EDGE 6 Investors Receive Exclusive Updates at Latest Meeting

Wake County Economic Development is funded by investments from the private and public sectors through the Raleigh Chamber’s EDGE program. Since its establishment in 1995, the Raleigh Chamber’s EDGE program has spearheaded economic development for Raleigh, Wake County, and the region, playing a critically important role in the growth of those economies with key leaders in business, government, higher education, and regional organizations represented. Now in its sixth iteration, our EDGE investors are vital to Wake County Economic Development’s work and we are honored to provide quarterly investor meetings highlighting our progress, as well as that of our partners and other economic drivers in the region. 

At the recent meeting on March 12, 2024, investors from many of the Triangle’s leading organizations gathered for a lunch and learn session at City Club Raleigh on the future of downtown Raleigh. Buzz Crosby, Regional Vice President at Martin Marietta, opened the discussion by highlighting and thanking each of the EDGE 6 investors before welcoming the panel moderated by Kyle Touchstone, Director of Raleigh Economic Development. Mary-Ann Baldwin, Mayor of Raleigh, Bill King, President and CEO of the Downtown Raleigh Alliance, and Skip Hill, Senior Vice President and Raleigh Market Leader at Highwoods Properties, joined Kyle for a discussion on the current progress and future plans for Raleigh’s downtown. 

Overall, the panelists agreed that the downtown area has come a long way with increased safety measures, busier streets on the weekends, and several influential projects underway. Mayor Baldwin highlighted progress on the city’s new offices at East City Tower and along the New Bern Avenue BRT route. Skip also discussed a few projects, remarking that he felt “pretty bullish” about Raleigh and Highwoods Properties occupancy in the market. Bill also showcased a lot of positivity for the downtown district, explaining several key points in Downtown Raleigh Alliance’s Activating Fayetteville Street economic development strategy and how they are going to help. Discover more from each of our panelists on social media here and download the full Activating Fayetteville Street report today!