Monday, September 27, 2010

Experts will offer a glimpse into the economic future of southeastern North Carolina and the impact that the military's Base Realignment and Closure Commission's (BRAC) plan may have on the region at the 2010 UNCW Economic Outlook Conference (EOC).

The annual conference at University of North Carolina Wilmington will be 8 to 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 5 in the Warwick Center. The business community can register online at www.uncw.edu/eoc. Media will be provided with a press packet and interview opportunities.

The EOC is southeastern North Carolina's premier forum for economic forecasts. UNC Wilmington faculty Tom Simpson and Woody Hall will highlight both regional and national economic forecasts focused on the key trends, challenges and opportunities that have had and will have an impact on the area.

The conference will include a focus on the BRAC plan that will result in the transfer of tens of thousands of military and their families to Camp Lejeune in Jacksonville and Fort Bragg in Fayetteville. The shift is expected to affect the region's population, real estate, job pool, short-or long-term vacation expenditures and other economic indicators.

Maj. Gen.Robert C. Dickerson, USMC (Ret.), who serves on the board of directors for the N.C. Military Foundation, will be the keynote speaker. Scott Dorney, executive director of the NC Military Business Center, Richard McGraw, former official with the Department of Defense, and Col. Don Porter, US Army (Ret.), will explain how businesses in southeastern N.C. can benefit from this influx of residents and serve them in the process.

The conference will include a panel discussion on the real estate sectors with local experts Teresa Huffmon from Coldwell Banker Commercial, Chris Livengood from Intracoastal Realty and Ralph Huff from H&H Homes based in Fayetteville, N.C.

For more information on the EOC, and to see highlights from last year's conference, visit www.uncw.edu/eoc.

Woody Hall and Tom Simpson are available for media interviews in the days prior to this event.

Media Contact:
Joy Davis, UNCW Marketing and Communications, 910.632.3903 or davisjc@uncw.edu