Images Kinston-Lenoir County, NC: 2011

2011 | imageskinston.com ®

What’s Online Watch the story of a sunken Confederate battle ship.

kinston-lenoir county, north carolina

EGG-STRA, EGG-STRA Poultry farm bolsters local economy

See You at Home Housing market remains affordable, diverse

Hop To It

Brewery goes eco-friendly

sponsored by the Kinston-Lenoir County Chamber of Commerce

The 2010 brand-new two-million-dollar renovation is complete, and we are waiting for you! The Holiday Inn Express & Suites in Kinston is the best value for you or your visiting guests. We provide terrific customer service, offer a hot complimentary Fresh Start breakfast, and are conveniently located off of US 70.

Stay Real, Stay You.

The Holiday Inn Express & Suites of Kinston

Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites 1156 Hill Farm Rd. • Kinston, NC 28504 • (252) 559-8888 • (252) 559-6588 fax www.hiexpress.com/kinstonnc

Kinston and Lenoir County’s premier full-service commercial real estate company for over 50 years!

327 N. Queen St. Kinston, NC 28501 (252) 522-4676

www.downtownkinston.com

Check out available properties at:

www.perrysinc.com 518 Plaza Blvd. • P.O. Drawer 1475 • Kinston, NC 28503 (252) 523-5107 • Fax: (252) 523-8858

Ki n sto n - Le n oi r Co u nt y

1

30 2

i m ag e s k i n s t o n . c o m

2011 edition | volume 4 速

Kinston-Lenoir County, North Carolina co nte nt s F e atu r e s

36

10 hop to it Environmentally conscious Kinston businesses go green.

14 egg-stra, egg-stra Sanderson Farms poultry facility has a big impact on the local economy.

d e pa r tm e nt s 6 Almanac 18 Image Gallery 22 Biz Briefs 25 Chamber Report 26 Economic Profile 30 Health & Wellness 32 Sports & Recreation 34 Education 36 Local Flavor 38 Arts & Culture 40 Community Profile Inside: Kinston-Lenoir County Taking Flight Special Section

on the cover Mother Earth Brewing Photo by Todd Bennett

32

All or part of this magazine is printed on recycled paper containing 10% post-consumer waste.

Please recycle this magazine

Ki n sto n - Le n oi r Co u nt y

3

What’s Online imageskinston.com Photos

See more photos in our online photo gallery Get the inside scoop from our photographers’ blog

2011 | ImAGESKInSTon.Com ®

What’s Online Watch the story of a sunken Confederate battle ship.

KInSTon-LEnoIR CounTY, noRTH CARoLInA

EGG-STRA, EGG-STRA Poultry farm bolsters local economy

SEE You AT HomE Housing market remains affordable, diverse

Hop To It

Brewery goes eco-friendly

SponSoREd bY THE KInSTon-LEnoIR CounTY CHAmbER of CommERCE

Digital edition Easily share articles and photos on Facebook, Twitter or via e-mail

Facts & Stats

Video

Real estate

Dig deeper with in-depth data on industries, schools and more

Get a moving glimpse at favorite local places and attractions

Learn about the local housing market and get started finding your place

®

Kinston - Le noir Cou nty, North Carolina Project Manager Mitch Kline Proofreading Manager Raven Petty Content Coordinator Jessica Walker Staff Writer Kevin Litwin Copy Editors Lisa Battles, Joyce Caruthers, Jill Wyatt Contributing writers rebecca denton, laura hill Media Technology Director Christina Carden Senior Graphic Designers Laura Gallagher, Jessica Manner, Janine Maryland, Kris Sexton, Candice Sweet, Vikki Williams

Kinston in action

Media Technology Analysts Chandra Bradshaw, lance Conzett, Michele Niccore, Marcus Snyder Photography Director Jeffrey S. Otto Senior Photographers Jeff Adkins, Brian McCord Staff Photographers Todd Bennett, Antony Boshier Web Content Managers John Hood, Kim Madlom Web Design Director Franco Scaramuzza Web Designer Leigh Guarin Web developer i Yamel Hall Ad Production Manager Katie Middendorf Ad Traffic Assistants Krystin Lemmon, Patricia Moisan I.T. Director Yancey Bond Regional Sales Manager Charles Sweeney Sales Support/Community, Business, Custom Rachael Goldsberry Senior Accountant Lisa Owens Accounts Payable Coordinator Maria McFarland Accounts Receivable Coordinator Diana Guzman Office Manager/Accounts Receivable Coordinator Shelly Miller executive Integrated Media Manager Suzi McGruder Sales Support Manager Cindy Hall color imaging technician Alison Hunter Chairman Greg Thurman President/Publisher Bob Schwartzman Executive Vice President Ray Langen Senior V.P./Sales Todd Potter, Carla Thurman Senior V.P./Operations Casey Hester Senior V.P./Client Development Jeff Heefner V.P./Content Development Teree Caruthers V.P./Custom Publishing Kim Newsom V.P./Visual Content Mark Forester V.P./Content Operations Natasha Lorens V.P./Sales Charles Fitzgibbon, Herb Harper, Jarek Swekosky Controller Chris Dudley Content Director/Travel Publications Susan Chappell Content Director/Business Publications Bill McMeekin Marketing Creative Director Keith Harris Distribution Director Gary Smith Sales Recruiter/Trainer Colin Wright Executive Secretary Kristy Duncan Human Resources Manager Peggy Blake Receptionist Linda Bishop

Images Kinston-Lenoir County is published annually by Journal Communications Inc. and is distributed through the Kinston-Lenoir County Chamber of Commerce and its member businesses.

For advertising information or to direct questions or comments about the magazine, contact Journal Communications Inc. at (615) 771-0080 or by e-mail at info@jnlcom.com.

Don’t just take our word for it – see for yourself how great Kinston-Lenoir County is in our quick videos at imageskinston.com, highlighting a little bit of everything that Kinston-Lenoir County has to offer.

For more information, contact: Kinston-Lenoir County Chamber of Commerce 301 N. Queen St., Kinston, NC 28501 Phone: (252) 527-1131 • Fax: (252) 527-1914 www.kinstonchamber.com Visit Images Kinston-Lenoir County online at imageskinston.com ©Copyright 2010 Journal Communications Inc., 725 Cool Springs Blvd., Suite 400, Franklin, TN 37067, (615) 771-0080. All rights reserved.

No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in whole or in part without written consent.

Member

Magazine Publishers of America

Member

Custom Publishing Council

imageskinston.com

Member Kinston-Lenoir County Chamber of Commerce

Ki n sto n - Le n oi r Co u nt y

5

Almanac

Welcome to KinstonLenoir County An introduction to the area’s people, places and events

Remembering the Past

Rowin’ on the River

Kinston is home to several historically significant sites including Harmony Hall and the C.S.S. Ram Neuse. Built in 1772, Harmony Hall is the former home of the first governor of North Carolina. Over the years, Harmony Hall has been used as James Glasgow’s (Secretary of State) office, as a Civil War hospital and as a public library. Presently, Harmony Hall is a preserved site that functions as the headquarters for the Lenoir County Historical Association. The C.S.S. Neuse State Historic Site exhibits the restored remains of the C.S.S. Ram Neuse, a confederate ironclad warship that was scuttled to prevent capture

by Union forces.

With its natural beauty and grand scale, the Neuse River is one of Kinston’s greatest assets. Located within the 26-acre Neuseway Nature Park, the Neuse River draws about 80,000 visitors each year to enjoy the river and absorb the natural beauty it fosters. Additionally, the Neuse River has witnessed a fascinating portion of history as it was once host to the C.S.S. Ram Neuse, one of the Confederate Army’s last ironclad warships, which the Confederate Army had to destroy to avoid its capture by closing Union forces.

Making Beautiful Music Since 1983, Kinston has held its annual Kinston Winter Bluegrass Festival each February at the Lenoir Community College. The two-day festival features some of the top bluegrass acts and entertainers in the region, and the proceeds from the event are used to benefit the Lenoir Community College Foundation, which helps deserving students receive an education through its generous scholarship program. Past festivals have included such revered performers as Ralph Stanley, Osborne Brothers and Lonesome River Band, to name a few.

6

i m ag e s k i n s t o n . c o m

n Kinston won an AllAmerica City award in 2009. The National Civic League gives the awards to recognize communities that work to advance citizen democracy and good government.

Play Ball With a legacy in professional baseball dating to 1908, Kinston-Lenoir County prides itself on its minor league baseball team, the Kinston Indians, which is a High A affiliate of the Cleveland Indians franchise. The Indians have been successful in the Carolina League, having won the 2004, 2005 and 2006 Southern Division Championships as well as the 2004 and 2006 Mills Cup Championships.

Kinston-Lenoir County’s love affair with baseball extends beyond professional sports, however, as the county’s parks and recreation department manages about 200 baseball and softball teams and Kinston hosts about 28 tournaments each summer, which regularly draws an attendance of 20,000 to 30,000 people.

n Kinston Drag Strip is a 1/4-mile, International Hot Rod Associationsanctioned drag strip that opened in 1960. n Besides Kinston, the incorporated cities in Lenoir County include La Grange and Pink Hill.

Kinston-Lenoir County At A Glance Population (2009 Estimate) Kinston: 22,056 Lenoir County: 56,387 Location The county seat of Lenoir County, Kinston is located in east-central North Carolina, approximately 75 miles east of Raleigh, the state capital.

