Many factors account for the success stories Rocky Mount area businesses and industries enjoy. Location, a diverse labor force instilled with a true sense of the "work ethic," quality educational/training institutions and a healthy entrepreneurial spirit. These and other reasons continue to make the area an attractive spot for business expansion and the establishment of new industry.
Abbott Laboratories, an international pharmaceutical company
headquartered in Chicago, established a manufacturing plant in
1968 and has expanded often. Honeywell, which assembles and tests
electronic fuel control systems for jet fighters and commercial
aircraft, Consolidated Diesel Co., a leading manufacturer of
diesel engines, and Sara Lee Bakery Co., all opened in the 1980s
and have enjoyed much success in recent years. And each has a
workforce of more than 500. Barcalounger, the leading
manufacturer of motion furniture is also headquartered in Rocky
Mount. Ilco Unican, the world's largest manufacturer of key
blanks, also has a plant in Rocky Mount.
McLane, a food distribution subsidiary of Wal-Mart, is one of the Rocky Mount area's newest major employers.
The
Rocky Mount area continues to attract new and technologically
advanced businesses all the time. However, older, established
industries continue to thrive in the area. Textiles and
agriculture are two such industries. 
Glenoit
Corporation, Inc., with over 500 employees, started in 1960, has
also grown and prospered over the years. Agriculture also
contributes greatly to the area's economy, especially tobacco.
Almost 13 million pounds of tobacco finds its way through the
Rocky Mount tobacco market each year with sales of over $22
million, resulting in a total economic benefit of approximately
$176 million to the area. The area is also a top producer of
cucumbers, sweet potatoes, poultry, peanuts, cotton and hogs.
Financial institutions have also become a vital part of North Carolina, specifically the Rocky Mount area. Seven financial institutions have offices in the area, while one of those - RBC Centura Bank - is headquartered in Rocky Mount. This also makes the area attractive to business and industry.
It has been said that the three most important things when starting a business or moving are location, location and location. For business and industry, Rocky Mount is in an excellent location, providing area companies and firms exceptional access to major highways and primary modes of transportation. Situated where Interstate-95, the main north/south thoroughfare on the East Coast, and U.S. 64 meet, Rocky Mount is right in the heart of the Eastern Seaboard, just 50 miles east of Raleigh - the state capital. Located halfway between New York and Florida, Rocky Mount is also within close driving distance of Research Triangle Park, with its high concentration of technical industries, Fayetteville's Ft. Bragg, one of the southeast's largest military bases, and Virginia's capital, Richmond. In addition, with easy access to U.S. 264, U.S. 301 and Interstates 40 and 85, the Rocky Mount area is in very close proximity of an excellent overland transportation system.
However, the highways are not the only mode of transportation area businesses have access to. Traveling or transporting by air, sea and rail, this area has many opportunities for area companies. The area has more than 30 motor freight carriers and 10 terminals with one-day trucking access to the East Coast's major markets. And some of the carriers serve the West Coast - direct to Los Angeles and Seattle. Regular bus service is also provided from the new downtown Intermodal Transportation Center, while several companies offer charter bus service in the area.
For air transportation, the Rocky Mount area is serviced locally by the Rocky Mount-Wilson Airport. Three air freight companies serve the airport. In Raleigh, the Raleigh-Durham International Airport connects this area with the West Coast and Europe.
Rail transportation is provided in this area by CSX Transportation and Norfolk-Southern Railroad, two major East Coast carriers, while Amtrak offers major north-south and east-west passenger service at one of the busiest boarding stations in North Carolina.
Three primary sea ports are also in close proximity to Rocky Mount - Wilmington, Morehead City and Norfolk, Va., in the Hampton Roads area. These ports all have Foreign Trade Zones, bonded warehouse storage available and four-lane road access from the Rocky Mount area.
With the world getting smaller and smaller because of global communications, The Rocky Mount area is tied to that system by Sprint.
The United States Postal Service in Rocky Mount is one of eight mail processing plants in the state. All incoming and outgoing mail from 144 post offices in northeastern North Carolina comes through Rocky Mount, enhancing the delivery of all mail originating here. Courier and special delivery services are available in this area through the U.S. Postal Service, as well as UPS, Federal Express, Airborne and Commercial Courier Express.
Another important factor when choosing a new business location is adequate water resources and sewage treatment facilities. Rocky Mount has two water treatment facilities pumping water from the Tar River and the Tar River Reservoir. The plant for the reservoir has the capacity to treat 12 million gallons, while the Sunset Avenue plant can treat 18 million gallons. The newly completed Rocky Mount Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant is capable of treating 14 million gallons of sewage per day. While plans continue to upgrade the water treatment facilities, the wastewater treatment plant is expandable to handle 84 million gallons of sewage.
Within the conveniently located area, there are numerous sites for strong industrial growth. Commercial real estate is readily available with the help of Carolinas Gateway Partnership, as well as the private real estate industry. With a low property tax rate for both commercial and residential property, area newcomers can find affordable sites to start a business or a home.
The area's workforce also does well to entice new businesses to the region. Dedication, a superior work ethic and a diverse pool of talents and abilities enable the labor force in the area to produce quality products and services. The training and educational facilities this workforce has access to are unequalled. The two county community colleges along with North Carolina Wesleyan College provide education and training for students to provide them the necessary qualities to take an active role in the area workforce. The area institutions offer quality workforce preparedness training for both management and line workers, as well as degree programs for students.
A convenient location, quality workers, excellent educational facilities, affordable industrial and residential sites and cooperative government agencies make this area a much sought-after environment for business and residential newcomers. Few areas in the nation can present as many continuing favorable economic factors to potential new business and industry.
East Industries, Inc. in Rocky Mount, and Sara Lee in Tarboro are three more of the Rocky Mount area's key industrial employers.
In preparing to be a lead participant in the future's international economy, North Carolina is currently constructing a Global TransPark in the eastern part of the state. Located in Kinston, 55 miles from Rocky Mount, the futuristic complex is soon to be the home of a major-sized airfield and numerous physical plants for shipping and receiving cargo, assembly for just-in-time delivery, and all services related to maintaining a huge industrial infrastructure.
The Global TransPark Development Zone includes the following counties:Carteret, Craven, Duplin, Edgecombe, Greene, Jones, Lenoir, Nash, Onslow, Pamlico, Pitt, Wayne, and Wilson. The GTP Development Zone covers nearly 7,000 square miles and encompasses a population of over 850,000 residents.
At some point in the not-so-distant future, massive hypersonic airships will distribute goods and products across the glove upon taking off from the GTP airstrip. Machinery and hardware will be delivered in record time, and fresh produce will remain fresh as the capability will exist to deliver loads halfway around the world in a matter of just a few hours.
The GTP positions eastern North Carolina to be the home of one of the world's most innovative super-projects; one which will truly serve the entire international economy.
For more information, contact rmacc@rockymountchamber.org.
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