The economic rebound is showing strength in the Charlotte region, according to data from the North Carolina and South Carolina Departments of Commerce.
The Charlotte Regional Partnership says $1.9 billion in business investment was recorded in the first three quarters of the 2003-4 fiscal year. The same time period in 2002-3 produced less than half that amount.
“Business leaders continue to respond to our message of balance,” said Michael Almond, president of the CRP. “We have a unique balance of business strength, global accessibility and quality of life that makes Charlotte USA a great place for businesses to grow. And, once people get here, they don’t want to leave.”
The region has added 6,000 new jobs so far this fiscal year. And CRP attributes the growth in part to aggressive marketing.
“CRP has been very effective in marketing the Charlotte USA region as a great place for business relocations and expansions,” said Paul Grube, CRP chairman and regional president for Wachovia Corporation, in announcing the results. “We’ve been able to remain steady even though the region is still in transition and the Carolina economy is still lagging national indicators that point to recovery. This is good news in otherwise tough times.”
The organization also said it has 26 projects “in the hopper” — more than triple the number of a year ago.
The CRP is an economic development organization that covers 16 counties in and around Charlotte in both North and South Carolina.
The group said it touted the region in meetings with 59 consultants through the course of 19 business development trips. Seven of those were international. CRP also participated in numerous tradeshows and played host to visitors 15 different times.
Michael Mayer, meanwhile, was named chairman of the group. He is senior vice president and commercial market executive for Bank of America’s Southern Piedmont region.
CRP: www.charlotteusa.com