For More Information Kinston-Lenoir County Chamber of Commerce 301 N. Queen St. Kinston, NC 28501 Phone: (252) 527-1131 Fax: (252) 527-1914 www.kinstonchamber.com

Beginnings The community of Kingston was established in 1759 and named for King George III of England. The “g” was dropped from the name in 1794 after the American Revolution.

Kinston was incorporated in 1826.

.

eR

us

258 11 70

Kinston-Lenoir

n Home to Spirit AeroSystems’ new 500,000-square-foot facility, the North Carolina Global TransPark is a 2,400acre industrial/ airport site near Kinston featuring one of the longest runways on the Eastern Seaboard.

Ne

Fast Facts

La Grange

LENOIR

Kinston

n The Neuseway Planetarium, Health and Science Museum are located in the Neuseway Nature Park, which also offers opportunities for bird watching.

58 258

What’s Online Take a virtual tour of Kinston-Lenoir County, courtesy of our award-winning photographers, at imageskinston.com.

Pink Hill

Ki n sto n - Le n oi r Co u nt y

7

Kinston Public services ‌ the Home Team Advantage

Kinston Public services delivers safe and reliable electricity to more than 12,000 residents and businesses in Kinston and surrounding communities. Kinston Public Services customers receive excellent, local customer service and reliable power, all right in their hometown. In fact, Kinston Public Services has been recognized as a Reliable Public Power Provider (RP3) for two consecutive years by the American Public Power Association.

Kinston is proud to be one of more than 70 public power communities in North Carolina. These communities own and operate their electric systems, offering customers excellent, local customer service, reliable electricity and prompt restoration after outages.

Find out more at www.kinstonpublicservices.com or www.ncpublicpower.com.

Hometown Pride A group of Kinston residents shows their community pride by participating in Pride of Kinston, which promotes economic development in Kinston through historic preservation. Pride of Kinston is working to revitalize Kinston’s waterfront on the Neuse River by creating a system of walkways on the river banks and expanding the Neuseway Nature Center. Additionally, Pride of Kinston has issued grants to improve several area building facades, has pushed for property owners to spruce up their shops and has drawn new businesses to the downtown area.

On the side, the group also oversees an annual 8K run known as Run for the River.

Shop Till You Plop Kinston is home to numerous unique shopping districts including Vernon Park Mall, Frenchman’s Creek, Kinston’s Plaza and Park View. These shopping centers provide a mixture of well-known national retailers along with more personal locally owned, independent stores. Distinct within these shopping centers, Vernon Park Mall is home to one of the biggest workforces in Lenoir County with about 300 employees. Its anchoring stores are the well-known retailers Belk, JCPenney’s and Sears.

Money Talks In 2010, Kinston and Lenoir County have received numerous grants from the Golden LEAF Foundation summing to the amount of $2,050,900. The Golden LEAF Foundation is a nonprofit organization created by the North Carolina legislature to benefit the economic condition of North Carolinians. Toward this end, it awards grants to promote agriculture, job creation and retention, and workforce preparedness. Among the grants received by Kinston and Lenoir County in 2010 are $380,000 for the Lenoir Community College, $215,000 for Lenoir County Public Schools, $390,000 for the 21st Century Teacher IT Literacy Program and $100,000 for rural health care.

Ki n sto n - Le n oi r Co u nt y

9

Brewing Up

10

i m ag e s k i n s t o n . c o m

Sustainability Environmentally Conscious Kinston Businesses Go Green

Story By laura hill Photography By todd bennett

W

hen Kinston natives Stephen Hill and son-in-law Trent Mooring decided to go into the beer brewing business a couple of years ago, an immediate concern was their mother – Mother Earth, that is.

Longtime organic gardeners and avid outdoorsmen, they knew from the outset that building and maintaining a low-impact business was a must – as important as brewing great artisan beer or giving downtown Kinston a boost.

“We felt that was part of our whole concept and what we wanted to do,” Hill says. “What’s good for the environment is good for us.”

‘Hop’ Along

Going All-out for Sustainability Some businesses’ environmental commitment might stop at biodegradable to-go boxes. But Hill and Mooring’s new Mother Earth Brewing company went green every way it could. For starters, they opted to rehab an old downtown building, in the process reusing its iron, steel, bricks and other material. Paint?

Low-VOC. Carpet? Recycled fiber. Ceiling insulation? Soy-based. Renewable tap handles are custom made of bamboo.

Their non-freon chiller system cools with glycol. Toilets are “one-up, one-down” water savers; the hot water heater heats on demand, saving energy. A cistern is planned to provide

In addition to operating out of a green building, Mother Earth Brewing employs environmentally conscious brewing procedures, too. One practice benefits local farmers. Spent grain used in the brewing process is given to local farmers as feed for their animals instead of being sent to the landfill. The “hop project” resulted in 25 hop rhizomes penetrating the soil in Kinston.

Mother Earth Brewing company

Ki n sto n - Le n oi r Co u nt y

11

12

i m ag e s k i n s t o n . c o m

water for landscaping. Used grain is given to farmers, who use it for tasty livestock feed – except for what is turned into eco-friendly soap.

Particularly interesting is the bluejean insulation used in the walls. While more expensive than regular fiberglass insulation, it’s considerably easier on the environment and healthier for people – and it has another advantage.

“While we were building we had to replace the roof here. It rained and all the blue jean insulation got wet,” Mooring says. “We called the factory and asked, ‘What do we do now?’ Turns out all we had to do was hang it out on a clothesline to dry.”

Mother Earth also installed solar panels on the roof of the building, which generate enough electricity to run the tap room. The system was the work of another forward-thinking local business, Cherry Energy, which has championed renewable energy for more than a decade.

Businesses Think Eco-Friendly Though Cherry Energy mostly sells conventional fuels like gas, oil and

propane for home and commercial use, it’s working hard to educate the public and the business community about the value of solar, biodiesel fuel and autogas (propane). And it’s getting good results. More consumers and businesses like Mother Earth and the Neuseway Nature Center, where Cherry also installed a solar power system, are getting the message.

“It’s amazing how conscientious the average business owner is today,” says Armistead Mauck, co-owner and vice president of the company, which has been in business in Kinston since 1928. “People want to do the right thing. They feel better if they’re doing a new project if they make it greener and more sustainable, even if it costs a little more.”

While the most practical solution for most people now is a combination of conventional and renewable energy sources, Mauck sees sustainable energy growing in importance.

“We want to be part of the solution, get people asking questions,” says Mauck, who drives a propane-fueled truck. “We’re kind of passionate about it. We do believe it’s the future.”

Ki n sto n - Le n oi r Co u nt y

13

14

i m ag e s k i n s t o n . c o m

Brian M c Cord

Jeffrey S. OTTO

Todd Bennett

A Growing

Flock Sanderson’s Kinston Poultry Facility Impacts Local Economy

Story By Laura Hill

W

hen Sanderson Farms, the nation’s fourth-largest poultry producer, went in search of a location for a new production facility, the company knew exactly what it was looking for. A 50-point checklist included skill and availability of labor; business environment; outstanding schools, hospitals and infrastructure; a main rail line and a farming base. And something more.

“When I look for a community, I won’t choose a location I would not be proud to raise my family in,” says Bob “Pic” Billingsley, director of development for Sanderson Farms.

“I’d be happy to put my family in Lenoir County.”

Sanderson’s choice of Kinston came after many meetings with community and government leaders, farmers and the general public. Leaders were taken to the company’s Moultrie, Ga., plant to give them a complete picture of what Sanderson’s entrance into the

area would mean,” Billingsley says.

“The buzz word today is transparency. To us that means sharing our business in an open way and being able to answer questions about the impact we will have,” he says. “We want people to see exactly what we are bringing to their community.”

Plant Boosts Economy, Jobs After a brief hiatus while Sanderson waited out the national economic slowdown, the company went full steam ahead in 2010 on construction of its new $126 million facility, which is expected to be in full production by January 2011. Included in the enormous complex is a 700-acre processing plant, a 121acre hatchery and a 100-acre feed mill, which together will employ 1,500 workers.

Not only is the facility huge, it’s also planned to be leading-edge in terms of food safety, ergonomics and sustainable technology, Billingsley says.

Big Chickadee Sanderson Farms employs more than 10,000 people, and the company also works with approximately 770 independent growers. Six feed mills and seven hatcheries help the poultry producer meet the growing demand for its products.

Sanderson Farms, the fourth-largest poultry producer in the country, recently opened a processing plant in Kinston. Sanderson’s plants process about 8.12 million chickens a week.

Ki n sto n - Le n oi r Co u nt y

15

24-Hour Monitoring Protect Your Family

Security Fire Alarms CCTV Access Control For Your Home and Business

Protect Your Business

2006 N. Queen St. Kinston, NC 28503 (252) 939-9500 (252) 523-6464 fax

www.depsnet.com Private Investigation Services

Protect Yourself

MOST PRESCRIPTIONS FILLED IN 15 MINUTES OR LESS

DISCOUNT DRUGS Serving Lenoir County and Eastern North Carolina for over 25 years • We accept all major insurance plans • Citywide delivery service • Screening for drug allergies and interactions • Low discount prices

KINSTON

300 N. Queen St. (252) 527-6929

KINSTON

1302 N. Vernon Ave. (252) 523-6089

PINK HILL

107 W. Broadway (252) 568-3161

Also with locations to serve you in Trenton, Snow Hill, Smithfield, New Bern (two), Bridgeton, Cape Carteret, Jacksonville, Surf City and Greenville

Our pharmacy should be your pharmacy A health care partner of Carolina Home Medical

16

i m ag e s k i n s t o n . c o m

“The Kinston plant will have all of those things at today’s standards, which will also allow us to compete very favorably in the marketplace.”

