The Carolinas Gateway Partnership Inc

What The Carolinas Gateway Partnership Inc does

The Carolinas Gateway Partnership (CGP) is a public-private economic development organization established in 1997 that serves as the industrial recruitment and retention agency for Edgecombe County, the City of Rocky Mount, and the Town of Tarboro in Eastern North Carolina. The organization operates with a four-person professional staff led by President and CEO Bob Pike and Chairman Michael Bryant, coordinating regional economic development across three municipal partners.

CGP's core offerings center on industrial site development, workforce training coordination, and logistics facilitation rather than technology products. The organization markets and develops several industrial parks — Kingsboro Business Park (the only shovel-ready megasite in North Carolina with 2,000+ acres of pad-ready land), Tarboro Commerce Center, Rocky Mount Industrial Village (broke ground October 2025), and Edgecombe East Business Park (under development since 2024). CGP also governs the RAMP East advanced-manufacturing workforce program in partnership with eight community colleges and 70+ industries, and facilitates access to multimodal logistics infrastructure including the CSX Carolina Connector intermodal terminal, North Carolina Ports (Wilmington, Morehead City), Georgia Ports (Savannah), Virginia Port Authority (Norfolk), South Carolina Ports (Charleston), NC Global TransPark, and Raleigh-Durham International Airport.

CGP's revenue is generated from membership dues paid by the three public entity partners and private-sector investors across Board, Executive Committee, and Chairman's Club tiers. The organization does not charge businesses for its services and does not publish financial statements. Its go-to-market is enterprise-field-sales-style direct outreach to corporate decision-makers for site selection, combined with participation in industry conferences (CiCi Awards, Business Facilities rankings) and earned media.

Name

The Carolinas Gateway Partnership Inc

Legal name

Carolinas Gateway Partnership Inc

Website

https://econdev.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1997

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Carolinas Gateway Partnership is a public-private economic development organization serving Edgecombe County, Rocky Mount, and Tarboro, NC. With a four-person staff, it recruits industrial investment, manages shovel-ready industrial parks, and coordinates workforce development across Eastern North Carolina.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Economic Development Services

akta.pro primary industry

Real Estate Public-Private Partnership (PPP) & Infrastructure-Adjacent Real Estate Advisory (BPAJANAL)

Keywords

• Economic development services
• Industrial recruitment
• Workforce development
• Site selection consulting
• Public-private partnership

Headquarters

HQ city

Rocky Mount

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Public-Private Partnership Funding: Funded through collaborative partnerships between local governments (Edgecombe County, City of Rocky Mount, Town of Tarboro) and private sector investors. Organizations can become members at various levels including Board Level, Executive Committee Level, and Chairman's Club.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Carolinas Gateway Partnership is a public-private economic development organization that promotes business retention, creation, and expansion in Edgecombe County, the City of Rocky Mount, and the Town of Tarboro in Eastern North Carolina. It provides industrial site development, workforce training coordination, business recruitment, and logistics infrastructure facilitation across its portfolio of industrial parks including Kingsboro Business Park, Tarboro Commerce Center, Rocky Mount Industrial Village, and Edgecombe East Business Park.

