Developing Entrepreneurship and Innovation in Rural Southeastern

North Carolina

Dr. Michael Menefee & Dr. Len HolmesUniversity of North Carolina at Pembroke

North Carolina

The UNCP Area

Total population in Robeson County = 134,168

Economic Issues

• Highest poverty rate (31%) in North Carolina

• 8,708 manufacturing jobs lost in less than twenty years

• Manufacturing jobs fell from 31% of all jobs to 15% of all jobs in less than twenty years

• Increases in unemployment and bankruptcies

• Decreases in household income and business tax revenue

Agents of Change: University of North Carolina-Pembroke

UNC Pembroke provides educational and development programs for students and the community

Agents of Change: Small Business Technology & Development

Center • Provide management counseling and educational

services to small and mid-sized businesses.

• Help start-up and established businesses meet today's challenges and plan for the future.

• Offers specialize market development assistance for:

– Government procurements

– International business

– Technology development and

commercialization

• Facilities for new and existing businesses

• Economic incentives through the state and county

• Training program on site through Robeson Community College

• Business park for small business leasing

Agents of Change:Carolina Commerce and Technology Center (COMtech)

• Educational Programs for UNCP students– Certificate, Minor, BSBA Concentration

– MBA Track, Music Business, Interdisciplinary Studies

• Research

• Business consulting

• Entrepreneurship Summits

• Meetings and engagements

• Future Plans – Angel Funds

– Incubator

Agents of Change: Thomas Family Center for Entrepreneurship

Innovations inAgricultural Biotechnology

Dr. Len Holmes & Dr. Michael MenefeeUniversity of North Carolina at Pembroke

UNCP Biotechnology Research and Training Center

Mission:

Provides leadership, education and advocacy to make Southeast North Carolina the best place to live, work and visit.

Theory-into-Practice environment for:

• education and training• research• technology development and transfer• regional economic transformation

Goals of the UNCP Biotechnology Center

• Increase the number of higher-paying biotechnology jobs• Increase the pipeline for underrepresented populations in biotechnology• Offer entrepreneurs technology, business support and connection to capital sources

Laboratory space includes:

→ Bench-to-Pilot Scale Fermentation Suite→ Microbiology /Molecular Genetics Laboratory→ Biochemistry and Preparative Lab→ Visiting Researcher space

Selected Agricultural Biotechnology Projects

UNCP-COMtech Honey Bee Project Mass Production of Biological Nematode Insecticides

UNCP-COMtech Honey Bee Project

• Principal Investigator: Dr. Charles Harrington, Professor of Business Administration

•Maintain and culture honey bees• Education and promote beekeeping• Sale of bees to area farmers• Involve faculty and staff at UNC Pembroke

• Established 20 acre Honey Bee Park with COMtech Partner

Future projects include:• Sale of UNCP Honey• Investigations into prevention and treatment of honey bee disease

GIS map of hive groups

Hive Management Techniques

Population management Integrated pest control Honey flow management and product quality control Queen rearing Seasonal hive management

Mass Production of Beneficial Nematodes

Question: What are beneficial nematodes?

Answer: Nematodes are microscopic roundworms that that occur naturally in soil and are parasitic to insect pest that have a larval or pupal

stage of life.

Question: How do beneficial nematodes work?

Answer: The beneficial nematode penetrates into the body of the insect pest and proliferates, killing the insect host.

Question: Is the agricultural use of beneficial nematodes regulated by the federal government?

Answer: Beneficial nematodes are exempt from federal regulation (USDA, EPA) because they pose no threat nor are they harmful to animals or humans.

Question: How are beneficial nematodes applied?

Answer: Nematode product cultures are simply mixed with water and applied using a sprayer or watering can.

Product Description

• “Brave-Guard” is an effective insecticide for gardens, greenhouses and agricultural crops

• Sold as a live nematode culture packed in proprietary medium

• Available in packs for treating garden to acres size plantings

• Simple to store, prepare and apply

• Organic and environmentally friendly

• Protects against:

Economic Potential

Limited manufacturing supply, world-wide

Integrated pest management and biocontrol use

Marketed regionally because of UNCP location in the heart of North Carolina agriculture

National Internet marketing being developed in collaboration with the UNCP Regional Center for Economic Development

Intellectual Property protection being developed in collaboration with Dr. Michael Menefee and the UNCP Thomas Center for Entrepreneurship

With current production capacity, “Brave-Guard” can gross> $150,000 per year

Challenge: Investment capital for labor, equipment maintenance and supplies

Production labor is approximately 20% of gross

Ms. Ashley “Nicole” Norris – Biotechnology StudentMr. Floyd Inman – Lead Microbiologist & Research Supv.