Good News for Farmers For local farmers who have suffered in the faltering economy, Sanderson comes as a “gravy train,” says Tammy Kelly, county director of the North Carolina Extension Service. “This is a big plus for agriculture in general in our area. And it also affects the whole community. This has given us a little bit of hope.”

Sanderson has signed 15-year contracts with 85 carefully selected local growers, who were required to build new poultry houses and follow

precise company production guidelines.

The company in turn provides feed, veterinary expertise and transportation of poultry to the plant. The lengthy contracts, Billingsley says, reflect the company’s “commitment on our part to support the commitment they have made to us.”

Younger farmers in particular will reap the benefits of Sanderson’s presence in the community, Kelly says.

“They’ll be doing it for long enough to see how the whole process unfolds. A lot of young people are interested; their production is cutting-edge, their process is cutting-edge. This is agriculture with a bit of technology. Long-term we will see so many benefits. It’s a great time to be living in Kinston.

By the Numbers

$1.78 billion 2009 total annual sales of Sanderson Farms

8.12 million number of chickens processed at Sanderson Farms plants weekly

9 number of Sanderson Farms plants

Ki n sto n - Le n oi r Co u nt y

17

Image Gallery

The fountain at Harvey Beech Park Photo by Todd Bennett

18

i m ag e s k i n s t o n . c o m

A statue stands in the garden next to Harmony Hall.

Photo by Todd Bennett

Ki n sto n - Le n oi r Co u nt y

19

Image Gallery

The Queen Street United Methodist Church in Kinston Photo by Todd Bennett

What’s Online  Visit imageskinston.com to see more award-winning photography highlighting the places and people in Kinston-Lenoir County.

20

i m ag e s k i n s t o n . c o m

An untitled sculpture in downtown Kinston Photo by Todd Bennett

Ki n sto n - Le n oi r Co u nt y

21

Biz Briefs Businesses – both large and small – that help define kinston-lenoir county’s economic climate

Scorecard Business At A Glance

$699,789 Retail sales ($1,000)

$11,893 photo courtesy of Russ Schleipman

Retail sales per capita

$56,736 Accommodations and food services sales ($1,000)

4,172 Total number of firms Source: U.S. Census QuickFacts

MasterBrand Cabinets Inc. Biz: Furniture Buzz: MasterBrand Cabinets Inc. produces many kitchen and bath products. It is unique within the kitchen and bath products industry because of its relationship as a subsidiary of Fortune Brands, a top producer of consumer products through brands such as Titelist, Jim Beam and Moen. A new Martha Stewart product line will more than double the facility’s workforce. www.masterbrand.com 22

i m ag e s k i n s t o n . c o m

Smithfield Packing Co. Biz: Meat Production and Distribution Buzz: Chartered in 1936, Smithfield Packing Co. is a subsidiary of Smithfield Foods, the largest producer of pork products in the world.

Smithfield Packing Co. offers a wide selection of premium pork products, including its spiral sliced hickory smoked honey ham and Paula Deen’s crunchy glaze spiral sliced ham. www.smithfieldfoods.com East Coast Wings & Grill Biz: Restaurant Buzz: With 75 flavors and 675 combination possibilities, East Coast Wings & Grill offers a variety of buffalo wings. Coupled with its wing blends is the secret hot sauce that has helped East Coast win numerous competitions, including Winston-Salem Journal Best Wings in 2007, 2008 and 2009. www.eastcoastwings.com Turner/Elmore Insurance Agency Biz: Insurance Buzz: Turner/Elmore Insurance Agency is one of the area’s largest independent insurance agencies. The agency in Pink Hill offers coverage options in traditional areas such as property, health and life insurance, and specialty areas such as marine, flood and court bonds insurance. www.kornegayinsurance.com RHA Howell Care Centers Inc. Biz: Disabilities and Special Needs Assistance Buzz: RHA Howell Care Centers Inc. helps people with disabilities and special needs live more independently.

Howell’s services include providing education and skills training for job placement, and even facilitating relationships with family members. www.rhahowell.org

Ki n sto n - Le n oi r Co u nt y

23

COURTNEY MITCHELL III DDS PA General Dentist

Comprehensive Family and Cosmetic Dentistry “New Patients Welcomed”

visit our

advertisers Cherry Energy www.cherryenergy.com Courtney Mitchell III DDS PA www.high-techdentistry.com Cutter Creek www.cuttercreek.com Down East Protection Systems www.depsnet.com Falling Creek Country Club www.fallingcreekgolf.com Holiday Inn Express www.hiexpress.com/kinstonnc Ivey’s Garden Center

• Root Canal Therapy • Sedation Dentistry • Children’s Dentistry Including Orthodontics • Oral Surgery Including Implants and Restorative Most Insurance Accepted

522-4313

2500 N. Herritage St. • Kinston (Professional Center)

JobLink Career Center www.lenoircc.edu Kinston Community Health Center www.kinstonhealth.org Kinston Public Services www.kinstonpublicservices.com Kinston-Lenoir County Chamber of Commerce Kinston-Lenoir Tourism Development Authority www.visitkinston.com Lenoir Committee of 100 www.lenoiredc.com/com100.html Lenoir Community College www.lenoircc.edu Lenoir County Public Schools www.lenoir.k12.nc.us Lenoir Memorial Hospital www.lenoirmemorial.org MasterBrand Cabinets Inc.

• 18-hole Championship Golf Course designed by Bob Moore, JMP Golf Design • Centrally located in Eastern North Carolina

BOOK YOUR TEE TIME TODAY! www.cuttercreekgolfclub.com

Interested in living at Cutter Creek?

Visit our real estate website: www.cuttercreek.com

• Mini-verde Bermuda greens • Fully stocked pro shop and snack bar • Expansive practice facility featuring driving range, putting green, and chipping and bunker area • Affordable monthly dues structure • Burt Williams, Director of Golf, PGA Member

NC Highway 58 • Snow Hill, NC 28580 • (252) 747-GOLF (4653) www.cuttercreekgolfclub.com

24

i m ag e s k i n s t o n . c o m

Perry Management www.perrysinc.com Pride of Kinston www.downtownkinston.com Realo Discount Drug Store www.realodrug.com Richard T. Carlyle DDS PA Spring Arbor of Kinston www.springarborliving.com Suddenlink Communications www.suddenlink.com Vick’s Cleaners www.vickscleaners.net

Chamber Report Turning 100, Kinston-Lenoir Chamber Welcomes Newcomers

T

he Kinston-Lenoir Chamber has proudly served the community and its businesses for nearly 100 years.

On Oct. 31, 1911, the organization was officially incorporated to promote business, establish “equitable rules and usages of trade,” collect businessrelated statistical information, and safeguard the “pecuniary welfare” of citizens. Its first act: securing federal funds for the construction of a new post office in 1912.

But as the Kinston-Lenoir Chamber looks back on its many accomplishments, the Chamber is also looking ahead.

Easing the Transition for Newcomers The arrival of such major employers as Spirit and Sanderson Farms has brought a wave of newcomers to the area that is only expected to grow as current businesses expand and new companies locate here. While the prospect of moving to a new community is exciting, it can also be daunting. Newcomers may be overwhelmed by the challenge of finding housing, making friends, learning where schools are located, and other, often bewildering, moving details. That’s why the Chamber is rolling out the red carpet.

“Anytime you move to a new town and you don’t know anybody or anything, it’s nice to have someone to call and ask where to get your hair done, or where to buy something,” says Becky Hines, Chamber vice president and chair of the business and tourism committee, which launched the Red Carpet program in the spring of 2010.

Introducing New Friends Although the arrival of Spirit and Sanderson Farms prompted the creation of the program, anyone who works for a company in the county can participate.

The program matches newcomers with local residents with the same interests: single, married, parents with young kids, parents with older kids,

seniors, etc. The program’s 80 or so volunteers reflect a wide range of interests. Each agrees to pal up with a newcomer and stay in touch with them regularly for at least a year. In addition to helping with practical concerns and introducing them to new friends, they hope to help newcomers “dig in their roots,” Hines says.

Her committee has met with the

human resources departments of local employers to make them aware of what the program can offer their employees.

“We want them to know we have the materials they need to help their new employees get settled,” Hines says.

“These companies saw the wonderful appeal of this county and located here.

A way for us to give back is to help their employees feel at home.” – Laura Hill

Academic Success

Advanced Technology

Staff Development ••• Support Staff STEM ••• Parental Involvement Community Support ••• Job Shadowing

2017 W. Vernon Ave. • Kinston, NC 28504 • (252) 527-1109 • www.lenoir.k12.nc.us

Ki n sto n - Le n oi r Co u nt y

25

economic profile business climate Since 2005, the Lenoir County Economic Development Department has announced 3,683 new local jobs and more than $1 billion in new investments. Whether it’s new companies or expanding current businesses, Lenoir County is definitely “on the way.”

