North Carolina's Growth and Job Market

If you're interested in relocating or retiring to the Carolinas, and you intend to work there, it would be very helpful to know what makes an area grow, and where the jobs are.

Certainly, things are not always rosy just because an area is growing.  It has its ups and downs like anyplace else, however over time, solid growth areas hold their value and even increase in value.

So why does an area grow? Is North Carolina growing? And if I want to relocate or retire to North Carolina, where are the jobs?

An area may experience growth due to several factors.  One is having a government that enacts legislation favorable to business.  Another reason for growth is an area's natural resources (i.e.- land, water, power).  A skilled and competitively priced labor force, & focus on education also contribute to an area's success.

North Carolina is blessed with all of the above, which makes it an attractive location for big business.  Traditionally dominated by the textile, tobacco, & furniture industry, the new North Carolina has adapted, emerging as a major center for technology, pharmaceuticals, financial services, food processing, & motor vehicle parts.

In 2008, Google opened a $600 million server farm in Lenoir, NC.  Lenoir is located within Caldwell County, an hour and a half northwest of Charlotte.  Apple is in the process of investing $1 billion into a similar venture, in Maiden, NC.  Maiden is located within Catawba County, about 1 hour northwest of Charlotte, NC.

One Atlanta-based data center development & real estate firm rated North Carolina as one of the best total-cost locations for data centers in the U.S.  They took into consideration factors such as the low cost of power, a favorable business climate, and ultimately, the favorable tax incentives offered by the state.

Aerospace is another sector that contributes to growth in North Carolina.  Both Spirit Aerosystems and Honda Jet have made decisions to locate in Greensboro, NC. Governor Beverly Perdue estimates there are currently 17,000 people employed in the aerospace industry.  Perdue's intentions are to make North Carolina a major global player in aerospace manufacturing and service.

With a variety of industry,  a state legislation that is in favor of bringing business into North Carolina, a wealth of natural resources, a skilled and competitively priced labor force, & a focus on education, the future of North Carolina looks bright.

About the Author

Bob  Bencivenga is a professional site locator and location anyalyst for major corporations and been researching the growth of NC and SC to find those areas which are affordable. Visit his blog-The Carolina Report and signup free to  get blog updates by email, along with free advice on how to relocate or retire in the Carolinas, additional resources, and a lot more!  Go now to www.placesofvalue.com.  Bob does not sell real estate.

Can I reprint your article or blog posts?