Overview of Area

As a general rule, people like to live and work in an area that suits their lifestyle. The southern coast accommodates a variety of lifestyles, from urban chic to country cool and, of course, beach and waterfront R&R, all with a moderate climate and great amenities. No wonder new residents are flocking to our shores.

Like most of the country, southeastern North Carolina is not immune to the national economic downturn. After increasing 5.7 percent in 2006, total economic activity in New Hanover, Brunswick and Pender counties grew only 2.7 percent in 2007 and fell substantially in 2008 and 2009, according to Dr. Woody Hall of UNCW's Cameron School of Business. Dr. Hall forecasts 2011 to be up slightly over a fairly flat 2010.

By workforce, the largest sector is healthcare and social assistance at 15% followed by retail trade at 14.1%. Manufacturing accounts for only 5.8% but provides the highest weekly wage average of $1218 as of the third quarter of 2010, according to Dr. Hall.

Despite a growing trend toward year-round tourism in southeastern North Carolina, the rise and fall of economic activity throughout the year is a fact of life for coastal counties. Employment trends have been difficult to predict during recent years because of rapid population growth, new companies entering the marketplace and other factors. On a historical basis, both the labor force and the number of people employed peak during June through August and bottom out during the December to January period.

The largest industrial employer in the county is General Electric, with more than 2000 employees making nuclear fuel assemblies and aircraft engine parts. PPD pharmaceuticals, located in downtown Wilmington, employs more than 1,800 people, and Verizon Wireless employees more than 1,200. Other industrial employers of note include Corning, producing optical fibers, and International Paper which produces pulp and paperboard.

The State Port at Wilmington is the gateway to North Carolina for many goods entering the country. As from the beginning of the area's history, it ties trade to the Cape Fear River and the Atlantic Ocean. Rice and cotton, the port's historical imports, have given way to wood pulp, furniture and grain, but the principal remains. North Carolina's southern coast is ruled by the sea.

With more than 4700 employees in the region, New Hanover Regional Medical Center is a not-for-profit health care system serving southeastern North Carolina and northeastern South Carolina. A teaching hospital, regional referral center, and Level 2 Trauma Center, New Hanover Regional Medical Center is joined in the network by Cape Fear...read more

Wilmington is fortunate to have a Fortune 500 company such as General Electric as one of its major employers. Housing components of both the nuclear energy business and aircraft engine business, the Castle Hayne facility employs more than 2000 people. In addition to providing stable, high-payng employment and benefits, the company...read more

With more than 1300 employees, New Hanover County is one of the largest local employers. Five commissioners govern New Hanover County and appoint a county manager to serve as chief executive officer. The county serves its citizens through nearly 30 departments. In 2009, the US Census estimated the county’s population at...read more

New Hanover County's public school system is one of the largest employers in the region. With 41 schools, the system employs approximately 3700  people in teaching, administrative and support positions. Open positions are posted on the county's web site. NHC school employees are also employees of the state and entitled to the...read more

Writeup coming soon!

A Fortune 500 energy company in service since 1908, Progress Energy is headquartered in Raleigh, N.C.and presently serves more than 3 million customers in Florida and the Carolinas. The company has been awarded the Edison Electric Institute's Edison Award, which recognizes operational excellence, as well as the J.D. Power and Associates...read more

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., (NYSE: WMT) serves customers and members more than 200 million times per week at more than 9,700 retail units under 69 different banners in 28 countries. With fiscal year 2011 sales of $419 billion, Walmart employs more than two million associates worldwide.

Tourism remains one of the most important industries in North Carolina, particularly in the southern coastal region. With an appealing variety of attractions — beaches and waterways, breathtaking gardens, a rich arts environment, well-established cultural events, beautiful historic homes and landmarks — and moderate year-round temperatures, this area is a highly desirable destination for visitors from all over the country. This translated into $854 million in state revenue in 2009, according to tourism statistics from the North Carolina Department of Commerce. Tourism is one of the state's largest industries; visitors to and within North Carolina spent a record $15.6 billion in 2009, an increase of 29 percent from 2001.