Workforce Distribution (Lenoir County 2009)

Accommodation & Food Services, 1,753 Administrative & Waste Services, 1,418

DISTANCE TO MAJOR CITIES Atlanta, 449 miles Baltimore, 343 miles

Arts, Entertainment & Recreation, 260 Construction, 1,557

Lenoir County is the home of the NC Global TransPark, a new state-of-the-art air cargo facility. Companies in the NC GTP Region gain a significant competitive advantage from the Global TransPark’s designation as a Foreign Trade Zone and its ability to establish sub-zones.

The GTP is Zone No. 214.

Educational Services, 2,061 Finance & Insurance, 519

MAJOR EMPLOYERS

Charlotte, 208 miles

Health Care & Social Assistance, 6,316

Caswell Center, 1,634

Chicago, 899 miles

Information, 175

Jacksonville, FL, 478 miles Morehead City, NC, 70 miles

Management of Companies & Enterprises, 252

New York, 541 miles

Manufacturing, 3,393

Electrolux Home Products, 793

Norfolk, Va., 164 miles

Other Services, Except Public Admin., 530

Associated Materials Inc., 572

Pittsburgh, 533 miles

Professional & Technical Service, 543

Lenoir Community College, 520

Raleigh, 81 miles

Public Administration, 1,492

Richmond, Va., 198 miles

Walmart, 370

Washington, 305 miles

Real Estate & Rental & Leasing, 233

City of Kinston, 365

Wilmington, NC, 88 miles

Retail Trade, 2,821

Smithfield Foods/Kinston Division, 360

Transportation & Warehousing, 946

Lenox China, 355

Boston, 766 miles

Philadelphia, 441 miles

LABOR FORCE STATISTICS Lenoir County (2009) Labor Force 28,305 Employment 25,081 N.C. Eastern Region (2009) Labor Force 461,450 Employment 413,668 Unemployment percentage 4.9%

26

Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting, 426

FOREIGN TRADE ZONE

i m ag e s k i n s t o n . c o m

Lenoir County Public Schools, 1,310 Lenoir Memorial Hospital, 1,100

Lenoir County, 541 Hillco LTD, 412

Unclassified, 34

West Pharmaceutical Services, 312

Utilities, 32

Vernon Park Mall, 300

Wholesale Trade, 967

RHA Howell Care Center, 265

Total Work Force, 25,682

Dopaco Inc., 245

Total Government, 6,340

MasterBrand Cabinets Inc., 225

Total Private Industry, 19,342

Crown Kinston (KNC), 203

TRANSPORTATION

US Post Office, 193 E. & R. Inc., 162

Airports Kinston Regional Jetport 252-522-4929

SALES & USE TAX RATE

Raleigh-Durham International Airport 919-840-0175

State, 5.5% Local, 2.25%

Kinston-Lenoir County Taking Flight

All Sy-STEMs Ready Math, Science Program to Revamp Learning, Train Tomorrow’s Workers

A

s the aerospace and related industries increase their presence in Kinston-Lenoir County, local officials are making sure that they won’t lack for trained employees, both now and in the future.

Lenoir County has been selected to receive a $50,000 investment as part of the STEM Initiative, an education program backed in part by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and Battelle Memorial Institute. STEM, or Science, Technology, Engineering and Math, is a program designed to combine hands-on learning with a theoretical base of knowledge, with the end goal being a tech-savvy workforce right out of high school or college.

And as one of only three areas in the state tapped for the initiative, Lenoir County is ready to go.

“We have already had a lot of influence over some different grants because of this project,” Tom Vermillion,

one of the leaders of the Lenoir County STEM Community Collaborative, says. “Now we’re eager to get these programs into the schools.”

With players such as Spirit AeroSystems moving into the county, it’s vital that local schoolchildren get first crack at new technical, well-paying jobs, he says.

“We are going to work with Spirit and other companies closely and make a strong connection,” Vermillion adds.

“We want these kids to get these jobs, so we need to produce students that have those disciplines so that they can go to work. We want these kids to know that there are opportunities for them right here, and STEM will help them to be ready.” www.ncstem.org

Committee of 100 Celebrates 25 Years of Promoting, Enabling Economic Development

I

n every successful city and county, there are individuals and organizations that play a key role in economic development, either as catalysts for action, consensus builders or simply as advocates. In Lenoir County, that role is filled by the Committee of 100 Inc. This nonprofit organization began with a group of citizens eager to provide strong leadership to better their community.

Since its formation in 1985, the Committee of 100 has relied solely on membership contributions and has been an invaluable asset to economic development growth in Kinston/ Lenoir County.

The committee’s mission is to provide funding for economic development projects deemed beneficial to the citizens of Lenoir County. It provides discretionary funds to appropriate agencies charged with implementing meaningful strategies and programs for economic development and job creation.

The Lenoir Committee of 100 Inc. understands it must be willing to plan and invest money, time and resources. All of

Todd Bennett

Local Muscle

Students at Lenoir Community College in Kinston work on projects in the mobile machining lab, part of LCC’s Aerospace Advanced Machining Center. This project received support from the Golden LEAF Foundation.

which are to be used not just in the maintenance of the status quo, but to ensure prosperity for future generations. The Lenoir Committee of 100 provides leadership that is not just discussing something new or trying something different – it is planning and acting.

Economic development is critical for a community’s health and viability. Attracting and retaining business and industry affects job opportunities, the community’s tax base, population and even the number of stores in which we can shop. The Lenoir Committee of 100, with its motto “we’re on the way,” is a vital resource in Kinston/Lenoir County.

Special Advertising Section

N o r th C a r ollina Glob al Tr ans P a r k

Center of Activity TransPark Offers Multiple Amenities, Central Location to Aerospace, Related Industries

T

On-site benefits include an 11,500foot runway, Foreign-Trade Zone access and more, including a rail spur that will be operational by 2012. Additionally, the GTP is environmentally permitted for 5,775 acres and has existing land availability at its central location on the East Coast of the United States.

“We have the regional airport on site, Foreign-Trade Zone status, a 33,000-square-foot training facility and are centrally located among all the military bases in eastern North Carolina,” Darlene Waddell, executive director, says.

The Global TransPark’s anchor tenant

is Spirit AeroSystems, which has not only made headlines with its new, 500,000-square-foot manufacturing facility, but is also attracting related companies, such as Schenker Logistics Inc., a third-party logistics provider.

“Spirit is going to create more than 1,000 jobs by 2016, and we think that Schenker will be the first of many suppliers to come in and support them,” Waddell says.

“We already have some aerospace tenants and defense contractors in the park, such as Mountain Air Cargo, Delta Private Jets and Spatial Integrated Systems, so we’ve been targeting what we

Photo Courtesy of global transpark

he founders of the North Carolina Global TransPark (GTP) wanted it to be the premier industrial/ airport site in eastern North Carolina.

Now at 97 percent of its current building capacity, and with expansion on the way, it seems they have succeeded.

The 2,500-acre park offers a host of amenities, including a capable local workforce, favorable tax structure and utility rates, and an affordable cost of living in the surrounding area.

Several colleges and universities are nearby, offering multiple training and partnership opportunities for the park’s businesses.

Special Advertising Section

consider our niche components: aerospace, [the U.S.] Department of Defense and logistics. We think that we’re going to continue to grow as other companies see what we have to offer,” she adds.

In addition to the rail spur, the park will soon offer a new 100,000-squarefoot spec building, as well as promoting multiple land parcels that are ready for construction. The TransPark staff is working with the North Carolina Department of Commerce to certify all 936 acres of land available for development within the park. Once certification is complete, all of the park’s

available acreage will be considered shovel-ready, with all necessary environmental permits completed and utilities available within 500 feet of each parcel. In addition, easily accessible transportation and telecommunications infrastructure will be in place.

“We just completed a master properties map, so we can show companies the various parcels and the amenities on each of those parcels,” Waddell says. “We’ve also initiated the process with the Department of Commerce to get the entire TransPark certified, which we hope to have done by the end of 2010.”

Todd Bennett

… Ta kin g Flight

North Carolina Global TransPark in Kinston

www.ncgtp.com

Global TransPark Tenants: Commerce Overseas Corp. www.commerceoverseas.com DB Schenker www.dbschenkerusa.com Delta Private Jets www.deltaprivatejets.com Henley Aviation www.henleyaviation.com

North Carolina’s Eastern Region www.nceast.org

Location near several major military installations

Spatial Integrated Systems www.sisinc.org

Rail spur operational by November 2011

Spirit AeroSystems www.spiritaero.com

Short distance to Interstates 95 and 40 Proximity to two deep-water ports

Longistics www.longistics.com

North Carolina Global TransPark At a Glance:

MJE Telestructure www.mjetelestructure.com

5,775 acres environmentally permitted for development

Mountain Air Cargo www.airt.net/mac.html

Buildings and sites readily available

New Breed Inc. www.newbreed.com

Airport (ISO) with an 11,500-foot by 150-foot runway

N.C. Emergency Management www.nccrimecontrol.org

ILS upgrade to CAT II/III underway

N.C. Forest Service www.dfr.state.nc.us

Foreign-Trade Zone #21

N.C. Highway Patrol www.nccrimecontrol.org

33,000-square-foot Spirit AeroSytems Composite Center of Excellence

www.ncgtp.com

Telecommunications infrastructure, fiber optic network and full utilities on site

This special section is published for the Kinston-Lenoir Chamber of Commerce

by Journal Communications Inc.

