Kinston, North Carolina, the county seat for Lenoir County, is centrally located in eastern North Carolina approximately 75 miles east of Raleigh, the state capital, and 75 miles west of Morehead City (a coastal seaport). The region hosts a blend of agriculture and manufacturing.

The community was named for King George the III of England. In 1784, following the end of the Revolutionary War, the people of Kingston requested that the letter "g" be dropped. Kinston was incorporated in 1826. By 1855, Kinston was home to a number of merchants and professionals. In the early years of the 20th century, tobacco began to flourish as a cash crop and Kinston began to prosper.

Today, Kinston is the home of the North Carolina Global TransPark, a combined airport and industrial complex -- and the site of Spirit's facility. Residents of the area enjoy local activities and festivals, historic places and the Kinston Indians minotr league baseball team. The area is served by several public and private schools, and has convenient access to higher learning institutions including the Lenior Community College.