winter, 41°F, 5°CAverage rainfall: 47”,119 CentimetersAverage freeze free days: 310Source: NCSU State Climate Office of NC

Transportation

Air Service: 3 regional airports (Greenville, Jacksonville, and New Bern) provide small daily jet service to Charlotte, Atlanta and Washington, DC.

Railroads: Freight: CSX, Norfolk Southern and shortlines CLNA and NCYR serve the region. Passenger: Amtrak offers multiple daily service with stations in Rocky Mount, Wilson, Norfolk and Newport News.

Ports: Deep-water bulk, break-bulk and RORO cargo facilities are available in the Port of Morehead City. The Ports of Wilmington, NC and Panamax-ready Norfolk/Portsmouth, VA are conveniently located to all communities in the region.

City Metropolitan Micropolitan Population

Jacksonville x 187,589

Greenville x 175,354

Rocky Mount x 149,290

New Bern x 127,534

Wilson x 81,401

Roanoke Rapids x 73,433

Morehead City x 68,811

Elizabeth City x 63,584

Kill Devil Hills x 39,219

Major Population Centers

500 mi

250 mi

Source: US Census Bureau, Population Estimates, Metropolitan and Micropolitan Statistical Areas 1-800-474-8499info@nceast.org

NCEast.org

Why Eastern North Carolina?• Temperate four-season climate

• White sand beaches of the outer banks

• Excellent educational opportunities

• Numerous cultural, historical and nature-based venues

• Year-round recreation opportunities

• Cost-of-living below the national average

• One of the lowest per capita tax burdens in the nation

• Metropolitan and small, family-friendly communities

• Half-day drive to the mountains

The NCEast Alliance is the lead economic development

organization serving eastern North Carolina. We work

with state, local and national economic development

organizations to help existing industries expand; actively

market to and assist in the recruitment of new businesses

into the area; build regional economic capacity; provide

confidential site location assistance for companies seeking

available buildings and sites for expansion or relocation; and

advocate on behalf of regional communities and institutions.

LocationEastern North Carolina, midway between New England and Florida. Bounded on the west by Interstates I-95 & I-40 and on the east by the Atlantic Ocean.

Area15,679 sq. miles/25,232 sq. kilometers.

TopographyFlat to gently rolling terrain. Lightly wooded with large, cultivated areas.

ClimateAverage temperatures:Summer, 80°F, 27°C;Winter, 41°F, 5°CAverage rainfall: 47”,119 CentimetersAverage freeze free days: 310Source: NCSU State Climate Office of NC

Transportation

Air Service: 3 regional airports (Greenville, Jacksonville, and New Bern) provide small daily jet service to Charlotte, Atlanta and Washington, DC.

Railroads: Freight: CSX, Norfolk Southern and shortlines CLNA and NCYR serve the region. Passenger: Amtrak offers multiple daily service with stations in Rocky Mount, Wilson, Norfolk and Newport News.

Ports: Deep-water bulk, break-bulk and RORO cargo facilities are available in the Port of Morehead City. The Ports of Wilmington, NC and Panamax-ready Norfolk/Portsmouth, VA are conveniently located to all communities in the region.

City Metropolitan Micropolitan Population

Jacksonville x 187,589

Greenville x 175,354

Rocky Mount x 149,290

New Bern x 127,534

Wilson x 81,401

Roanoke Rapids x 73,433

Morehead City x 68,811

Elizabeth City x 63,584

Kill Devil Hills x 39,219

Major Population Centers

500 mi

250 mi

Source: US Census Bureau, Population Estimates, Metropolitan and Micropolitan Statistical Areas 1-800-474-8499info@nceast.org

NCEast.org

Why Eastern North Carolina?• Temperate four-season climate

• White sand beaches of the outer banks

• Excellent educational opportunities

• Numerous cultural, historical and nature-based venues

• Year-round recreation opportunities

• Cost-of-living below the national average

• One of the lowest per capita tax burdens in the nation

• Metropolitan and small, family-friendly communities

• Half-day drive to the mountains

The NCEast Alliance is the lead economic development

organization serving eastern North Carolina. We work

with state, local and national economic development

organizations to help existing industries expand; actively

market to and assist in the recruitment of new businesses

into the area; build regional economic capacity; provide

confidential site location assistance for companies seeking

available buildings and sites for expansion or relocation; and

advocate on behalf of regional communities and institutions.

