Research Triangle Region Posts Record Year for Business Investment
Posted: 01-28-2010 : RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C.

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. - Growing companies announced a record $1.9 billion in new investments in the Research Triangle Region during 2009 for projects expected to create more than 10,000 jobs. The announcements came from both new and existing companies, domestic and international, in a broad range of industries and all across the 13-county region, in both rural and urban areas.

"These announcements demonstrate the confidence companies around the world have in the economic strength and vitality of our region," said Charles A. Hayes, president and CEO of the Research Triangle Regional Partnership (RTRP), which coordinates economic development for the Research Triangle Region. "We're encouraged by the diverse nature of the businesses announcing major growth in our region and delighted at the prospect of new jobs being created for our citizens."

Among the investments announced during 2009 were:

• EMC Corporation, Durham County, $280 million new investment, 290 jobs.
• Talecris Biotherapeutics, Johnston County, $269 million expansion, 259 jobs.
• SAS Institute, Wake County, $70 million expansion.
• Shalag Industries, Granville County, $17 million new investment, 72 jobs.
• Deutsche Bank Global Technology, Wake County, $6.7 million new investment, 319 jobs.
• North American Aerodynamics Inc., Person County, $900,000 expansion, 375 jobs.

In 2010, RTRP moves forward aggressively to implement its new five-year strategic plan for economic growth. The plan, called The Shape of Things to Come, will guide regional economic development through 2014. It calls for creating 100,000 jobs and boosting employment in all 13 counties of the region through a three-part strategy of business growth, product development and regional collaboration.

Business-development activities will continue to focus on expanding the region's targeted clusters, particularly life sciences and technology, through a balanced economic-development approach. That includes recruiting companies that work in areas related to life sciences and technology, supporting the growth of existing companies in those areas, and encouraging the startup and growth of new ventures. The region will also continue work undertaken in the previous plan to extend the prosperity of the urban core to the outlying 10 more-rural counties of the region.

The Research Triangle Regional Partnership (RTRP) coordinates economic development for the Research Triangle Region, home of The Research Triangle Park and the 13 central-North Carolina counties of Chatham, Durham, Franklin, Granville, Harnett, Johnston, Lee, Moore, Orange, Person, Vance, Wake and Warren.

For learn more or get involved, contact RTRP at (919) 840-7372 or rtrp@researchtriangle.org or visit www.researchtriangle.org.