Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina
“For the second year in a row, North Carolina has been named the top state for business in the nation by CNBC, and our highly educated workforce, world class education system, and largest manufacturing workforce in the Southeast contribute to that success.”
— Christopher Chung, CEO,
Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina
FAST FACTS
Population (July 2022 est.): 10,698,973¹
Largest Cities (2020): Charlotte (876,747); Raleigh (467,425); Greensboro (297,808); Durham (284,400); Winston-Salem (284,400)¹
Real GDP (2022): $559.5 billion²
¹U.S. Census Bureau
²Bureau of Economic Analysis, U.S. Dept. of Commerce
TARGETED GROWTH SECTORS
Automotive/Electric Vehicles: North Carolina is home to over 250 unique automotive companies, including heavy-duty truck, body and trailer, engine and transmission, and electric vehicle and battery manufacturing.
Clean Energy: In 2007, North Carolina became the first state in the Southeast to adopt a renewable energy portfolio and has passed bipartisan legislation to cut the state’s carbon emissions by 70% by 2030 and reach carbon neutrality by 2050.
Aerospace/Aviation: More than 280 leading aerospace companies have operations in North Carolina and more than 450 aerospace manufacturing suppliers contributing to the supply chain.
TOP PROJECTS
COMPANY | CITY | JOBS |
Kempower | Durham | 601 |
Siemens Mobility | Lexington | 506 |
GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy | Wilmington | 485 |
SOPAKCO | Laurinburg | 440 |
Bosch | Lincolnton | 404 |
FEATURED LOCATIONS
When you’re All In on an advanced workforce, you hire from a premier education system that includes three Tier-1 research universities and 58 community colleges. The result? CNBC naming North Carolina #1 for workforce and America’s Top State for Business in 2023.
Greenville is the thriving economic, educational, medical, and cultural hub of eastern North Carolina. With capital to coast connections, the Greenville-Pitt County MSA is a prime mid-Atlantic location with the infrastructure, workforce, and resources that companies need to succeed in advanced manufacturing, pharmaceutical manufacturing, and medical devices and supplies.
OUTDOOR RECREATION ASSISTANCE
As North Carolina’s Travel, Tourism, and Outdoor Recreation sectors serve as key economic drivers, the state announced the Creating Outdoor Recreation Economies (CORE) Program in January 2023 to offer strategic planning and technical assistance to help rural communities leverage North Carolina’s abundant outdoor recreation assets to bolster local economic vitality.
TOP BUSINESS FACILITIES RANKINGS
#2 Best Business Climate | 2023 State Rankings |
Top 10 Aerospace/Defense | 2023 State Rankings |
Top 10 Life Sciences | 2023 State Rankings |
Top 10 Customized Workforce Training | 2023 State Rankings |
Top 10 Semiconductors | 2023 State Rankings |
Top 10 EV Industry Investment | 2023 State Rankings |
Top 10 Food Processing | 2023 State Rankings |
Top 10 Cybersecurity | 2023 State Rankings |
Top 10 Manufacturing Hubs (Large): Raleigh-Durham–Cary | 2023 Metro Rankings |
Top 10 Food Processing: Rowan County | 2023 Metro Rankings |
LATEST NEWS
Talking Shop With 3 NC Industrial Site Consultants
Get their take on what’s driving the state’s recent investment boom and what they’re hearing from clients about continued economic expansion.
SCHOTT Pharma To Invest $371M In North Carolina
The new prefillable syringe manufacturing facility will create more than 400 jobs in Wilson, North Carolina.
Japan-Based Companies Make Moves In North Carolina
Two Japan-based companies are establishing a presence in North Carolina, building on the country's investments in the Tar Heel State.
Partnership Drives Success In The Tar Heel State
North Carolina’s commitment to a top workforce, clean energy, and a favorable business climate are credited for the state’s success.