For more information, contact: Kinston-Lenoir Chamber of Commerce Contact: Laura Lee Sylvester, (252) 527-1131 E-mail: llsylvester@kinstonchamber.com www.kinstonchamber.com ©Copyright 2010 Journal Communications Inc. 725 Cool Springs Blvd., Suite 400, Franklin, TN 37067 (615) 771-0080 All rights reserved. No portion of this special advertising section may be reproduced in whole or in part without written consent.

Lenoir Community College

Class Is Always in Session Lenoir Community College Offers Workforce Development, Training for Any Need

E

stablished industries and new businesses alike know that a quality workforce is their most important asset. In Kinston and Lenoir County, they also know Lenoir Community College is their source for any and all training needs.

Since its founding in 1958, the college has been an integral player in local and regional economic development efforts.

Through numerous on-campus and remote programs, it has helped dozens of new and existing industries train and retrain their employees, keeping the local workforce both educated and competitive. As new industry sectors,

such as aerospace, move into the area, LCC and its partners are ramping up efforts to help them succeed.

“The costs associated with implementing these programs can be prohibitive for community colleges, and aerospace programs are among the most expensive. Without our partnership with the Golden LEAF Foundation, it would be extremely difficult to meet the needs of companies such as Spirit AeroSystems,” Dr. Brantley Briley, president of Lenoir Community College, says.

“We have a lot going on with our training and retraining programs, and

we’re able to help companies in a variety of ways,” Dr. Jay Carraway, vice president of continuing education, adds. “We work with industries to develop specific training programs for their employees through either our occupational extension courses or our Customized Industry Training Program, so that their training can be customized just for them. We also work with new companies, so they can have their workers ready even before they open the doors to their plant.”

The college utilizes the WorkKeys Career Readiness Certification (CRC) program, allowing workers to acquire

Students work in an ambulance setting in the Emergency Medical Sciences program at Lenoir Community College in Kinston. The “ambulance” forces students to work with patients within the confines of an actual ambulance.

Special Advertising Section

… Ta kin g Flight

PHOTOS BY Todd Bennett

Students work in the “Sim Lab” in the Emergency Medical Sciences program at Lenoir Community College in Kinston.

An instructor stationed behind a one-way mirror is able to control a practice dummy to give “real” responses during training and testing sessions.

specific skill sets that companies desire in employees. As more employers demand CRC-trained staff, having this national program in place locally has been instrumental in businessrecruitment success. LCC is a CRC-preferred employer in its own right, and North Carolina is a CRC-preferred state, another plus when it comes to business recruitment and retention.

“If we go into a new company, or an existing company, and identify skill gaps through WorkKeys, then we can provide training to those employees to meet the needs of the company,” Bobby Merritt, director of customized industry training, says.

“When our economic-development people tell that to companies, they know that we not only have a workforce, but also a skilled and trainable workforce,” Merritt says. “They can identify exactly how many employees they can find here, and know that they are ready, because we have those hard figures.”

The college’s efforts also include a robust outreach program to area industries, so that it is familiar with both www.lenoircc.edu

ongoing issues as well as new needs. “[Merritt] meets with plant managers, human resources people, all the time,” Carraway says. “If they need anything from machining training for a new product line coming in, to software skills or leadership skills, we are available to help them. It might be for two people or 50 or more people; we have the programs, or will develop the programs, that the company needs.”

Going forward, the goal is to be even more proactive when it comes to meeting and exceeding employers’ expectations.

“We’re trying to make sure more of our citizens have their CRC, because we think that is the industry standard and it is going to be a baseline for what our students need to be gainfully employed,” Carraway says. “We’re working with the aerospace industry and others that come in, so we can help them. We have a lot of irons in the fire – big or small, new or old, if they have a training need, we are going to try to meet it.” www.lenoircc.edu

Spirit AeroSystems

Taking to the Skies Spirit AeroSystems Opens Major Regional Operation at TransPark

A

s the world’s largest independent supplier of commercial aircraft assemblies and components, Spirit AeroSystems doesn’t do things halfway. So when the company announced that it was setting up shop at the North Carolina Global TransPark, the local workforce got excited.

And with good reason. The new, 500,000-square-foot manufacturing facility will have around 200 workers by early 2011 and will ramp up to around 1,000 employees over the next few years, offering high-paying, skilled positions with strong growth potential.

“We’re getting the best of the best, and most of them are drawn from the Kinston-Lenoir County area,” Dan Wheeler,

vice president and general manager of Spirit’s North Carolina Business Unit, says. “We’re in growth mode, and everything is going well.”

The Kinston facility will be responsible for the design and manufacture of the composite center fuselage upper and lower shells (Section 15) and front wing spar for the Airbus A350 XWB aircraft. The design work has been completed, so the facility’s state-of-the-art machinery and processes are already up and running.

Spirit won a contract with Airbus in May 2008 to design and produce the A350 XWB’s Section 15 composite-fuselage structure, which is 65 feet long, 20 feet wide and weighs almost 9,000 pounds. The Kinston plant also will produce the front spar for the airplane’s wings, structures that are almost 100 percent composite material, 105 feet long and weigh more than 2,000 pounds. When complete, the fuselage components will be shipped to Spirit’s new facility in Saint-Nazaire, France, while the front-spar sections will go to Spirit’s Prestwick, Scotland, facility. Both will then head to Airbus for final assembly.

Since choosing the Global TransPark for this operation in 2008, Spirit officials have worked closely with a local economic development team that includes city and county officials, TransPark staff and others. That has allowed for a seamless transition from announcement to operations, say those involved in the process.

“The support we’ve gotten from all of our key partners is remarkable,” Wheeler says. “Lenoir Community College is a key one; they have done amazing things. We’re very successful in large part due to them, as well as the partners from the Golden LEAF Foundation, the North Carolina Workforce Development Network and the Global TransPark, our next-door neighbor and best friend.”

The TransPark itself got into the spirit of things as well, renaming its training center the Spirit AeroSystems Composite Center of Excellence in early 2010. Current and future employees will transition through this high-tech facility and will be trained with curriculum developed by Spirit and nearby Lenoir Community College.

As for those already at work, Wheeler says employees are communicating loud and clear how happy they are to state and federal officials.

“We had Sen. Kay Hagan, D-N.C., in the plant recently, and as a part of that, we paired her up with one of our machine operators,” Wheeler says. “She got to hear first-hand from an area resident about how much he liked working for Spirit. He worked really hard and took a lot of notes during training and expressed how much it means to have these intellectually highcontent jobs right here in the middle of eastern North Carolina.” www.spiritaero.com

Special Advertising Section

Photos Courtesy of spirit

‌ Ta kin g Flight

www.spiritaero.com

L en oir C ount y Ec o n o mic D evelo p m ent … Ta kin g Flight

Building the Future Lenoir County Economic Development Department Recruits, Retains Quality Employers

W

from working with local tourism officials to grow that industry to marketing a new, 40,000-square-foot (expandable to 160,000) shell building in the 70 West Industrial Park.

The department works with local, state and regional leaders, including the Committee of 100, to promote the area regionally and across the United States. It’s a strategy that’s working.

Since 2005, 11 new companies and 10 expanding companies have chosen Lenoir County as the location for their projects that are creating more than $1 billion in investment and 4,000 new jobs over the next few years.

Some of the new residents include Sanderson Farms, the nation’s fourthlargest poultry processing company; Spirit AeroSystems, the world’s largest independent supplier of commercial

Photo Courtesy of mark pope

ith a multifaceted approach, the Lenoir County Economic Development Department is playing a major role in the area’s current and future success.

“Our major goals and objectives are to recruit new manufacturing prospects for Lenoir County that will generate capital investment and add new jobs, as well as work with existing industry to build and maintain relationships and encourage retention and expansion in Lenoir County generating capital investment and new jobs,” Mark Pope, executive director, says. “We also are working with the Global TransPark to help locate industry, as well as with Lenoir County and its municipalities to effectively compete for economic development projects.”

Current efforts include everything

airplane assemblies and components; Precision Shavings Inc., a supplier to Sanderson Farms; Commerce Overseas Corp., a leading military aviation parts manufacturer and supplier; Goldsboro Milling Co., which built two new grainstorage units to expand its production capabilities; New Breed Inc. a lead logistics and supply-chain management company; Select Foods, a warehouse/ distribution facility combined with fullservice catering/banquet facilities; Spatial Integrated Systems Inc., a company specializing in information technologies engineering services and software solutions for the U.S. Navy and aviation industries; Schenker Logistics Inc., a third-party logistics supplier for Spirit; and Mother Earth Brewing LLC, which purchased and renovated an existing vacant building in downtown Kinston for a state-of-the-art microbrewery.

Expanding local companies and longtime leaders include Alsco, Best Diamond Packaging, Dopaco Inc., Double D Trailers Inc./Premier, DuPont, Electrolux, Field Controls, MasterBrand Cabinets Inc. and West Pharmaceutical Services.

The future also looks solid for the growing defense/aerospace cluster that’s developing here, Pope says.

