Carolina Business Articles

    Onslow County Experiencing Growth

    Military Increases Are All Positive

    By Christine Bonin

      Onslow County, at the center of North Carolina's Crystal Coast, hides a bustling economy underneath a mask of quiet fishing villages, picturesque beaches and lush farmlands. Designated as a thriving community by the North Carolina Government, Onslow County leaders aren't sitting on their laurels but constantly explore new ways to ensure the economic success of the region.

      If I could use one word to describe Onslow County today, it would be growth, states Mr. Bruce Gombar, executive director of economic development for Onslow County.

      Onslow County's largest employer is the military, with Camp Lejeune, New River MCS and associated commands employing more than 44,000 Marines and Sailors, as well as close to 5,000 civilians. Over the next few years, we are expecting an increase to the area of 5,500 Marines and Sailors, explains Mr. Gombar. Because housing is so limited on base, most will require homes in the community. Our housing market is off the page right now - houses are being sold before they are even completed.

      Most personnel in today's military own cars, as opposed to thirty years ago, so life is no longer centered on the base. When personnel go on weekend leave, they leave the base and spend their discretionary income in the community. With a payroll close to $2 billion, that spending has a significant impact on the retail industry. As a result, retail outlets are flooding into the region, providing goods for customers and, consequently, jobs and economic stimulus for the entire community.

      Onslow County already enjoys a busy tourist trade, with visitors from all over the world coming to experience the 30 miles of beaches and quaint towns on the intracoastal waterways. In 2004, tourism generated an economic impact of $124.9 million, ranking Onslow County 22nd in travel impact among North Carolina's 100 Counties. More than 1,460 jobs were directly attributable to travel and tourism, with an estimated payroll of $27.84 million payroll in 2004.

  The expected increase in military personnel is expected to have an impact on the tourism industry as well. A lot of our tourism is related to the military, explains Mr. Gombar. When family members visit their military family stationed here, they explore Onslow County's many tourist diversions. When they return, they stay longer, building time into their visit to experience more of Onslow County's natural attractions.

  At the end of March, Onslow County leaders will converge at an Economic Development Summit, to discuss how the growth is affecting the region. We are always trying to improve our community, explains Mr. Gombar. We want to stay ahead of the bow wave. Topics to be discussed will be the future of Onslow County and how they are positioned to handle growth, along with plans for tourism and sporting events. Expected participants include Lt. Governor Beverly Perdue and NC Secretary of Commerce Jim Fain.

      Already, Onslow County is poised to accept employers looking for a well-positioned new home with the state-certified 735-acre N.A. Burton Industrial Park, located minutes from US-17, and within an hour of main artery I-40. Building lots are available, and the county is in the process of determining the feasibility of constructing spec buildings. Several large employers, other than the military, already call Onslow County home, such as Stanadyne Corporation, manufacturers of diesel fuel pumps, Mine Safety Appliances Company, manufacturers of respirators and filter cartridges, as well as the top-rated Onslow Memorial Hospital.

      With numerous Marines and Sailors retiring from active duty and deciding to remain in Onslow County, as well as civilians coming to the area in search of a lower cost of living and family-friendly atmosphere, Onslow County boasts a highly skilled workforce. Many training opportunities exist for employers and employees, one of the most significant being the Coastal Carolina Community College (CCCC). Our greatest economic ally is the community college, says Mr. Gombar.

      Currently, CCCC has three significant workforce training programs, all under the tutelage of the Center of Business and Industry Development, directed by Ms. Ann Shaw. The first is the Small Business Center, providing guidance to those individuals who are interested in starting a small business in the area, with popular programs that explore business ideas and develop a professional business plan. With our expected business boom, small businesses will respond to the needs of the increase in military, explains Ms. Shaw. We are poised to support those individuals who want to meet those needs. We will be launching additional training and counseling programs in the very near future.

      CCCC's Industry Training Center administers grants from the NC Community College System designated for employers who hire twelve or more employees, including manufacturing companies, technology intensive customer service or data processing centers, air courier services, and warehousing or distribution centers. The college will design a customized free training program for these qualifying employers, as well as low-cost training programs for all their local employers.

      The college is also instrumental in administering the NC Military Business Center (www.ncmbs.us), a collaborative effort between North Carolina business and industry and the North Carolina Community College System. Funded in 2004 by a grant from the North Carolina General Assembly, the NCMBC operates under the supervision of Fayetteville Technical Community College with satellite locations at Craven Community College, Coastal Carolina Community College and Wayne Community College. Military business coordinator Jennifer Burrell, at Coastal Carolina Community College, works with military personnel at Camp Lejeune to determine purchasing and procurement demands, and then identifies those North Carolina businesses poised to satisfy those needs. We then help those businesses through the maze of federal government paperwork and procedures, says Ms. Burrell. We have retired military and government personnel on staff who understand the military supply system, plus private corporate experts who understand doing business in North Carolina.

      The NCMBS is currently exploring several initiatives including construction, textiles, food, and aerospace. With the influx of personnel to all NC military bases, explains Ms. Burrell, we are expecting $3 billion in construction revenue alone over the next 5 years.

      On April 26th , Camp Lejeune will be hosting its annual Business Trade Show, providing a venue for prospective federal contract recipients to talk directly to military and government buyers. Besides the traditional tradeshow format in the morning, the afternoon will feature seminars and question and answer sessions explaining the complicated world of military contracts.

      Onslow County is an example of a community embracing its military neighbors, and benefiting from the subsequent economic success. Leaders actively search for innovative methods to link business with military needs, while protecting the natural treasures that make Onslow County the centerpiece of North Carolina's Crystal Coast.

      Christine Bonin is a freelance writer in Cary, NC and can be reached at bon2l3@bellsouth.net.

Reprinted from Carolina Business online.