Consultant presents economic development recommendations

By Sue Book, Sun Journal Staff

Craven County’s best bet to successfully grow jobs and its economy appears to be recruiting businesses of 100 employees or less and having shell buildings ready for them to quickly modify and move in, a consultant said last Thursday.

Kyle S. Talente, vice president of the economic planning and real estate consulting firm RKG Associates Inc., made that recommendation to about 50 other area leaders at a presentation at the New Bern Riverfront Convention Center.

Havelock Commissioner Danny Walsh suggested that having shell buildings ready was a step that had been debunked in economic development philosophy not that long ago.

But Talente said his analyses of the times and place show the theory of being ready for occupants has come full circle. More here.