The results of Chief Executive’s annual survey of CEO opinions of the best and worst states in which to do business were released today. North Carolina was again among the top ten best states for business, ranking third overall. In a comment released by Chief Executive, a CEO stated, “North Carolina appears to have a [...]

The N.C. Department of Commerce’s International Trade Division is making great strides with the U.S. Small Business Administration’s State Trade and Export Promotion grant program. The North Carolina STEP program, administered by the Division, is designed to increase exports and create jobs by helping small businesses promote their products and services in new international markets. [...]

North Carolina will recognize National Travel & Tourism Week this month with a range of events locally and statewide designed to highlight the contributions of the travel and tourism industry to the state’s economy. Local communities and businesses are encouraged to mark the period from May 3 through May 17 with events to showcase to [...]

Registration is open and limited sponsorships remain for the 2012 State of the Research Triangle Region event on May 24 at the Sheraton Imperial Hotel and Convention Center in Research Triangle Park. Hundreds of business and community leaders and dozens of sponsors already have signed up for the ninth annual economic development forum, hosted by [...]

Environmental Entrepreneurs’ (E2) recently released report on clean energy job creation in the first quarter of 2012 notes that 46,000 jobs in clean energy could be on America’s horizon if all announcements reach their potential. North Carolina, ranked number eight on the list of states where clean energy jobs were announced, could see nearly 2,300 [...]

WASHINGTON – The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and U.S. Small Business Administration today announced new resources to support small businesses across the nation.  Acting Chairman Gruenberg and SBAs Associate Administrator for Entrepreneurial Development Michael Chodos released Money Smart for Small Business, a training curriculum for new and aspiring business owners. Developed in partnership between both [...]

RALEIGH—Gov. Bev Perdue announced today that Ashley Furniture, a manufacturer and distributor of home furnishings, will locate a new manufacturing and distribution facility in Davie County. Ashley Furniture expects to create 550 new jobs over the next five years and invest $80 million in land, buildings, machinery and equipment. The announcement was made possible in [...]

Higher education institutions in North Carolina offer unique programs that complement evolving workforce needs of the state’s business and industry. The state’s universities produce skilled graduates each year and the community college system is recognized nationally for its customized workforce training programs. L–R: Prof. Hans-Peter Mengele, CEO, Karlsruhe Chamber of Industry and Commerce and CPCC [...]

Facebook’s Forest City Data Center celebrated its grand opening in Rutherford County yesterday after completing the site’s first building and beginning to serve user traffic from the facility. Facebook’s Vice President of Site Operations Tom Furlong and Data Center Manager George Henry joined N.C. Deputy Secretary Dale Carroll, members of the legislative delegation, Rutherford County [...]