Access Vital Business Resources in Brunswick County

SECTION 1: STARTING A BUSINESS

Get Your Business Off to a Strong Start in Brunswick County

Discover the essential resources and information you need to kickstart your business in Brunswick County. We’re here to assist you in securing financing, understanding the available incentives, and connecting with the Small Business Center for additional support. Read our in-depth “Understanding Business Opportunities in Brunswick, NC” article for more info.

FINANCING

SBA 504 Loan Program:
The U.S. Small Business Administration 504 Loan Program provides approved small businesses with long-term (10- or 20-year), fixed-rate financing used to acquire fixed assets for expansion or modernization. Contact a local SBA representative at (704) 344-6563 to learn more.

SBA 7a Program:
The 7(a) Loan Program is SBA’s primary program for helping start-up and existing small businesses with financing guaranteed for a variety of general business purposes. Contact a local SBA representative at (704) 344-65633 to learn more.

USDA Business & Industry Guarantee Loans:
The B&I Loan Guarantee program guarantees loans made by eligible local lenders to businesses to benefit rural areas under 50,000 in population. Loans are made for improving, developing, or financing business and industry, creating jobs and improving the economic and environmental climate in rural communities. This loan can be for fixed assets, working capital, and certain types of debt financing. Contact the USDA Rural Development’s Bolivia office at (910) 253-4448 or via email paula.thrush@nc.usda.gov to get started.

NC Rural Center Loan Programs:
NC-CAP expands business finance options by reducing risk and encouraging banks and other qualified lenders to consider loans that otherwise fall just outside conventional underwriting standards. Any North Carolina business with fewer than 500 employees is eligible, and both term loans and lines of credit are eligible. NC-CAP is administered by the NC Rural Center. For additional information, visit a local lender or contact Tom Wall at (919) 250-4314 or twall@nc-cap.org.

Community Development Block Grant / Loan:

The CDBG fund provides grants to local governments for creating and retaining jobs. Funding for projects is based on the number of jobs to be created and the level of distress in the community applying for the funds. Contact Valerie Fegans, Interim CDBG Program Director, North Carolina Department of Commerce, at valerie.fegans@nccommerce.com or (919) 814-4673 to learn more.

 

SMALL BUSINESS CENTER

The Small Business Center supports the development of new business and the growth of existing businesses through community-based education and training, counseling, resource information and referrals.

INCENTIVES

Brunswick County recognizes the need to provide programs and financial support to strengthen and diversify the County’s economy by developing incentives. These incentives may be awarded at the discretion of the Brunswick County Board of Commissioners. Brunswick County works with economic development allies at the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina and others to develop an incentives package to meet the needs of our clients.

SECTION 2: GROWING A BUSINESS

Unlock Growth Opportunities for Your Business in Brunswick County

Expand your product offerings, reach new markets, and explore different customer segments with the help of our extensive resources in Brunswick County. Discover how we can support your continuous growth and evolution.

FINANCING

Industrial Revenue Bonds:
Industrial Revenue Bonds are an attractive means for manufacturing companies to expand their business by offering a competitive interest rate and tax-exempt income for the holder of the bonds. Bonds are approved and processed in a process including both the county and state. Bond counsel is required. For additional details and program information, contact the NC Department of Commerce’s Commerce Finance Center at (919) 733-4151.

SBA 504 Loan Program:
The U.S. Small Business Administration 504 Loan Program provides approved small businesses with long-term (10 or 20 year), fixed-rate financing used to acquire fixed assets for expansion or modernization. The maximum SBA loan amount is $5 million, although small manufacturers or specific types of energy projects may qualify for $5.5 million. Contact a local SBA representative at (704) 344-6563 to learn more.

SBA 7a Program:
The 7(a) Loan Program is SBA’s primary program for helping start-up and existing small businesses, with financing guaranteed for a variety of general business purposes. Contact a local SBA representative at (704) 344-6563 to learn more.

USDA Business & Industry Guarantee Loans:
The B&I Loan Guarantee program guarantees loans made by eligible local lenders to businesses to benefit rural areas under 50,000 in population. Loans are made for improving, developing, or financing business and industry, creating jobs, and improving the economic and environmental climate in rural communities. For more detailed program information, contact the USDA Rural Development’s Bolivia office at (910) 253-4448 or via email paula.thrush@nc.usda.gov.

