Each year the Greater Wilmington Business Journal publishes its Book on Business, an annual reference guide to the local market. For the publication, the Business Journal asks several of the region’s economic development groups and organizations that are economic drivers to check in with a recap of what happened in the past year and what they expect for 2025. Here are excerpts of some of their reports, in their own words. A release party for this year’s Book on Business takes place Feb. 3 at Lumina on Wrightsville Beach, and Business Journal subscribers automatically receive the publication.
WILMINGTON BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
TOP OFFICIAL: Scott Satterfield, CEO
2025 GOALS
- Promote: “WBD will actively engage in ally, investor and partnership development, outreach and education that effectively promote and improve the region, its economic assets, business interests and quality of life.”
- Retain: “WBD will endeavor to support the existing businesses of greater Wilmington and the jobs they represent.”
- Recruit: “WBD will aggressively deploy outreach tools to showcase greater Wilmington as a destination for high-quality economic investors.”
WILMINGTON DOWNTOWN iNC
TOP OFFICIAL: Christina Haley, vice president
2025 GOALS
- Catalyze additional downtown investments and maintain market attractiveness
- Advocate for and support the development of a downtown full-service grocery supermarket
- Secure funding, collaborate with partners and manage the expansion of downtown holiday lighting under the Holidays on Water initiative
- Assist the city of Wilmington with completing the Greater Downtown Area Comprehensive Plan
- Explore the expansion of the WDI’s charter with the city of Wilmington
- Support New Hanover County’s progress with Project Grace
BRUNSWICK BUSINESS & INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT
TOP OFFICIAL: Bill Early, executive director
2025 GOALS
- Attract continued investment in additional spec buildings
- Strengthen product offerings by identifying and developing additional industrial sites in Brunswick County with a focus along the U.S. 17 corridor in the southern portion of Brunswick County
- Continue aggressive digital marketing campaign targeted to site selection consultants
- Increase opportunities for private sector investment in marketing Brunswick County
GREATER WILMINGTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
TOP OFFICIAL: Natalie English, president and CEO
2025 GOALS
- Enhance infrastructure and placemaking efforts across the region, attracting new industries and supporting existing businesses by creating vibrant and attractive spaces as well as institutional facilities needed to attract and develop the workforce
- Focus on talent development, attraction and retention through educational programs, partnerships with educational institutions and initiatives to showcase career opportunities and improve the region’s appeal for skilled professionals
- Address the issue of affordable housing by collaborating with local stakeholders to explore solutions that increase housing accessibility while ensuring sustainable development
- Continue efforts in developing talent pipelines to meet the needs of growing industries in the area
UNCW
TOP OFFICIAL: Aswani Volety, chancellor
2025 GOALS
- Develop degree programs in areas that support regional workforce needs, such as intelligent systems engineering and, at the graduate level, pharmaceutical chemistry, physician’s assistant and physical therapy
- Initiate plans to enhance campus facilities, including a welcome center; academic, cultural and athletic spaces; and student housing
- Further expand New Hanover Healthcare Career Partnership in collaboration with CFCC, New Hanover County Schools and Wilmington Chamber of Commerce and with support from the New Hanover Community Endowment
CFCC
TOP OFFICIAL: Jim Morton, resident
2025 GOALS
- Expansion of Dan and Sheila Saklad Health and Human Services Building (Phase II)
- Expand the number of apprenticeship programs
- Introduce 11 new options, including Neurodiagnostic Technology, Computer Tomography & MRI, Aviation Maintenance Technician, Artificial Intelligence Technology and GEomatics (Land Surveying)
- Surf City Expansion: CFCC received a $4 million allocation in the state budget to expand the Surf City campus.
BCC
TOP OFFICIAL: Gene Smith, president
2025 GOALS
- Increase curriculum program offerings
- Provide additional curriculum courses at night and/or weekends
- Establish a Center for Teaching Excellence for faculty professional development
- Implement short-term workforce training and credentials for industrial maintenance at the Leland Center
- Complete build of Public Safety Building and begin build of Workforce Development Center
WILMINGTON INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
TOP OFFICIAL: Jeff Bourk, airport director
2025 GOALS
- Start terminal expansion phase 6 design
- Continue terminal curb, roadway realignment and parking improvements
- Continue to pursue air service development initiatives and add an additional nonstop route
- Continue to support and grow general aviation
- Continue to add new airside and landside tenant developments
PORT OF WILMINGTON
TOP OFFICIAL: Brian Clark, executive director
2025 GOALS
- Continue work on North Gate relocation to improve the movement of goods for general cargo customers
- Growth of cargo volumes
- Expand global coverage of vessel services
- Engage and support state-wide economic development projects
- Develop the talent pipeline
NEW HANOVER COMMUNITY ENDOWMENT
TOP OFFICIAL: Dan Winslow, president and CEO
2025 GOALS
- “The Endowment has segmented our programs to create the ‘Grants Rainbow’ featuring grants ranging from small Community Grants to large Strategic Grants and Social Impact Investing. We will tailor the application process to be proportionate to the amount being requested.
- In 2025, we will continue to build our team to prepare for our official status as a private foundation in 2028 when the amount of annual awards will increase to 5% of fund value. Highlights will include launch of our internship program for college undergraduate and graduate students, our fellows program to organize and place retirees, stay-at-home parents and other volunteers with community organizations, and creation of our new ‘Research and Impact’ department with units specializing in Research and Innovation, Impact and Accountability.”
See other stories on 2025 Economic Trends:
Manufacturer Eyes Costs, Growth
Tourism Chief Notes Ongoing Trends
Opinion: In 2025, Growth, Opportunity and Local Challenges
Group Shares This Year's To-Do List
Appraiser Shares Forecast
