AGP Executive Report

Rural Pregnancy Care: UNC researchers are developing an AI-powered ultrasound system that could help community clinics provide basic pregnancy scans, reducing long trips for expectant mothers in maternity-care deserts. Biotech: Durham-based Humacyte reported interim Phase 3 results showing women on dialysis reached usable access sooner with its engineered vessel than with a standard fistula. North Carolina Research: NC State and state museum researchers found chemical signatures suggesting some coastal dinosaurs supplemented their diets with seafood washed ashore. Chipmaking and Manufacturing: Sibelco signed a preliminary deal for up to $56 million in federal CHIPS funding for its North Carolina quartz plant; separately, US Conec plans a $149 million Catawba County expansion expected to add 224 jobs. Rural Health: App State and Vaya are teaming up to support healthcare across 12 North Carolina counties.

Advanced Manufacturing: Hickory-based US Conec plans to invest $149.7 million in a new facility, adding 224 jobs to meet demand for optical components used in advanced computing and telecom networks. Rural Connectivity: Columbus County Schools say proposed federal cuts to the E-Rate program could threaten a vital internet lifeline; the district has received about $20 million in support since 1998. Health Research: A Duke Health study found that older women who used vaginal estrogen before hip-fracture surgery were more than twice as likely to develop a postoperative UTI, challenging expectations that the treatment would help prevent infections in this setting. Local Tech: Wilmington software firm nCino is expanding its banking platform with AI-enabled tools for lending and other financial workflows.

Advanced Manufacturing: Hickory-based US Conec plans a $149.7 million expansion, adding 224 jobs and a 200,000-square-foot facility for research, development and production of optical interconnects used in advanced computing and telecommunications. AI Education: Winston-Salem State University is launching an AI safety curriculum for future educators and health workers with a $500,000 grant. Food Allergy Research: UNC researchers received a $7 million NIH grant to study how home environments affect food-allergy risk. Marine Science: North Carolina fisheries officials will invite independent experts to review the state’s blue crab stock assessment Nov. 3–5, with the public able to observe and comment.

Semiconductor Supply Chain: North Carolina is in line for new chip-related investment, including a Sibelco quartz-processing plant announced by Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick. The company has not confirmed the site, though Mitchell County leaders hope it will choose their region, a source of high-purity quartz used in semiconductors. AI Education: Winston-Salem State University will use a $500,000 grant to launch AI safety training for future educators and health workers. Clean Transportation: The state is launching a data-driven program to guide electric-vehicle charger deployment. Coastal Research: UNC Wilmington researchers are investigating how PFAS “forever chemicals” may affect seafood from North Carolina’s coast. Biomedical Training: East Carolina University has landed a federal award to train doctoral researchers in biomedical science.

Smart Energy: North Carolina’s electric cooperatives launched EVConnectNC, a data-driven program that shifts home charging to off-peak hours. Drivers who meet the program’s charging targets can earn up to $120 a year. Water Research: A $75,000 state grant will fund two and a half years of testing at 14 Deep River sites for E. coli, with findings guiding a watershed restoration plan. Health and Climate: A study of older North Carolinians who rely on electric medical devices found that severe hurricane flooding was linked to higher hospitalization and death risks, with worse outcomes for Black residents. Antenna Innovation: NC State researchers have turned laser beams into a metal-free radio antenna that the university says boosts reception by 2.5 times. Semiconductors: New semiconductor investments in North Carolina were announced by President Trump and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick.

Advanced Manufacturing: The Whiskey Project Group has opened a 60,000-square-foot Edenton facility to build and service advanced watercraft for defense and other customers. The Australian company expects to create 30 jobs initially. Water Research: A UNC researcher estimates worsening climate hazards could threaten the reliability of about half of U.S. drinking-water systems by 2050, from flood damage and extreme heat to saltwater intrusion. Wireless Innovation: NC State researchers have turned laser beams into a metal-free radio antenna that boosts reception 2.5 times, according to a new report. Coastal Health: UNCW researchers are studying how “forever chemicals” may affect seafood off the North Carolina coast.

Grid Innovation: North Carolina State researchers tested a megawatt-scale solid-state transformer on a live power grid, routing electricity through an EV charger. The technology could help meet surging demand from AI data centers. UNC Research Funding: UNC-Chapel Hill’s settlement with federal agencies closes 18 civil rights investigations. The university remains eligible for federal grants, contracts and research awards, while agreeing to compliance monitoring through 2028. Advanced Manufacturing: Mocksville-based Renaissance Fiber secured $2.24 million to move its hemp-processing technology into commercial production, using North Carolina’s textile manufacturing base. Power Infrastructure: Conover utility company Utili-Serve plans a $24.8 million expansion, adding a manufacturing facility for grid-control equipment and 105 jobs.

Agriculture Technology: Blue Ridge Community College plans to launch a 16-to-18-week agricultural equipment technician program in August 2027, training students in welding, engine repair and diagnostics. Research Security: UNC-Chapel Hill was one of seven universities recognized by the Pentagon for additional steps to address foreign research ties; reviews across 30 schools led to more than 80 termination-related actions. Powering Tech: A proposed settlement could require tech giants to pay more toward North Carolina grid upgrades as data-center demand grows. Coastal Science: UNCW researchers are studying how “forever chemicals” may affect seafood along the North Carolina coast. Small-Business Innovation: The state opened $2.1 million in technology grants for small businesses.

Clinical Research: FDA clearance lets Research Triangle Park-based United Therapeutics begin a phase 2 trial of inhaled treprostinil for pulmonary hypertension linked to COPD. The study will enroll about 40 patients; a successful result could lead to a phase 3 trial in 2028. Care Technology: Greensboro’s AuthoraCare Collective and Inferenz are developing data and AI tools to improve patient engagement, referrals and coordination in home-based care. Nutrition Science: UNC-Chapel Hill’s Nutrition Research Institute highlighted new work on links between obesity and cancer, blood markers of nutrient intake, and brain development in its annual impact report. Wildlife Conservation: Durham’s Museum of Life + Science sent seven endangered red wolves to a New York conservation center as part of an exchange aimed at supporting the species’ recovery. Data Center Debate: A North Carolina poll found residents want stronger limits on data centers, amid questions about their energy demands and tax incentives.

Aerospace and AI: Boom Supersonic is pursuing a second business making turbines for AI data centers, using technology from its aircraft-engine program. Its Greensboro factory remains central to the company’s supersonic-jet ambitions. Coastal Research: UNCW researchers are studying how “forever chemicals” may affect seafood along the North Carolina coast. Biomedical Training: ECU has landed a federal award to train doctoral researchers in biomedical science. Tech Funding: North Carolina has opened $2.1 million in technology grants for small businesses.

Grid Technology: Conover-based Utili-Serve plans to invest $24.8 million in a new manufacturing facility and add 105 jobs, including production of protective relay panels for utility projects. Child Health: A UNC-Chapel Hill study found noncitizen children in mixed-citizenship families were more than three times as likely to lack health coverage as their citizen siblings; Medicaid and CHIP eligibility is assessed child by child. Energy and Communities: A proposed North Carolina gas pipeline is pitting rural residents against fast-growing energy demand. Research and Training: ECU won a federal award to train doctoral biomedical researchers, while UNCW researchers are studying how “forever chemicals” may affect seafood off the state’s coast.

Defense Technology: Corvid is expanding its Mooresville manufacturing operations with a $95 million defense investment, while a defense autonomy and AI startup plans to open in Washington County. Data Centers: A North Carolina poll found adults want tighter limits on data centers, as concerns grow over their effects on power bills and water use. Research Funding: The state opened $2.1 million in small-business technology grants, and ECU secured a federal training award for doctoral biomedical researchers. Coastal Science: UNCW researchers are studying how “forever chemicals” may affect seafood along the North Carolina coast. Agricultural Innovation: NC State researchers developed a protective fabric that helps strawberry plants resist pests, with the potential to boost yields and reduce pesticide use.

Data Center Debate: The U.S. data-center boom is drawing scrutiny over its scale and tax breaks. In North Carolina, Lee County approved a project despite residents’ concerns about water, power and noise, while a poll found state residents want more limits on data centers. Advanced Manufacturing: Mooresville defense contractor Corvid Technologies plans a $95 million expansion, adding 423 jobs and a 400,000-square-foot facility. Caterpillar is also investing up to $10 million in North Carolina workforce training for increasingly automated manufacturing. Biomedical Research: ECU won its first NIH training award, nearly $2.8 million over five years to prepare doctoral students for biomedical research careers. Agricultural Innovation: NC State researchers found that Plant Armor, a porous fabric first developed for mosquito-resistant military uniforms, can shield strawberry plants from insects and improve yields.

Startup Funding: North Carolina has $2.13 million in grants for small technology firms pursuing federal research funding and turning early ideas into products. Energy and Environment: The state extended comments on the proposed Carolina Lithium mine in Gaston County to Oct. 23; its draft air permit covers emissions from mining and processing. Research: NC State researchers demonstrated a laser-generated plasma antenna that could be adjusted for different radio frequencies, with potential uses in spacecraft. Conservation: A breeding exchange moved 10 critically endangered red wolves between the Museum of Life and Science in Durham and a New York conservation center; fewer than 30 remain in the wild. Water Quality: The Deep River Riverkeeper received $75,000 to sample 14 sites for E. coli and identify pollution sources. Technology Jobs: Mooresville defense company Corvid Technologies plans a $95 million expansion expected to add 423 jobs.

Cancer Care Research: A UNC Lineberger trial at eight North Carolina oncology sites found that financial navigation reduced cancer patients’ financial strain, which can lead people to delay treatment or skip medication. State Science Capacity: DEQ opened its expanded Reedy Creek campus in Raleigh, with upgraded lab space and a new public meeting and training room. Wildlife Conservation: The Museum of Life and Science took part in an interstate breeding exchange to help save endangered red wolves; fewer than 30 remain in the wild. Advanced Manufacturing: Corvid Technologies plans a $95 million expansion of its Mooresville campus, adding 423 jobs and strengthening the state’s defense-engineering sector.

Grid Resilience: A $581 million DOE-backed TVA project will upgrade 84 transmission and distribution projects across eight states, adding about 2.5 gigawatts of capacity and supporting an estimated 800 jobs. Defense Manufacturing: Corvid plans a $95 million North Carolina defense-plant expansion, adding to the state’s growing advanced-manufacturing sector. Pollution Watch: A report says a North Carolina textile plant released PFAS at levels millions of times the EPA limit, raising fresh concerns about contamination and oversight. Cybersecurity Workforce: UNC Wilmington is launching a workforce initiative focused on cybersecurity, aiming to prepare more students for in-demand technology jobs.