LocationEastern North Carolina, midway between New England and Florida. Bounded on the west by Interstates I-95 & I-40 and on the east by the Atlantic Ocean.

Area15,679 sq. miles/25,232 sq. kilometers.

TopographyFlat to gently rolling terrain. Lightly wooded with large, cultivated areas.

ClimateAverage temperatures:Summer, 80°F, 27°C;Winter, 41°F, 5°CAverage rainfall: 47”,119 CentimetersAverage freeze free days: 310Source: NCSU State Climate Office of NC

Transportation

Air Service: 3 regional airports (Greenville, Jacksonville, and New Bern) provide small daily jet service to Charlotte, Atlanta and Washington, DC.

Railroads: Freight: CSX, Norfolk Southern and shortlines CLNA and NCYR serve the region. Passenger: Amtrak offers multiple daily service with stations in Rocky Mount, Wilson, Norfolk and Newport News.

Ports: Deep-water bulk, break-bulk and RORO cargo facilities are available in the Port of Morehead City. The Ports of Wilmington, NC and Panamax-ready Norfolk/Portsmouth, VA are conveniently located to all communities in the region.

City Metropolitan Micropolitan Population

Jacksonville x 187,589

Greenville x 175,354

Rocky Mount x 149,290

New Bern x 127,534

Wilson x 81,401

Roanoke Rapids x 73,433

Morehead City x 68,811

Elizabeth City x 63,584

Kill Devil Hills x 39,219

Major Population Centers

500 mi

250 mi

Source: US Census Bureau, Population Estimates, Metropolitan and Micropolitan Statistical Areas 1-800-474-8499info@nceast.org

NCEast.org

Why Eastern North Carolina?• Temperate four-season climate

• White sand beaches of the outer banks

• Excellent educational opportunities

• Numerous cultural, historical and nature-based venues

• Year-round recreation opportunities

• Cost-of-living below the national average

• One of the lowest per capita tax burdens in the nation

• Metropolitan and small, family-friendly communities

• Half-day drive to the mountains

The NCEast Alliance is the lead economic development

organization serving eastern North Carolina. We work

with state, local and national economic development

organizations to help existing industries expand; actively

market to and assist in the recruitment of new businesses

into the area; build regional economic capacity; provide

confidential site location assistance for companies seeking

available buildings and sites for expansion or relocation; and

advocate on behalf of regional communities and institutions.

LocationEastern North Carolina, midway between New England and Florida. Bounded on the west by Interstates I-95 & I-40 and on the east by the Atlantic Ocean.

Area15,679 sq. miles/25,232 sq. kilometers.

TopographyFlat to gently rolling terrain. Lightly wooded with large, cultivated areas.

ClimateAverage temperatures:Summer, 80°F, 27°C;Winter, 41°F, 5°CAverage rainfall: 47”,119 CentimetersAverage freeze free days: 310Source: NCSU State Climate Office of NC

Transportation

Air Service: 3 regional airports (Greenville, Jacksonville, and New Bern) provide small daily jet service to Charlotte, Atlanta and Washington, DC.

Railroads: Freight: CSX, Norfolk Southern and shortlines CLNA and NCYR serve the region. Passenger: Amtrak offers multiple daily service with stations in Rocky Mount, Wilson, Norfolk and Newport News.

Ports: Deep-water bulk, break-bulk and RORO cargo facilities are available in the Port of Morehead City. The Ports of Wilmington, NC and Panamax-ready Norfolk/Portsmouth, VA are conveniently located to all communities in the region.

