Issue link: http://businessnc.epubxp.com/i/611454
9 North Carolina Economic Development Guide T ar Heels have it good. Endless recreation and beautiful views await them in the mountains, and there are 300 miles of relaxing sand and surf along the Outer Banks. They can bask in the Southern charm of a small town in the morning then enjoy a world-class meal and big-city culture that evening. There's fancy teamwork on display, too, whether from the NFL's Carolina Panthers in Charlotte or the 2015 NCAA Men's Basketball National Champion Duke Blue Devils in Durham. And no one complains about the cost of living. In North Carolina, it all comes together. Companies also see the benefi ts of being North Carolinian. Sealed Air Corp., which is best known for its Bubble Wrap package protection, is moving its headquarters to Charlotte, taking advantage of transportation connections and quality of life. Evendale, Ohio-based advanced manufacturer GE Aviation cited low costs and an industrious workforce when recently investing $190 million in its two western North Carolina factories. In Raleigh, Durham and other Research Triangle cities, young workers — many educated locally — are making homes in reinvigorated downtowns, often before the region's established, expanding and emerging technology and life- sciences companies hire them. Christopher Chung is cultivating the state's one-stop- shop environment. The Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina Inc. CEO works with regional and local developers to give companies what they need to succeed, including incentives and workforce development. He also receives help from the private sector, which has pledged $800,000 to bolster public investment as of February 2015. We choose to live, raise our families and work here because of what our state of ers. Join us, and we'll make it even better together. Pete M. Anderson, Project Editor Coming together Welcome