Jan. 15, 2003

Media Advisory

Hunt, Officials to Recognize Williamston Industrial Extension Office

- from NC State News Services

Former Gov. James B. Hunt will help celebrate North Carolina’s first county-based Industrial Extension Service (IES) office at a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 17, in the Northeast Technology & Business Center, Williamston. Media coverage is invited.

Hunt will be joined by officials and business leaders from Martin and Bertie counties, as well as by Terri Helmlinger, IES executive director and assistant vice chancellor at North Carolina State University; and Nate Smith, the IES specialist assigned to the counties.

The Williamston office is the first IES office assigned to and partially paid for by county economic development funds, giving businesses and manufacturers exclusive access to the service’s expertise. NC State also contributes to the program’s funding. The county-based pilot program opened in September, 2002.

Until now, the IES has operated out of nine offices across North Carolina serving multiple-county regions.

Created in 1955 by the NC State College of Engineering, the IES is the oldest service of its kind in the nation. Since 2000, the service has returned $302 million in direct annual gain to the state, in jobs saved or profits made, as reported by IES clients. The IES provides expertise in lean manufacturing, quality initiatives and energy savings through education, training and technical assistance. For more information about the service, visit IES.

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Media Contacts:
Jane Albright, 919/515-4380
Paul K. Mueller, News Services, 919/515-3470

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