Carolina Business - Pitt County Community Focus, Oct 2003
by Ginny Williamson

University Community Providing Culture and Diversity For Residents
Retail Industry Reaches The Billion Dollar Mark

Pitt County, widely recognized as the home of the East Carolina Pirates, offers cultural opportunities and diversity to its residents in a rapidly growing metropolitan atmosphere. Over the past several years Pitt County and Greenville have together become a vital artery in North Carolina as a business, healthcare and educational leader. Convenient accessibility to counties throughout the eastern region and the availability of numerous resources play a critical role in its emergence as a growing city and county. The county's population grew by an astounding 23% in the 1990s. Characterized by many as a flourishing southern urban area that offers multiple cultural, educational and professional opportunities, this area still maintains a small town community atmosphere which is appealing to the many people who have recently moved there. The unique atmosphere as a university town differentiates it from other places in eastern North Carolina and is another one of the many reasons why residents in Pitt County love to call this community their home.

The business environment here is growing despite national trends that reflect just the opposite. The highly diversified industrial and manufacturing base has helped to attract new business and industry and to encourage expansion of existing business. John Chaffee, Executive Director of Pitt County Development Commission, was pleased with the growth and expansion that has recently taken place in the county. He noted this growth with the establishment of several retail businesses including Panera, Starbucks and other high profile retail establishments. "We are pleased with the development of these high end retail companies in Pitt County which will contribute to the local economy and provide for a more diverse selection for resident here," Chaffee said. Pitt has now become one of the leading retail centers in eastern North Carolina and ranks as one of the few billion-dollar retail markets in the state.

Several other businesses and industries have recently made Pitt County their home. Cox Communications, which provides cable television to the Pitt County residents and to other counties in the eastern region, located their corporate headquarters in this county. DSM High Performance Fibers located in the area in 1997 and has recently announced a 100 million-dollar expansion that is currently under construction. When completed this company will employ an additional seventy-five people in the area. This facility is already one of Greenville's major industries with 1,300 people currently employed. The company produces fiber that is used in fishing lines, safety gloves and protective clothing. "We are extremely pleased with what this company has been able to bring into the area and with their economic success and announcement of new jobs," Chaffee said.

The number of people found within the area is rapidly expanding with a permanent population of over 60,000 and a student population of 22,000. Much of this growth in both areas can be attributed to East Carolina University. It has also become a vital source of entertainment attracting thousands of visitors every year. They come for the many sporting events, live performances and other cultural events which are affiliated with the university. Debbie Vargas, Director of Travel and Tourism for Pitt County emphasized the importance of East Carolina University on the local economy and specifically on the travel and tourism industry. "The university brings in thousands of visitors each year who in turn patronized our local merchants and hotels. It also attracts businesses which in turn bring in additional cultural events for our residents," Vargas said. The reputation of ECU as a major institution that provides educational, recreational and cultural opportunities has helped to attract many to the area.

The Travel and Tourism Agency is doing its part to continue the growth that Pitt County has enjoyed throughout these recent years. "Our goal is to increase the occupancy rate in the local hotels and to add to the number of conference held in our area," Vargas said. She plans on doing this through advertising and direct mailings throughout eastern North Carolina targeting businesses and organizations and increasing their awareness.