North Carolina tourism generated record visitor spending in 2018 with a total of $25.3 billion. The 5.6 percent increase from 2017 was North Carolina’s largest percentage growth in travel and tourism spending since 2011. Additionally, tourism industry-supported employment topped 230,000 jobs to set another record for the state. “Tourism is a major economic engine for…

North Carolina ranks No. 4 in the nation among the top-performing states in Chief Executive magazine’s 2019 Best and Worst States for Business survey. Chief Executive surveyed CEOs across the country about their opinions of all 50 states for the 2019 report. The results were released today. In its coverage of the award, the magazine…

For the second year in a row, North Carolina holds the No. 1 spot on Forbes magazine’s Best States for Business ranking. North Carolina has been the only state to consistently place among the top five states for 13 straight years since Forbes began issuing the annual Best States for Business list. In an article…

AmeriQual Aseptic, a food processing company, will create 76 jobs as it expands its operations in Montgomery County. The company will invest $23.8 million in expanding its current facility, located in Troy. Salaries for the new jobs will vary by position but the average annual wage will be $42,561. The average annual wage in Montgomery…

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 23, 2019 CARY, N.C. – The Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina (EDPNC) today received the nation’s highest recognition for an organization contributing significantly to increasing U.S. exports ― a President’s “E” Award for Export Service. U.S. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross presented the annual “E” Awards to businesses and organizations in…

E-N-G Mobile Systems, a maker of specialized vehicles, will create 60 jobs as it locates its first East Coast design and manufacturing operation in Fayetteville, North Carolina. E-N-G, which is based in Concord, California, and a related company will invest $2.3 million in the new facility. E-N-G is a leading U.S. manufacturer of specialized vehicles, including…

When Saudi Arabia began surpassing other countries among North Carolina’s top export markets, it accelerated the EDPNC’s interest in opening the state’s first overseas office dedicated to helping Tar Heel businesses grow their sales in the Middle East. Three years later, in September 2018, the EDPNC officially opened its first permanently budgeted Middle East trade…

When Doug Watson decided he wanted to leave a 20-plus year career as a corporate accountant to open a small shop and tasting room selling fine olive oils, balsamic vinegars, spices and gourmet foods in downtown Marion, he had a few questions. He wanted to know the licensing requirements for this first-of-its-kind store in Marion,…

Loba-Wakol, a supplier to the wood and resilient flooring industry, will expand its operations in North Carolina, establishing a new distribution and warehouse facility in Anson County and creating 24 jobs, The company plans to invest $6.6 million in Wadesboro. The average annual wage of the new jobs announced today will be $43,750. The average…

Pella Corporation, a leading manufacturer of window and door products for residential and commercial use, will create 124 jobs at its new manufacturing facility in Rockingham County. The company will invest nearly $20 million in the new operation in Reidsville, and hiring will begin in the fourth quarter of 2019. “After an extensive site selection…

In January 2017, Laura Lee joined the EDPNC to fill a new position focused on recruiting food and beverage manufacturing operations, particularly value-added processors using local crops in their final product. “We grow over 80 commodities, and a large percentage of what is grown in North Carolina is shipped out of the state to be…

When innovative startup RiceWrap Foods announced in 2018 that it was locating a $9.9 million processing plant expected to create 305 new jobs in Butner, it was a big win for rural Granville County. RiceWrap uses a trade-secret method of preparing frozen rice sheets for sushi. The distinctive food processor adds something new to the…

The newly published report “2018: Evidence and Opportunity: Impact of Life Sciences in North Carolina” is a fascinating story of transformation. It also marks the 10th anniversary of the North Carolina Biotechnology Center’s contract with TEConomy Partners to track and evaluate the state’s life science landscape. Bottom line: The nation’s 10-year escape from the Great…