The economic impact is significant in terms of jobs and and payroll dollars in the three-county area. In 2009 (most recent figures available), travelers spent more than $390.38million (more than 5,200 jobs and $92.31 million payroll) in New Hanover County, more than $392.83 million in Brunswick County and $67.94 million in Pender County. The N.C. Department of Commerce's most recent report for New Hanover, Brunswick and Pender counties directly attributes a total of 11,080 jobs and more than $190 million in payroll as a result of tourism.

With more than 50 championship golf courses and a long mid-March through mid-November playing season, golf is another major draw to the region. Restaurants number in the hundreds and continue to proliferate at an astounding rate, with the best of them enjoying capacity dining on weekends. Special attractions and activities such as horse-and-carriage rides in the historic district, boat tours, sailing charters, a downtown Wilmington walking tour, the free trolley, Riverwalk and educational tours in the historic district continue to respond to high demand.

Summer is no longer the sole tourism season. Visitors Bureau officials recognize that Wilmington and the surrounding communities have moved from a three-month to a nearly year-round tourism season, with the majority of visitors arriving from March through November. With that in mind, the Wilmington/Cape Fear Coast Convention and Visitors Bureau has several visitor information center locations starting with the main office at 505 Nutt Street, Unit A, (910) 341-4030, and the River Booth, located along the Cape Fear riverfront near the corner of Water and Market streets. Other centers include one in the town hall at 1121 N. Lake Park Boulevard in Carolina Beach and at 305 W. Salisbury Street in Wrightsville Beach. www.gocapefearcoast.com

Accommodations are plentiful in the Greater Wilmington area and coastal Brunswick County. Historic downtown Wilmington and picturesque Southport offer a bounty of charming bed and breakfast inns. With such an abundance of accommodations at their disposal, visitors are only limited in choice by their budget or their imagination. Still, it is often difficult to find lodgings on short notice during the summer, and advance reservations for these months are highly recommended, especially for weekends.

The Wilmington Regional Film Commission, located on the EUE/Screen Gems Studios lot, 1223 N. 23rd Street, Wilmington, (910) 343-3456, facilitates on-location filmmaking in the Cape Fear region. With the largest film studio facility outside of Los Angeles, Wilmington consistently ranks as one of the top filmmaking locations in the nation. Adding to its viability for film projects, the studio has two special effect water tank sound stages. In fact, Stage 10 of the studios is the third largest stage in North America and is home to a newly completed 283,000-gallon water tank, up to 20 feet deep with a width that can extend to 75’ x 75’.

Since the industry's beginning in 1983, filmmaking activities in the Port City include more than 300 feature film, television series, movie-of-the-week and mini-series productions. Nine television series — Matlock, The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles, The Road Home, American Gothic, Dawson's Creek, One Tree Hill, Surface, Little Britain USA, and Eastbound and Down — have filmed here, and numerous music videos, television commercials, and still photography shoots have utilized the area's amenities. Filmmakers have access to a broad base of local talent and professional film crews along with the facilities at Screen Gems Studios and, of course, fabulous natural scenery.

Feature films and television movies made in the Wilmington area include Lolita, Billy Bathgate, Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood, Domestic Disturbance, The Hudsucker Proxy, I Know What You Did Last Summer, Betsy's Wedding, The Runaway, 28 Days, Black Knight, Muppets From Space, Rambling Rose, Year of the Dragon, Elmo In Grouchland, The Jackal, Maximum Overdrive, Silver Bullet, Blue Velvet, Firestarter, Sleeping With the Enemy and Weekend at Bernie's. Several recent movies were filmed in the Wilmington area, including The Secret Lives of Bees, Nights in Rodanthe and Cabin Fever 2: Spring Fever.

