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EDPNC + NCFIL: Ready to Promote

January 22, 2020

Two entities. One goal. Support individuals and companies seeking to start, grow or relocate a new or existing business to North Carolina. 

The Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina (EDPNC) and the NC Food Innovation Lab (NCFIL) both promote NCFIL as a statewide asset to many audiences, including entrepreneurs seeking assistance with product development or established companies looking to assess or scale up an existing product or production method. 

Ready to Promote

The mission of the EDPNC is clear: The organization focuses on “recruiting new businesses to North Carolina, supporting the needs of existing businesses, connecting exporters to global customers, helping small business owners get their start, and attracting tourists and visitors from all over the world.” This mission is in perfect alignment with one of NCFIL’s main purposes: to aid food companies (large and small) move products to market quickly and effectively. 

Promoting NC Food Manufacturing in general is not a hard sell. Just consider these facts about North Carolina: 

  • 2nd largest state in US food and beverage processing, in terms of GDP contribution
  • 1,000+ food and beverage manufacturing establishments
  • 178 million customers within a day’s drive
  • Lowest corporate income tax in the US at 2.5 percent
  • Lowest state and local tax burden in the US 

With the launch of NCFIL and its innovative capabilities, North Carolina becomes an even more attractive venue for food manufacturing as NCFIL is the only US facility with cGMP capabilities dedicated to supporting plant-based food innovators. 

At NCFIL, client collaboration occurs in any of the following ways: Product Research and Development; Pilot Plant Production; Training and Workshops; and Food Industry Consulting. 

True Team Players 

North Carolina has a long and prosperous agricultural history, and many organizations rallied to bring NCFIL to fruition. Teamwork and collaboration have been constant themes in NCFIL’s origination. 

Laura Lee, Business Recruitment Manager for Food Manufacturing at EDPNC, recruits food and beverage companies to North Carolina and supports that complex process. She became involved with NCFIL in 2017 as a member of NCFIL’s Marketing and Communications Team. 

Laura educates economic developers, local government, entrepreneurs, and regional, national and global companies about NCFIL and attends trade shows and agricultural events to promote NCFIL. She also assists companies in site location searches and informs organizations about the state’s outstanding Customized Training program, specifically NC BioNetwork’s Food, Beverage and Natural Products training. 

 One upcoming example of EDPNC support is the promotion of NCFIL at SNAXPO 2020, a comprehensive expo dedicated to the international snack industry, held in Charlotte in March. EDPNC will coordinate with NCFIL to deliver an information session at the conference and host attendees at NCFIL for facility tours. 

NCFIL Staff Drives Success

While Laura recognizes NCFIL’s plant-based focus, cGMP certification and NCRC location as major differentiators, she believes the people are truly what will drive NCFIL’s ultimate success: “The team they have assembled is outstanding. NCFIL clients who work with Executive Director Dr. Bill Aimutis and Senior Food Scientist Cindy Calhoun will be so fortunate to develop those relationships.”