EDR Participates In NC Rural Economic Summit

Mark Pope, the president of EDR, and Trey Cash, the Economic Development Director for Greene and Lenoir Counties, actively participated in the summit events held at East Carolina University. The summit’s goal is to create strong networks of passionate, engaged, and innovative business leaders in rural North Carolina. These leaders are eager to share ideas and resources and take action to strengthen their small communities throughout the state.

Day one saw Mark Pope as the moderator for the Education and Workforce discussion with panelists Dr. Rusty Hunt, President of Lenoir Community College, and Ray Staats, College President of Craven Community College, discussing the Workforce development and education initiatives supporting the growing Aerotech industry.

On day two, Trey Cash received Business North Carolina’s Trail Blazers award and then joined Chris Loignon, Owner of Fleet Feet, and Brent Wright, Owner of 5050 Storage Partners, as panelists during the Trailblazer Panel.

The Trail Blazers award is given to North Carolinians under 40 who are blazing trails in NC. Trailblazers are North Carolinians under 40 who are achieving significant business success and making a positive impact in communities with populations under 150,000.

EDR was glad to participate in the NC Rural Economic Summit, which addressed the challenges, opportunities, and collaboration of businesses and business supporters in rural North Carolina.