A great place to work and live

Whiteville, North Carolina, is the busy hub of Columbus County and a regional shopping center.

Activity in Whiteville, population 5,600, often makes it seem like a larger city, but Whiteville is still a place where people greet each other by name and residents offer friendly waves to those passing by.

Whiteville and Columbus County, population 51,000, offer excellent business opportunities and a high quality of affordable living.

The area is growing. Business is attracted to the low taxes and the willingness of economic leaders to make things happen An industrial park - adjacent to training facilities of Southeastern Community College - offers ample land, water, sewer, natural gas and access to railroads and a four-lane, divided highway that will become Interstate 74. A second industrial park is also being developed, and there is a business "incubator" to promote the start-up of small businesses.

Whiteville's proximity to the coast - only a short drive to Wilmington and Myrtle Beach - makes the area attractive to retirees and others who desire a tight-knit community while living only 40 minutes from some of the finest golfing and recreational opportunities in the world.

Within Columbus County are three wild, scenic rivers that are mostly undeveloped, and noted for their beauty and solitude. Pristine Lake Waccamaw, is a popular spot for vacationers and feeds into the Green Swamp - home to countless deer, bear and exotic plants. Recreational opportunities abound at Lake Waccamaw State Park, Lumber River State Park and Friars Swamp Wildlife Management Area.

White perch, largemouth bass, bream, crappie and catfish are among the species anglers land in the rivers and at Lake Waccamaw. Lake Waccamaw also has an active sailing club that has hosted state and national tournaments, as well as an arena that frequently holds sanctioned rodeos and horse shows and other events.

Sports fans take note: Whiteville has been dubbed "Baseball Town USA" by ABC News. Several professional players hail from the county, and the county's high schools are perennial contenders for state titles.

Medical care is excellent. The county has a 140-bed hospital with a wide variety of diagnostic and cardiac services offered in conjunction with Duke University Medical Center. The hospital recently opened a spacious new outpatient treatment center, including a comprehensive physical rehabilitation clinic.

Southeastern Community College is one of the county's top assets. SCC has highly acclaimed nursing, forestry and park ranger programs, and sends scores of students on to public and private universities.

Whiteville and Columbus County offers the best of the South- a temperate climate, beautiful natural resources, a new, progressive attitude, and a sense of community among people who believe they live in the greatest place on earth.