Wake County Economic Development

Looking for a reason to get on the road this summer? WalletHub set out to identify the most fun, scenic and wallet-friendly road-trip destinations. North Carolina took the 7th spot out of all 50 states. Analysts used three key dimensions to form the final list: costs, safety, and activities. Within the three dimensions, 32 metrics were scored on a 100-point scale that included accommodation prices, road conditions, and number of attractions and national parks. North Carolina was in the top 5 for most scenic byways with 62 total byways that stretch from the mountain to the coast. Read more about the study: https://lnkd.in/e-ica2qc

Following a back-to-back run in first place, North Carolina takes the #2 spot in CNBC's annual Top States For Business ranking! In a photo finish, NC misses the top spot by just 3 points, making this the closest race in the history of the study. The state scores highest in business friendliness, workforce, and economy, as is evidenced by record numbers of planned capital investment and job announcements over the last five years. 🏆Read more: https://lnkd.in/e-vg8UHD

CaMP Helix in Holly Springs has been named a Top 15 Selectsite by the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina (EDPNC)! EDPNC recently released the North Carolina Selectsite Readiness Program Report, which identifies 15 sites across the state best positioned to serve major advanced manufacturing projects. Home to Amgen's newest $550M biologics manufacturing facility, CaMP Helix has 400 acres available for future development. The site will include access to all the utility infrastructure required for modern life science facilities and unparalleled transportation connectivity to all points throughout the Triangle. 🏗 Dig into the study: https://lnkd.in/e9yHFjbJ

Take a look at the lineup of featured jobs and start living your real life-dream life in Wake County!

A study from WalletHub compared America’s 150 largest metropolitan cities and found that Raleigh-Cary, NC was the 7th most educated MSA in the nation! Analysts used 11 key metrics to finalize their results. The data set ranged from the share of adults aged 25 and older with a bachelor’s degree or higher, to the quality of the public-school system, and the gender education gap. It was found that Raleigh and Cary had the 3rd highest percentage of associate’s degree holders and college-experienced adults. The MSA also scored favorably within the public school quality metric. This supports the area’s direct correlation with successful STEM professions that are rooted in early education curriculum. Read the study here: https://lnkd.in/eVv3_vPJ

A new month means a record-number of international nonstop flights (🔟) from RDU. Here's everywhere you can book to visit in July, near and far: https://lnkd.in/gEx_PNDC

Did you know that Wake County is home to over 40 major employers that employ more than 2,000? One of the region’s largest employers is Duke University Health System, with 40,000 employees. The Wake County Economic Development website has a dedicated major employers page where job seekers can download the latest report of top companies. Check out this weeks featured jobs: https://lnkd.in/eAERDqtZ

Sam Rauf traveled to Washington DC this week to attend SelectUSA 2024 Investment Summit. This event is an exciting platform for connecting with prospective companies and international trade organizations looking to learn more about North Carolina and the Research Triangle Region. Highlights of the week include: 🌐 New partnerships for potential business expansions 🌐 Opportunities to share the competitive advantages of Wake County 🌐 Affirmation of North Carolina's global reputation as a premier destination for business Check out the full recap here: https://lnkd.in/eDEaxYGf

Albert Alwang and Kyle Touchstone headed to Wilmington this week for the North Carolina Economic Development Association Annual Conference. The conference was a great opportunity to connect with #EconDev partners from across the state and brush up on key topics and trends. Additionally, Albert took the reins as Emerging Executives Initiative Chair.

Raleigh has taken the #7 spot in a study that analyzed key economic factors in over 100 cities to determine the best cities for 2024 college graduates. Zumper evaluated all cities on median rent prices, average income, unemployment rate, and the potential for social opportunities. It was noted that Raleigh has become a popular destination for young professionals in recent years with the increase in tech startups opening operations in the city. The city also boasted a low unemployment rate and a manageable cost of living with a median monthly rent price of $1,158. Read the study here: https://lnkd.in/g8X5yZTu