Commercials filmed here include local, regional, and national companies such as SunCom, Nautica, American Express, National Geographic, Mattel, Smithfield Farms, the New York Ballet, J. Crew, Kodak, Harley Davidson, Rolling Stone magazine, McDonald's, RJ Reynolds, and Wachovia Bank.  

EUE/Screen Gems Studios offers many amenities to film and television production companies. The studio's lot features 10 stages, post-production services, more than 20,000 square feet of production office space, a 40-seat screening room, editing suites, sound transfer services, lighting and grip equipment rental, set construction shops and much more. In addition to the studios, production companies discover a wealth of experienced film crew professionals here. Wilmington Regional Film Commission Director Johnny Griffin estimates that number at 650 in the greater Wilmington region.

Welcome to "Wilmywood"

Over the past 25 years, the Wilmington film community has developed into an area completely equipped to take on any project, whether it be a big-budget motion picture or a small indie flick. Popular TV shows Dawson's Creek, American Gothic, and the long-running Matlock series, starring Andy Griffith, were all filmed here. One Tree Hill is still shot here as are commercials, music videos, art films and big-budget motion pictures.

EUE/Screen Gems Studios is where much of the magic happens. The 32-acre complex on N. 23rd Street includes eight sound stages, totaling more than 100,000 square feet, placing them among the largest in the eastern United States. The backlot has been turned into streets of New York City, New Orleans, Beirut, Detroit or Bucharest.

The spark that ignited Wilmington's steadily burning film industry came in 1983 when Stephen King's Firestarter was filmed at the studios, then owned by Dino DeLaurentis. Carolco Pictures (makers of the Terminator films) bought the studio in 1989 and then EUE/Screen Gems in 1996. Wilmington's ideal weather, various locations, transportation access and reasonable labor costs offer the film industry a formula for success.

Many Wilmingtonians have film experience. Local musicians performed in The Radioland Murders. Local dancers went Stomping at the Savoy. Scores of locals earn their livings as "techies." Hundreds more work as on-screen extras. At least one Wilmington city councilman has been seen in TV commercials. State-of-the-art recording studios serving the film industry also thrive around town.

It's not unusual to see major celebrities frequenting local restaurants and clubs while they're in the area for a shoot. By the way, fees collected for film permits go toward downtown Wilmington beautification projects.

The ever-growing list of movies and TV shows made in and around Wilmington demonstrates why Wilmington earned the nickname "Wilmywood". Here are some titles: 28 Days, A Soldier's Daughter Never Cries, Against Her Will: The Carrie Buck Story, Alan and Naomi, Betsy's Wedding, Billy Bathgate, Black Dog, Blue Velvet, Crimes of the Heart, The Crow, Dawson's Creek, Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood, Domestic Disturbance, Dream a Little Dream, Empire, Everybody Wins, Fall Time, Golden Years, Justice and a Small Town: The Sandra Prine Story, Lolita, Margaret: A Burning Passion, The Marc Pease Experience, The Member of the Wedding, Nights in Rodanthe, Noble House, One Tree Hill, Out of Carolina, Raw Deal, The Secret Life of Bees, Simple Justice, Sleeping With the Enemy, The Squeeze, A Stoning in Fulham County, Summer Catch, To Gillian on Her 37th Birthday, Too Young the Hero, Truman Capote's One Christmas, Tune In Tomorrow, Virus, When We Were Colored, Windmills of the Gods, and Year of the Dragon. And who could forget Amos & Andrew, Bad With Numbers, Cannibal Vampire Schoolgirls from Outer Space, Cyborg, Date with an Angel, The Exorcist III, Firestarter, King Kong Lives, Little Monsters, Loose Cannons, The Lost Capone, Super Mario Bros., Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze, Weeds, Weekend at Bernie's and 2005-06 NBC sci-fi series, Surface.

One Tree Hill

After the WB series Dawson's Creek ran its course and wrapped production in Wilmington, producers Greg Prange and David Hartley began shopping around for another teen drama. Enter One Tree Hill, the story of a group of small-town teens who clash with their parents, get into trouble, and revel in the usual high school shenanigans.  It's immensely popular among the teen set and is approaching its ninth season on the WB. You can often spot the stars of the show out and about in Wilmington and they're very approachable and down-to-earth.

Now more than ever, it is a great time to buy a house. Interest rates are low, choices abound with a large inventory of new and existing homes for sale, and prices have leveled off or declined. After the real estate boom of 2005 and 2006, the market has corrected and sales have decreased. See our Real Estate section for more about the local market.

With a recently estimated annual economic impact of about $500 million on the southeastern North Carolina coast, including New Hanover, Pender, Brunswick and Columbus counties, is it any wonder that the University of North Carolina Wilmington is a major economic force in the area? The Greater Wilmington Chamber of Commerce lists the university as one of the Top 25 employers in the region with more than 1,800 employees. Serving a student body of more than 13,000, UNCW is unique in its dedication to combining a small-college commitment to excellence in teaching with a research university's opportunities for student involvement in significant faculty scholarship. For the 13th year, UNCW was ranked among the top 10 public master's universities in the South by U.S.News & World Report. Among both public and private institutions in the South, UNCW is ranked number 13 out of 118 institutions. Organized into the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Health and Human Services, the Cameron School of Business, the Donald R. Watson School of Education and the Graduate School, the university offers undergraduate degrees in 52 majors as well as 31 master's degrees, a Ph.D. in marine biology and an Ed.D. in educational leadership and administration. See our Colleges and Universities section for more about education in our area.

Over the past few years, the business of retirement has become a major industry in southern coastal areas. This is due in part to a relative low tax rate, to a decidedly diverse cultural atmosphere, easy access to world class medical facilties, and the maritime location, which makes the climate unusually mild for this latitude. Warm spring breezes, hot summers, a mild autumn and a few days of freezing winter temperatures create a friendly weather pattern for retirees from the North who yearn for the warm weather of Florida, but still want to experience the seasons. Many services geared to retirees have been established in this area. (See our Retirement sections for more about senior services.)

On the state level, 12 percent of North Carolina's population is in the age 65 and older category, and about 13 percent of New Hanover County residents are older than age 65. The percentage of residents older than 65 is projected to grow in the future as the number of retirees continues to increase. In response and expectation, planned retirement communities, senior services, recreational opportunities aimed at retirees and other enterprises represent a major component of the local economy. As retirees flow into the area, they bring their nest eggs with them, thereby giving them the ability to contribute to the local economy. An added benefit is their contribution of skills and knowledge to area volunteer organizations.

Healthcare is big business in the region. More than 450 physicians and five hospitals employ large numbers of medical personnel. One of the largest employers is New Hanover Regional Medical Center, with nearly 4,700 employees. Local healthcare services are extensive, and many are comparable with the best state-of-the-art medical facilities and services in the nation. An example is the Zimmer Cancer Center at the New Hanover Regional Medical Center, providing complete cancer care in one facility.

The rapidly expanding seniors' healthcare market is a national phenomenon, but it is particularly pronounced in coastal/resort communities. In addition to extensive medical services, New Hanover, Brunswick and Pender counties offer a large and constantly growing number of domiciliary care facilities. See our Healthcare sections for more information about area hospitals and medical services in the three-county area.

The North Carolina State Ports Authority was created by the state legislature in 1945. Its mission was to promote a better atmosphere for the development of North Carolina industry by establishing two deep-water ports, thus breaking the state's dependence on ports in Virginia and South Carolina. The terminals, one in Morehead City and one in Wilmington, were equipped to handle ocean-going vessels and opened in 1952. Today they are the backbone of the North Carolina shipping industry with the mission to enhance the state's economy.

