Campbell Business to partner with Harnett County for Economic Development, Innovations in Healthcare

BUIES CREEK — Campbell University’s Lundy-Fetterman School of Business and Harnett County Economic Development will join forces to host two events focused on innovation, entrepreneurship and business growth in Harnett County, and for another event centered on Entrepreneurship in Healthcare.
The first event, “Grow Harnett County!” will be held Tuesday, Sept. 1 at the Jerry M. Wallace School of Osteopathic Medicine. Campbell Business School Lundy Chair of the Philosophy of Business Boris Abbey, the Adam Smith Club, and Harnett County Economic Development Director Nick Dula have organized and orchestrated the event. As a team, they have selected a panel of experts who specialize in rural economic development. The speakers will address opportunities and challenges for civic entrepreneurial development in Harnett County. The event is open to the public and area entrepreneurs, small business owners and civic leaders are encouraged to attend.
“I am excited and honored to build a long-term relationship with Harnett County so Campbell Business can utilize our resources to assist Harnett County’s growth opportunities,” Abbey said. “As the new Lundy Chair, I have an expansive vision of how Campbell University will develop innovative, real-world solutions to solve the challenges of a rural community. I have personally committed over 120 students to conduct research, formulate innovative ideas, and solve issues that will assist Harnett County — ranging from nonprofits, small businesses and larger firms that want to expand their opportunities.
“I have taught at other universities that have no recognition in their community,” Abbey said.” When I drive around Harnett County, the community’s pride for Campbell University is evident, and Campbell University is proud of our county.”
Dula called Campbell one of Harnett County’s greatest assets.
“The academic and athletic programs at Campbell have raised the profile of Harnett County,” Dula said. “Campbell is tremendous for attracting talent to our county and we are excited to have the opportunity to partner with Campbell Business for this economic symposium. The symposium will allow Campbell Business students to interact with local economic development professionals and to engage with the community. The project ideas and student-community relationships that stem from this will greatly benefit Harnett County and will lay the foundation for more student engagement in the future.”
Abbey said he is also committed to integrating entrepreneurship across the schools at Campbell and he wants to expand this philosophy in Harnett County.
“Most individuals and business owners work independently,” he said. “With my 10 years of consulting experience, I know there are strong synergies when people in different fields work together. My long-term objective is to create partnerships, not only at the different schools at Campbell, but also throughout Harnett County. My motto has always been, ‘Team Work is Dream Work.’ If we all work together for a common goal, with a solidified vision, we can accomplish more than we can as individuals.”
Abbey and the Adam Smith Club are also working with Campbell Business Associate Professor  LeJon Poole and the Healthcare Management Club, focusing on health care entrepreneurship at the annual Healthcare Management Symposium in November.
More information on this event is forthcoming. Campbell is looking for additional partnerships in the healthcare community in Harnett County and all inquiries are welcome.