The Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina (EDPNC), the statewide public-private organization focused on improving North Carolinians’ economic well-being and quality of life, is celebrating its 10th anniversary. Since its establishment in 2014, the EDPNC has helped secure more than $67 billion in economic investment in the state and 178,000 new jobs for North Carolinians.
“The EDPNC has worked tirelessly with my office and the Department of Commerce to bring new jobs to our state, expand existing businesses, support new business owners and invite visitors to experience all we have to offer,” said Governor Roy Cooper. “It has played a big role in making North Carolina a top three state for business for five years in a row. I congratulate the EDPNC on its monumental impact on our state this past decade.”
“The EDPNC has greatly increased the state’s competitiveness in attracting and expanding businesses and tourism through our dedication to customer service, accountability, and state and local partnerships,” said Christopher Chung, CEO of the EDPNC. “We look forward to our next decade of work and continuing to elevate North Carolina as one of the top states in the nation to do business.”
In 2014, the North Carolina General Assembly established the EDPNC as a public-private partnership to promote North Carolina as a business and visitor destination. By creating a private, non-profit, the state welcomed a private sector perspective to attracting and growing business in North Carolina. The EDPNC is contracted under the North Carolina Department of Commerce.
“North Carolina offers an incredible value proposition for existing and prospective companies, and EDPNC has been at the forefront of keeping the momentum,” said Kendal Bowman, Duke Energy’s North Carolina President. “As North Carolina grows, Duke Energy is excited to continue our longstanding partnership with EDPNC as we work to meet increased energy demands and support economic development opportunities.”
Under this new approach to economic development, the EDPNC has helped attract some of the largest projects in the state’s history. These include Toyota’s $14 billion EV battery manufacturing plant in Liberty, creating 5,100 jobs; Natron Energy’s $1.4 billion sodium ion battery manufacturing facility in Edgecombe County, with plans for 1,000 jobs; Pratt & Whitney’s $650 million, 800-job high-tech turbine airfoil production facility in Buncombe County; and FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies’ $1.2 billion, 680-job expansion in Holly Springs, North Carolina.
“Pratt & Whitney is proud to be part of North Carolina’s remarkable economic success story. The EDPNC’s commitment to economic development and innovation has been instrumental in making our vision a reality,” said Dan Field, General Manager of Pratt & Whitney’s Asheville Site. “We look forward to continuing our partnership as we help drive innovation and high-quality job creation in the region.”
“Congratulations to the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina for its 10th anniversary. On behalf of all of the FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies’ employees in the Research Triangle Park and Holly Springs, North Carolina, region, we appreciate the State of North Carolina and the EDPNC’s efforts in cultivating the collaborative, forward-thinking environment that makes the region attractive and fruitful for the biotechnology community,” said Laurie Braxton, senior vice president, head of North Carolina operations.
In addition to business recruitment and attraction, the EDPNC has also contributed to the state’s economic vibrancy through:
- Supporting nearly 183,000 small businesses and local entrepreneurs who have consulted the EDPNC’s Small Business Advisors for help making their visions realities.
- Guiding more than 2,100 companies that began exporting products to new markets outside of the US, resulting in over $10 billion in exports, because of efforts led by the EDPNC’s International Trade team.
- Increasing tourism by 67% in 10 years, resulting in more than $269 billion in statewide visitor spending. Film production has had an economic impact of over $1 billion in the state.
- Generating favorable national attention for the state, including CNBC’s ranking of North Carolina among the “Top 3 States to Do Business” in the last five years.