North Carolina Communities and Projects Top Southern Business & Development Rankings

Southern Business & Development (SB&D), a publication covering economic development issues in the South, recognizes North Carolina’s leadership as a thriving business location in its latest SB&D 100 Rankings, with showings in three of the five market divisions, including top honors for the communities of Charlotte and Rocky Mount. Two projects were also named the top deals by industry sector. North Carolina excelled among peers in what SB&D writer Lee Burlett stated as a year that “will be remembered as a magical year in economic development in the South for quite some time.”

In the State Division, North Carolina received an Honorable Mention, ranking third in Points per Million Residents (460 Points). Recovering from a point total of 150 in 2009, 2010 was an exceptional year for the Tar Heel State. Highlighted as notable deals for the year were American Express, with 100 jobs and an investment of $1.3 Billion; Facebook, with 42 jobs and an investment of $450 Million; and Siemens Energy, with 825 jobs and an investment of $135 Million.

North Carolina topped the Small Market Division with Rocky Mount claiming Small Market of the Year. Creating a favorable market climate in Rocky Mount were Cummins Engine, with 210 jobs; Jade Apparel, with 250 jobs and an investment of $2 Million; and West Corp., with 250 jobs.

In the Major Market Division, Charlotte earned Co-Major Market of the Year, with 155 points—a significant increase over last year’s 50-point honorable mention. Helping the market recover after hits in the financial sector were Siemens Energy, with 825 jobs and an investment of $135 Million; Hewitt Associates with 463 jobs; and Fifth-Third Bancorp, with 250 jobs and an investment of $2 Million.

Coming in with an Honorable Mention in the Major Market Division was Raleigh-Durham. The area scored 85 points thanks in part to the technology and automotive industries. Boosting the market were Cree, with 244 jobs and an investment of $392 Million; Merck & Co., with 310 jobs and an investment of $200 Million; and AW North Carolina, with 250 jobs and an investment of $70 Million.

Listed under Top Deals by Industry Sector were American Express, Guilford Co., N.C., for Data Center Deal of the Year and Merck, Durham Co., N.C., for Biotech Deal of the Year.

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John B. Marek is an innovative marketing and economic development professional with more than 25 years combined experience in the industrial, retail, technology and public sectors. www.johnbmarek.com