Capital Access Program:
NC-CAP expands business finance options by reducing risk and encouraging banks and other qualified lenders to consider loans that otherwise fall just outside conventional underwriting standards. Any North Carolina business with fewer than 500 employees is eligible, and both term loans and lines of credit are eligible. NC-CAP is administered by the NC Rural Center. For additional information, visit a local lender or contact Tom Wall at (919) 250-4314 or twall@nc-cap.org.

Community Development Block Grant / Loan:
The CDBG fund provides grants to local governments for creating and retaining jobs. Funding for projects is based on the number of jobs to be created and the level of distress in the community applying for the funds. Contact Valerie Fegans, Interim CDBG Program Director, North Carolina Department of Commerce, at valerie.fegans@nccommerce.com or (919) 814-4673 to learn more.

TAX CREDITS

Recycling Tax Credits:
Tax credits are available to manufacturing industries for machinery, equipment, and facilities used exclusively for recycling, resource recovery, and abatement of hazardous waste. Credits provide for property tax abatement, accelerated amortization, and reduction of franchise tax. Companies must be certified to claim credits by the NC Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Waste Management. For additional information, visit the program webpage.

Historic Property Tax Credits:
Tax credits are available to help with the cost of rehabilitating certified historic structures for income-producing use. For additional information, visit the program webpage or contact Tim Simmons, Rehabilitation Tax Credit Coordinator at either tim.simmons@ncdcr.gov or 919-814-6588.

INCENTIVES

Brunswick County recognizes the need for incentives that provide programming and financial support to companies moving to the area that will in turn strengthen and diversify the County’s economy. These incentives may be awarded at the discretion of the Brunswick County Board of Commissioners. Brunswick County works with economic development allies at the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina and others to develop customized incentives packages that meet the needs of our clients. Incentives designed to give companies a competitive advantage are potentially available from the state and locally.

TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE

Business Energy Improvement Program:
A division of the NC Department of Environmental Quality, staff at the State Energy Program work with business, industry and non-profits to build a positive business climate to help them be more energy efficient and productive. For additional information, contact Star Hodge at star.hodge@ncdenr.gov or 877-623-6748.

Recycling Business Assistance Center:
The RBAC office provides technical and business development assistance to recycling companies and assists companies in devising waste management strategies and identifying recycling opportunities. The office also administers and facilitates grants and loans for environmental projects in coordination with the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), and the NC Department of Commerce. The RBAC publishes an Online Directory of Markets of Recyclable Materials which is updated weekly. For additional information, contact RBAC Director Matt Ewadinger at 704-264-2980 or visit their website.

EXPANSION SOLUTIONS

North Carolina State University’s Industry Expansion Solutions is a manufacturing outreach program focused on helping business and industry increase productivity, efficiency, quality, and profits. IES works one-on-one with small and medium sized manufacturers to help them stay competitive while saving jobs and increasing profits. For additional information, contact Alex Easley, Regional Manager, at 910-617-5650 or alex_easley@ncsu.edu.

SECTION 3: INCENTIVES

Maximize Your Business Potential with Incentives in Brunswick County

At Brunswick County, we’re committed to helping your business thrive financially. Our dedicated team can assist you in minimizing your tax burden and finding cost savings through our comprehensive county and state incentives program.

INCENTIVES

Industrial Revenue Bonds:
Brunswick County recognizes the need for incentives that provide programming and financial support to companies moving to the area that will in turn strengthen and diversify the County’s economy. Economic development incentives are designed to stimulate private sector investment, economic growth and job creation in Brunswick County by defining incentives available for both new industry and the expansion of existing industry. These incentives may be awarded at the discretion of the Brunswick County Board of Commissioners. Brunswick County works with economic development allies at the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina and others to develop an incentives package to meet the needs of our clients. Incentives designed to give companies a competitive advantage are potentially available from the state and locally.

SECTION 4: WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

Build a Skilled Workforce for Your Business in Brunswick County

Benefit from Brunswick County’s universities and colleges’ commitment to producing a talented pool of graduates who are ready to meet your business needs. We invest in training programs and career services to attract skilled workers and expand our talent pool.

CUSTOMIZED TRAINING

Brunswick Community College provides a full range of training programs and services to area businesses and industries that can be tailored to meet specific needs of individual companies. Among those programs are:

NCWorks Customized Training program at BCC:
The Customized Training Program is designed to assist new or expanding business and industry with employee training customized to meet the particular needs of each industry, even with a small number of trainees. Eligible business and industry include manufacturing, technology intensive businesses (i.e., IT, life sciences), regional or national warehousing and distribution centers, customer support centers, air courier services, national headquarters with operations outside North Carolina, and civil service employees providing technical support to US military installations located in North Carolina.