In fiscal year 2011 the Port of Wilmington received more than 450 ships loaded with diverse cargoes from Europe, South America, the Far East and beyond. Cargo tonnage through the port exceeded 3.5 million tons. The container TEUs were more than 290,000. Warehousing at the port includes almost one million square feet of prime covered and sprinklered storage with 100-plus acres of paved storage area and 25 acres of semi-improved open storage area. The port has rail access to berths, transit sheds, warehouses and open storage and direct transfer of heavy lift and dimensional loads between vessel and rail or truck. The entire Wilmington Terminal is approved as Foreign Trade Zone 66.

Countries that do significant business through the North Carolina Port at Wilmington include China, India, Brazil, South Korea, Belgium, Taiwan, Mexico, Colombia, Venezuela, and Great Britain. Top imports for fiscal year 2011 were chemicals, tools, metal products, furniture, cement, forest products, synthetic fibers, and general merchandise. Primary exports were wood pulp, forest products, general merchandise, scrap metal, animal feed, synthetic fibers, and food.

A channel-deepening project in the Cape Fear River completed in 2008 increased channel depth to 42 feet from the river's mouth to the port to accommodate larger ships. Since that time, the port's capacity has tripled due to the addition of four 100-foot container cranes and other container-handling equipment and improvements to the dock infrastructure and terminal operating system in the first phase of Wilmington's container terminal expansion.

For more information, visit the website at www.ncports.com or contact the communications office at (910) 343-6491 or (800) 334-0682.

The largest industrial companies in the area include Corning Glass Works (the Wilmington location is the largest manufacturer of optical fibers in the world); General Electric (aircraft engine parts, nuclear fuel components); Progress Energy; International Paper; KoSa (chemicals); PPD (pharmaceutical research); Louisiana Pacific (wood products); Terex American Crane; VisionAir (software); Verizon (wireless phone service); Oracle Packaging; Del Laboratories; L.L. Building Products; aaiPharma (pharmaceutical products); and Interroll (conveyor components).

For a complete industrial directory, contact Wilmington Industrial Development, Inc., at 1739 Hewlett Drive, Wilmington,(910) 763-8414. In Brunswick County, contact the Brunswick County Economic Development Commission office, 25 Courthouse Drive, Bolivia, (910) 253-4429, for information on the county's industrial parks or a listing of local manufacturers.

Shopping on our coast is a participation sport. The past few years have seen the opening of major national and regional chains with more arriving almost daily, making Wilmington a major shopping destination. The city's retail corridor is pushing north along U. S. Highway 17, with extremely heavy development along Military Cutoff Road on the east side, including four large upscale shopping complexes - Landfall Shopping Center, The Forum, Lumina Station and Mayfaire Towncenter. On every corner, there seems to be a new shopping plaza going up, and retail stores stocking everything from beachwear and souvenirs to designer clothing and high-ticket household furnishings are everywhere.

Retail and service-industry businesses have made in-roads in the southern corridor from Wilmington's city limits to Carolina Beach as well. Of particular note is the Lowe's Home Improvement Superstore, Home Depot and the Walmart Supercenter shopping complex in the Myrtle Grove area at the end of S. College Road, which features places to eat and a variety of shopping opportunities.

While lacking the density of retail development seen in Wilmington and New Hanover County, the number of retail stores and shopping centers are increasing in Brunswick County. In 2007 a Walmart Supercenter opened on U.S. Highway 17 in Leland, and right across the street, you will find the Village Shoppes at Waterford, which includes several specialty stores and restaurants. The Southport-Oak Island area and Shallotte to the south both have acquired large Walmart Superstores and Lowe's Home Improvement Centers, not to mention boutiques and stores of every description. Shallotte has become the retail hub for southern Brunswick County with a shopping center that offers such regional and national retailers as Belk, Bath & Body Works, Cato, Home Depot and Office Depot.