North Carolina's "Southeast Regional Economic Profile" for 2012 was released on April 18th in Wilmington. It is the 14th annual publication.

The 55-page volume surveys the region from Wilmington to the Sandhills and is an important tool for economic developers. If prospective businesses and industry want to learn about education, labor, infrastructure, transportation, cost of doing business or quality of life in the 11-county region, the "Southeast Regional Economic Profile" is the primary resource.



Research for the annual publication is provided by UNC Pembroke, Fayetteville State University and UNC Wilmington and is sponsored by North Carolina's Southeast, the regional state economic development office. The document is available online at www.ncse.org.

Teresa Oxendine, director of UNCP's Regional Center for Economic, Community and Professional Development, did the research for UNCP. She is a first-time contributor to the book, which she said is a valuable resource.

"This is the one-stop shop for economic developers, prospective businesses, industry or newcomers to the region who want to know more," Oxendine said. "It is the product of a true partnership and collaboration among the three state universities in the Southeast.

"It couldn't be done without all three partners because it is so comprehensive," she said. "I could not begin to estimate how much time we put into it."

Jane W. Smith, the Lumberton businesswoman who chairs North Carolina's Southeast Partnership, discussed the project in a press release. "Job creation and business growth in the Southeast region is a team sport," Smith said. "We have long been able to rely on our excellent university partners in gathering and organizing accurate, relevant and credible data that provides a concise snapshot of everything our region has to offer."

Oxendine and UNCP provided research for the sections "Business Costs," "Quality of Life," "Transportation, Logistics and Infrastructure" and "Workforce."

"This region is my home, but an analysis like this is eye opening and demonstrates the tremendous assets of our region," Oxendine said. "From salt to fresh water, transportation systems - including the Port of Wilmington - the Southeast has the resources to attract investment and to grow organically. It's a great place to live too!"

Oxendine is pleased with the newest edition of the "Southeast Regional Economic Profile." "This is the work that defines the Regional Center's mission," she said. "I'd like to thank my Southeast region university partners and Christel Parker in UNCP's Office for Engaged Outreach for their support."

For more information, please contact UNCP's Regional Center at 910.775.4000 or email rc@uncp.edu.