Business designed to welcome newcomers to Havelock

A freshly launched business called New Neighbors of Havelock is seeking to help newcomers transition to the city by distributing civic and consumer information.

Havelock native Linda Caccavaro, now living in New Bern, runs the business and is urging other Havelock businesses to get involved.

"The growth in Havelock is just going to be overwhelming," Caccavaro said. "I want to help as much as I can to get your name out to new residents."

Caccavaro said she will be identifying new residents and making personal visits to as many as possible. She will carry with her a basket filled with civic information, a letter from Havelock Mayor Jimmy Sanders, maps of the region and the state, and brochures from the Havelock Chamber of Commerce and the Havelock Tourist and Event Center.

She will also have information about area parks and recreation on the Crystal Coast.

Also included in the basket will be free subscriptions to local newspapers and fliers from local businesses. Participating businesses will pay a fee for their information to be included.

"We introduce your company to the newcomer first in person, influencing their purchasing decisions at a critical time in their decision-making process," she told about 15 chamber business representatives at a recent luncheon.

Caccavaro said she plans to meet with the new resident within the first month, but if she has a telephone number for them, she will make a meeting within a week of their arrival in the community.

Making a quick contact with the new resident is important, she said. Caccavaro said that newcomers spend more money in their first six months than established residents do in five years. According to Caccavaro, newcomers spend about $100 billion on move-related goods and services annually across the nation.

Newcomers have no shopping loyalties and are eager to receive information about the services they need, according to Caccavaro.

"They want to know about doctors and dentists, and even vets for their pets," she said.

To get acclimated to the area, new residents will need as much information as possible when they arrive, according to Caccavaro.

"I was born and raised in Havelock," she said. "It's kind of special for me to be doing this in Havelock."

New Neighbors of Havelock is owned by New Neighbors of New Bern, for which Caccavaro is an account executive. To reach Caccavaro, call 671-6987.