Why North Carolina is the Perfect Place to Relocate Your Business

Why Companies Are Choosing North Carolina for Business Relocation

North Carolina has become one of the nation’s leading destinations for business investment and expansion. The state has earned recognition by CNBC as one of America’s Top State for Business for six consecutive years due to its workforce strength, infrastructure network, innovation ecosystem, and pro-business environment. 

The Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina (EDPNC) offers no-cost support for any company looking to expand or relocate their business operations to the state. Our team of professionals can assist with site identification, customized workforce training plans, and guidance on available incentives that make the move easier.  

Whether businesses are seeking lower operating costs, improved logistics access, workforce development resources, or a stronger quality of life for employees, North Carolina provides a compelling environment for relocation and expansion. 

Key Takeaways

• North Carolina offers the lowest corporate income tax rate in the nation  
• More than half of the US population is reachable within a one-day drive  
• The state has a workforce of 5.3+ million supported by 58 community colleges and top-tier universities
• Companies relocating to North Carolina can access workforce training, grants, and site selection assistance through the EDPNC 
• Major industries including life sciences, advanced manufacturing, fintech, and aerospace continue to expand in North Carolina 

Strategic Location and Logistics Advantage

Location remains one of the greatest competitive advantages for a business, and North Carolina’s position on the East Coast provides unmatched access to markets, suppliers, and customers. The state sits within a day’s drive of nearly half the US population, making it an ideal hub for distribution, manufacturing, and service operations.  

North Carolina’s transportation infrastructure includes:  

• Major Interstate Highways like I-95, I-85, and I-40 create a robust network connecting the state to the entire Eastern Seaboard  
• Two deepwater ports in Wilmington and Morehead City provide direct ocean access for international trade   
• More than 3,000 miles of extensive freight rail are operated by CSX and Norfolk Southern  
• Ten commercial airports, including four international airports, connecting passengers and cargo across the globe including Charlotte Douglas International Airport which ranks as the seventh-busiest airport in the United States 

This infrastructure supports industries ranging from advanced manufacturing and biotechnology to logistics and distribution. 

For companies prioritizing speed-to-market and a sophisticated supply chain infrastructure, North Carolina delivers the roads, rails, and ports needed to compete globally.

View the Infrastructure White Paper

Skilled Workforce and Talent Development

A strong workforce pipeline continues to drive business relocation and expansion across North Carolina. The state is accredited as the #1 workforce in the country thanks to its highly skilled and educated labor force of 5.3 million and its strategic investments in workforce development.  

Talent Advantages in North Carolina 

• 58 community colleges  
• 52 colleges and universities  
• Five Tier– 1 research institutions  
• Industry-aligned workforce development programs 

North Carolina’s education and training ecosystem is designed to respond directly to employer needs. NCEdge, the state’s customized workforce training program operated through the North Carolina Community College System helps companies rapidly onboard and upskill employees. Employers can also access recruiting support, apprenticeship programs, and labor market resources through NCWorks. 

North Carolina has developed particularly strong talent pipelines in life sciences, advanced manufacturing, financial technologies, clean energy, and aerospace.  

For companies relocating operations, access to skilled labor is often a deciding factor, and North Carolina continues to distinguish itself nationally in workforce readiness.

View the Workforce White Paper

Competitive Business Costs

North Carolina is often considered a top choice for business relocation and expansion due to its business-friendly tax climate. The state’s corporate tax rate is the lowest in the nation, sitting at 2% and scheduled to drop to 0% by 2030. This long-term commitment to a competitive tax climate provides businesses with greater certainty when planning future investments. 

Businesses relocating to North Carolina also benefit from: 

• Lower operating costs compared to many Northeast and West Coast markets  
• Competitive industrial and office real estate costs  
• Energy costs below the national average 
• Cost of living below the national average 
• A business-friendly regulatory environment 

Innovation & Industry Ecosystem 

Innovation is elemental in North Carolina, woven into the very technical industries that are fast growing in the state. The state is home to globally recognized research institutions, innovation hubs, and industry clusters that support collaboration between academia, government, and private industry. 

