Jim Bradshaw, Director of Economic Development

On Tuesday March 16th, Jim Bradshaw, Director of Economic Development for North Carolina's Brunswick County, gave an annual overview and direction presentation at the North Brunswick Chamber of Commerce's monthly speaker luncheon at Antonio's Pizza and Pasta Restaurant in Leland, NC.

We had a great turnout . Seated below are Joyce Fields of Cape Fear Credit Union and Leslie Morgan, Linda Cline and Doug Jackson of Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Realty.


Poe Butler of H2Go and NBCC board member Mike Leggett of Local News Review.


Dave Seaton of Pestco Extermination and Jamie Shoemaker of Cape Fear Merchant Services.


Two officers from the Brunswick County Sheriff's office.


Randy Larsen of East Coast Staging and Susan Cruse of East Carolina Bank.


Frances and Walter Denniger.


Ken Schiess of HDVest, Connie Reeves of Azalea Plaza, and Sharon Forsman of Prudential Real Estate.





Brendan Morris and Lee Ann Mitchell of Comfort Suites Magnolia Greens.


Speaker and Economic Development Director Jim Bradshaw and NBCC board member Jeff Harvell.


The fabulous Razzano sisters, Alice and Jean.


Dave Foster and John Garrity of Holmes Electric Security.


Jeff Harvell, Micki Sharpe and NBCC board member Peggy O'Leary, both of Premier Staffing, and Mag Green Comfort Suites manager Barry Eagle.



Dave Foster kicked off the luncheon by a giving a pretty interesting history of Holmes Electric Security company. Did you know it was founded by Oliver Wendell Holmes? No, not that one, but another guy. Interesting history. Thanks, Dave.


And Jim gave a wonderful presentation as usual of all the activity in Brunswick County economic development. Needless to say, the future looks bright. It's also the case that we're fortunate that even today there are many project proceeding in full swing to raise the business and employment profiles of our county.

Thanks again, Jim. And thanks for all your work.

NBCC Luncheon Meeting - Jim Bradshaw - Brunswick County Economic Development

The monthly speaker luncheons of the North Brunswick Chamber of Commerce are a great way to get and stay informed about what's going on in the area. This month's meeting was no exception. Terry Grillo, the NBCC's Executive Director emceed the luncheon at Antonio's Pizza and Pasta Restaurant in Leland, NC.

The first speaker was Patricia Underwood, Principal of Leland Middle School. Ms. Underwood told us about the innovative, proactive program she introduced at her school to motivate and inspire the kids about higher education. This is a successful program to raise the sights of area children and we're proud of her work.

The featured speaker was Jim Bradshaw, Director of Economic Development for Brunswick County. Jim gave us a fact-filled presentation about what's happening right now in Brunswick County and a look at what is coming this year, next year, and for the next 10-15-20 years.

Here's a link to download Jim Bradshaw's Powerpoint presentation on Brunswick County Economic Development - the file is on http://www.box.net/, a pretty cool online storage program. When I asked for a copy of the presentation, he generously gave it to me on a thumb drive at the end of the meeting (a personalized thumb drive he got from our buddies and NBCC members Logos Direct).

We had a great turnout at the meeting. We have a lot of fun, we get to break bread together (well, eat pizza anyway) and hear great speakers. So join us.

If you're not already a member of the North Brunswick Chamber of Commerce, and you have an interest in doing business in the area, contact Executive Director Terry Grillo at 910-383-0553.

Woody Hall Tells Us What Happened, What's Happening, and What May Happen

Short version -Our area is in a period of slower growth, but we are NOT in a recession.

An assembled crowd of approximately 40 members and guests of the North Brunswick Chamber of Commerce gathered to hear UNCW's Cameron School of Business Professor William W. (Woody) Hall speak about the regional and local economy. For those who might not be familar with Dr. Hall, he's been the go-to guy on area economic info and projections for more than 20 years.

NBCC President Peggy O'Leary of Premier Staffing Services introduced Dr. Hall.

Dr. Hall gave us lots of facts and figures about the local and regional economy. For a good summary of years and percentages and all the numbers, see Reporter Supremo Shannan Bowen's article in the Star-News by clicking this link.

The bottom line, according to Dr. Hall, is that our area is not in a recession, by any standard economic measure. We are indeed in a time of slower growth. Also, historically anyway, our area experiences national slow downs later than most of the country and we recover sooner. Again this is based on history, and Dr. Hall isn't making firm predictions, but if by the end of 2009 or early 2010 the national economy improves noticeably and significantly, our region will likely already be ahead of the game.

Business After Hours - Waterford UPS March 3, 2009

We arrived just after 6 for the Business After Hours at the Waterford UPS Store and were pleasantly surprised to see how many people were already there, mostly in the back room around the food! Brooke Dyson from Logos Direct and Marge Brown from SendOutCards led the charge.

Sandy Hester, the owner of the UPS Store was our gracious and happy host. Sandy told me that he's gaining new customers daily as well as building stronger continuing relationships with existing customers.

