Teeing it up: Moore County finds prosperity within itself, where there's a talented workforce and a landscape that brings visitors from around the world.

• Author: Wood, Suzanne
• Position: SPONSORED SECTION: REGIONAL FOCUS: MOORE COUNTY

Southern Pines-based R. Riveter LLC makes high-end purses and handbags from surplus military canvas and leather. About 35 work-from-home military spouses assemble them for the company, which takes its name from the iconic World War II home-front heroine Rosie the Riveter. It was founded by Lisa Bradley and Cameron Cruse six years ago. Business took off after its headquarters moved to Moore County from Georgia in 2014, when the owners' husbands were transferred to Fort Bragg. It's the Army's most populous base and home to the 82nd Airborne Division and Special Operations Command. It covers portions of Cumberland, Hoke, Harnett and Moore counties.

R. Riveter's concept speaks to patriotic consumers and propelled Bradley and Cruse to stardom. They appeared on NBC's reality television show Shark Tank, where billionaire entrepreneur Mark Cuban gave them $100,000 for a 20% equity stake in the company. R. Riveter recently opened its second store in the Washington, D.C., suburb of Bethesda, Md., but it remains committed to its flagship location and headquarters in Southern Pines.

R. Riveter created a flag-embossed leather wallet through a partnership with Heath Trigg, owner of Southern Pines-based Southern Pine Woodworking LLC. He also draws inspiration from the county's military connections and artisans who craft unique treasures. His business began about three years ago, when he built the taproom for Southern Pines Brewing Co., which was started by Micah Niebauer, John Brumer and Jason Ginos, three Special Forces veterans who served at Fort Bragg.

While mulling possible thank-you gifts for the construction job, Trigg recalls waking from a dream with the idea of a U.S. flag made from used whiskey barrel slats. He procured the materials and went to work, eventually presenting the brewers with the finished piece, which measures about 4 feet by 2 feet. It still flies in the taproom, and others like it--as well as ones that celebrate states and various military units--are commissioned weekly through Trigg's The Heritage Flag Co.

Moore County is the heart of North Carolina's Sandhills region. While golf put it on the world map more than 100 years ago, tourism isn't the only industry that sustains it. Diversification helps tourism-dependent counties thrive and weather economic storms. Traditional economic drivers, such as manufacturing and health care, are significant employers. Like the storied courses that take advantage of the made-for-golf weather and terrain, these businesses tap into resources unique to the county, including a growing number of young families who have members that serve at Fort Bragg. Real-estate agents and economic...