he Carolinas Gateway Partnership is a public-private industrial recruitment agency dedicated to the economic development of the Eastem North Carolina counties of Nash and Edgecombe. A collaborative effort of two counties and 18 cities, towns and municipalities, this region offers an exceptional opportunity for companies experiencing growth and expansion or desiring relocation.

From an abundance of property, a plentiful workforce, good quality of life, low operating expenses, good work ethic, excellent educational and training facilities, and proximity to East Coast markets, this region has the business resources companies are seeking.

Additionally, there are numerous state and local incentives and tax advantages available to companies looking to expand or relocate. And, North Carolina has the best business climate in the United States. Having been voted the "best" for three years, why consider expanding or relocating anywhere but North Carolina?

We thank you for visiting our Web site today. We hope it will provide you with a wealth of information about our region. Call us today and let us show you why this is a great place for business.

John R. Gessaman
President & CEO
800-550-6151
jrgessaman@econdev.org

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• Promote economic development throughout the region in a manner which makes the overall welfare of the citizens of the region its highest priority.
• Bring new business and industry to each county and municipality in the region.
• Work for the retention and growth of existing business and industry in each county and municipality in the region.
• Promote business and industrial growth that will provide jobs for the citizens in the region's counties and municipalities.
• Provide public/private leadership to coordinate and direct economic development in the region.
• Increase awareness and knowledge of the region.
• Develop standby capabilities for unanticipated economic development opportunities.

• Increase contacts and referrals to the counties in the region from all sources and increase cooperation within and among the members of the economic development community in the region and state.
• Generate, through aggressive, first-class regional marketing and promotion, increased direct contacts to the counties in the region for business/industrial development.
• Provide compelling presentations of the region, each county and municipality to business prospects through the North Carolina Department of Commerce and regional marketing.
• Devise and implement an economic development strategy for the region, including targeting growth prospects and active business retention, expansion and development programs.
• Involve county and municipal governmental entities and private business groups in economic development activities in each county of the region.
• Promote development of business/industrial parks and readily available shell buildings in the region.
• Create a fund from private business groups or otherwise for the provision of incentives to new and existing business prospects in the region where appropriate.
• Assist economic development efforts that may exist within each county and/or municipality in the region.
• Utilize effectively and efficiently all local, state and regional resources, including the Department of Commerce, the Research triangle Park and the Global transPark, to deliver first-quality economic development services in the region.
• Be recognized as the regional development entity, or perform the role of such an entity if recognition cannot be obtained, in either case representing the region in dealings with the Department of Commerce or, in the alternative, assisting the counties in the region in their dealings with the Department of Commerce and the economic development community and prospects.

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he Carolinas Gateway Partnership is proud to announce the association and recent unification of the Nash and Edgecombe counties economic development offices.

TITLE	NAME	PHONE	FAX	EMAIL
President and CEO	John R. Gessaman	252-442-0114	252-442-7315	jrgessaman@econdev.org
Vice President	Oppie N. Jordan	252-442-0114	252-442-7315	ojordan@econdev.org
Vice President	Krista Ikirt	252-442-0114	252-442-7315	kikirt@econdev.org
Project Coordinator	Marianne Taylor	252-442-0114	252-442-7315	mtaylor@econdev.org
Project Coordinator	Geoffry Fitch	252-442-0114	252-442-7315	gfitch@econdev.org