Aviation lifts more than itself.

• Position: First in Flight - Company overview

When Elizabeth Taylor eats at Wallstreet Deli and Catering in Greensboro, the aviation commerce lawyer and former TIMCO Aviation Services Inc. executive recognizes many of the other diners. The sandwich, salad and soup shop is about a mile from the headquarters of TIMCO and Honda Aircraft Co. and about 5 miles from Piedmont Triad International Airport. It's open 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. weekdays to feed hungry workers and caters business lunches, training sessions and meetings. "[Many] of the people in there are TIMCO people," she says. "There are probably 100 businesses like that in the area that have found a niche to meet those employees' needs. ... Growing the area is also important to dentists, accountants, banks, all the other businesses located throughout the city."

Ginah Soufia and her husband, Michael, have owned and operated the deli for 14 years. A Greensboro native, she is humbled that so many aviation workers are regular customers. "We are of Greensboro. We put our money back in Greensboro. We're just giving back to our community." She says some residents reacted negatively when Memphis, Tenn.-based FedEx Corp. announced it was building an air-cargo hub in the Triad. But she was a strong supporter. "We bought our house near the airport, opened our business near the airport--it's good for everyone."

The aviation industry is more than just aircraft in North Carolina. More companies mean more eaters in diners and travelers in hotels. It also means more educational programs--not just to develop aviation-specific skills but ones appreciated in other industries, too. In December, TIMCO returned as a sponsor of a Greensboro high-school basketball tournament. Such endorsements show support for local schools, but they also make the company part of the conversation when students discuss career plans with parents and administrators. TIMCO supports job training that starts in high school.

Currituck County and College of The Albemarle joined forces in 2013 to open the Regional Aviation and Technical Training Center. Students learn sheet metal, composites and power plants in its labs and problem-solving and critical-thinking skills in its classrooms. Programs in architectural technology, computer-integrated machining and mechanical-engineering technology also are offered there. Peter Bishop, Curri-tuck's economic-development director, says the center will help attract industries that require skills similar to aviation such as automobile manufacturers, alternative-energy developers and boat builders. The center is located near...