Why North Carolina
The #1 state for business in America. The lowest corporate tax rate. A workforce pipeline that rivals any nation. This is where AfDEC chose to build — and why your enterprise should too.
The Numbers That Matter
Infrastructure That Moves Capital
North Carolina's multimodal infrastructure positions enterprises at the center of East Coast commerce — with direct access to 70% of the U.S. population within a day's drive.
International Airports
2 MajorCharlotte Douglas (CLT) — 6th busiest in the U.S. Raleigh-Durham (RDU) — direct routes to London, Paris, and major U.S. hubs.
Deep-Water Seaports
2 MajorPort of Wilmington and Morehead City — strategic Atlantic corridor access for containerized and bulk cargo.
Rail & Interstate Network
5 InterstatesI-40, I-85, I-95 corridor connectivity. Norfolk Southern and CSX freight rail serving major industrial parks.
Broadband & Digital
95%+ CoverageStatewide broadband initiative. Research Triangle Park — largest research park in the U.S. at 7,000 acres.
Workforce & Education
North Carolina's education-to-employment pipeline is the most sophisticated in the Southeast. With 16 UNC System universities, 58 community colleges, and customized workforce training programs, enterprises access talent at scale — from entry-level operators to PhD-level researchers.
Explore Workforce ProgramsWorkforce Climate
Ranked #1 in workforce climate among all U.S. states by Area Development Magazine
Community Colleges
North Carolina Community College System — the nation's 3rd largest — provides customized workforce training
University System
UNC System with world-class institutions: Duke, NC State, UNC-Chapel Hill, Wake Forest
Tier-1 Research Universities
Producing 12,000+ STEM graduates annually feeding directly into the state's innovation pipeline
Industry Corridors
Six high-growth sectors anchoring North Carolina's position as the premier destination for enterprise investment, talent acquisition, and innovation.
Advanced Manufacturing
Aerospace, automotive, and EV manufacturing hub. $4.7B JetZero facility in Greensboro.
Life Sciences & Biotech
RTP anchors 300+ life science companies. $3.6B annual R&D investment.
Financial Services & Fintech
Charlotte — 2nd largest U.S. banking center. Home to Bank of America and Truist.
Technology & AI
Apple, Google, Meta, and Amazon have major NC operations. $10B AWS AI campus incoming.
Clean Energy
Top 5 in U.S. solar capacity. $12B+ invested in clean energy infrastructure.
Tourism & Hospitality
$34B annual visitor spending. Blue Ridge Parkway, Outer Banks, and 41 state parks.
A $34 Billion Visitor Economy
North Carolina welcomes over 50 million visitors annually — generating $34 billion in direct spending and supporting 225,000 jobs. From the Blue Ridge Mountains to the Outer Banks, the state's tourism infrastructure is a proven economic engine.
For African diaspora enterprises in hospitality, culinary arts, eco-tourism, and cultural heritage — North Carolina offers a market that is both deep and receptive. AfDEC is actively positioning tourism as a bilateral corridor: NC visitors discovering Africa, and African tourism operators accessing the U.S. market.
Quality of Life
The best talent doesn't just follow jobs — they follow quality of life. North Carolina delivers both.
Start Your NC Expansion
Whether you are relocating, expanding, or investing — North Carolina is ready. AfDEC will guide you from site selection to day one.