A long, long runway at the North Carolina Global TransPark® is part of what's powering this growing logistics hub's ability to offer short turn-around times for air cargo delivery. At 11,500 ft., this launching strip is able to accommodate the world's largest cargo jets, fully loaded. Only 12 non-military airports east of the Mississippi can roll out such a welcome mat for companies and their distribution facilities.

Virtually any type aircraft can land on the GTP's 11,500-ft. runway.

        The flight capacity, however, is only the most obvious piece of what has developed in Kinston, North Carolina, a riverbank town with easy access to I-95 and I-40, located within a day's trucking distance of two-thirds of all U.S. commercial facilities. The N.C. Global TransPark, or GTP®, is also distinguished by its on-site Education and Training Center: this magazine has ranked the park #1 for industry training. And, Kinston with its GTP is located in the state Site Selection has most recently judged to be #1 for business climate, for the third consecutive year.
        The surrounding communities and utilities are working with the transportation center's leadership to make the location attractive to companies. Case in point: ElectriCities of North Carolina is the non-profit organization serving cities, towns, and universities that own electric distribution systems. "We consider them an active partner," said Darlene Waddell, executive director of the N.C. Global TransPark. "We work very closely with ElectriCities' economic development division."
        The role of ElectriCities at the GTP has so far involved recruiting prospects and arranging site visits, direct mailing of information, and a promotional brochure, said Brenda Daniels, the agency's economic development manager (brenda.daniels@electricities.com). These services are typical of what ElectriCities does for communities they serve, Daniels added.
        The GTP is now offering 800+ acres (324 hectares) for immediate development, by sale or lease, build-to-suit. A total of 5,775 acres (2,337 hectares) are fully permitted for development. A company choosing to locate here could likely break ground in about 30 days, said Mike Jarman, executive director of home base Lenoir County's Economic Development. "We've got all the infrastructure in place."

One of the advantages of the GTP is its location in a small city with very minimal ground and airport congestion. Cargo operations here aren't competing with heavy passenger traffic for the use of the air facilities, and security measures are easier to deal with. Aircraft can operate 24 hours a day without penalty. The hub is roughly equidistant between the Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill triangle (pop., 1.1 million) and the Atlantic Ocean at Morehead City, with its deepwater state port. During 2002, more than 68 million lbs. of freight were handled at GTP without drivers or pilots having to fight city traffic. Last year Air Cargo News noted that many cargo operators are now seeking alternatives to locating in high-traffic urban areas. GTP is well situated for the logistical strategies of fast cargo delivery.
        The "hardware" now in place at the park includes a 58,800-sq.-ft. (5,463-sq.-m.) cargo building with direct apron access for air cargo and highway access for truck shipments, fully leased since shortly after completion. Among the companies currently represented in or near the park are Segrave Aviation, Lenox China, Moen, Gilbarco, General Service Company, DHL Worldwide Express, Aut-O-Rite Plastics, and Neil Medical. Mountain Aircraft Services/Mountain Air Cargo and Volvo Aero are working together at GTP in a major aircraft parts reclamation project.

The on-site state-of-the-art Education and Training Center is a big part of the draw of this new hub. "Prospects have been absolutely astonished by it," Waddell said. There is no comparable facility in North Carolina. Free job-specific worker training is available to new and expanding industry, in conjunction with 11 community colleges in the region. The 32,500 sq.-ft. (3.019-sq.-m.) center offers cutting-edge computer labs, fully-equipped high-ceilinged bays for training on large industrial equipment, a fiber optic network connecting every room, and a video recording studio.
        Air facilities include GTP's instrument landing system that is to be upgraded to Category III. "That means virtually any type aircraft can land on our runway system," Waddell said.
        The "software" at GTP includes the special financing options and the formidable work force. In a state that ranks high in productivity, the GTP area labor pool includes 12,000 skilled workers brought in by the area's military bases.
        The Foreign Trade Zone here is another benefit. Expansion sites are located in two other Eastern North Carolina towns, Rocky Mount and Tarboro, both sites scheduled for activation by spring 2004.

The man behind the Global Transpark idea, Jack Kasarda, has predicted that when fully formed, the Transpark network will deliver between any two locations in the world in 48 hours or less. Kasarda, director of the Kenan Institute of Private Enterprise at UNC-Chapel Hill, continues to advise the GTP Authority. The Kinston Free Press, the local newspaper, which has closely covered the development of this emerging hub, reported in October 2003 that Kasarda's premise is "survival of the fastest." The N.C. Global TransPark, Jarman said, is "poised and ready."

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