"Improving and growing the manufacturing base in Southeastern North Carolina"
March 2024 Newsletter
The Cape Fear Manufacturing Partnership (CFMP) newsletter helps keep our manufacturer and service partner members informed on relevant topics in southeastern North Carolina. Send your suggestions on newsletter topics to the editor shown below.
Next CFMP Meeting will be at Champion Valves
Our next CFMP membership meeting will be on Tuesday, May 14 at 4:00pm at Champion Valves Inc., 3111 Kitty Hawk Road, Wilmington, NC 28405. Our guest speaker, Dr. Mouchine Guettabi, UNCW Professor of Economics, will make a presentation on current economic conditions and how they affect the manufacturing sector.
NHCS Career, College, and Community Expo
Mark your calendars: the big day is Tuesday, April 16, 2024, in the heart of Cape Fear Community College's downtown campus. Indoor and outdoor spaces are available for vendors.


For more info: Demarcus Nixon
Manufacturing Summer Camps for 2024
CFCC will host manufacturing summer camps at the north campus on June 17-21 and July 8-12. This year will include a new feature. The students will design and develop a sellable product, which they will present to a group of panelists (supplied by CFMP volunteers) on the last day. For more info contact Erin Easton.
Eric Barton Receives 2024 Impact Award
In presenting this year's Regional Impact Award to Eric Barton, Ginger Brick said, "Eric has been on the Cape Fear Workforce Development Board for the past few years and has been a member of the Finance Committee for the Board. In addition, Eric was one of the original founding members of the Cape Fear Manufacturing Partnership and continues to serve on its Steering Committee."
2024 NC World Trade Association Meeting
Steve Janz of Flow Sciences suggests that CFMP members, especially those who export products, should consider attending the upcoming meeting on April 22 - 4/23/245 at the Blockade Runner.


Steve also suggested that Melissa McGurk from the EDPNC is a valuable resource to us regarding state and federal funds available through various programs.

Cape Fear River Bridge
The Cape Fear Memorial Bridge nighttime closures (7PM-5AM) began 1/11/24. Eastbound lanes closure (24 hrs/day) began 1/28/24. The bridge will reopen for the Azalea Festival from 4/1 to 4/8. After that the bridge will close in the westbound direction until approximately Memorial Day. Click here for info on Go Coast.
BCC Job Fair April 11
Brunswick Community College Career Fair will be held April 11, 2024 at the main campus. Display space is free and there are sponsorship opportunities.


For more info contact Bettina Davidson.
Membership Plaques
More CFMP membership plaques were distributed this month. Photo shows Jim Flock presenting the CFMP membership plaque to Eric Barton of TRITECHFORENSICS. To request a plaque, contact Mike Gawinski.
Leland Hosts Summit
The town of Leland will be hosting Life Science & Medical Technology Summit on April 4, 2024. The event's mission is to bring together industry and academia where each side can hear what the other is working on and develop relationships to further those efforts.

SCC Engineering Academy
Southeastern Community College, Whiteville, NC, is offering an Engineering Academy and Advanced Manufacturing Academy beginning January 23, 2023. Click here to register and view additional classes.
Mfg Con 2024
This year's North Carolina Manufacturing Conference is scheduled for May 13-14, 2024 in Durham, NC. Precision Swiss Products, Inc of Leland, NC will be attending the event. To register for the event Click here.
Forum & Expo 2024
The Brunswick County Chamber of Commerce and South Brunswick Economic Development Committee hosted a successful day long business forum on March 19, 2024. SBEDC is planning more events, which CFMP will publicize as soon as details are finalized.
Special CFMP Hotel Rates through 2024
Fairfield Inn & Suites, 307 Eastwood Road, Wilmington, NC 28403 has negotiated a special Preferred Corporate Customer rate with CFMP which applies to all members for "individual business travel". For more information contact Allie Busse via email or phone 910-442-2903.
CFMP Website Job Postings
Don't forget that CFMP has a website available to all members and partners. You can add your job postings free of charge. Our current "Employment Opportunities" page lists several companies. Click here.
CFMP Newsletters
To find past issues of our CFMP newsletter, check out the CFMP website. Click here





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3200 Corporate Dr, Suite D
Wilmington, NC 28405