Foreign Direct Investment in North Carolina

Global Investment, Local Prosperity

1,500+

Foreign Firms Operating in North Carolina

State for Foreign Direct Investment

Top State for Business (CNBC, 2025)

Uptown skyline, photographed from First Ward Park at dusk, with kids and families playing in the park in the foreground

Expand to the US

Why Global Companies Expand to North Carolina

Foreign firms choose to expand their international business to North Carolina due to its East Coast access to major US markets, low operating costs, a world-class transportation network, and a highly skilled workforce pipeline supported by 58 community colleges and 52 universities. With more than 1,500 foreign-owned companies already operating in the state—and billions in new FDI investments in just the last decade—international firms see proven success and strong ROI when they operate in North Carolina. For companies ready to grow in the US, North Carolina provides the right location, workforce, and business environment to scale confidently.

For the Third Time in Four Years, CNBC Names North Carolina as America’s “Top State for Business”

CNBC has named North Carolina as America’s Top State for Business in 2025, marking the third time the state has garnered the honor in the last four years. This morning, Governor Josh Stein joined CNBC’s Scott Cohn at Battleship North Carolina in Wilmington for a live broadcast where the winner was revealed.

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Foreign Firms in North Carolina

Foreign Direct Investment by the Numbers

600

FDI Project Announcements Since 2014

Countries with Firms Operating in North Carolina

24+

Nonstop Flights to International Destinations

321K

People Working for Foreign Firms in North Carolina

Top Destination for FDI

One of the top states for FDI in the country, North Carolina has welcomed nearly 600 foreign firms over the past decade. These companies are bringing more than 64,700 new jobs and investing over $43 billion into the state.

North Carolina Governor Cooper on a panel at SEUS Japan in Charlotte NC

Strategic Location

With half of the American population within a day’s drive, North Carolina is strategically positioned in the middle of the United States’ East Coast. Four international airports and two deep seaports put many customers and suppliers within reach.

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Speed to Market

You don’t have to navigate complicated tax structures or bureaucratic red tape to do business in North Carolina. We have a top business tax environment and are teeming with resources for all permitting, licensing, and other regulation questions.

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Largest Manufacturing Workforce

Particularly skilled in automotive, EV, machinery, furniture, textile, and food processing, North Carolina’s manufacturing workforce is the largest in the Southeast US (Lightcast, 2025). Credit goes to our 58 community colleges providing premier technical education and apprenticeship-model training.

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manufacturing line at mount olive pickle plant

International Companies Prosper in North Carolina

Some prominent international companies that have already established themselves in this state include:

Toyota

Siemens

Novo Nordisk

Gildan

Lenovo

Fujifilm Diosynth

Deutsche Bank

North Carolina is a great place to do business because of its quality of life, extensive infrastructure, investment in workforce development, and commitment.

Michael Rencheck

Former CEO, Orano (Formerly Arveva)

Frequently Asked Questions

Why should a foreign company choose North Carolina for US market entry?

As one of the top states for foreign direct investment in the US, foreign companies choose North Carolina because the state offers a business environment that reduces risk and speeds up success in the US market. With a GDP comparable to Switzerland’s and a similarly diversified economy focused on advanced industries, North Carolina provides a competitive tax climate, low operating costs, and a straightforward regulatory environment where companies can scale efficiently with less friction. North Carolina also offers direct access to major US markets, world-class infrastructure—including two deepwater ports and four international airports—and a skilled, affordable workforce supported by 58 community colleges. Add in billions of dollars in recent foreign investment and a strong track record across advanced manufacturing, life sciences, automotive, and clean energy—and North Carolina delivers a proven landing spot for global companies expanding into the United States.

NC at A Glance
What industries in North Carolina are the best-suited for foreign direct investment?

North Carolina attracts significant foreign direct investment across multiple high-growth industries. Some of the strongest sectors include advanced manufacturing, automotive and EV supply chain, aerospace, life sciences and biopharmaceutical manufacturing, food and beverage processing, and IT/tech. Global companies choose North Carolina because these industries are supported by a highly skilled workforce, leading university research, strong logistics assets, competitive business costs, and existing clusters of successful foreign-owned firms. This established ecosystem allows international companies to scale quickly, recruit qualified talent, and integrate into robust supply chains—making North Carolina one of the most competitive US destinations for growth in these sectors.
What workforce advantages does North Carolina offer foreign manufacturers?

North Carolina offers a customized workforce training program through partnership with the North Carolina Community College System. The program, NCEdge, offers companies workforce development strategies that align with their unique business needs and goals. NCEdge supports new, expanding, and existing businesses in North Carolina by providing flexible training solutions for up to three years, with costs covered by the state.

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Featured Resources

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Publication

Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) Brochure

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Explore NC is a quarterly newsletter for companies interested in expanding their business to North Carolina. Each edition highlights a growing industry, recent project announcements, and more.