This Week at NCDOT: Global Transpark and NC Port Expansions by
RALEIGH – The following are highlights from this week at the N.C. Department of Transportation. The stories below are also featured in NCDOT Now, the department’s weekly newscast. Global Transpark and Spirit Aerosystems North Carolina’s status as a global economic competitor is increasing with recent announcements that will boost the state’s aerospace and maritime industries. Gov. Cooper recently announced a $ 57 million expansion of Spirit Aerosystems, one of the world’s largest independent suppliers of commercial airplane parts, at the North Carolina Global Transpark. This multi-modal business park, located in Kinston with 1,350 employees, supports the manufacturing and logistics needs of the aviation, aerospace, defense, emergency response and advanced materials industries. Since opening its facilities at Global Transpark in 2010, Spirit Aerosystems has invested more than $ 206 million in the eastern region of the state. To learn more about the facility, visit Global Transpark online. NC Ports Expansion The North Carolina State Ports Authority also had two recent announcements that show their investments in expansion are paying off. The Port of Wilmington announced this week the addition of both phase one and two to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Southeast In-Transit Cold Treatment Pilot program. More than ever before, this will allow more direct imports of produce from across the Americas and other countries in the Cold Treatment Program – including fruits like blueberries, grapes, apples, pears and citrus. Cold treatment is a process where perishable fruits have their pulp brought to a certain temperature in order to fulfill USDA quarantine requirements for fruits entering the United States. What separates the Port of Wilmington from other members in the pilot program is its ability to participate in phase two, which allows refrigerated cargo to finish its treatment schedule on terminal before being discharged. Additionally, the Port of Wilmington recently announced a partnership with Crowley Maritime Corporation to offer weekly, fixed-day shipping and logistics services between the Port, Guatemala and Honduras. This service means the Port is Crowley’s northernmost Atlantic coast destination for cargo making its way into the United States from Central America. Additional information about the ports and their capabilities are available at the NC Ports website.
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