North Carolina Launches Nonprofit Corporation to Lead State's Economic Recruitment & Growth

CARY, N.C., Oct. 6, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina (EDPNC) officially began operations today, marking a new approach to how the state recruits businesses and helps existing companies grow.

The nonprofit corporation was created to consolidate and enhance North Carolina's marketing and recruitment functions, previously conducted by the N.C. Department of Commerce. Under a contract with the state, the EDPNC will oversee efforts in economic development, international trade, and tourism, film and sports development.

"North Carolina is open for business. We have a new office, a new structure and a bold new approach to how we sell this state," said N.C. Gov. Pat McCrory. "We will aggressively recruit businesses worldwide and help our existing companies grow, creating jobs and opportunities across this state and competing more effectively for business growth."

Using as a road map the state's 10-year jobs plan, authored by the N.C. Economic Development Board on behalf of Gov. McCrory, the EDPNC will proactively develop prospects and manage relationships with businesses and then partner with the Department of Commerce, which retains responsibility for state funds and decisions on job-creation incentive packages.

"This new structure gives us a big competitive advantage because we're enlisting public and private resources to help us promote the state's incredible assets," said EDPNC Chairman John Lassiter, of Charlotte, president of Carolina Legal Staffing. "We will be strategic and flexible, and serve as a company's single point of contact, with a greater focus on customer service and accountability."

Interim EDPNC Board Member Thomas Looney, vice president and general manager of Lenovo North America, an international computer technology company that continues to expand in North Carolina, believes the EDPNC is going to be great for the state.

"Global companies today demand speed and ease of doing business," said Looney, whose company has headquarters in Morrisville, N.C., and recently completed the acquisition of IBM's X86 server business. "The new Partnership enables North Carolina to aggressively compete with any state in the country by proactively communicating the tremendous value the state delivers."

The EDPNC will foster collaboration between businesses and government, local and regional development organizations, other businesses, community leaders, and the state's universities and community colleges. It also will provide businesses with access to innovative technology, research and a robust analysis of facilities and sites available for relocation.

The Partnership will leverage existing state funds with investment and support from private entities interested in fostering economic development in North Carolina. The EDPNC currently has 34 employees who previously promoted economic development at the Department of Commerce, and will grow as necessary in response to specific needs. A five-member interim board will lead the Partnership until official board appointments are in place.

"We are delighted to work with the Partnership as we continue to reenergize North Carolina's economic development efforts," said N.C. Secretary of Commerce Sharon Decker. "North Carolina has a great story to tell – from our excellent workforce and business-friendly environment, to our central location and quality of life – and we want to share that story with the world."

About the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina

The Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina (EDPNC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation focused on making the state more competitive at recruiting businesses, helping existing companies expand and creating jobs. It was created to consolidate and enhance North Carolina's marketing and recruitment functions, and oversees the state's efforts in business and job recruitment and retention, international trade, and tourism, film and sports development. Emphasizing customer service, the Partnership fosters collaboration between businesses and government, local and regional economic development organizations, other businesses, community leadership, and the state's universities and community colleges. It also provides access to research, innovative technology and research and a robust analysis of facilities and sites available for relocation.

SOURCE Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina