THE DIGEST

DIGEST THE A ROUNDUP OF RECENT WILMINGTON NEWS

PHOTO C/O NC PORTS

NEW PORT COMPLEX IMPROVES SOUTH GATE

The Port of Wilmington officially opened its new South Gate Container Complex after months of beta testing new systems and processes.

The $26 million project began three years ago. It reconfigured the port’s previous container gate layout used by truckers, increasing the outbound lanes from three to six and inbound lanes from four to seven. Several new technologies are incorporated in the new complex, including weigh-inmotion scales, scanning devices and other features intended to reduce turnaround times.

The new facility modernizes and enhances the port’s truckbound efficiency, said N.C. State Ports Authority COO Doug Vogt.

“All improvements to the container gate complex … enables NC Ports to not only meet the demand of increased container volume at the Port of Wilmington but continue to improve on the best trucker turn-times on the East Coast,” Vogt wrote in an email. “In addition, these improvements enhance the level of service we provide to our trucking community and local port-user community.”

For a single container, the port’s truck turnaround time as of December was about 20 minutes, according to port documents. Congestion at the gate was identified as a key constraint to the port’s growth in its strategic master plan in 2016, which prompted the planning and construction of the new facility. In August, the first phase of the project was completed, with port personnel implementing new technologies at the old truck gate complex. This included a new terminal operating system, Navis N4, used at more than 140 container terminals across the globe.

TO STAY IN THE LOOP ON THE LATEST AREA BUSINESS HAPPENINGS, CHECK OUT OUR DAILY AFTERNOON NEWSLETTER. SIGN UP AT WILMINGTONBIZ.COM.

TRU COLORS GETS MAJOR PNC INVESTMENT

PNC Bank is pouring investment into a Wilmington-based beer company that employs active gang members.

The infusion of $9.25 million from PNC Bank is helpingto transform an old textile factory into TRU Colors’ headquarters and brewery. “The financing, which includes a $6 million equity investment and a $3.25 million secured line of credit, augments the growth of the startup, which launched its first commercial product in 2021 and aspires to distribute nationwide,” company officials said in March. Located at 715 Greenfield St., the TRU Colors facility houses the company’s brewery, which has the capacity to produce more than 1 million cases of beer annually. “This financing,” said Jim Hansen, PNC regional president for Eastern Carolinas, “contributes to the revitalization and stabilization of a low- and moderate-income neighborhood, while enriching Wilmington’s dynamic startup community.”

1,064 HELP WANTED

NEW JOBS PROPOSED BY FOUR COMPANIES APPROVED FOR $2.6 MILLION IN INCENTIVES FROM THE CITY OF WILMINGTON AND NEW HANOVER COUNTY

WWI ILMLMIINGTONGTO N N , , N NC C SAS

KIK TITCHENCHENSS • • OUTDOOROUTDOOR KITCHKITCHE ENSNS •• WILMINGTON, NC SALES & DESIGN STU

2705 Castle Creek Lane Wilmington, NC 28401

KITCHENS • OUTDOOR KITCHENS • BATHROOMS • 910.793.02MUDROOM 2705 Castle Creek Lane Wilmington, NC 28401 2705 Castle Creek Lane Wilmington, NC 28401 910.793.0202 Monday-Friday, 9am-5 After 5pm & Saturday

Since 1985 we’ve delivered kitchen and bathroom results 910.793.02 that wow. Partner with us for your next project.

Priestley Management Company

Wilmington | Greensboro | Winston-Salem

A LEADER IN COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION MANAGEMENT SINCE 1990

 CAI Accredited Management Company  CMCA Certified Managers  Physical Property Management  Financial Services  Administrative Services

910-509-7276 · priestleymanagement.com 1205 Culbreth Drive Suite 100, Wilmington, NC 28405 Info@priestleymanagement.com