Southeastern Economic

  Development Commission

  103-A West Broad Street

  Post Office Box 921

  Elizabethtown, NC 28337

  (910) 862-6985

  Fax (910) 862-6986

  sedc@ec.rr.com

 

 

 

 

Robeson map.png (1232636 bytes)Robeson County

Satirically called "the State of Robeson", Robeson County boasts a large supply of economic development opportunities along with its massive size.  The second largest county in North Carolina, it encompasses an area of 944 square miles.   Interstate 95, running through the county seat of Lumberton, connects the area to other counties within North Carolina, and other states along the eastern seaboard.   This makes Robeson a central hubbub of travel, tourism, and industry. 

Robeson County is not only big, but still growing.  Its 1997 population of 112,994,  is a 7.4% change since 1990.   This number is expected to steadily increase in the coming years to 119, 081 in 2006. 

Chartered in 1787, Robeson County was home to native Lumbee Indians, and later, English, Scottish, and French settlers.  Newcomers were attracted by the soil richness, long growing season, and agricultural potentialities of the region.  The residents were mainly small farmers, hardy, self-sufficient, and determined to cultivate the region.

These characteristics of the first "Robesonians" have remained unchanged.  Today, Robeson County supports a labor force of 54,160.  Over 15,000 workers dedicate themselves daily to over 100 area industries.  These companies include Jasper Textiles, Westpoint Pepperell, Acme Transformer, and Willamette Industries.

Robeson County is home to two colleges. Robeson Community College is located in Lumberton, and lies adjacent to Interstate 95.  The University of North Carolina at Pembroke is just 15 miles northwest in the Town of Pembroke.00010066.jpg (26935 bytes)

Newcomers and visitors to the county enjoy a wide range of recreational activities.  These include canoeing on the scenic Lumber River Byway and State Park, observing Native American arts and crafts at the Native American Resource Center, or playing golf at the prestigious Pinecrest Country Club.

Other items of interest regarding Robeson County are: 
All of Robeson County's twenty major employers are union free.
Robeson County is a strategic interchange for Interstate 95.  The County is also serviced by US Highways 301 and 74, and NC Highways 211, 711, 72, and 41.
Robeson County offers readily available water, wastewater treatment, solid waste disposal, electricity, natural gas, and communications.