City Metropolitan Micropolitan Population

Jacksonville x 187,589

Greenville x 175,354

Rocky Mount x 149,290

New Bern x 127,534

Wilson x 81,401

Roanoke Rapids x 73,433

Morehead City x 68,811

Elizabeth City x 63,584

Kill Devil Hills x 39,219

Major Population Centers

500 mi

250 mi

Source: US Census Bureau, Population Estimates, Metropolitan and Micropolitan Statistical Areas 1-800-474-8499info@nceast.org

NCEast.org

Why Eastern North Carolina?• Temperate four-season climate

• White sand beaches of the outer banks

• Excellent educational opportunities

• Numerous cultural, historical and nature-based venues

• Year-round recreation opportunities

• Cost-of-living below the national average

• One of the lowest per capita tax burdens in the nation

• Metropolitan and small, family-friendly communities

• Half-day drive to the mountains

The NCEast Alliance is the lead economic development

organization serving eastern North Carolina. We work

with state, local and national economic development

organizations to help existing industries expand; actively

market to and assist in the recruitment of new businesses

into the area; build regional economic capacity; provide

confidential site location assistance for companies seeking

available buildings and sites for expansion or relocation; and

advocate on behalf of regional communities and institutions.

UtilitiesElectric: Service is provided by Duke Energy Progress, ElectriCities of North Carolina, Inc., Dominion NC Power, and the North Carolina Electric Membership Corporation. Rates are significantly lower than many Northeastern states and competitive with those in the Southeast.Natural Gas: Piedmont Natural Gas provides service to the region and three cities have their own natural gas distribution systems. Internet: Three eastern NC cities with gigabit service and all cities connected to broadband high speed internet loop.

CommunicationsCommunications Internet/Telecommunications: CenturyLink, Suddenlink and Time Warner provide high-speed internet and phone service. Wilson’s Greenlight offers gigabit internet speed. Fiber connected central offices; fiber ring diversity, digital switching, B8ZS farming, and dual feeds are available throughout the region. Customer service telephone monitoring is not restricted. No sales tax on out-of-state long distance or 800# calls.

Population

Education and TrainingUniversities & Four-year Colleges• East Carolina University: 27,000+ students • Colleges and schools: Medicine, Dental Medicine, Allied Health Sciences, Nursing, Engineering and Technology, Business, and Fine Arts & Communications• Chowan University: 1,400+• Elizabeth City State University: 2,400+• University of Mount Olive: 3,500+• Duke, UNC-Chapel Hill and NC State University operate marine science institutes in Beaufort and Morehead City, NC• Barton College: 1,200+• NC Wesleyan College: 1,400+

Community Colleges• Facilities at area community colleges offer specialized training in advanced manufacturing, machining, aerospace, composites, life science, marine trades, food processing, and construction trades• Customized workforce training is provided to meet the specific needs of manufacturers

STEM EastStrategies That Engage Minds (STEM) East is a regional education initiative that is linking the workplace to the classroom by engaging employers and educators to fill the talent pipeline. This hands-on, team-oriented approach to education provides students daily exposure to the relevance of classroom instruction to careers and the educational pathways to those careers. www.stemeast.com

Educational Attainment

Income

Employment by Industry

GENERAL AVIATION AIRPORTS

UNIVERSITIES

MILITARY, DEFENSE ANDFEDERAL FACILITIES

COMMERCIAL AIRPORTS

SEA PORTS

FERRIES

COMMUNITY COLLEGES

4-YEAR PRIVATE COLLEGES

Administrative, Waste Services, Information and Other Services, Ex. Public Admin

$25.24 $29.53

Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing, Hunting and Mining

$35.11 $37.30

Arts, Entertainment, Recreation, Accommodation and Food Services

$16.44 $20.73

Educational Services $19.96 $21.05

Fire $57.28 $88.85

Health Care and Social Assistance $17.79 $21.98

Manufacturing $21.96 $25.70

Public Administration $19.81 $21.78

Professional & Technical Services and Management of Companies and Enterprise

$48.54 $74.03

Retail Trade $11.51 $12.45

Transportation and Warehousing $19.38 $22.20

Utilities & Construction $49.41 $57.13

Wholesale Trade $20.76 $30.65

Distribution of Wages by Industry

Source: NC Department of Commerce, Labor & Economic Analysis Division - Quarterly Census & Wages

