The City of Greenville recognized the Greenville ENC Alliance during the November 13 City Council meeting following the organization’s designation as the 2025 Economic Development Organization of the Year by the International Economic Development Council.
City Manager Michael Cowin delivered remarks highlighting the Alliance’s impact and the collaborative approach that has helped drive economic growth across Greenville, Pitt County, and eastern North Carolina over the past five years.
“In 2019, the City of Greenville and GUC came together with the private sector to create a new economic development initiative for our community,” Cowin said. “This was new territory for our city and our region, but it set the stage for driving economic growth not only within Greenville and Pitt County, but across all of eastern North Carolina.”
Cowin emphasized that economic development is often a long-term effort, noting that results can take a decade or more to fully materialize. “I am proud to say that through the Greenville ENC Alliance, this group has really knocked it out of the park over the last six years,” he said.
Over the past 18 months, Cowin pointed to significant project wins, including announcements from Boviet Solar and Nipro Medical Corporation, that are expected to bring more than 1,000 jobs to the community. He also highlighted the organization’s parallel focus on workforce development and infrastructure, including expanded education partnerships and the construction of a new shell building to support future growth.
“What’s most important is that these successes are rooted in strong relationships,” Cowin said. “That includes our partners at East Carolina University, Pitt Community College, GUC, the county, the city, and state and regional partners, all working together to put Greenville, Pitt County, and eastern North Carolina on the map.”
That collective impact has drawn national attention. Cowin noted that the International Economic Development Council awarded the Greenville ENC Alliance three major honors, including a Gold Award for Multimedia Promotion, a Talent Development and Retention Award for the 2024 Better Skills, Better Jobs Career Fair, and the organization’s most prestigious recognition: Economic Development Organization of the Year in the population category of 25,000 to 200,000.
“The judges ranked the organization based on overall community impact and success across partnerships, programs, marketing, and financial performance,” Cowin said.
Earlier this year, the Alliance was also recognized as one of just 88 economic development organizations worldwide to earn IEDC accreditation. This was part of a comprehensive peer-review process that signals excellence and accountability in the profession.
“Earning accreditation tells both our community and prospective investors that the Greenville ENC Alliance has attained a true measure of excellence,” Cowin added. “We are incredibly proud of the work being done to position Greenville and Pitt County as a force in the future economic growth of our region.”
The Greenville ENC Alliance extends its sincere gratitude to the City of Greenville for its continued partnership and support. Together with local, regional, and state partners, the Alliance remains committed to strengthening the community by attracting well-paying jobs, new investment, and long-term opportunities for growth.
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Media Relations Contact:
Maria Satira
Vice President, Marketing and Talent Programming
Greenville Eastern North Carolina Alliance
satira@encalliance.com
252-414-2875
