Pender County is a very diverse county which affords a unique opportunity to create a balanced economic base. The NC Department of Commerce has assigned a Tier 2 designation to the County. The County is very wealthy relative to available low-cost and strategically located property for industrial product development. Major interstate and highway corridors in Pender County include I-40, I-140, US 74 (future I-74), US 421 and US 17. The Pender Commerce Park on the US 421 corridor in western Pender County is “shovel ready” for new industrial clients, and is located only 15 minutes from the Wilmington International Airport and 15 minutes from the Port of Wilmington.

The County is also partnering with Wilmington Industrial Development, Inc. (WID), Pender Progress Corporation and Four County EMC to develop industrial product in the Pender Progress Industrial Park in Burgaw. This is a new venture for the county, and one that will provide a great stimulus and incentive for industrial client marketing and recruitment county-wide. And as well, there is tremendous opportunity for light industrial and heavy commercial development along the US 17 corridor in eastern Pender County, being proximate to the Jacksonville-Onslow County area and Camp Lejune.

Pender County takes a progressive and business-friendly approach to assisting companies create jobs and investment in the county. A variety of local and state economic incentive programs are available, and Pender County is well-positioned with its economic development partners and contacts to assist in business and industrial client expansions and locations.