(QCEW), Qtr 3 2014

Source: NC Department of Commerce, Labor & Economic

Analysis Division - Quarterly Census & Wages (QCEW),

Qtr 3 2014

1,450,000

1,430,000

1,410,000

1,390,000

1,370,000

1,350,000

1,333,000

1,310,000

1,290,000

2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 projected

$60k

$50k

$40k

$30k

$20k

$10k

$0

NCEast Alliance

North Carolina

$21,085$25,284

$40,469

$52,250

United States

Per Capita Income Median Household Income

$45,946

$28,155

100%

80%

60%

40%

20%

0%

NCEast 2000 NCEast 2013 NC 2000 NC 2013 US 2000 US 2013

Less than High School

High School Diploma

Associates or Some College

Bachelor’s Degree or Higher

23.5%

31.4%

28.5%

16.6%

18.8%

32.6%

32.5%

16.1%

21.9%

28.4%

27.2%

22.5%

15.1%

27%

30.6%

27.3%

19.6%

28.6%

27.4%

24.4%

11.8%

29.8%

26.7%

31.7%

Sources: US Census Bureau, State & County Quick Facts and the NC Office of State Budget and Management Projected Annual County Population Totals, 2020-2029

Source: US Census Bureau- American Fact Finder, Table B19301, ACS 5-Year Estimates and Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates, 2013

Source: US Census Bureau, 2009-2013 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, Educational Attainment

Industry Region Avg.

Hourly WageNC Avg.

Hourly Wage

Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing,

Hunting and Mining

Utilities & Construction

Manufacturing

Wholesale Trade

Retail Trade

Transportation & Wharehousing

FIRE

Professional & Technical

Services and Management of

Companies and Enteprise

Administrative, Waste Services,

Information and Other Services, EX.

Educational Services

Health Care and Social Assistance

Arts, Entertainment, Recreation,

Accommodation and Food Services

Public Administration

12.4%

14.1%

3%

2%

3.8%

4.7%

8.3%8.5%

15.5%

12%

8.4%

2.6% 4.5%

UtilitiesElectric: Service is provided by Duke Energy Progress, ElectriCities of North Carolina, Inc., Dominion NC Power, and the North Carolina Electric Membership Corporation. Rates are significantly lower than many Northeastern states and competitive with those in the Southeast.Natural Gas: Piedmont Natural Gas provides service to the region and three cities have their own natural gas distribution systems. Internet: Three eastern NC cities with gigabit service and all cities connected to broadband high speed internet loop.

CommunicationsCommunications Internet/Telecommunications: CenturyLink, Suddenlink and Time Warner provide high-speed internet and phone service. Wilson’s Greenlight offers gigabit internet speed. Fiber connected central offices; fiber ring diversity, digital switching, B8ZS farming, and dual feeds are available throughout the region. Customer service telephone monitoring is not restricted. No sales tax on out-of-state long distance or 800# calls.

Population

Education and TrainingUniversities & Four-year Colleges• East Carolina University: 27,000+ students • Colleges and schools: Medicine, Dental Medicine, Allied Health Sciences, Nursing, Engineering and Technology, Business, and Fine Arts & Communications• Chowan University: 1,400+• Elizabeth City State University: 2,400+• University of Mount Olive: 3,500+• Duke, UNC-Chapel Hill and NC State University operate marine science institutes in Beaufort and Morehead City, NC• Barton College: 1,200+• NC Wesleyan College: 1,400+

Community Colleges• Facilities at area community colleges offer specialized training in advanced manufacturing, machining, aerospace, composites, life science, marine trades, food processing, and construction trades• Customized workforce training is provided to meet the specific needs of manufacturers

STEM EastStrategies That Engage Minds (STEM) East is a regional education initiative that is linking the workplace to the classroom by engaging employers and educators to fill the talent pipeline. This hands-on, team-oriented approach to education provides students daily exposure to the relevance of classroom instruction to careers and the educational pathways to those careers. www.stemeast.com

Educational Attainment

Income

Employment by Industry

GENERAL AVIATION AIRPORTS

UNIVERSITIES

MILITARY, DEFENSE ANDFEDERAL FACILITIES

COMMERCIAL AIRPORTS

SEA PORTS

FERRIES

COMMUNITY COLLEGES

4-YEAR PRIVATE COLLEGES

Administrative, Waste Services, Information and Other Services, Ex. Public Admin

$25.24 $29.53

Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing, Hunting and Mining

$35.11 $37.30

Arts, Entertainment, Recreation, Accommodation and Food Services

$16.44 $20.73

Educational Services $19.96 $21.05

Fire $57.28 $88.85

Health Care and Social Assistance $17.79 $21.98

Manufacturing $21.96 $25.70

Public Administration $19.81 $21.78

Professional & Technical Services and Management of Companies and Enterprise

$48.54 $74.03

Retail Trade $11.51 $12.45

Transportation and Warehousing $19.38 $22.20

Utilities & Construction $49.41 $57.13

Wholesale Trade $20.76 $30.65

Distribution of Wages by Industry

Source: NC Department of Commerce, Labor & Economic Analysis Division - Quarterly Census & Wages

