After a national search, Historic Wilmington Foundation officials have announced the hiring of Travis Gilbert as the organization's new executive director. Gilbert will begin his full-time position with the Historic Wilmington Foundation (HWF) on Feb. 1, according to a news release. He will fill the role of current leader Beth Rutledge, who is leaving the organizati ...

The ability of the Wilmington-area economy to recover from the COVID-19 public health crisis is contingent on the continuation of the vaccination rollout and consumer confidence in timing with the upcoming tourist season. That’s according to Adam Jones, a regional economist with the University of North Carolina Wilmington, who spoke Wednesday during the 29th ...

Soaring to a $2.3 billion economic output, the Wilmington International Airport's contribution to the state had risen above previous figures before the COVID-19 downturn in overall travel, according to a state report. That report, which is based on 2019 data, also showed ILM supported 16,385 jobs and generated $572.7 million in personal income and nearly $85 million ...

Negotiations are in the works for a grocery and kitchen concept in downtown Wilmington, according to a broker in the deal. The store, called Better Basket, could come to the former Farmin' On Front location at 143 N. Front St., said Terry Espy, a broker and owner of MoMentum Companies, a Wilmington-based brokerage firm. "We are at the finish line, ...

A state grant has been awarded for a $1.2 million rail project that will support operations at the Port of Wilmington, according to state officials.  Wilmington Terminal Railway is providing the matching funds for the grant at 50% of the project cost, said Katie Trout, marketing and communications project manager at NCDOT, in an email. The state grant award is $600 ...

While COVID-19’s impact on the economy will remain a focus this year, other expected newsmakers in 2021 include New Hanover Regional Medical Center, the film industry and the Port of Wilmington.    Big Picture    Although 2020 is in the rearview, its effects are expected to linger with the potential for even rockier economic times this year.& ...

The following were the most-read Greater Wilmington Business Journal online stories of 2020 as of December, according to Google Analytics.   1. Two pilots set to film in Wilmington   In February, two pilot film projects were getting ready to roll in Wilmington.   One was the CW’s television pilot The Lost Boys and the other, ordered by Fox, was ...

The construction and IT sectors are the focus of new collab­oratives forming this year to address the area’s workforce develop­ment needs.   The initiatives stem from the Cape Fear Talent survey, which was released by the Wilmington Chamber of Commerce and Cape Fear Col­lective in March, said Meaghan Lewis, director of programs at Cape Fear Col­ ...

Each year the Greater Wilmington Business Journal publishes a Book on Business, an annual reference guide to the local market.   For the publication, the Business Journal asks several of the region’s economic development groups and organizations that are economic drivers to check in with a recap of what happened in the past year and what they expect for 2021. ...

As the number of cases of COVID-19 rises in New Hanover and surrounding counties, operational uncertainty increases for small businesses.   New Hanover, Brunswick and Pender counties are now in the “Critical/Red” category, according to state Health and Human Services data. Coronavirus exposure to retail and restaurant staffers has owners sometimes having ...