growing strong and getting stronger

food processing in columbus county

111 Washington Street | Whiteville, NC 28472 | 910-640-6608 | www.columbusedc.com

This project received support from The Golden LEAF Foundation

our focus is food processingColumbus County is ripe for continued growth in the food processing industry for a number of reasons. First, companies will be close to their raw materials, which helps with lower distribution costs and shorter lead-times for delivery of products. Second, we are situated along the central east coast in one of the fastest growing regions of the country. That means products can reach major consumer centers in the mid-Atlantic in a matter of hours, and more than 200 million people within a two-day truck drive. Finally, a combination of fertile soil and savvy farmers means companies can have access to any number of crops whether or not they are currently being grown in enough quantity to accommodate a business’s need.

ready-made skilled workforceFood processing companies require skilled labor to carry out their business operations—often in a controlled environment. As a result, Columbus County and its partners have set out to create programs to help cultivate the development of a top of the line agricultural and food processing workforce.

The Columbus County Public School System offers Career Technical Education in a number of areas, including agriculture. Coursework consists of agricultural production and management, agricultural engineering technology, horticulture and more.

The Golden LEAF Foundation of North Carolina recently awarded $1.75 million to the Columbus County School System to retrofit the former Fairbluff Elementary building into a Career Technical Academy with several fields of study. A portion of the Academy will be outfitted with a commercial kitchen, and planning is underway to develop curriculum for a certificate program in food production and food processing. Columbus County Schools will partner with Southeastern Community College to provide instruction and certification.

Southeastern Community College, part of the North Carolina Community College System, has access to a wealth of talent to create customized training programs for new and expanding industry—often at no charge to the company.

our growing clusterTortimex has a major facility in Whiteville that manufactures tortillas. Millions of them. In fact, they can produce almost 40,000 tortillas every hour. Their location in Columbus County helps them access the corn and grains they need for production without incurring high shipping costs. And they’re close enough to a large

customer base to ensure delivery of the freshest tortillas possible, in many cases just one day after they’ve been made.

A Sweet NicheColumbus County is now home to two major players in the sweet potato industry. Wayne E. Bailey Produce Company (WEB) has been operating and expanding here since 1935. WEB grows and purchases sweet potatoes locally and performs any number of tasks to prepare them for sale. The second company, Nice

Blends, is a more recent arrival beginning their operations here in 2010. Their North Carolina facility will produce Nice Fries® Sweet Potato Fries.

Agriculture represents a major component of the Columbus County economy, accounting for more than $165 million in annual cash receipts. Current major food crops include corn, oats, peanuts, soybeans, wheat and various fruits. And livestock production includes broilers, hogs and cattle. Looking at the surrounding area you’ll find close to two million acres of farmland in just a 50-mile radius—including some of the most productive agricultural communities in the nation.

better bottom lineColumbus County and the State of North Carolina offer one of the most business- friendly climates in the nation, and we’re hungry for continued growth. In addition to an overall low cost of doing business, our status as a Tier-One community means qualifying companies are eligible to receive the most attractive incentives available anywhere in the state.

Article 3J Tax Credits•$12,500creditpernewjobcreated.Plusanadditional $1,000 to $2,000 if locating in an Agrarian Growth Zone •7%creditforinvestmentinnewmachineryandequipment, with no minimum threshold•30%creditforinvestmentinrealproperty(investmentmust exceed $10 million in a three-year period)

In addition to tax credits, there are a number of grant programs available to businesses meeting certain criteria. These programs include the OneNC Fund, the Job Development Investment Grant program and grants through Columbus County, local municipalities, and certain non-profit business support organizations.

come home to columbus countyResidents and businesses thrive in Columbus County thanks to an excellent quality of life and easy access to amenities near and far. We invite you to call, click or visit the Columbus County Economic Development Commission to learn how we can help grow your food processing business.

910-640-6608 | www.columbusedc.com

Southeastern Community College was the first in the nation to offer a two-year program in Agricultural Biotechnology, which includes

coursework in micropropagation.

Our Columbus County facility gives us easy access to raw materials, a skilled workforce and growing consumer markets in every direction.—Barrie Nadi, President, Nice Blends Corp.

We had chosen a site in another state, but when we came to look at a site in Columbus County, we changed our minds and started our business here. We were made to feel welcome from the very start. The Economic Development staff helped us every step of the way, and they continue to help us develop new markets and expand our business today.—J.R. Esquivel, General Manager, Tortimex Quality Tortillas

Columbus County celebrates its agricultural heritage through statewide events like the Pecan Festival, the Yam Festival, the

Strawberry Festival and the Watermelon Festival.