Spotlight on Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina: 2022 GroundBreaker
GroundBreak Carolinas recently announced the results of our 2022 GroundBreaker Awards, an annual awards program that recognizes individuals and organizations that have gone above and beyond to make a difference for the construction community in the Carolinas. Selected from a well-rounded group of nominees from North Carolina and South Carolina, the 2022 Class of GroundBreakers includes four individuals and one organization – the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina (EDPNC).
GroundBreak Carolinas honored the EDPNC for its significant achievements in attracting economic development investment in N.C.
Who is EDPNC?
Based in Raleigh, the EDPNC proudly serves as North Carolina’s statewide economic development organization, committed to serving all those looking to invest in, visit or do business with North Carolina. The EDPNC is focused on recruiting new businesses to the state, supporting the needs of existing businesses, connecting exporters to global customers, helping small business owners get their start, and attracting tourists and visitors from all over the world. In pursuit of sustainable job creation and investment in North Carolina, the EDPNC works closely with public- and private-sector partners at the state, regional and local levels.
As a nonprofit public-private partnership, the EDPNC operates under contract with the North Carolina Department of Commerce, while receiving additional financial support from the private sector. The EDPNC is governed by an 18-member board of business and industry leaders representative of the entire state.
A Banner Year for North Carolina (2022)
Here are some project highlights for 2022:
- Boom Supersonic, the high-profile aviation company building modern supersonic airliners for commercial service, announced in January that it will build its manufacturing and assembly plant in Greensboro, creating more than 1,750 jobs and investing more than $500 million.
- Eli Lilly and Company, a global healthcare leader, announced in January that it will invest $ 1 billion to build a manufacturing site in Concord. This project will create nearly 600 jobs.
- FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies U.S.A. Inc., world-leading contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO), announced in March it will create 725 jobs and invest $2 billion to build a biopharmaceutical manufacturing facility in Holly Springs.
- In August, Toyota announced an additional investment of $2.5 billion in its newest battery manufacturing plant. The project will create an additional 350 jobs. Toyota made its initial announcement in 2021.
- This month, Wolfspeed, a global leader in silicon carbide semiconductor manufacturing, announced that it will build its new semiconductor manufacturing plant in Siler City. The company will invest more than $5 billion and create 1,800 jobs.
Check out these impressive accolades year-to-date:
- CNBC named North Carolina America’s Top State for Business in 2022
- Area Development awarded North Carolina the Platinum Shovel Award
- Site Selection magazine awarded North Carolina the 2022 Prosperity Cup
- Business Facilities magazine named North Carolina the Best Business Climate in the nation for 2022
EDPNC Leadership
The EDPNC executive team is responsible for creating and implementing strategic direction across the state’s economic development efforts. Their work extends from business recruitment and tourism to supporting existing industries and enhancing North Carolina’s available corporate resources.
The EDPNC is led by Christopher Chung, Chief Executive Officer. Gene McLaurin, President of Quality Oil Company, is Chairman of EDPNC’s Board of Directors. Click here to view all members of the leadership team.
Main photo (at top of page): Governor Roy Cooper at the North Carolina Executive Mansion celebrating Apple’s 2021 decision to locate a research and development campus in Wake County, creating 3,000 jobs with a $1 billion investment in the state’s Research Triangle region.
