Emerging from a traditional, rural economy, Greenville, NC is now the retail, health care, educational, cultural and sports hub of Eastern North Carolina. The local economy is well diversified with government, wholesale and retail trade, and manufacturing each accounting for approximately 25% of total employment. Agriculture is also a strong contributor to the economy with tobacco, corn, soybeans, wheat, peanuts, eggs, livestock, poultry and vegetables being the primary agricultural products grown and harvested in the area.
A long history of poor socio-economic and educational factors has negatively affected the health status of people in eastern North Carolina. In eastern North Carolina, there is a high level of poverty and citizens often cannot pay for adequate health care. With record high unemployment rates in the state, education and medical jobs are the only professions showing slight growth, yet many primary care facilities also cannot find doctors to work as family practitioners in rural areas.
During Greenville’s early years, the Tar River was a navigable waterway; and by the 1860’s there were several established riverboat lines transporting passengers and goods. Cotton was the leading agricultural crop, and Greenville became a major cotton export center. Before the turn of the century, however, tobacco surpassed cotton and became the leading money crop. Greenville became one of the State’s leading tobacco marketing and warehouse centers. .
Pitt County retains its position as the top retail trade center in the central and northern areas of eastern North Carolina. Taxable sales activity for fiscal year ending June 2008 ($1.49 billion) shows Pitt County ranked at 12th in the state, and the City of Greenville ($1.13 billion) ranks 12th in the state for cities with 5000 or more population.
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Interview with Thomas Irons