“The goal of the cluster initiative is to develop a regional concentration of interdependent aerospace companies, institutions and partnerships that together will create competitive advantages for both the aerospace industry and the region,” he says. “The initiative is seeking a broad range of regional participation from aerospacerelated industries, economic developers, educators, workforce development professionals and other partners interested in developing a regional aerospace cluster.” www.lenoiredc.com Left: Sanderson Farms

Special Advertising Section • www.lenoiredc.com

Business

A Strong Foundation Diverse economic base, new businesses give county a boost

Suppliers and Demand Spirit AeroSystems – the world’s largest independent supplier of commercial airplane assemblies and components – began production in July 2010 at its new, $570.5 million design and manufacturing facility at the Global TransPark near Kinston.

The 500,000-square-foot plant will employ about 250 workers by the end of 2010, and it plans to hire another 800 within five years.

Sanderson Farms, the nation’s fourth-largest poultry processing company, is also moving into Lenoir County. The Mississippibased food producer is investing $126.5 million in the county to build a poultry processing plant, feed mill and hatchery in Kinston;

the plant will create about 1,500 jobs and is scheduled to open for operation in January 2011.

MasterBrand Cabinets, one of the county’s major employers, recently announced that 334 new jobs will be created in the next three years. The growth – spurred by the introduction of a new Martha Stewart product line that will be released in fall 2010 – will more than double the facility’s workforce, which now stands at 200.

Cutting Edge of Commerce The North Carolina Global TransPark near Kinston is a 2,500-acre industrial park offering access to air, rail, highways and two international ports. The GTP has a pro-business climate aimed at growing the aerospace, logistics, manufacturing, emergency services, defense contracting and supporting industries. Located midway between New York and Miami, it’s in an ideal commercial location.

Diverse Attractions With Lenoir County’s rich Civil War history, bluegrass roots, African-American heritage,

performing arts venues, outdoor recreational and sports attractions, tourism is another major economic engine for the county. Restaurants, shops, hotels and other services benefit from the visitors who flock to the county to experience its scenic beauty, Southern charm and diverse attractions.

Connected to the Land “Agriculture continues to play a significant role in the economic development of Lenoir County.

Approximately 68 percent of the total county’s personal income consists of some type of agricultural production or service – not including agribusiness such as chemical sales or agricultural supplies – and farm employment is responsible for 66 percent of the workforce,” says Tammy Kelly, county extension director for the North Carolina Cooperative Extension. Lenoir County ranks ninth in the state in tobacco and cotton production, and it’s among the top 20 counties for production of corn, soybeans and wheat.

And the farmers market on North Herritage Street was recently upgraded.

– Rebecca Denton

Todd Bennett

Lenoir County boasts a diverse economic base, with a healthy mix of large and small manufacturers and a strong foundation of small businesses, tourism and agriculture.

The vibrant downtown areas in Kinston, Pink Hill and LaGrange feature one-of-a-kind shops, restaurants and services, and a wealth of businesses are located in commercial centers throughout the county, including Vernon Park Mall, the Shops of Frenchman’s Creek, downtown Kinston, Herritage Landing, Kinston Plaza, West Gate Plaza and Kinston Point.

“Small business growth is the backbone of our country, and we recognize that here,” says Laura Lee Sylvester, president of the Kinston-Lenoir County Chamber of Commerce.

Big business also plays a key role in the county’s economy, and major employers such as Electrolux Home Products, Lenox China, MasterBrand Cabinets, Associated Materials, Hillco LTD, Smithfield Foods, West Pharmaceutical Services and many others call Lenoir County home.

Ki n sto n - Le n oi r Co u nt y

27

“Established in 1928 …

… keeping Eastern North Carolina green since 1999.”

To see and hear more about visit our website at www.cherryenergy.com or visit us on

at www.facebook.com/cherryenergy

Going Green

Being Green Small Steps Can Help the Environment & Save Money Being environmentally conscious doesn’t have to be expensive or time consuming. Kinston residents who want to make their homes and lifestyles more “green” can start with just a few small steps that will increase energy efficiency, improve indoor air quality and reduce their carbon footprint.

Use reusable bags when shopping. Just remember to bring them along for visits to the grocery store, or keep several of them stored in the trunk of your car.

Buy recycled products.

Recycling is important, but it’s just as important to buy products made from recycled goods.

Switch from paper to cloth towels in the kitchen. Instead of buying paper towels, buy dish towels that can be washed and reused. If you do buy paper towels, buy the recycled ones.

Clean green. Many household cleaners contain hazardous chemicals, but there are many, more natural alternatives on store shelves today. Another option is to make your own cleaners, using ingredients such as water, vinegar, baking soda and lemon juice.

Reduce recycling. Reduce the amount you recycle in the first place. A good way to start is to forgo the individually packed snacks and other items. Buy bigger sizes and dole out portions into reusable containers.

Buy compact flourescent light bulbs. Although these bulbs cost more at the outset, the

investment is recouped. CFLs save more than two-thirds of the energy of a regular incandescent.

Each bulb can save $40 or more over its lifetime.

Other quick tips that cost nothing and will save you money:

Part of the community.

Your local BP station is owned and operated by people from this community.

Your neighbors.

Your friends.

Your family.

• Turn off the lights, television, DVD player, computer, etc. when they are not being used.

• Turn down the thermostat by one to two degrees.

Thank you for your loyalty.

• Turn down the temperature on the water heater. A decrease of two degrees will result in significant savings.

• Check the central air/heat timer setting and adjust to an appropriate level when no one will be home. There’s no need to maintain an ideal temperature after everyone has left for work or school.

If you would like more information about what BP is doing in the Gulf, please visit:

www.bp.com

www.deepwaterhorizonresponse.com

• Fill the dish washer and washing machine with a full load, saving water, electricity detergent.

• Hang wet clothes to dry instead of using the dryer.

Source: Tara Biller, owner, Green Proof Your Home, Nashville, Tenn.

BP Consumer Inquiries: (800) 333-3991

Health & Wellness

A Healthy Prognosis Facilities offer convenient care, broad range of services Residents of Kinston and Lenoir County have convenient access to top-notch health care, including a 260-bed hospital, a state-of-the-art cancer center, numerous wellness programs and the state’s oldest residential facility serving people with mental retardation.

Lenoir Memorial Hospital

Todd Bennett

A Broad Range of Services

30

i m ag e s k i n s t o n . c o m

With a medical staff of more than 100 physicians and nearly 1,100 employees, the not-for-profit Lenoir Memorial Hospital in Kinston provides residents with the kind of quality inpatient‚ outpatient and preventative health services typically found in much larger cities. In addition to general medical‚ surgical‚ obstetrical and gynecological services‚ Lenoir Memorial offers a broad range of specialties‚ including cardiology‚ pulmonology‚ oncology‚ radiology, vascular and thoracic surgery.

At Lenoir Memorial Hospital, most medical patients are cared for by hospitalists. Their primary care physicians are informed of their conditions and treatments, but hospitalists manage their treatments.

“With their offices based in the hospital, hospitalists are able to spend more time with each patient and be more readily available for clinical consults,” says Barbara LaRoque, marketing coordinator for Lenoir Memorial.

Convenient Cancer Treatment The Lenoir Memorial Cancer Center – located just across from the hospital’s emergency entrance – provides state-of-the-art radiation treatment and support services. The cancer center recently added the technology to provide image-guided radiation therapy, which is one of the most cutting-edge innovations in cancer treatment.

“This technology couples imaging and treatment capabilities to better focus the radiation for more targeted cancer treatment and less healthy-tissue damage,” LaRoque says. Outpatient radiation therapy and support services, including an on-site nutritionist and social worker, are also available.

Prevention and Education Lenoir Memorial provides many educational health programs‚ screenings and seminars at no charge‚ including infant CPR training‚ colorectal‚ skin and prostate cancer‚ and mammogram screenings.

Monthly nutrition seminars teach healthy eating habits. The hospital also offers one-on-one nutrition counseling services with a registered dietitian who works with patients to create a custom-tailored plan to meet their personal needs and goals. And residents are invited to use the Lenoir Memorial Community Walking Track 24 hours a day. A total of 19 support groups are available to the community.

Visit www.lenoirmemorial.org for more information.

Affordable Quality Care For more than 15 years, Kinston Community Health Center has been providing comprehensive dental, medical, pediatric and OB/GYN services for Lenoir County’s underserved populations. Through its community outreach program, the center also offers transportation to and from appointments, at-home health assessments, health education classes and on-site translators. The center’s dental clinic serves an eight-county region and offers affordable preventative and restorative dental care.

Visit www.kinstonhealth.org for more information.

Caswell Developmental Center Established in 1911, Caswell Developmental Center in Kinston provides residential treatment and support services to people with mental retardation in the eastern part of the state. The 300-acre campus has more than 100 buildings and is an agency of the Department of Health and Human Services in the Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Abuse Services. Services are tailored to patients’ individual needs and can include arts and crafts classes, music therapy, sensory stimulation activities and off-campus outings along with psychological counseling. Visit www.caswellcenter.org for more information.

– Rebecca Denton

any M One Smile s Says It All

Richard T. Carlyle, DDS Comprehensive and Advanced Dental Care 206 Airport Rd. • Kinston, NC 28504 • (252) 522-1777 Member of ADA Dental Association

WOMEN’S HEALTH | DENTAL CARE | FAMILY MEDICINE

Your Preferred Choice.

Looking for a comprehensive primary care provider? Kinston Community Health Center, Inc. offers the greater Lenoir County community and eastern North Carolina a variety of health-care services in one location.