Product overview

The Carolinas Gateway Partnership is a public-private economic development organization that does not offer a traditional technology product or software platform. Instead, it provides a portfolio of economic development services centered around industrial site development, workforce training coordination, business recruitment, and logistics infrastructure facilitation. The core offerings include managing and promoting industrial sites and business parks (Kingsboro Business Park, Tarboro Commerce Center, Rocky Mount Industrial Village, Edgecombe East Business Park), connecting companies with workforce development resources through community colleges and programs like RAMP East, assisting with business recruitment and retention, and coordinating access to regional transportation infrastructure including the CSX Carolina Connector Intermodal Terminal.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Industrial Site Development Services End-to-end industrial site readiness support for prospective manufacturers and advanced-industry firms, including site identification, due diligence, infrastructure coordination, and shovel-ready certification across CGP's industrial park portfolio.
• Business Recruitment & Prospect Management Confidential prospect management, customized incentive packaging, and recruitment services targeted at industrial manufacturers, food processing, pharmaceutical, logistics, and clean-energy companies considering the Carolinas Gateway region.
• Existing Industry Retention & Expansion Services Retention, expansion, and aftercare support for existing manufacturers and employers in Edgecombe County, Rocky Mount, and Tarboro, coordinated through the Director of Existing Industries & Workforce Development role and the Business Consultant function.
• Workforce Development Coordination (RAMP East) Coordination of regional workforce training pipelines through RAMP East, partner community colleges, and industry-aligned training programs supporting employer hiring needs.
• Logistics & Infrastructure Coordination Coordination of logistics and infrastructure stakeholders including the CSX Carolina Connector intermodal terminal, I-95 and future I-87 corridor, rail, and port connectivity to support site selection and supply chain decisions.
• Kingsboro Business Park Shovel-ready industrial megasite in Edgecombe County marketed to large industrial, advanced manufacturing, and logistics prospects requiring large-acreage, rail-served sites.
• Tarboro Commerce Center Industrial park in Tarboro, NC, marketed to prospective employers and existing industries for location or expansion within the CGP region.
• Rocky Mount Industrial Village Industrial park in Rocky Mount, NC, marketed to prospective employers and existing industries for location or expansion within the CGP region.
• Edgecombe East Business Park Industrial park in Edgecombe County, NC, marketed to prospective employers and existing industries for location or expansion within the CGP region.
• Incentive Negotiation & Grant Coordination Coordination of economic incentives including state-level grants (e.g., NC Rural Infrastructure Authority), local incentives, and customized incentive packages for incoming businesses.

Quantifiable outcome

• 5 million consumers reachable within 120-mile radius of Carolina Connector
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers21 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

35 partnerships are on record, tiered core and regional.

