Editor's note: Wilmington Business Development's board sent the following letter to Greater Wilmington Business Journal publisher Rob Kaiser in response to the recent article "On the Right Track?" that ran in the Aug. 1 edition. Click here for the article. Below is the letter in its entirety and as shared with WBD members. Past WBD board chairmen also issued a separate response. To read that letter, click here.
August 12, 2014
Rob Kaiser, Publisher
Greater Wilmington Business Journal
219 Station Road, Ste. 202
Wilmington, NC 28405
Dear Mr. Kaiser:
We were greatly disappointed in Kevin Maurer's critique of Wilmington Business Development (WBD) in your August 1st issue. Like anyone, he is entitled to his opinion about the value of our organization, its staff and mission. His perspective, however, was not published as editorial opinion as it clearly should have been, but as business "news."
Should coverage of regional economic development in the Greater Wilmington Business Journal instead strive to focus on informative content of value to Wilmington business readers, we invite you to consider a few facts about our organization's recent work:
* Our business development efforts in 2013 and thus far in 2014 have helped facilitate the creation of 835 jobs in the region and approximately $200 million in new capital investment. Relocation and expansion projects successfully ushered to conclusion were those of companies such as Castle Branch, Inc.; GE Aviation; nCino and Live Oak Bank; RC Creations (Acme Smoked Fish Company); Fortron Industries; and Verizon. These projects represent a broad cross-section of modern industries and operations across various communities in our region and, as stated earlier, were instances in which we supported arriving businesses as well as the expansion and continued success of those already here.
* The organization is currently managing a portfolio of 31 new client projects (i.e., business leaders or consultants who have contacted us regarding potential capital investments in our region). These location searches encompass the potential creation of 4,890 jobs and the possible attraction of more than $1.07 billion in economic investment.
* Our membership retention rate in 2013-2014 was 97%. Our goal is 100%, but like any business association, members can fall from our rolls due to mergers, acquisitions, retirements or other reasons unrelated to their satisfaction with our value.
* We realize local governments cannot alone shoulder the entire costs of a high-caliber regional development program. That is why we seek support, now more than ever, from the private sector through memberships. And they have responded eagerly to our call: WBD membership revenues increased 16% last year - even exceeding the ambitious amount for which we had budgeted.
* Last October, Governor Pat McCrory joined us for our annual membership meeting, which gathered record attendance. The Governor helped us unveil our new STEM Teaching Excellence Award we've launched in partnership with Corning. The award is a visible symbol of our commitment to next-generation workforce readiness.
* Our infrastructure-development leadership resulted in the completion of a rail feasibility study for the U.S. Highway 421 corridor. Officials of both our counties participated in this work, along with engineers from McKim and Creed and representatives of CSX Corporation. The extension of a 1.5-mile rail line would dramatically enhance the appeal of industrial properties along the corridor.
* Our partnership with Duke Energy has resulted in a prestigious new readiness distinction for Pender Commerce Park and the BASF industrial site, two of our region's most appealing business properties. Through our participation in the Duke Site Readiness Program last fall, consultants from McCallum Sweeney, a leading location advisory firm, evaluated the sites. As a part of this process, WBD now has access to a vast store of data about the sites that can be shared with business clients considering relocation opportunities here. Plus, top site selectors are now very knowledgeable about our sites and community.
* Our recruitment of Acme Smoked Fish in Pender County resulted in awards of some $3.9 million in infrastructure grants for the construction of a new wastewater treatment plant that will serve not just Acme, but all of Pender Commerce Park as well as other industries along the US Highway 421 corridor. The plant is referred to as a "living machine" wastewater treatment facility, using state-of-the-art treatment technology in its operation.
* We worked closely with consultant Jay Garner in supplying the data and mapping resources necessary for his analysis. We are now working with our public partners and private allies in embracing his report's recommendations that relate directly to our mission and programming.
All of us serve WBD as volunteer board members and take seriously our role as stewards of the organization. We're especially proud of the hard work of the organization's four-person staff. They connect daily with the needs of the business people who keep this region's economy afloat. Their task is to generate results, and the accomplishments outlined above are clear evidence they are doing that.
Economic development is a relationship-driven endeavor, but the field is also heavily laden with hard numbers, arcane technical requirements and cold business realities. Our staff works to manage obstacles both expected and unexpected that routinely arise in the course of meeting the needs of today's businesses. And they keep their eyes on the horizon, looking downrange at what the companies and industries of tomorrow may be searching for in the future.
There is great value in the work of WBD, and the jobs and investment derived from it can span generations. Our organization's efforts do not warrant the dismissive treatment and condescending tone represented in your pages last week. The people and businesses of Greater Wilmington deserve better, and so does WBD.
Sincerely,
Dickson McLean
Mike Wilkinson
Bill Cherry
Bill Cameron
Ken Dull
Albert Eckel
Charles Rooks
Margaret Robison
cc: Wilmington Mayor Bill Saffo
Wilmington City Manager Sterling Cheatham
New Hanover County Commission Chairman Woody White
New Hanover County Manager Chris Coudriet
Pender County Commission Chairman David Williams
WBD Membership
