Carolina On My Mind

East coast location, world-class research and education facilities, and quality of life have long attracted business to North Carolina.

The Triangle attracts some of the brightest minds in the U.S. and the world, contributing to the area’s high-performance workforce. The region features three HBCUs, the largest women’s college in the Southeast and boasts several community colleges and technical schools. With more than 100,000 students currently enrolled in the area’s colleges and universities, the talent pipeline is strong and diverse.

Like a proper East Coast city, residents come from all over the globe. Raleigh’s culture welcomes everyone. The region is a vibrant, eclectic mix of an estimated two million people from all over the U.S. and the world making it one of the most racially and internationally diverse areas of the country.

“Raleigh is fortunate to have a pipeline of talent from some of the best colleges and universities in the world, and a culture that encourages collaboration and innovation. Our city is growing and it’s the place for many types of businesses—big, small and in-between—to thrive,” said Mary-Ann Baldwin, Mayor of Raleigh.

City Of Charlotte: Partnerships Key To Business Recruitment And Success

Charlotte is setting a new standard when it comes to traditional business recruitment strategies. With a focus on ongoing client service and effective public-private partnerships, the City of Charlotte’s economic development team is championing transformative projects across industries.

The City’s business recruitment team offers concierge services, customized to a company’s particular needs in the areas of real estate, workforce and talent acquisition, data and information, business connections, and more.

Charlotte, NC
The City of Charlotte relies on public-private partnerships for growth and transformative developments. (Photo: City of Charlotte)

“No project is the same and we try to gain a deep understanding of a company’s drivers, values, and goals as they are considering relocating or expanding operations,” said Tracy Dodson, Assistant City Manager and Director of Economic Development for the City of Charlotte. “We want companies and consultants to have a seamless experience, so our team is on hand to make the decision-making process as easy as possible.”

In addition to customized business recruitment strategies, the City’s economic development team enshrines public-private partnerships that drive transformative growth. Camp North End, a former Ford Model T factory and World War II quartermaster depot, has been redeveloped into a mixed-use campus with on-site amenities and modern office space. The River District, a 1,400-acre sustainability-focused development adjacent to Charlotte Douglas International Airport and along the Catawba River, will create a vibrant destination in West Charlotte including a town center, riverfront park, diverse housing, and one of the premier employment districts in the state suitable for corporate campus opportunities. [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

“Charlotte’s partnership approach with both corporations and developers has been a catalyst for the tremendous growth being seen in the region,” said Brendan Pierce, Commercial President of Crescent Communities and developer of The River District. “The City has been an outstanding partner to help ensure the success of The River District. We work closely with the business recruitment team to attract companies that will not only create jobs but also establish a lasting impact on our city.”

North Carolina Lands World’s Largest Silicon Carbide Materials Facility

Over the next eight years, Wolfspeed expects to create approximately 1,800 jobs at its new Silicon Carbide Materials manufacturing facility in Chatham County, NC. READ MORE…

One key public-private partnership that is driving strong momentum in Charlotte’s life sciences industry is the City’s partnership with Atrium Health and the creation of The Pearl. This development will become an innovation district anchored by a new Wake Forest University medical school campus and serve as a hub for life sciences researchers and developers. Charlotte is already making a name for itself in this field. In fact, JLL recently ranked the Queen City as the number one emerging market for life sciences.

“All of our investments tie together to make Charlotte the number one city for businesses,” said Dodson. “When a company is first looking at Charlotte, our team is there to help them through their process, and once they get here, we build on that partnership. We want them to be a part of the next transformative opportunity in our city.”