• Edgecombe CountycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of three public entity partners in the Carolinas Gateway Partnership. County Manager Eric Evans serves as Public Vice Chairman on the CGP Board. CGP focuses on economic development activities within the county including business attraction to sites like Kingsboro Business Park and Edgecombe East Business Park.
• City of Rocky MountcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of three public entity partners in the Carolinas Gateway Partnership. Mayor Sandy Roberson serves on the CGP Board. Rocky Mount is the largest population center in the region with over 53,900 residents and home to major employers including Pfizer and The Cheesecake Factory Bakery.
• Town of TarborocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of three public entity partners in the Carolinas Gateway Partnership. Town Manager Troy Lewis serves as Town Manager on the CGP Executive Committee. Tarboro is home to Tarboro Commerce Center and major employers including Hitachi Astemo and Sara Lee Frozen Bakery.
• CSX TransportationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCSX developed the $160 million Carolina Connector (CCX) intermodal terminal in Rocky Mount. The 330-acre facility opened in 2021 and provides intermodal rail service reaching 5 million consumers within 120-mile radius. CSX Executive Vice President Kevin Boone stated the partnership 'embodies our commitment to foster growth, connect markets and propel economic progress.'
• North Carolina Ports (Wilmington & Morehead City)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPorts of Wilmington and Morehead City are key partners in the North Carolina Logistics Highway. Wilmington Port offers the 'Wilmington Rocky Mount Express' giving fastest ship-to-rail service on the East Coast. Both ports are within 700 miles of 70% of US industrial base.
• Georgia Ports Authority (Savannah)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPort of Savannah is a partner in the North Carolina Logistics Highway. Integration of GPA's On-Dock Rail and Inland Port at Carolina Connector provides efficient rail-to-truck inland port container services for CSX.
• Virginia Port Authority (Norfolk)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPort of Norfolk is a partner in the North Carolina Logistics Highway. Norfolk International Terminal (NIT) is central East Coast location positioned to deliver to 75% of US population in two days or less.
• South Carolina Ports (Charleston)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPort of Charleston is a partner in the North Carolina Logistics Highway. North Charleston Terminal provides high-velocity connection to global markets with five post-Panamax ship-to-shore cranes.
• NC Global TransParkcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner2,400-acre multi-modal airport site in Kinston with the longest runway in North Carolina at 11,500 ft. Designed for industrial users with some of world's largest aircraft accessing the facility. Adjacent to major interstate highways.
• Raleigh-Durham International AirportcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational airport serving as key air access point for the CGP region. Located 69 miles from Rocky Mount with over 400 flights daily and non-stop service to over 55 destinations including international service to London, Paris, and Toronto.
• Rocky Mount-Wilson Regional AirportregionalStrategic or Co-development PartnerGeneral Aviation Airport serving the Coastal Plains region of Eastern North Carolina. Located on NC HWY 97 approximately 3 miles from I-95, exit 127. Certificated under Title 14 CFR part 139 as Index A/Class 4 airport.
• Edgecombe Community CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of two community colleges in the CGP region. Founded in 1967, serves about 5,500 individuals annually. Provides customized training programs for business and industry including Manufacturing Technology, apprenticeships, and OSHA certifications. Dr. Greg McLeod serves as President.
• Nash Community CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of two community colleges in the CGP region. Founded in 1967, serves 12,000 residents annually. Home to Gene Haas Center for Advanced Manufacturing, a 16,000 sq ft facility for Manufacturing, Electrical Systems, Robotics programs. Dr. Lew Hunnicutt serves as President.
• East Carolina UniversityregionalStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocated in Greenville, NC with articulation agreements with Edgecombe and Nash Community Colleges. Offers over 175 degrees with College of Engineering and Technology providing workforce pipeline. Students from all 100 NC counties, all 50 states, and 44 countries.
• North Carolina State UniversityregionalStrategic or Co-development PartnerFlagship STEM campus of UNC System with open transfer connections to Edgecombe and Nash Community Colleges. 38,400+ students, 2,400+ faculty. Research I university and key part of Research Triangle region with partners including SAS, Cisco, IBM, GlaxoSmithKline, and Lenovo.
• North Carolina Wesleyan UniversityregionalStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrivate university located in Rocky Mount - the 'hometown university' of CGP. Offers 32 undergraduate degree programs, 33 minor programs, 6 graduate programs. Open transfer connection with Edgecombe and Nash Community Colleges. 14:1 student-to-faculty ratio.
• North Carolina Community College SystemcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner58 community colleges serving 100 counties with NCEdge program providing tailored training solutions. Through RAMP East, partners with 8 community colleges serving 10 counties and 70+ industries for advanced manufacturing workforce pipeline.
• RAMP East (Regional Advanced Manufacturing Pipeline)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCreated in 2018, RAMP East is an educational and workforce collaboration bringing together 8 community colleges serving 10 counties and 70+ industries. Components include Career Readiness Academy and Advanced Manufacturing Institute. Governed by CGP with funding from NC Community College System and NC Department of Commerce.
• PfizercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor pharmaceutical employer with one of two NC plants in Rocky Mount. One of largest sterile injectable facilities in the world with more than 1.4 million square feet of manufacturing space on 250 acres. Produces nearly 25% of Pfizer's sterile injectables used in US hospitals. Member of Human Resources Taskforce.
• Hitachi AstemocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFormerly Keihin North America, leading manufacturer of Engine Control Units with advanced robotics. Manufacturing plant in Tarboro since 1998 utilizing 147,000 sq ft on 60 acres. Established Keihin Carolina Systems Technology Endowed Chair at Edgecombe Community College. Member of Human Resources Taskforce.
• The Cheesecake Factory BakerycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor food processing employer with production facility in Rocky Mount since 2006. Produces approximately 60 varieties of proprietary cheesecakes and baked desserts. Member of Human Resources Taskforce.
• Sara Lee Frozen BakerycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor food processing employer in Tarboro employing 650+ people. Produces 100% of Jimmy Dean biscuits sold worldwide. $19.8M expansion announced creating 108 jobs. Member of Human Resources Taskforce.
• Barnhill Contracting CompanyregionalStrategic or Co-development PartnerFamily-owned construction company originally headquartered in Edgecombe County now in Rocky Mount. 75 years serving NC and Southeast. 1,800 employees. Member of Human Resources Taskforce.
• LS Cable & System U.S.A.regionalStrategic or Co-development PartnerLeading manufacturer of energy wire and cable products for Industrial, Renewable Energy, and Utility markets. Operated in Tarboro since 2012. Member of Human Resources Taskforce.
• Cummins Inc.regionalStrategic or Co-development PartnerManufacturing operations in the region. Member of Human Resources Taskforce for workforce collaboration.
• CorningregionalStrategic or Co-development PartnerManufacturing operations in Tarboro. Part of $428M investment creating 428 jobs. Member of Human Resources Taskforce.
• Acme United CorporationregionalStrategic or Co-development PartnerManufacturing operations in Rocky Mount. Member of Human Resources Taskforce.
• Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina (EDPNC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState economic development agency providing marketing support and site search tools. CGP uses EDPNC's Sites & Buildings Search Tool for real-time property information.
• Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL)regionalStrategic or Co-development PartnerRenowned consulting firm hired by EDPNC to search and assess NC sites. JLL named Kingsboro Business Park as the only shovel-ready and competitive megasite in North Carolina.
• Piedmont Natural GasregionalStrategic or Co-development PartnerUtility provider serving Tarboro Commerce Center with natural gas availability for industrial tenants.
• Edgecombe-Martin County EMCregionalStrategic or Co-development PartnerElectric membership cooperative providing reliable electricity to the CGP region as public power partner.
• Dominion PowerregionalStrategic or Co-development PartnerElectric utility providing public power with reliable electricity and competitive rates in the CGP region.
• ElectriCitiesregionalStrategic or Co-development PartnerPublic power organization providing member utilities including Edgecombe-Martin County EMC with resources and coordination.
• Rocky Mount Chamber of CommerceregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDavid Farris serves as Rocky Mount Chamber President and sits on CGP Board as Ex Officio member. Partnership supports business community engagement and economic growth initiatives.
• NC Department of CommercecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState commerce department supporting economic development initiatives. Provides workforce data and coordinates with Turning Point and Rivers East Workforce Development Boards.

