In North Carolina, international companies and their employees find success and thrive in one of the best states for business in the United States. The state, ranked 10th largest by population in America, offers a central east coast location that is ideal for growing a company’s market in the United States and Canada.

North Carolina is widely recognised for one of the best business climates in the United States. In November 2013, the influential trade magazine Site Selection ranked North Carolina the No.2 business climate in America. Over the last 19 years, the state has been ranked first 15 times. Forbes magazine ranks the state 4th best for business. Combined with its centralised location, which offers rapid access to 65 of the country’s top 100 markets and over 170 million North American consumers, North Carolina is a clear choice for value, profitability and overall success.

Indeed, global firms have noted North Carolina’s advantages, driving the state to rank 10th in America for employment supported by foreign direct investment (FDI) and 7th in manufacturing.

Global leaders such as Alcatel, Bosch Siemens Home Appliances, Credit Suisse, Daimler, Freightliner, GlaxoSmithKline, Novartis Crop Protection, Novo Nordisk Pharmaceuticals Industries, Siemens and Volvo all thrive in North Carolina. North Carolina offers foreign-owned companies a variety of advantages.

SKILLED, PRODUCTIVE WORKERS AND A GREAT LABOUR ENVIRONMENT
With an expanding and diverse population, North Carolina’s high-quality labour force meets the needs of today’s advanced manufacturing and knowledge-based industries.

COMPREHENSIVE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT NETWORK
North Carolina can help optimise your workforce, providing customised recruiting, screening and training services and lifelong learning opportunities through a coordinated network of state agencies.

EXCEPTIONAL EDUCATION INFRASTRUCTURE
New talent for North Carolina companies is developed through outstanding educational assets – beginning with nationally recognised pre-school programmes, accountable public schools, accessible state community college and public university systems, plus a variety of superb private institutions.

UNEQUALLED PROXIMITY TO MAJOR MARKETS
North Carolina’s central east coast location and extensive transportation infrastructure put the state within a 700-mile radius of more than 170 million US and Canadian consumers and provides global connections via deep water ports and international flights.

GLOBAL CONNECTIVITY
High-speed Internet access available throughout the state, 100 per cent digital switching and many other significant technology infrastructure investments provide advanced, reliable voice, data and video communications and networking options.

COMPETITIVE OPERATING COST STRUCTURE
Construction costs, electric rates, overall taxes and cost of living indices are all below the national average, providing an economical business climate.

A GREAT PLACE TO LIVE
North Carolina’s diverse geography and moderate climate allow a variety of outdoor recreation options. The state features world-class cultural institutions such as theatres, orchestral and ballet companies. You will enjoy living here, and so will your employees.

A GOVERNMENT THAT WORKS FOR BUSINESS
North Carolina’s progressive leadership has had the vision to make strategic investments in education, infrastructure and technology – and to emphasise sound fiscal policy through a constitutionally mandated balanced budget, reasonable tax rates and AAA bond rating.

CUSTOMISED BUSINESS LOCATION ASSISTANCE
North Carolina offers eligible companies a number of state and local programmes designed to lower costs and increase global competitiveness. Companies that meet certain requirements can take advantage of tax credits and other incentives including sales and use tax discounts, exemptions and refunds, discretionary programmes and other cost-saving programmes.

Additionally, the North Carolina Department of Commerce provides personalised consulting and support to assist companies in their location research and decision making. Firms are assigned a specialist who will guide them through the entire location process from beginning to end.

Discover the many resources dedicated to helping your company thrive in North Carolina.