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Oral History Interview with Sherwood Smith, March 23, 1999. Interview I-0079. Southern Oral History Program Collection (#4007).
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  • Abstract
    Sherwood Smith, chairman of the board of Carolina Power and Light (CP&L) reflects on the energy business, and business in general, in North Carolina from the 1960s to the late 1990s. As he moves from describing his role at CP&L to reflections on the wider economic life of North Carolina, Smith produces a picture of a state dedicated to economic growth and the intellectual and physical infrastructure to encourage it.
    Excerpts
  • A brief history of nuclear power in the U.S.
  • Absence of unions and other factors make for business-friendly environment
  • Huge role of regulation in nuclear power industry
  • Impact of environmentalism on CP&L
  • Conservation drives interest in nuclear energy
  • Growth factors in North Carolina
  • Various politicians help spur growth in North Carolina
  • Self-interest should drive companies to community contribution
  • Impact of physical space on networking
  • Growth of Research Triangle Park
  • Comparing Research Triangle Park and Global Transpark
  • Local expansion of North Carolina businesses, with help from the government
  • Integration went smoothly in North Carolina businesses
  • Women enter North Carolina workforce
  • Rosy future for North Carolina business
  • Learn More
  • Finding aid to the Southern Oral History Program Collection
  • Database of all Southern Oral History Program Collection interviews
  • Subjects
  • North Carolina--Politics and government--1951-
  • Research Triangle Park (N.C.)
  • Carolina Power and Light Company
  • Electric utilities--North Carolina--History--20th century
  • Nuclear industry--North Carolina
  • North Carolina Global TransPark Authority
  • Smith, Sherwood H.
  • The Southern Oral History Program transcripts presented here on Documenting the American South undergo an editorial process to remove transcription errors. Texts may differ from the original transcripts held by the Southern Historical Collection.

    Funding from the Institute for Museum and Library Services supported the electronic publication of this title.