Scale indicators16 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce: Regional chamber with strong economic development arm covering the greater Raleigh area. Comparable hybrid chamber/EDO model with comparable workforce and site-selection mandates.
• Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina: State-level NC economic development agency (mentioned in the source data as CGP's marketing and site-search partner). Performs overlapping functions — business recruitment, site search tools, and incentive coordination — but at state rather than regional scope.
• Greensboro/Guilford County Economic Development: Regional economic development organization for Greensboro and Guilford County, NC. Operates a PPP model focused on advanced manufacturing, logistics, and life sciences site recruitment.
• Charlotte Regional Business Alliance: Regional economic development organization serving the Charlotte region, operating a similar PPP model for business attraction, retention, and workforce development across advanced industries in NC.
• Pitt County Government (Economic Development Office): County-level economic development office in Eastern NC that directly competes for the same manufacturing and distribution projects landing in the Carolinas Gateway region.
• Research Triangle Regional Partnership: Regional public-private economic development organization serving the Research Triangle (Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill) area of NC. Directly comparable PPP model focused on site selection, workforce, and incentive facilitation for advanced manufacturing and life sciences.
• Savannah Economic Development Authority: Regional PPP-style EDO for the Savannah, GA market. Comparable industrial recruitment, port-adjacent logistics positioning, and megasite marketing model — a true Southeast competitor.
• Greenville ENC Alliance: Eastern NC regional EDO serving Pitt County and the Greenville area. Most geographically adjacent peer with overlapping PPP governance and a competing bid for the same Eastern NC investment projects.

Broad incumbents

• SC Department of Commerce (S.C. Commerce): State-level economic development agency offering recruitment, incentives, and workforce services that competes for the same Southeast industrial investment flow (Charleston port connections overlap with CGP's port partners).
• Virginia Economic Development Partnership: State-level EDO performing industrial recruitment, marketing, and site analysis for Virginia. Broader incumbent with comparable function but state-level mandate, including Norfolk port coordination referenced as a CGP partner.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/carolinas-gateway-partnership

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Carolinas Gateway Partnership Inc