The successful recruitment of several high-tech related companies and expansion of facilities in 2004 helped North Carolina earn “State of the Year” recognition from Southern Business & Development magazine.

North Carolina also shared the top spot with Alabama for largest business deals.

The magazine ranks states based on job and investment announcements. North Carolina’s list included:

  • Credit Suisse First Boston building a financial center in RTP, creating 400 jobs

  • Dell deciding to build a $100 million computer manufacturing facility in the Triad, generating 1,500 jobs

  • Verizon Wireless building a $29 million call center in Wilmington, providing some 1,200 jobs

  • Merck building a $300 million vaccine plant in Durham, producing some 200 jobs

    • “No Southern state has turned more deals overall than North Carolina since the summer of 2004,” said Southern Business & Development Publisher Michael Randle.

    For more information, see: www.sb-d.com