<P> Over the last decade, North Carolina has become a cultural epicenter and haven for internationally prize - winning wine (Noni Bacca Winery), internationally prized cheeses (Ashe County), "L'institut International aux Arts Gastronomiques: Conquerront Les Yanks les Truffes, January 15, 2010" international hub for truffles (Garland Truffles), and beer making, as tobacco land has been converted to grape orchards while state laws regulating alcohol content in beer allowed a jump in ABV from 6% to 15% . The Yadkin Valley in particular has become a strengthening market for grape production, while Asheville recently won the recognition of being named' Beer City USA .' Asheville boasts the largest breweries per capita of any city in the United States . Recognized and marketed brands of beer in North Carolina include Highland Brewing, Duck Rabbit Brewery, Mother Earth Brewery, Weeping Radish Brewery, Big Boss Brewing, Foothills Brewing, Carolina Brewing Company, Lonerider Brewing, and White Rabbit Brewing Company . </P> <P> North Carolina has large grazing areas for beef and dairy cattle . Truck farms can be found in North Carolina . A truck farm is a small farm where fruits and vegetables are grown to be sold at local markets . The state's shipping, commercial fishing, and lumber industries are important to its economy . Service industries, including education, health care, private research, and retail trade, are also important . Research Triangle Park, a large industrial complex located in the Raleigh - Durham area, is one of the major centers in the country for electronics and medical research </P> <P> Tobacco was one of the first major industries to develop after the Civil War . Many farmers grew some tobacco, and the invention of the cigarette made the product especially popular . Winston - Salem is the birthplace of R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company (RJR), founded by R.J. Reynolds in 1874 as one of 16 tobacco companies in the town . By 1914 it was selling 425 million packs of Camels a year . Today it is the second - largest tobacco company in the U.S. (behind Altria Group). RJR is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Reynolds American Inc., which in turn is 42% owned by British American Tobacco . </P> <P> Several ships have been named after the state . Most famous is the USS North Carolina, a World War II battleship . The ship served in several battles against the forces of Imperial Japan in the Pacific theater during the war . Now decommissioned, it is part of the USS North Carolina Battleship Memorial in Wilmington . Another USS North Carolina, a nuclear attack submarine, was commissioned in Wilmington, North Carolina, on May 3, 2008 . </P>

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