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 place among the magazine’s top five states for business overall every year since 2006, when Forbes began ranking all 50 states. In an article announcing the…

Bharat Forge America, Inc. will build an aluminum forging plant to manufacture automobile components in Lee County, creating 304 jobs. The company will invest $127.3 million in Sanford.   “Global industrial manufacturer Bharat Forge is making its largest overseas investment in Sanford because our quality workers along with our other resources will help drive demand…

Do you want to learn more about workforce challenges in North Carolina’s rural communities and strategies to address them? Are you eager to connect with those who might be your best resource in developing solutions? Then register now for the statewide Energizing Rural North Carolina conference Oct. 8-9 in Sanford, North Carolina. Registration is open to…

The Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina (EDPNC) is coordinating the participation of four North Carolina furniture and design companies exhibiting this week at the high-profile Middle East Design and Hospitality Week at the Dubai World Trade Center. “We have been exhibiting at this particular event over the past five years and find that this is…

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Sept. 13, 2019 CARY, N.C. – North Carolina has won nearly $775,000 in federal grant funding to help small businesses increase their international sales over the coming year. The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced this week that the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina (EDPNC) had received a $774,514 grant through…

Medline Industries Incorporated, the nation’s largest privately held manufacturer and distributor of medical supplies, will create 250 new jobs in Mebane, North Carolina, as it invests $65 million to build a new distribution center there. The Mebane location will be a 1.2 million square-foot LEED certified distribution center. At full capacity, the company anticipates the…

PCB Piezotronics of North Carolina, a designer and manufacturer of high-precision sensors used in a variety of test and measurement and industrial settings, will consolidate production operations currently located in China and California to its facility in Halifax County, creating 120 jobs. The company will invest nearly $4.5 million in Halifax. “Rural North Carolina is a…

Business Link North Carolina (BLNC) is an extension of NC Dept. of Commerce. They are here to help answer questions about your business before, during and after a storm. Contact BLNC at 800-228-8443 or email them at BLNC@edpnc.com. Please note that if electricity is lost, you will be unable to get through. You can instead…

Carvana, a leading e-commerce platform for buying and selling used cars, will locate a new inspection and reconditioning facility in Cabarrus County, creating more than 400 jobs. The company will invest more than $30 million in Concord over the coming years. “The online marketplace only works for buyers and sellers when hardworking people are moving…

Policygenius, a fast-growing online insurance platform, will locate a new technical and operations center in Durham County, creating at least 377 jobs over the next five years. The company will invest nearly $6 million in Durham. “Policygenius joins a growing number of high-tech firms choosing the Research Triangle because of North Carolina’s ability to meet…

Look no further than Tanglewood Park in Clemmons, North Carolina, for the only course in the country to play Softgolf, featuring oversized foam balls and the larger holes and golf-club heads to match them. This full-swing game, which opened in March as a vendor at the Forsyth County-owned park near Winston-Salem, lets everyone, regardless of…

Pfizer is investing an additional $500 million in constructing a gene-therapy manufacturing facility at its operations in Sanford, North Carolina, adding about 300 new jobs in the process, according to a company press release. Pfizer currently employs 650 people in Sanford. The new facility will support Pfizer’s continuing investment in gene therapy research and development,…

Hockmeyer Equipment Corporation, a process equipment maker, will create 90 new jobs as it launches a $6 million expansion of operations in Elizabeth City, North Carolina. Gov. Roy Cooper said Elizabeth City and Pasquotank County “are doing the right things to attract businesses.” “Local effort to create a great place to live and welcome talented…