The recently launched Choose Cape Fear marketing initiative highlights the Cape Fear region as one of the fastest growing in the southeastern United States, with more than 200,000 skilled workers and a workforce in which more than 30 percent has earned at least a four-year degree.

We have Fortune 500 companies and first-time entrepreneurs who have made our county home. Our diverse economy is growing and our infrastructure is expanding to accommodate and attract new business. 

It’s a great outlook for New Hanover County, and now is a great time to market the Cape Fear Region as a successful place to do business. The Wilmington Chamber of Commerce has provided our region with that opportunity through Choose Cape Fear. The multifaceted campaign is designed to raise awareness of the region’s expansive business infrastructure and attract and spur economic development, bringing high-quality jobs for the future.

Along with New Hanover County, the City of Wilmington and other local partners are all coming together on this initiative. Collaboration is key to articulating the many assets throughout our region and generating long-term business interest, investment and economic impact in our area.

The work on spreading this message has already started and will be heightened during the Wells Fargo Championship golf tournament, held the first week of May. The aim is not to promote the tournament; instead, the tournament is being used as a catalyst to get in front of thousands of people and business owners. It’s an opportunity to share our region’s story – from our quality of life to the quality of our workforce – and build interest for businesses to start or expand in our area.

The Garner Report directed the county to tell our regional economic development story more effectively and to a more targeted audience of potential companies and investors. Choose Cape Fear will do just that. Using testimonials from those who have already chosen New Hanover County as their business location, these messages will resonate with their peers and attract other companies to our region.

The collaboration to market our region will continue well after the tournament. New Hanover County’s economic development partners, including Wilmington Business Development and Wilmington Downtown Inc., will be able to use the Choose Cape Fear collateral and messaging for future shows, site selection meetings and economic development events. The use of this regional branding will attract new businesses and show what a great place this is to work, live and do business.

It only takes one person to visit our region, hear the Choose Cape Fear message and learn about the many resources for enterprising businesses to succeed. That one person can result in a new precision manufacturer, a start-up or a tech company coming to our area in the future – bringing hundreds of high-quality jobs and value for our taxpayers.

That’s why a regional marketing approach like this is so important. Building those relationships and creating the awareness now can have a lasting impact on our communities. New Hanover County is committed to planning for the future and moving forward with key initiatives, like Choose Cape Fear, to create successful, sustainable economic opportunities for our area. New Hanover County and the Cape Fear region are open for business.

New Hanover County is committed to progressive public policy, superior service, courteous contact, judicious exercise of authority, and sound fiscal management to meet the needs and concerns of our citizens today and tomorrow. See more at http://www.nhcgov.com.