If Brunswick Community College does not have the resources in-house to serve your unique opportunity, Customized Training will pursue other resources at the Regional, State and National levels to provide specific training. For additional information contact Steven Hulon, Director, Customized Training, at 910-755-7304 or hulonl@brunswickcc.edu.

CAREER SERVICES

NCWorks Career Center:
The NCWorks Career Center provides job services – job matching, unemployment insurance, and labor market information – to employers on a non-fee basis. Specialized assistance is available in staffing new and expanded business including space to conduct interviews in the local Career Center. Technical consultation, employee opinion surveys, job analysis, and assistance in resolving personnel-related concerns such as absenteeism and turnover are available. Additional programs include On-the-Job Training (OJT) and Paid Work Experience (WEX). For more information, contact Erin Easton at EEaston@CapeFearCOG.org or 910-274-0348. Call 910-754-6120 or visit www.ncworks.gov for direct job posting.

Career Services at Local Universities:
University of North Carolina – Wilmington
601 S College Rd
Wilmington, NC 28403-5924
Fisher University Union 2035
Phone: 910-962-3174
Fax: 910-962-4257
careercenter@uncw.edu
www.uncw.edu/career/about.html

Trade Adjustment Act:

Trade Adjustment Assistance provides re-employment assistance to workers who have been negatively impacted by foreign trade. Through job referrals, training, and income support, this program is designed to help workers find new jobs. Please visit https://www.commerce.nc.gov/grants-incentives/workforce-grants/trade-adjustment-assistance-taa for more information.

Workforce Investment Act:
The WIA federal job training program is designed to provide quality employment and training services to assist eligible individuals in finding and qualifying for meaningful employment, and to help employers find the skilled workers they need to compete and succeed in business. Emphasis is placed on meeting the training needs of the business community. For additional information, contact the local NCWorks Career Center at (910) 754-6120.

SECTION 5: TRADE & EXPORT ASSISTANCE

Expand Your Reach with Trade and Export Assistance in Brunswick County

Take advantage of the various state and national resources available in Brunswick County to enhance your supply chain and expand your business opportunities globally.

North Carolina Department of Agriculture VISIT →
The NCDA International Trade Office helps bridge the gap between international buyers and North Carolina suppliers of agricultural commodities, value-added foods and forest products. NCDA develops new markets and expands existing markets for N.C. agriculture products, organizes trade shows and trade missions, identifies foreign buyers, presents N.C. products to overseas buyers and counsels N.C. firms on the export process. For additional information about assistance and resources provided by the NCDA & CS International Trade Office, visit www.ncagexports.com

North Carolina Port Authority VISIT →
The mission of the North Carolina State Ports Authority is “to enhance the economy of the State of North Carolina.” North Carolina’s Ports are recognized for self-sustaining operations, environmental stewardship, highly efficient workforce, satisfied customers, and modern, well-maintained facilities and equipment. Call (800) 334-0682 to learn more.

Small Business & Tech Development Center VISIT →
The SBTDC at UNC Wilmington is affiliated with the UNC-W Cameron School of Business. SBTDC’s experienced business advisory team offers confidential, in-depth business counseling to small- to mid-sized company business owners and management staff and to entrepreneurs preparing to launch their next venture. Register as an SBTDC client and begin working with them, call 910-962-3744, or email uncw@sbtdc.org to learn more.

United States Small Business Administration VISIT →
The SBA provides a wide variety of export-related services including counseling, training, and financing to support small business export opportunities. Visit the website for a complete listing of services.

United States Dept. of Commerce, International Trade Administration VISIT
The Export Assistance Center offers a wide range of current industry and trade information to help exporters of U.S goods and services find the information they need to compete successfully in overseas markets. For additional information, contact the Stephanie Bethel, Senior International Trade Specialist, at 336-333-5345 or Stephanie.Bethel@trade.gov.

World Trade Center VISIT
The WTC is a member-based organization which provides a wide variety of facilities and international trade services. WTCs provide up-to-date information about their respective regions, including local products and services, market conditions, government regulations and business culture. For additional information about the WTCA, call 212-432-2626.

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