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From the creation of new ideas, technologies and companies to the advancement of existing businesses, NC State will engage these constituencies as partners in developing well-defined strategies for sustainable economic growth.
Fueling Economic Development
Business and community leaders across the state and nation are adjusting to significant changes in population and economy. From the creation of new ideas, technologies and companies to the advancement of existing businesses, NC State will engage these constituencies as partners in developing well-defined strategies for sustainable economic growth.
What we’ve done:
• The Institute for Maintenance Science and Technology (IMST): North Carolina ranks third among states in active U.S. military personnel. Six major military bases contribute nearly $18 billion to the state’s economy each year. The Naval Air Depot at Cherry Point and the U.S. Coast Guard Air Station at Elizabeth City have a critical need for a network of vendors to supply aircraft parts for aging aircraft. There is a shortage of aircraft parts including structural, electrical, engine and hydraulic parts and systems that remain unfilled because of the lack of companies capable of manufacturing replacement parts. As a result, the military cannot achieve its objective of rapid and extended deployment throughout the world when combat aircraft are grounded awaiting critical replacement parts. NC State has built partnerships with the military bases in North Carolina, the Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, and private corporations to create new knowledge in maintenance science and technology, and transfer that knowledge to the military and its contractors for the economic benefit of the state.
• The Nonwovens Cooperative Research Center (NCRC): Nonwovens production continues to grow at 7 percent per year in the U.S. North Carolina leads the nation with 32 core nonwoven companies, but as competition grows these companies need to continuously add new products and employ new technologies for production to remain competitive. The NCRC supports that work by bringing together national and international textile companies. The center now has more than 70 members from leading industrial companies and research centers. In the past three years alone, 17 new or expanded nonwovens companies have chosen to locate in NC to be close to the Nonwovens Cooperative Research Center, creating more than 1,000 new jobs and investing more than $400 million in capital; 15 of the top 35 nonwovens companies now have a location in North Carolina. Last year, NC State created the Nonwovens Institute to bring together all nonwoven activities.
• Centennial Campus’ contribution to rural development: North Carolina continues to seek ways to stabilize and support its rural economy. The state is committed to developing and promoting sound economic strategies that improve the quality of life for rural North Carolinians, with a special focus on communities with limited resources. Entrepreneurs and small businesses are more important now than ever in our state’s rural communities. One of the ways that NC State reaches our rural areas is through the promotion and support of start-up companies. Based on university research, academic technologies are spun-out into viable new companies that create new jobs, new revenue, new products, and new market sectors for North Carolina. NC State is also providing specialized, hands-on training to support North Carolina’s biomanufacturing industry throughout the state, including our rural communities.
What we’ll do:
• North Carolina Research Campus: The NC State Institute for Advanced Fruit and Vegetable Science is part of a “biopolis” being constructed at the site of the former Pillowtex facility in Kannapolis. This cutting-edge research institute will lead the state’s efforts in enhancing the nutritional content of fruits and vegetables to improve human health; increasing agricultural production to create a sustainable food supply; and providing scientific ideas and technologies that will contribute to North Carolina’s economic growth and support North Carolina’s agriculture industry.
• Golden LEAF Biomanufacturing Training and Education Center (BTEC): Officially dedicated on Sept. 19, 2007, BTEC supports North Carolina’s growing biomanufacturing industry. Now third in the nation behind Massachusetts and California, North Carolina is a major center for biotechnology with a growing need for high-skilled wokers. BTEC represents a broad partnership of industry, universities and the community colleges. As many as 2,000 people could receive hands-on training at BTEC, ensuring a strong pool of potential employees.
• Centennial Campus: A national model for government, industry and university partnerships and a primary driver of economic development throughout the state, Centennial Campus will continue to grow this year. Golf course construction will be completed in 2008, and ground will be broken for a restaurant and health and wellness facility. The expansion follows the master plan for Centennial Campus.