Greenville, North Carolina was the 10th largest city in North Carolina in 2008 that is also considered the economic and recreation hub of the state. With a population of 81,747 the city. Greenville also has a very active youth community and the city is known for its young achievers in entertainment and performance sports. Moving to Greenville can open up a number of opportunities for residents young and old.
Economy:
Greenville has been acknowledged by a number of magazines for its qualities. In 2008, it was ranked among the top ten of the "Best Places for Business and Careers" by the Forbes Magazine. The magazine ranked Greenville again in 2010 as 24th in Mid-city Business Growth and Development. Service sector businesses are the most prominent in the area. The largest employer is the Pitt County Memorial Hospital followed by East Carolina University and DSM chemicals. A number of other industries also operate here. The list includes the Lift Truck company, NACCO Materials Handing Group; the carpet yarn company, Karastan-Mohawk; and the fiberglass boats company, Grady-White. Most of the employees of these companies prefer moving to Greenville instead of commuting from nearby towns. The city has a median household income of $34,617 per annum.
History:
The city was first incorporated in 1771 as Martinsborough after the Royal Governor Josiah Martin. The name was changed to Greeneville in 1786 in honour of General Nathanael Greene, a Revolutionary War hero, and then shortened to Greenville. The city was a major exporter of cotton during most of the 19th century. Later it became known as the leader in tobacco marketing and warehouse centres. This image lasted late into the 1960s. However, during this time the enrolments at the East Carolina Teachers College increased tremendously and the name of the institution was changed to East Carolina University. The institution also changed its educational emphasis; this is evident in the expansion of the Medical School at ECU. Today the city has become a major centre in North Carolina for the state's economy and industry. The economy now largely depends on education, medicine and manufacturing for export. Moving to Greenville is a profitable option for most businesses in North Carolina.
Tourism:
Greenville administration gives extra attention to the recreational facilities of the city. There are more than 20 parks in the area and several public pools, tennis courts and golf courses. The administration also runs the city's Greenville Aquatics & Fitness Centre. The centre is present at the Greenville Industrial Park and features numerous facilities including an indoor Olympic standard pool. Greenville is the entertainment and cultural hub for eastern North Carolina. A number of festivals and celebrations are held here every year. A number of theatre groups are also active in the city. The Magnolia Arts Centre and the Greenville Theatre project are the most reputable of them all.