(QCEW), Qtr 3 2014

Source: NC Department of Commerce, Labor & Economic

Analysis Division - Quarterly Census & Wages (QCEW),

Qtr 3 2014

1,450,000

1,430,000

1,410,000

1,390,000

1,370,000

1,350,000

1,333,000

1,310,000

1,290,000

2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 projected

$60k

$50k

$40k

$30k

$20k

$10k

$0

NCEast Alliance

North Carolina

$21,085$25,284

$40,469

$52,250

United States

Per Capita Income Median Household Income

$45,946

$28,155

100%

80%

60%

40%

20%

0%

NCEast 2000 NCEast 2013 NC 2000 NC 2013 US 2000 US 2013

Less than High School

High School Diploma

Associates or Some College

Bachelor’s Degree or Higher

23.5%

31.4%

28.5%

16.6%

18.8%

32.6%

32.5%

16.1%

21.9%

28.4%

27.2%

22.5%

15.1%

27%

30.6%

27.3%

19.6%

28.6%

27.4%

24.4%

11.8%

29.8%

26.7%

31.7%

Sources: US Census Bureau, State & County Quick Facts and the NC Office of State Budget and Management Projected Annual County Population Totals, 2020-2029

Source: US Census Bureau- American Fact Finder, Table B19301, ACS 5-Year Estimates and Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates, 2013

Source: US Census Bureau, 2009-2013 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, Educational Attainment

Industry Region Avg.

Hourly WageNC Avg.

Hourly Wage

Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing,

Hunting and Mining

Utilities & Construction

Manufacturing

Wholesale Trade

Retail Trade

Transportation & Wharehousing

FIRE

Professional & Technical

Services and Management of

Companies and Enteprise

Administrative, Waste Services,

Information and Other Services, EX.

Educational Services

Health Care and Social Assistance

Arts, Entertainment, Recreation,

Accommodation and Food Services

Public Administration

12.4%

14.1%

3%

2%

3.8%

4.7%

8.3%8.5%

15.5%

12%

8.4%

2.6% 4.5%

UtilitiesElectric: Service is provided by Duke Energy Progress, ElectriCities of North Carolina, Inc., Dominion NC Power, and the North Carolina Electric Membership Corporation. Rates are significantly lower than many Northeastern states and competitive with those in the Southeast.Natural Gas: Piedmont Natural Gas provides service to the region and three cities have their own natural gas distribution systems. Internet: Three eastern NC cities with gigabit service and all cities connected to broadband high speed internet loop.

CommunicationsCommunications Internet/Telecommunications: CenturyLink, Suddenlink and Time Warner provide high-speed internet and phone service. Wilson’s Greenlight offers gigabit internet speed. Fiber connected central offices; fiber ring diversity, digital switching, B8ZS farming, and dual feeds are available throughout the region. Customer service telephone monitoring is not restricted. No sales tax on out-of-state long distance or 800# calls.

Population

Education and TrainingUniversities & Four-year Colleges• East Carolina University: 27,000+ students • Colleges and schools: Medicine, Dental Medicine, Allied Health Sciences, Nursing, Engineering and Technology, Business, and Fine Arts & Communications• Chowan University: 1,400+• Elizabeth City State University: 2,400+• University of Mount Olive: 3,500+• Duke, UNC-Chapel Hill and NC State University operate marine science institutes in Beaufort and Morehead City, NC• Barton College: 1,200+• NC Wesleyan College: 1,400+

Community Colleges• Facilities at area community colleges offer specialized training in advanced manufacturing, machining, aerospace, composites, life science, marine trades, food processing, and construction trades• Customized workforce training is provided to meet the specific needs of manufacturers

STEM EastStrategies That Engage Minds (STEM) East is a regional education initiative that is linking the workplace to the classroom by engaging employers and educators to fill the talent pipeline. This hands-on, team-oriented approach to education provides students daily exposure to the relevance of classroom instruction to careers and the educational pathways to those careers. www.stemeast.com

