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The nation is facing growing economic challenges, but Greenville, some experts say, is good for business.
Forbes Magazine pegged Greenville as the eighth-best small metro for business and careers in its annual rankings, released last month. Greenville is the state's only city ranked among the top 75 of its classification, though Raleigh was tops in the metro category for the second straight year.
"We're always pleased when we are recognized," Mayor Pat Dunn said. "I think it says something about Greenville. There are a lot of resources that make us an attractive place to do business."
Forbes' rankings analyzed 179 small metro areas with populations less than 240,000, evaluating them on nine factors such as job and income growth, living cost index, migration trends and crime rate. Each city was then assigned a numerical position for each category in relation to the other communities.
Greenville received its highest marks in the two areas weighed heavier than the others — cost of doing business and education attainment — but it had one of the worst crime rates.
Dunn said the Forbes ranking suggests Greenville is a dynamic city with a dynamic leadership.
"We are a business-friendly community," she said. "We work together in partnerships, and that has led to the success we have had."
Both Dunn and Susanne Sartelle, president of the Greenville-Pitt County Chamber of Commerce, referred to the importance of having East Carolina University and Pitt County Memorial Hospital as part of the local economy.
ECU and PCMH are two of the largest employers in the county, with a combined workforce of more than 10,000.
"We have a couple of industries that make it a very stable economy," Sartelle said, "and we have a pretty educated workforce."
Sartelle said Greenville's growth proves it is no longer one of the "best kept secrets."
Don Edwards, president of the University Book Exchange, said ECU makes the community less susceptible to swings in the market. With its Division 1 athletics, the university is what makes the livabilty and business aspects so appealing, he said.
Local businessman Britt Laughinghouse, whose family has owned Bostic Sugg Furniture since 1947, said Greenville provides the quality of life of a much larger city without all of the headaches.
"It's the quality of life that is equally as important as the business aspect," Laughinghouse said. "We've become the hub of eastern North Carolina."
Still, Dunn and Sartelle pointed out areas the city is working to improve.
Dunn said transportation is always an issue, and Sartelle said the chamber is working to embrace diversity and promote inclusiveness in the business community.
"The work never ends," Sartelle said. "It just motivates you to work harder."
