09/20/2017

North Carolina has one of the top five state-level economic development organizations in the country, according to a survey of U.S. corporate executives and location advisors released this week by Development Counsellors International (DCI).

In October 2014, the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina, operating under a contract with the North Carolina Department of Commerce, assumed responsibility for five critical functions, including recruiting new corporate facilities to the state. The partnership’s additional responsibilities on behalf of the state cover existing industry support, international export assistance, small-business counseling, and tourism and film promotion.

Among other things, DCI’s 2017 “Winning Strategies in Economic Development Marketing” survey asked corporate executives with site selection responsibilities to identify states with “best in class” state-level economic development organizations. North Carolina ranked No. 4, tied with Texas.

Every three years since 1996, DCI has conducted its “Winning Strategies” survey to track economic development trends. More than 330 corporate executives responded to the 2017 survey, with 73 offering input on “best in class” state-level economic development organizations.

In addition, survey respondents overall viewed North Carolina as having the fifth-best business climate among the 50 states.

The EDPNC is “honored that corporate decision makers and site selection consultants recognize the EDPNC as a ‘Best in Class’ organization,” said Frank Emory Jr., chairman of the EDPNC board of directors. “But any success we have is shared with the dedicated and professional partners — both public and private — at the state, regional and local levels who help us effectively market the state to companies considering the best place to locate or expand facilities.”

During the 2016-17 fiscal year ending in June, the EDPNC, working with its partners on behalf of the state Department of Commerce, helped close deals on 137 business recruitment and expansion projects resulting in the announcement of $3.83 billion in investment and 15,748 new jobs in North Carolina. That compares well to fiscal year 2015-16, particularly on the jobs front, when the EDPNC and its partners supported 122 projects that resulted in the announcement of 14,806 new jobs and $4.25 billion in capital investment.

For a free copy of the full “Winning Strategies” survey report or an executive summary, visit here.