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Tourism and business-development briefings highlight cyclist economic gains and a strategic framework for growth
Summary
Visit Goldsboro Wayne County and a contracted business-development consultant told council that events like Cycle NC and Wings Over Wayne produced measurable tourism impacts and presented a strategic framework recommending a business liaison, revitalization corridors, entrepreneurship hubs and targeted marketing.
Council received two related presentations aimed at boosting Goldsboro’s economic development and visitor economy.
Travel and Tourism: The city’s tourism representatives reported on fiscal-year 2025 accomplishments, including hosting Cycle NC (about 750 cyclists from 38 states plus Canada, Scotland and England) and achieving a platinum marketing award. The tourism chair said the cyclist event generated an estimated $86,000 in local economic impact (hotel nights and food purchases) and highlighted the upcoming Wings Over Wayne air show at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base.
Business development strategy: Consultant Crystal Morphis presented a draft strategic framework developed with staff and local partners. Recommended year-one actions include designating a single point of contact — an assistant city manager or development-services director serving as a business liaison/ombudsman — inventorying vacant and underutilized properties, identifying revitalization corridors and neighborhood activity nodes, exploring entrepreneurship hub options (potentially partnering with the community college), and creating a marketing plan and toolkit to sell Goldsboro as a place to do business. Morphis also suggested reviewing the city business-license fee (noting it produces about $40,000 annually) and considering incentive tools used by peer cities.
Council members praised staff and the consultant, asked for one-on-one briefings, and directed staff to collect council feedback so a final draft can be returned for adoption and integration into staff work plans.
Council’s next steps: staff will schedule follow-up meetings and one-on-ones with the consultant, circulate a final draft after feedback, and, if adopted, incorporate the strategic framework into departmental programs.