Our caring and qualified provider team delivers comfort and care like no other, including: •

Dental, Family Medicine and OB-GYN services

•

Prescription assistance

•

Translation services

•

Community outreach and enabling services

To schedule an appointment, call us at (252) 522-9800. www.kinstonhealth.org

324 N. Queen St. Kinston, NC 28501

Ki n sto n - Le n oi r Co u nt y

31

Sports & Recreation

Into the Outdoors World-class recreation awaits Lenoir County visitors Outdoor recreation abounds in Lenoir County, where visitors can find a world-class nature center, family-friendly hiking trails, stocked fishing ponds, a drag strip, Kinston Indians baseball, a nationally acclaimed disc-golf course, 11 bustling parks (including a popular splash pad at Fairfield Park) and a whole lot more.

Tee Time North Carolina has a wealth of excellent golf venues, and Kinston is home to four of them. The city courses – Falling Creek Golf Course, Kinston Country Club, Bill Fay Park Golf Course and Cutter Creek Golf Club – challenge golfers of all skill levels.

Get Out the Golf Clubs and Hit the Links Falling Creek Golf Course 2359 Falling Creek Rd. Kinston, NC 28504 (252) 522-1828 www.fallingcreekgolf.com

32

i m ag e s k i n s t o n . c o m

Kinston Country Club 1501 Country Club Drive Kinston, NC 28504-2652 (252) 523-2197 www.kinstoncc.com

Bill Fay Park Golf Course Phillips Road Kinston, NC 28504 (252) 939-3356

Cutter Creek Golf Club 28 Nina Lake Dr Snow Hill, NC 28580-7663 (252) 747-4653 www.cuttercreekgolfclub.com

photos by Todd Bennett

Disc Golf

Gone to the Dogs

Barnet Park’s nationally acclaimed 18-hole disc golf course winds through the woods around the scenic park, offering a great mix of wooded and open holes. An active roster of games and tournaments draws disc golf players to Kinston from around the nation. Visit www.kinston discgolf.com for more information.

The brand-new 32-acre Rotary Dog Park, just down the road from the Neuseway Nature Center, features large ponds, open areas and walking trails for dog training and exercise.

Back to Nature In 2009, more than 75,000 people visited the Neuseway Nature Center, one of the county’s top attractions. Located on 55 acres along the scenic Neuse River, the Neuseway Nature Center features several hiking trails, stocked catfish ponds, canoes, an 18-foot wall for rock climbing and a saltwater “touch tank” where children can feel sea urchins, starfish and other creatures. The park allows tent and RV camping as well as picnicking, and a miniature train called Big Daddy’s Express will take children and adults on a ride for a small fee. Also at the park are a planetarium, a fossil dig, and a hands-on health and science museum. A fun new addition is a huge tepee for rent on the banks of the Neuse, with room for eight people to spend the night. Visit www.neusewaypark.com for more information.

Other Places To Play

Get in Gear The Kinston Drag Strip has been around since 1960, and fans can see as many as 150 cars battle for up to seven hours during a regular race at the track. Find more information at www.kdsmotorsports.com.

Batter Up The Class A Kinston Indians – a farm team of the Cleveland Indians baseball team – are another major draw to Lenoir County. “The Indians are quite well known regionally, and the games are a wonderful family experience,” says Lenoir County Tourism Director Lucy Marston. Historic Grainger Stadium, the K-Tribe’s home, has won awards for its immaculately-maintained field, and the stadium was renovated recently to provide new scoreboard technology, comfortable seating and plenty of restroom space.

Visit www.kinstonindians.com for more information.

– Rebecca Denton

The Kinston-Lenoir County Parks & Recreation Department offers a wide range of athletic programs throughout the year, including soccer, football, tennis‚ basketball‚ baseball, bowling, softball‚ group exercise classes and more. Get details at www. kinstonrec.com. Other recreation attractions include the annual Kinston 8000: Run for the River event, an 8K race and one-mile fun run; Tull’s Millpond, a 200-acre millpond that’s open to the public for fishing, kayaking and canoeing; and West Water Park, featuring five pools and a four-story water slide.

Ki n sto n - Le n oi r Co u nt y

33

Education

Excellent Choices Students have plenty of education options Students in Lenoir County have plenty of excellent education choices, including charter schools, private schools, traditional public schools, an “early college” public high school, a local community college, and two four-year universities just a short drive away.

Public Schools Lenoir County Public Schools features a range of prestigious offerings, including the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme at Kinston High School, a nationally recognized preengineering program at South Lenoir High School, and cyber campuses that provide distance learning and video conferencing at three high schools. Each middle and high school offers the AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) program, which targets students with average grades and helps them prepare for college.

And the opportunities are only improving. Major renovations were recently completed at three elementary schools - Moss Hill, Banks and South East.

“We’re on the brink of providing additional STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) education opportunities to all students,” says Ellen Benton, director of instruction for the Lenoir County School District. “We are involved in a huge effort to partner with the North Carolina STEM Collaborative, businesses, community organizations and higher education.”

The district is home to five high schools, including Sampson Alternative and Lenoir County Early College. Housed at Lenoir Community College, the early college high school aims to graduate students in five years with a high school diploma along with an associate’s degree or two years of transferable college credit. The district also has eight elementary schools, three middle schools and a K-8 school. Visit www.lenoir.k12.nc.us for more information.

A Smart Choice The Lenoir County Education Foundation was established in 1990 as part of the KinstonLenoir County Chamber’s commitment to

34

i m ag e s k i n s t o n . c o m

quality education. The foundation’s mission is to act as a “catalyst for educational excellence and an improved quality of life in Lenoir County by connecting the business community and all levels of education

Charter Schools Founded in 1997, Children’s Village Academy was the first public charter school in Lenoir County. Children’s Village Academy boasts small class sizes and uses a variety of strategies and styles to reach all students.

Find more information at www.cvatigers.com.

Kinston Charter Academy is a public charter school with an academic focus on science, math and Spanish. Visit www.kinstoncharteracademy.com for more information.

Private Schools Arendell Parrott Academy in Kinston, a K-12 college preparatory school, draws from a 10-county region and is the largest independent school east of Raleigh. Find more information at www.parrottacademy.org.

Bethel Christian Academy in Kinston, which serves students in pre-K through 12th grade, is a ministry of Bethel Free Will Baptist Church. Visit www.bethelfwb.com for more information.

Nova Five Points Day School works with children 17 years old and younger who have been diagnosed with a mental illness, emotional disturbance or substance-related disorder. Visit www.novabehavioralhealthcare.com for more information.

through related activities and awareness.”

The committee includes representatives from the chamber, the Partnership for Children of Lenoir/Greene Counties, Lenoir County Public Schools, and Lenoir Community College.

Lenoir Community College

Higher Education Lenoir Community College in Kinston offers a wide range of twoyear degree programs that allow students to move directly into the workforce. For those seeking a four-year degree, LCC’s articulation agreement with the University of North Carolina System allows a seamless transition into all 16 universities in the system and into most private colleges and universities. Visit www.lenoircc.edu for more information.

Two four-year colleges are just a short commute away. East Carolina University, www.ecu.edu, in Greenville is about 30 miles northeast of Kinston, and North Carolina State University, www.ncsu.edu, in Raleigh is about 75 miles northwest of the city.

Top-Notch Child Care

What’s Online Read more articles about Kinston-Lenoir County’s diverse learning environments by going online to imageskinston.com and clicking on “education.”

photos by Todd Bennett

Lenoir and Greene counties boast many top-notch child-care facilities, with Lenoir County alone offering at least two dozen childcare facilities with four- and five-star ratings. The Partnership for Children of Lenoir and Greene Counties is a nonprofit organization that helps parents find quality child care. With a focus on kids up to age 5‚ the state-funded organization also provides technical assistance‚ teacher education and other support to local child-care centers.

Visit www.partnership4children.com for more information.

– Rebecca Denton

The Performing Arts Center at Kinston High School

Ki n sto n - Le n oi r Co u nt y

35

Local Flavor

All in Good Taste iconic restaurants keep diners coming back for more From down-home Southern comfort food to upscale fare made with locally grown ingredients, Lenoir County restaurants serve up one-of-a-kind dining experiences.

Here is a sampling of a few of the eateries locals go to dine.

King’s Restaurant

Christopher’s

36

Southern Comfort

Going Whole Hog

No visit to Kinston is complete without a stop at Lovick’s Café on Herritage Street. Established in 1942 by Milton Lovick and now operated by his great-grandchildren, Lovick’s serves heaping plates of pancakes and bacon, fresh country sausage, grits and red-eye gravy, salty country ham, biscuits and other country-style breakfast dishes. It’s the kind of place where folks from all walks of life gather to enjoy the friendly service and community feel.

Lovick’s is most famous for its “dough burgers,” a tasty mix of hamburger, flour, onions, salt and pepper that’s fried and served on white bread.

Created as a way to stretch the meat supply during the Great Depression, the dough burger draws crowds that often stretch out the door at lunchtime.

Christopher’s on North Queen Street in Kinston is another local landmark and gathering place that has been around for decades and is known for its downhome country cookin’. Still family owned and operated, Christopher’s draws hungry diners in droves.

