Last week, I addressed the crucial risks of neglecting investment in emerging technology at a national level. Historically, tech superiority has been a marker of global dominance and economic health. Unfortunately, the current administration in Washington, D.C., showcases a short-sighted approach toward technology investments. However, the silver lining is the proactive stance taken by various local communities, particularly one less than an hour from Raleigh—Wilson, North Carolina.
Wilson, North Carolina: A Beacon of Technological Innovation
Recently, I had the honor of serving as the emcee for the Gig East Summit in Wilson, NC. This event marked its ninth edition, dedicated to entrepreneurship, arts, science, and technology (EAST). The summit gathered not only the Wilson community but also neighboring regions in Eastern North Carolina. Amid federal cutbacks in investments at the National Science Foundation and the National Institutes of Health, Wilson is making deliberate strides to secure its future through technology.
This approach isn’t politically charged; it’s a clear recognition by local leaders that scientific discovery and technology commercialization, supported by education and entrepreneurship, create economic opportunities. The community’s focus on fostering a vibrant arts and entertainment scene contributes significantly to the high quality of life residents enjoy. However, building such an environment requires dedication from local leadership to send a welcoming message to the private sector.
The Importance of Education in Building a Talent Pipeline
When speaking with corporate leaders about their criteria for establishing operations, two factors consistently emerge: affordability and talent. Smaller communities like Wilson have a notable advantage over larger cities when considering affordability for companies and residents. Coupled with a robust talent pipeline trained in future-ready skills like Artificial Intelligence, Internet of Things (IoT), data science, and software development, Wilson becomes an attractive destination for job creation.
How does Wilson nurture this talent pipeline? One key initiative involves experiential learning opportunities directly tied to city assets:
Whirligig Monitoring: Wilson engaged students from NC State to design an IoT sensor system that monitors the health of the town’s famous Whirligigs. These whimsical structures create vibration patterns in the wind, and the students developed a low-power system to alert when anomalies occur, allowing for timely maintenance.
Environmental Monitoring for Agriculture: In collaboration with RIoT, students from ECU developed an environmental platform for characterizing micro-climates in controlled agriculture environments. Wilson is also building a commercialization testbed facility for local farmers to explore smart agriculture technologies while giving entrepreneurs a platform to launch ag-focused startups.
- Smart Agriculture Curriculum: Wilson Community College is set to launch a smart agriculture curriculum in the fall that covers new technology trends in agriculture. This initiative includes courses on drone usage and autonomous tractor programming, ultimately preparing graduates who are both tech-savvy and business-oriented.
Innovative Government Utilization of Technology
Wilson’s history of piloting new technologies showcases its dedication to improving government efficiency and enhancing city services. Notably, Wilson was the first city in North Carolina to implement municipal gigabit broadband, a critical utility in today’s data-driven economy.
One less-publicized benefit of this investment is the deployment of smart gas meters alongside the broadband network, enabling more accurate predictions of community gas needs, resulting in significant savings for the city.
At the recent summit, several innovative smart city initiatives were announced:
VisionCraft Cameras: Wilson is conducting tests with VisionCraft, a European business, utilizing smart camera technology that processes data on-site, eliminating privacy concerns by ensuring no video is recorded. This could even lead to the company’s US headquarters being established in Wilson, emphasizing the town’s commitment to tech advancement.
- Geothermal and Stormwater Management: The public works department implemented a geothermal system downtown that incorporates porous surfaces capable of filtering stormwater, educating students about energy efficiency technologies alongside practical benefits for the community.
Entrepreneurship and Job Creation
The Gig East Summit highlighted a myriad of entrepreneurs setting up businesses in Wilson and the larger Eastern NC area. The day concluded with a pitch competition featuring startups from RIoT’s Accelerator Program. Here’s a glimpse of the innovative companies making waves:
Aero Revive: Founded by Austin Overton, this company specializes in refinishing aircraft, addressing a critical backlog for aging light aircraft owners.
Honey B. Fit: Morgan Grady transitioned from teaching to entrepreneurship, helping women tackle fitness and wellness challenges through social media-driven marketing.
Cordiform Coffee: Payten Glover demonstrated that specialty coffee can thrive in rural areas, successfully expanding her business with online ordering options.
Little Dipper Interactive: This duo is developing a cozy video game centered around bees and has built a thriving community on Twitch.
X-Tra Space: Jonathan Boswell and Marisol Sanchez’s platform allows individuals to share extra storage space, akin to Airbnb but for physical items, emerging as a fresh startup idea gaining traction.
- Shuttle Works: Scott Thomas created a real-time map for independent shuttle operators, enhancing operational efficiency for a significantly overlooked market.
The Payoff of Tech Investments
The landscape of investment in emerging technologies has significantly changed. No longer limited to the federal government or large corporations, small towns like Wilson are embracing technology with minimal cost barriers. With affordable access to wireless networks, cloud infrastructure, AI tools, and IoT devices, opportunities for innovation are more accessible than ever.
Communities that embed a culture of technology experimentation and welcome novel ideas will undoubtedly thrive. They enhance the quality of life, improve operational efficiency, and create a sustainable financial model for future investments.
In today’s world, attracting top talent requires more than just welcoming new companies; it also involves creating an attractive living environment for remote workers, whose salaries circulate through local economies, thereby benefiting restaurants and retail businesses.
So, if you haven’t yet explored Wilson, consider spending a day at the Gig East Exchange, Wilson’s municipal coworking space, or engage with the Greenlight team for insights into tech-forward community building.
I’m thrilled to witness other communities following Wilson’s innovative lead as RIoT gears up for a new startup accelerator programming in Pittsboro. Across regions, investment in education, technology development, and experimentation will set the groundwork for economic success.
In closing, the journey towards technological excellence is challenging yet rewarding. As communities prioritize tech investments, they will become leaders in cultural and economic growth. Remember, technology superiority is paramount for a thriving economy—let’s ensure everyone is invested in that vision.