Educational Attainment

Income

Employment by Industry

GENERAL AVIATION AIRPORTS

UNIVERSITIES

MILITARY, DEFENSE ANDFEDERAL FACILITIES

COMMERCIAL AIRPORTS

SEA PORTS

FERRIES

COMMUNITY COLLEGES

4-YEAR PRIVATE COLLEGES

Administrative, Waste Services, Information and Other Services, Ex. Public Admin

$25.24 $29.53

Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing, Hunting and Mining

$35.11 $37.30

Arts, Entertainment, Recreation, Accommodation and Food Services

$16.44 $20.73

Educational Services $19.96 $21.05

Fire $57.28 $88.85

Health Care and Social Assistance $17.79 $21.98

Manufacturing $21.96 $25.70

Public Administration $19.81 $21.78

Professional & Technical Services and Management of Companies and Enterprise

$48.54 $74.03

Retail Trade $11.51 $12.45

Transportation and Warehousing $19.38 $22.20

Utilities & Construction $49.41 $57.13

Wholesale Trade $20.76 $30.65

Distribution of Wages by Industry

Source: NC Department of Commerce, Labor & Economic Analysis Division - Quarterly Census & Wages

(QCEW), Qtr 3 2014

Source: NC Department of Commerce, Labor & Economic

Analysis Division - Quarterly Census & Wages (QCEW),

Qtr 3 2014

1,450,000

1,430,000

1,410,000

1,390,000

1,370,000

1,350,000

1,333,000

1,310,000

1,290,000

2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 projected

$60k

$50k

$40k

$30k

$20k

$10k

$0

NCEast Alliance

North Carolina

$21,085$25,284

$40,469

$52,250

United States

Per Capita Income Median Household Income

$45,946

$28,155

100%

80%

60%

40%

20%

0%

NCEast 2000 NCEast 2013 NC 2000 NC 2013 US 2000 US 2013

Less than High School

High School Diploma

Associates or Some College

Bachelor’s Degree or Higher

23.5%

31.4%

28.5%

16.6%

18.8%

32.6%

32.5%

16.1%

21.9%

28.4%

27.2%

22.5%

15.1%

27%

30.6%

27.3%

19.6%

28.6%

27.4%

24.4%

11.8%

29.8%

26.7%

31.7%

Sources: US Census Bureau, State & County Quick Facts and the NC Office of State Budget and Management Projected Annual County Population Totals, 2020-2029

Source: US Census Bureau- American Fact Finder, Table B19301, ACS 5-Year Estimates and Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates, 2013

Source: US Census Bureau, 2009-2013 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, Educational Attainment

Industry Region Avg.

Hourly WageNC Avg.

Hourly Wage

Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing,

Hunting and Mining

Utilities & Construction

Manufacturing

Wholesale Trade

Retail Trade

Transportation & Wharehousing

FIRE

Professional & Technical

Services and Management of

Companies and Enteprise

Administrative, Waste Services,

Information and Other Services, EX.

Educational Services

Health Care and Social Assistance

Arts, Entertainment, Recreation,

Accommodation and Food Services

Public Administration

12.4%

14.1%

3%

2%

3.8%

4.7%

8.3%8.5%

15.5%

12%

8.4%

2.6% 4.5%

UtilitiesElectric: Service is provided by Duke Energy Progress, ElectriCities of North Carolina, Inc., Dominion NC Power, and the North Carolina Electric Membership Corporation. Rates are significantly lower than many Northeastern states and competitive with those in the Southeast.Natural Gas: Piedmont Natural Gas provides service to the region and three cities have their own natural gas distribution systems. Internet: Three eastern NC cities with gigabit service and all cities connected to broadband high speed internet loop.

CommunicationsCommunications Internet/Telecommunications: CenturyLink, Suddenlink and Time Warner provide high-speed internet and phone service. Wilson’s Greenlight offers gigabit internet speed. Fiber connected central offices; fiber ring diversity, digital switching, B8ZS farming, and dual feeds are available throughout the region. Customer service telephone monitoring is not restricted. No sales tax on out-of-state long distance or 800# calls.