Key innovation assets include: 

• Research Triangle Park – The largest research park in the US and home to 675+ leading research companies 
• The biopharma manufacturing corridor across eastern North Carolina  
• Growing aerospace and aviation clusters in the Piedmont region, supported by advanced manufacturing capabilities and specialized workforce training 
• Growing clean energy and electric vehicle supply chain investments statewide 
• A network of five Tier– 1 research universities, 58 community colleges, and workforce partners that help companies move from research and development to commercial production   

Unlike many innovation hubs that specialize primarily in research, North Carolina offers the full continuum of innovation from discovery and product development to manufacturing, distribution, and global market access. Companies can collaborate with leading researchers, recruit highly skilled talent, establish production facilities, and reach customers around the world without leaving the state. 

This combination of innovation capacity, workforce strength, infrastructure, and scalability continues to attract major investments from global companies seeking a location where they can grow today and compete tomorrow. 

Quality of Life Supports Recruitment and Retention

In today’s competitive labor market, quality of life has become a critical business advantage. Companies looking to relocate or expand need more than access to talent; they need a location where employees want to live, work, and build their careers. North Carolina delivers on both fronts. 

The state offers an exceptional balance of affordability, opportunity, and lifestyle. Residents benefit from a cost of living that remains below the national average and a flat personal income tax rate of 3.99%, allowing families to enjoy a high quality of life while stretching their earnings further than in many competing markets. 

Key quality of life advantages include: 

• A moderate climate and four distinct seasons 
• Access to mountains and beaches  
• Growing urban centers and smaller communities  
• Abundant outdoor recreation  
• World-class healthcare systems  
• Vibrant arts, food, professional sports, and cultural scenes  

Major metros such as Charlotte, Raleigh, and Durham continue to attract professionals from across the country, drawn by strong career opportunities, affordability, and a high quality of life. 

For employers, these advantages translate into a stronger ability to recruit top talent, improve employee satisfaction, and support long-term workforce retention—factors that are increasingly important when choosing where to invest and grow. 

Business Incentives & Relocation Support

North Carolina offers a variety of performance-based incentive programs designed to support business relocation and expansion. 

Available programs may include: 

• Job Development Investment Grants (JDIG)  
• One North Carolina Fund grants  
• Workforce training assistance  
• Infrastructure support  
• Local and regional incentives  

The EDPNC helps companies navigate available opportunities and coordinate with state, regional, and local partners throughout the relocation process. Because every project is different, incentive packages are typically customized based on factors such as job creation, capital investment, industry, location, and more. 

EDPNC: Your Partner for a Successful Business Relocation

Relocating or expanding a business involves complex decisions across workforce availability, real estate, logistics, operating costs, incentives, and long-term growth potential. Navigating these factors can be time-consuming, especially when evaluating multiple states and communities. 

The EDPNC works directly with companies to simplify the process and provide the information needed to make confident, data-driven location decisions. Our team serves as a single point of contact, connecting businesses with the resources, partners, and insights necessary to evaluate opportunities across North Carolina. 

The EDPNC support includes: 

• Site selection assistance and property searches  
• Demographic, workforce, and labor market analysis  
• Introductions to state, regional, and local economic development partners  
• Workforce recruitment and training coordination  
• Guidance on available incentives and grant programs  
• Industry-specific market intelligence  
• Relocation and expansion support services 

The EDPNC also offers a State Comparison Map to help decision-makers identify the advantages that matter most to their operation in areas such as workforce, tax climate, infrastructure, business costs, education, quality of life, and more. 

Whether you’re conducting an initial location search, narrowing a shortlist of potential sites, or preparing a final investment decision, the EDPNC can help streamline the process at no cost to your business with objective data and local expertise.