With calls to stop the Titan cement plant from opening in Castle Hayne, a new group has formed to support it. Called the Coalition for Economic Advancement, it aims to promote the positive aspects of the Carolina Cement/Titan plant. The group is spearheaded by Bob Warwick, a partner with RSM McGladrey in Wilmington.

“We felt the need to be an advocate for job growth and businesses that wanted to move in the area,” Warwick said.

Warwick does not shy away from saying that the group came about directly because of the uproar against Titan cement. He believes the company should be supported as long as the law is followed.

“We are major consumers of cement in southeast North Carolina,” Warwick said. “Cement costs more in Wilmington than it should.”

Currently, according to Warwick, cement has to be hauled more than 350 miles to get here, and that also impacts the environment. “You’re using gas, diesel to haul that in here.”

Warwick was also a big supporter of Ideal Cement when it first opened. He was part of the Committee of 100 at the time and attended the plant’s ribbon cutting.

“We recruited Ideal Cement here and back then the technology was not nearly as good as it is today,” Warwick said. “The (Carolina Cement/Titan) cement plant will be one of the most environmentally friendly cement companies in the world.”

Though the 160 jobs that the plant will provide is sizable, Warwick said another 1,000 jobs can be expected in the two-year construction process and other firms will pop up to support it.

“To have a sound economy in southeast North Carolina, we need industry, we need commerce, education and healthcare. We need all of those things,” Warwick said. “If we eliminate all industry in this county, you can’t support the property taxes and schools in this city.”

In addition to Warwick, the other members of the executive committee of the Coalition for Economic Advancement includes Bill Anlyan Jr., senior vice president of Anlyan & Hively Wealth Management of Wachovia Securities, LLC, Senior Vice President; Wilma Daniels, Daniels Development, LLC, Founder and CEO; Peter Fensel, F.P. Fensel Supply Company, President; Dr. James Hundley, Wilmington Orthopaedic Group, Retired; John Monroe, Progress Energy, Retired; Scott Sullivan, Cameron Management, Manager.