Population

Education and TrainingUniversities & Four-year Colleges• East Carolina University: 27,000+ students • Colleges and schools: Medicine, Dental Medicine, Allied Health Sciences, Nursing, Engineering and Technology, Business, and Fine Arts & Communications• Chowan University: 1,400+• Elizabeth City State University: 2,400+• University of Mount Olive: 3,500+• Duke, UNC-Chapel Hill and NC State University operate marine science institutes in Beaufort and Morehead City, NC• Barton College: 1,200+• NC Wesleyan College: 1,400+

Community Colleges• Facilities at area community colleges offer specialized training in advanced manufacturing, machining, aerospace, composites, life science, marine trades, food processing, and construction trades• Customized workforce training is provided to meet the specific needs of manufacturers

STEM EastStrategies That Engage Minds (STEM) East is a regional education initiative that is linking the workplace to the classroom by engaging employers and educators to fill the talent pipeline. This hands-on, team-oriented approach to education provides students daily exposure to the relevance of classroom instruction to careers and the educational pathways to those careers. www.stemeast.com

Educational Attainment

Income

Employment by Industry

GENERAL AVIATION AIRPORTS

UNIVERSITIES

MILITARY, DEFENSE ANDFEDERAL FACILITIES

COMMERCIAL AIRPORTS

SEA PORTS

FERRIES

COMMUNITY COLLEGES

4-YEAR PRIVATE COLLEGES

Administrative, Waste Services, Information and Other Services, Ex. Public Admin

$25.24 $29.53

Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing, Hunting and Mining

$35.11 $37.30

Arts, Entertainment, Recreation, Accommodation and Food Services

$16.44 $20.73

Educational Services $19.96 $21.05

Fire $57.28 $88.85

Health Care and Social Assistance $17.79 $21.98

Manufacturing $21.96 $25.70

Public Administration $19.81 $21.78

Professional & Technical Services and Management of Companies and Enterprise

$48.54 $74.03

Retail Trade $11.51 $12.45

Transportation and Warehousing $19.38 $22.20

Utilities & Construction $49.41 $57.13

Wholesale Trade $20.76 $30.65

Distribution of Wages by Industry

Source: NC Department of Commerce, Labor & Economic Analysis Division - Quarterly Census & Wages

(QCEW), Qtr 3 2014

Source: NC Department of Commerce, Labor & Economic

Analysis Division - Quarterly Census & Wages (QCEW),

Qtr 3 2014

1,450,000

1,430,000

1,410,000

1,390,000

1,370,000

1,350,000

1,333,000

1,310,000

1,290,000

2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 projected

$60k

$50k

$40k

$30k

$20k

$10k

$0

NCEast Alliance

North Carolina

$21,085$25,284

$40,469

$52,250

United States

Per Capita Income Median Household Income

$45,946

$28,155

100%

80%

60%

40%

20%

0%

NCEast 2000 NCEast 2013 NC 2000 NC 2013 US 2000 US 2013

Less than High School

High School Diploma

Associates or Some College

Bachelor’s Degree or Higher

23.5%

31.4%

28.5%

16.6%

18.8%

32.6%

32.5%

16.1%

21.9%

28.4%

27.2%

22.5%

15.1%

27%

30.6%

27.3%

19.6%

28.6%

27.4%

24.4%

11.8%

29.8%

26.7%

31.7%

Sources: US Census Bureau, State & County Quick Facts and the NC Office of State Budget and Management Projected Annual County Population Totals, 2020-2029

Source: US Census Bureau- American Fact Finder, Table B19301, ACS 5-Year Estimates and Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates, 2013

Source: US Census Bureau, 2009-2013 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, Educational Attainment

Industry Region Avg.

Hourly WageNC Avg.

Hourly Wage

Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing,

Hunting and Mining

Utilities & Construction

Manufacturing

Wholesale Trade

Retail Trade

Transportation & Wharehousing

FIRE

Professional & Technical

Services and Management of

Companies and Enteprise

Administrative, Waste Services,

Information and Other Services, EX.

Educational Services

Health Care and Social Assistance

Arts, Entertainment, Recreation,

Accommodation and Food Services

Public Administration

12.4%

14.1%

3%

2%

3.8%

4.7%

8.3%8.5%

15.5%

12%

8.4%

2.6% 4.5%