King’s Restaurant in Kinston is an iconic dining spot known for its mouth-watering pork barbecue served up Eastern North Carolina style, with a vinegar-based sauce. Here you’ll find the Pig in a Puppy sandwich (barbecued pork served on a hush puppy bun) and other tried-and-true dishes that have remained the same since 1936. Besides the walk-in restaurant, King’s has a thriving Internet sales business that is affectionately called the Carolina Oink Express. It was born in the mid-1990s in response to a customer’s request, and today King’s Restaurant barbecue products are shipped all over the country and beyond.

Visit www.kingsbbq.com for more information.

One of the region’s most anticipated events of the spring is the BBQ Festival on the Neuse. This fun-filled festival features children’s arts and crafts, live entertainment, the Great Neuse River Duck Race, the Neuse River Paddle, a golf tournament, a juried art show and sale, plenty of Eastern North Carolina barbecue and much more. Visit www.bbqfestivalontheneuse.com for details.

i m ag e s k i n s t o n . c o m

Locally grown produce, prepared foods, flowers, crafts and more can be found at the newly revitalized Lenoir County Farmers Market, along with friendly, knowledgeable growers who can help shoppers pick produce at the peak of flavor. The Lenoir County Farmers Market, located at 100 North Herritage Street, was recently upgraded with new paint, landscaping and other improvements for the 2010 season. Visit www.lenoir.ces.ncsu.edu for more information.

photos by Todd Bennett

Fresh From the Farm

The Chef and the Farmer serves up urban sophistication and elegant cuisine made with fresh ingredients from local farms.

The seasonal menu at this popular spot on West Gordon Street includes dishes such as espressocrusted hanger steak with goat cheese and arugula smashed potatoes, white gazpacho and pan-roasted chicken with braised Sharp Head cabbage, Carteret County red snapper with tapenade and slow-roasted tomatoes. Chef Vivian Howard, a Lenoir County native, returned from New York to her Southern roots to create this progressive eatery. Find more information at www.chefandthefarmer.com.

– Rebecca Denton

The Chef and the Farmer

Staff Photo

Upscale Elegance

Ki n sto n - Le n oi r Co u nt y

37

Arts & Culture

Roots Run Deep Attractions celebrate county’s rich history, culture Rich in Civil War history, bluegrass music, AfricanAmerican heritage and the arts, Lenoir County celebrates its culture with a wealth of diverse attractions.

Governor Richard Caswell Memorial

38

i m ag e s k i n s t o n . c o m

Todd Bennett

Living History Civil War history abounds in Kinston and Lenoir County, where the first Battle of Kinston took place in 1862. Two years later, the crew of the Confederate ironclad CSS Neuse set fire to their vessel to cover their retreat following the 1865 Battle of Wyse Fork (also called the second Battle of Kinston). The battlefields today look much like they did then, and the burned-out remains of the CSS Neuse can be seen at the CSS Neuse State Historic Site and Gov. Caswell Memorial – the home of the first Colonial governor of North Carolina. Additional relics recovered from the CSS Neuse are on display at the Kinston-Lenoir County Visitor & Information Center. A full-scale replica of the gunboat, dubbed the CSS Neuse II, is located at the corner of East Gordon and Herritage streets in downtown Kinston.

Under development is the Cultural Heritage Museum, a heritage tourism project that will pay tribute to the more than 200,000 black soldiers and the 7,000 white officers who fought with the Union forces in the American Civil War, with emphasis on the black U.S. troops from North Carolina.

Heart of the Arts

Todd Bennett

Located in a renovated building downtown, the Kinston Community Council for the Arts hosts changing art exhibitions along with classes and workshops, and it brings world-class music and other arts events to Kinston throughout the year.

Visit www.kinstoncaa.com for more information.

Looking for Live Music?

Bluegrass music is an integral part of the culture in KinstonLenoir County, and folks here have plenty of opportunities to experience it live. A bluegrass jam session is held the second Saturday night of each month at Lenoir Community College, and the Kinston Winter Bluegrass Festival brings internationally known bluegrass artists and crowds of fans to Kinston each February.

The Kinston Community Council for the Arts is working on the African-American Heritage Music Trail, an innovative project that will highlight the deep blues and jazz roots that run through this region.

The trail is expected to be completed by 2011 and will include interactive video and audio kiosks at dozens of sites in eight counties. The project’s most popular feature is its calendar of live performances by the trail’s living artists. Residents and visitors alike have packed the CCA building in downtown Kinston and other local venues for jazz nights, benefits and other events.

– Rebecca Denton

Staff Photo

In the Spotlight

Built in 1925 as a public school, the Grainger-Hill Performing Arts Center in Kinston is now a 1,131-seat theater housed inside one of the last remaining examples of Greek Classical Revival Architecture still standing

in North Carolina. A volunteer group of concerned alumni and friends has renovated, restored and now manages the auditorium.

Grainger-Hill’s OnStage Series features concerts in a nightclub-type

atmosphere. Please visit www.ghpac.com for more information.

The Lenoir Community College and the KinstonLenoir Performing Arts Center also present popular live performances.

Ki n sto n - Le n oi r Co u nt y

39

community profile Snapshot Kinston is the Lenoir County seat and is among the oldest cities in North Carolina. It is home of the Kinston Indians, the Advanced Class A affiliate of the Cleveland Indians.

health care Lenoir Memorial has opened its first orthopedic clinic, which will keep patients from having to travel outside the community for basic procedures. The hospital, which has more than 100 physicians, also has many other community-

Climate

driven features, such as a

Lenoir County enjoys a mild climate with an average temperature in the mid-60s, low humidity and a lengthy growing season.

32 F

Average Home Price

oncology, radiology and urology. The hospital also has thoracic and vascular

19.29%

surgery capabilities.

Home Turnover Percentage

55 F

Lenoir County boasts an outstanding public school system. In addition to the

60 F

public schools, Lenoir County

July Low Temperature

through three schools:

90 F

Arendell Parrott Academy,

July High Temperature

Children’s Village Academy.

also offers private education

Bethel Christian Academy and

Lenoir Committee of 100 Inc. Kinston-Lenoir County Chamber of Commerce FIND US ON >> Kinston – We’re On The Way

40

$110,018

cardiology, pulmonology,

Education

This section is sponsored by

i m ag e s k i n s t o n . c o m

housing

full OB-GYN department,

January Low Temperature

January High Temperature

Lenoir County Public Schools (252) 527-1109 Arendell Parrott Academy 252-522-4222 Bethel Christian Academy 252-522-4636 Children’s Village Academy 252-939-1958

PaRks & Rec The Kinston/Lenoir County Parks & Recreation Department operates 11 parks and provides organized programs such as arts and crafts, dance classes, golf, tennis, summer day camps, baseball, softball, volleyball, dodgeball, basketball, football, soccer, kickball and swimming.

Ad Index

28 Cherry Energy

40 Lenoir Committee of 100

24 Courtney Mitchell III DDS PA

23 Lenoir Community College

24 Cutter Creek

16 Down East Protection Systems

25 Lenoir County Public Schools

C4 Lenoir Memorial Hospital

C3 MasterBrand Cabinets Inc.

C3 Falling Creek Country Club

C2 Holiday Inn Express

C3 Ivey’s Garden Center

C3 Job Link Career Center

31 Kinston Community Health Center

1 Perry Management

1 Pride of Kinston

16 Realo Discount Drug Store

31 Richard T. Carlyle DDS, PA

8 Kinston Public Services

16 Kinston-Lenoir Tourism Development Authority

C3 Spring Arbor of Kinston 1 Suddenlink Communications C3 Vick’s CleanerS

tee time at Falling creek!

PGA Professional Jon (JJ) Johnson Marshall & Angie Malone, Owners Club amenities include: • Renovated pro shop

a semi-private club 2359 Falling Creek Rd. Kinston, NC 28504 (252) 522-1828

• Clubhouse with banquet facilities • Member’s lounge • Swimming pool • Grill

w w w. fa l l i n g c r e e kg o l f.c o m

express yourself …

Outdoors

Beautiful gardens start at

Ivey’s Garden Center FULL-SERVICE NURSERY

Lenoir Community CoLLege

Trees • Shrubs Perennials • Annuals Amenities for the Garden

Career Planning, Training & Placement Services Serving Lenoir, Greene & Jones Counties (252) 527-7320 • (252) 527-2109 Fax Kinston, NC 28502 www.lenoircc.edu

BeWare!

Green thumbs are contagious!

R esidential assisted living

Living green is making sure the air in your home is healthy for your family to breathe. Test your home for radon and build radon-resistant.

It's easy. That's living healthy and green.

STAMP OUT BREAST CANCER WITH YOUR FEET.

2418 Dobbs Farm Rd. Kinston, NC 28504 (252) 527-4839

of Kinston

Living green starts from the ground up.

Just call 866-730-green or visit www.epa.gov/radon

HOUrs Mon.-Sat. – 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

www.springarborliving.com

3207 Carey Rd. Kinston, NC 28504 (252) 523-3099 (252) 523-8074 Fax

KINSTON Plaza Shopping Center 522-1843 663 Sussex St. 522-1708

SNOW HILL Learn more about the Komen Race for the Cure by visiting www.komen.org or calling 1-877 GO KOMEN.

111 Heritage Crossing

747-3737

This space is provided as a public service. ©2008 Susan G. Komen for the Cure®

Ki n sto n - Le n oi r Co u nt y

41