Wake County Economic Development

We are thrilled to announce that Sam Rauf, Senior Economic Development Manager at WCED, has been selected to join the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s prestigious Business Leads Fellowship Program! The Business Leads Fellowship trains state and local leaders to address critical education and workforce challenges. Sam joins 34 other professionals in the 11th cohort, and together they will explore innovative strategies for aligning education with the evolving needs of businesses and communities. Congratulations to Sam for this well-deserved recognition! ?? We can't wait to see the impact he will make in shaping the future of workforce development. Read more: https://lnkd.in/eFe56K4P

Why should companies wake up every day thinking about Raleigh? When a company opens its headquarters in a city, it does more than lease office space—it fuels the local economy, attracts top talent, and drives long-term growth. A recent Financial Times article highlights how corporate HQs are evolving, but one thing remains constant: their impact on communities. - Job Creation: Direct and indirect job opportunities for the local community (catering, entertainment, dog walking, you name it!). - Infrastructure Investment: “If you build it, they will come” (office space, public transit, outdoor attractions, etc.). - Talent: Talent attracts talent. No question. - Economic Growth: A ripple effect that benefits restaurants, retail, and services. Cities that can attract and retain headquarters will continue to gain momentum. We want the key decision-makers to wake up and think, “I should move to Raleigh.” It’s not just a place to do business; it’s a great place to invest in and grow with. #econdev #growth #jobs #talent #industry #life ?? https://lnkd.in/en5UTv8h

The way to the final four is through Tobacco Road! Raleigh's Lenovo Center will host the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament First and Second Rounds on Friday and Saturday this week. ?? Visit Raleigh has your guide for how to make the most of tournament weekend. Read more here:?https://lnkd.in/eXkvBj7S

Great report, Brett Cox. The standout stat to me is #1. "The Triangle area saw 7x more investment than any other region in the state last year." Thanks to our long-standing history of working across county lines, the Triangle region is one of the best places to do business. #econdev #economicdevelopment https://lnkd.in/eCqMG2vy JLL, Kimarie Ankenbrand Hillman Duncan

Exciting times for Wake County and Raleigh! ?? We're collaborating with Raleigh Economic Development to conduct an advanced industry study, led by Ted Abernathy of Economic Leadership. Our goal? To gain a deeper understanding of the factors driving our region’s success and uncover key trends shaping our future. ?? The study will focus on our core industries—IT/Software Development, Clean Tech, Advanced Manufacturing, and Life Sciences—sectors that have fueled exceptional growth and made a significant impact on our regional economy. As we explore shifts in business operations, AI, federal policies, and hybrid work strategies, we’re eager to share insights that will guide our business recruitment efforts and influence the future of Wake County and Raleigh. Read more of the Advanced Industry Study blog by Albert Alwang: https://lnkd.in/e5YDKfHA

Congratulations to Kevin Howell on being named North Carolina State University’s 15th Chancellor! As our former Board Chair and current Executive Committee member, Kevin has been an invaluable leader in our region's business community. His dedication to building connections across education, healthcare, and business sectors exemplifies the collaborative spirit that makes our region thrive. We are proud of his accomplishment and look forward to continuing our strong partnership with NC State under his leadership. #NCState #GoPack #RaleighChamber #TriangleNews #NCLeadership

The Raleigh Metro is an ideal location for businesses, thanks to its business-friendly regulatory environment, affordable living costs, and business expenses that are 5% below the national average. More than 700 international companies have chosen to establish operations here, drawn by the region’s strong business climate and skilled workforce. ?? Recent Cost of Doing Business Rankings: ?? #2 Best Business Climate-Large (Raleigh/Cary) Business Facilities, August 2024? ?? #2 Best State for Business (North Carolina) CNBC, July 2024? ?? #2 Best Business Climate (North Carolina) Business Facilities, August 2024 Read more about the Metro Comparisons: https://lnkd.in/ev_rWAZk

One of my favorite things is meeting the next generation who will join our workforce someday. Coaching them through mock job interviews and discussing their resumes are just a few of the many perks of being involved in growing our young workforce. Join us on Tuesday, April 15, as Wake County Public School System will host the annual Xtreme Beginnings Career Event at the McKimmon Center. We need business and post-secondary education volunteers! Register here: https://lnkd.in/eaBPwE42

In the latest in a series of blogs from Sam Rauf, we explore trends across the three iterations of the Regional Skills Analysis. The RSA provides a valuable roadmap for understanding the evolving workforce needs of the Research Triangle. By proactively addressing these trends and collaborating across sectors, we can build a resilient and adaptable workforce that thrives amidst the challenges and opportunities of the future. https://lnkd.in/eTdc3bHX

One of the most important competitive advantages and differentiators for the Raleigh metro is talent. The availability of highly skilled talent continues to be a top priority for both existing companies and those considering the metro for a relocation or expansion. ?? Recent rankings regarding talent include: ?? #1 Most Promising Metro for Recent College Graduates (Raleigh, NC) ADP Research, July 2024? ?? #3 Best City to Start a Career (Raleigh) Elevate Leadership, November, 2024? ?? #8 Customized Workforce Training (North Carolina) Business Facilities, August 2024 Read more about the Metro Comparisons: https://lnkd.in/eeyXxgEk