We we headed back to the food, always a priority, NBCC Board Member and President Emeritus (is that the word) came walking out, as usual walking fast and making sure all was going well.

board member Justin Williams, the young guy on the right, was as usual telling us how as a new parent he hasn't slept since November. Sorry, Justin, we're not buying it. In this photo, Tony Vlach and Jim Tuzzeo, with the back of his head to the camera were listening, but clearly not buying it, either.

Board members George Murray and Tony Vlach were a lot of fun. Two good guys.

The group got ready for the actual ribbon-cuttingg, moving toward the front of the store.

Tony Vlach (wow he's in a lot of pictures) and Scott Reeves stood by talking about Leland Under the Lights, our huge car show that this year takes place on September 19th.

Sandy Hester stood his ground and made sure everyone continued to have a good time.

Michael Byrd of WebWright is always dapper.

Terry Grillo, Monica Clark, and Jamie Shoemaker are more great folk who were at the event.

Just after the ribbon cutting George Murray sang to us all. No, not really, when I took this picture he was telling us about The Buckinghams who will be performing on June 20 at the Odell Auditorium.

So, once again, the North Brunswick Chamber of Commerce shows up in support of area merchants. I'm really proud to be part of this crowd. Thanks again for the great time!

Comfort Suites Hotel Building Update - Feb 4, 2009

Leland today has no hotels. Within the next year or two there will be four. The first, a Comfort Suites Hotel, is going up next door from our office. The grand opening is on schedule for May 1st. Today I asked Project Superintendent Joe Stephenson for a tour of his work in progress and he graciously showed our Office Manager Kari Essig and me around. The hotel is being built by Harold K. Jordan & Co., Inc. general contractors. The manager will be Barry Eagle. I took the photo below while we were walkling to the building. (Is this what they mean by a "green" building?)

We went in the north end of the building. In the photo below looks from back to front down the central hallway.

This shot isn't too interesting, just looks from one room through the wall to others. They start putting up sheetrock next week.

Originally planned for two meeting rooms, the hotel is going to have one 50-person capacity room.

There will also be an inground pool.

And an exercise area adjacent to the pool.

Here's a shot of the lobby, looking across from what will eventually be the breakfast/lounge area.

The hotel will be on the far end of business upscale for the Choice Hotel's Comfort Suites Hotel line. There will be 106 rooms in all.

So thanks again for the tour, Joe.

Sea Coast and the North Brunswick Chamber Threw a Party and Santa AND Elvis Came!

Thursday night's North Brunswick Chamber of Commerce Christmas party was a lot of fun. Sponsored by Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Realty, State Farm Insurance, and Bugsy's Cigars, for the benefit of the attendees and for Manna Ministries.

Approximately 90 people attended the event, but Santa and Mrs. Claus came early and stayed till the end, which was a real treat, even for Santa who soon doffed his cap and coat and chilled with the peeps.

At one point Santa helped NBCC President Peggy O'Leary hush the crowd, which was only partly successful, given the energy and excitment in the room. Santa had already taken off his coat.

Santa also conferred and posed with NBCC Board Member and Social Committee Chair Laura Patterson. Laura's committee planned the party (note: Ms. Claus was second-in-charge).

Sponsor Franklin Rouse and Kate Lucas from State Farm had a strong showing at the party.

As did Sharon and Frank Bullard of Bugsy's Cigars, another sponsoring company.

Board member and NBCC VP Victor Pearsall and his enthusiastic wife had a great time.

As did Erin Alderman of Nationwide Insurance and Daztech's Jon Spetrino,

jingle-writer, illustrator, and livewire Dean Powell,

and a whole passle of other folks. In the photo below I recognize Dan Cameron and his wife Sharon, and Michael Wright.

Entertainer J.R. Therrien kept the music playing and the entertainment level high. He appeared as a 50s bebop musician, Roy Orbison, and as Elvis:

J.R. and fellow entertainer Madonna played for the crowd and serenaded many individuals. Here he's singing to CBSCR agent Brenda Freckleton's husband George

Sea Coast Realty had a good contingent in attendance and we partied. As Platinium Sponsors of the event we are strong supporters of the Chamber and its mission. We also like to dance. Below are Joan and Peter David and Brenda and George Freckleton. And they weren't just hugging, they were dancing! Joan David never stopped moving all evening. I hadn't met Peter's wife before, but she loves to dance!

Sea Coast Leads Manager Denise Kinney talked with Broker Jean Costello and her husband Jim Costello, a commercial real estate broker with Coldwell Banker Sun Coast.

Jean and Jim also hit the dance floor.

During the whole event, in the back of the room, Ava Grace Williams just snoozed. Newly born daughter of NBM Magazine publishers Kristy and Justin Williams, Ava Grace was dressed for the occaision but is saving her energy for when she can hit the dance floor herself.

Santa, sans coat and hat, watched the whole thing with a twinkle in his eye, saving HIS energy for next week.