Economic Development Annual Meeting 2024 Recap

“It’s about our people. Full stop,” shared Ginny Wright, CEO of Audemars Piguet Americas, at the 2024 Economic Development Annual Meeting presented by UBS.

Ginny was joined by Greg Clark, Vice President of INEOS Automotive Americas, and Jordan Ulrich, Vice President of Project Delivery and Holly Springs Site Lead at FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies, in the first of two panels at the event. Together, the executives discussed the factors that led their companies to make significant investments in Wake County recently.

Ginny went on to share that there were more than 200 individual data points that influenced the luxury watchmaker’s decision to relocate their North American service center to Raleigh. Quality of life, cost of living, and a robust talent pipeline were key factors that motivated all three companies to select Wake.

The second panel was comprised of local leaders who work each day to make sure our community stays a great place to live, work, and play. Adrienne Cole, President & CEO of the Raleigh Chamber, led a conversation with Marchell Adams-David, City Manager at City of Raleigh, David Ellis, County Manager at Wake County Government, and Dr. Robert P. Taylor, Superintendent of Wake County Public School System.

Together, they discussed City and County investments in infrastructure, affordable housing, and public education. Dr. Taylor elaborated on how the school system is responding to changing population demographics and evolving needs from the workforce.

In addition to the panels, 280+ guests also heard a recap of Wake County Economic Development’s impact in the last five years through the EDGE 6 strategy. Since October 2019, WCED has announced $5.7 billion in new capital investment, tracked 23,000+ new jobs, identified 8,000 acres for future industrial development, supported 880 small, minority businesses, and secured $892 million in successful bond campaigns.

To close the event, Michael Haley, Executive Director of Wake County Economic Development, gave attendees a preview of the upcoming EDGE 7 campaign that will lead the next 5 years of economic development.

To view photos and videos from the event, visit the event hashtag on X and LinkedIn.