Genesis Block Expands Conversations to Contracts and Innovation Infrastructure to Jacksonville NC

In 2023, Conversations to Contracts facilitated over $330,000 in secured contracts with over $260,000 potential deals remaining in the pipeline.

Genesis Block is excited to announce the expansion of Conversations to Contracts to Jacksonville, North Carolina. This will mark the first official expansion of Genesis Block into communities outside of Wilmington, North Carolina. The event is scheduled to take place on May 30,2024, in Jacksonville at the Sturgeon City Environmental Education Center.

In July 2023, Site Selection Magazine ranked Jacksonville as one of the top 50 cities in the United States for small business development. The city ranked 22nd in the report citing its advantages of economic stability due to the military installations and having one of the youngest labor forces in the country. The New Bridge Street project will bring improvements to storm water, sidewalks, street lighting, landscaping, medians and delivery areas providing the infrastructure to more efficiently develop the corridor.

The New Bridge Street project is expected to be complete by fall of 2024, and once complete, New Bridge Street will be one lane in each direction with a transition between landscaped medians and loading zones.

In June 2023, Genesis Block was invited by the City of Jacksonville to discuss partnering on the development of an innovation corridor in downtown Jacksonville. The Genesis Block vision is to build innovation and entrepreneur development infrastructure as part of the downtown revitalization project. The Jacksonville Downtown Master Plan focuses on key areas to revitalize the downtown area including activation of New River and the development of waterfront properties, elimination of blight and encouragement of mixed-use development and improvement of streetscapes and tourist experiences.

Conversations to Contracts is the first step in the process of developing the components to develop an innovation neighborhood in downtown Jacksonville, North Carolina. The knowledge spillover that takes place when you have entrepreneurs, business owners, professionals, politicians, financial institutions, government agencies and community leaders in one environment provides the appropriate environment for transformation.

“Our mission is to support communities with a quality training apparatus, production facilities and the innovation infrastructure to create environments that develop great entrepreneurs and launch businesses with high success rates. Conversations to Contracts is our launch pad for that process so we are excited bring the platform to Jacksonville and launch the actionable steps to develop small businesses in the community. Block Eatz, Block Kitchenz, Block Academy and our other brands will follow to support entrepreneurs and founders with production spaces, brand development and potential workforce housing options as the development progresses,” states Genesis Block CEO Girard Newkirk.

In 2023, Conversations to Contracts had over 500 attendees and the largest network of diverse owned businesses in the Cape Fear region.

Here are the benefits and reasons for participation in Conversations to Contracts:

As a diverse owned business, why should I attend Conversations to Contracts?

• Visibility: Garner invaluable exposure in front of a concentrated audience seeking diversity in business relationships.
• Networking: Form strategic alliances with other diverse-owned businesses and potential clients.
• Knowledge & Skill-building: Gain actionable insights from workshops tailor-made for Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs).
• Access to Capital: Meet and engage with financial institutions to explore your growth opportunities.

Why should I become an exhibitor at Conversations to Contracts?

• Diverse Market: Access a market that is actively seeking to diversify their business relationships.
• Credibility: Associate your brand with an event focused on inclusion, diversity, and community development.
• Direct Engagement: Communicate directly with decision-makers, bypassing the usual barriers to entry.
• Strategic Partnerships: Align your business with organizations committed to diversity, enhancing your brand’s values.
• Expand Customer Base: Leverage this platform to convert meaningful conversations into profitable contracts.

As a member of the general public, why should I attend Conversations to Contracts?

• Register for free to attend our Conversations to Contracts event.
• Meet the founders in your community and make 2024 a year to intentionally support local and diverse-owned businesses.
• Be inspired to start your own business!

We are excited to partner with the City of Jacksonville and local leaders to advance entrepreneurship in Onslow County.

For the latest developments at Genesis Block, follow us on these digital platforms.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/genesisblockilm

Twitter: https://twitter.com/block_ilm

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/genesis-block-ilm

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/genesisblockilm

Medium: https://genesisblkilm.medium.com/

Greater Wilmington Business Journal: https://www.wilmingtonbiz.com/insights/girardnewkirk/237