Global Opportunity in a Dynamic Landscape: Reflections from the 2025 SelectUSA Investment Summit

By Sam Rauf, Senior Economic Development Manager, WCED

I had the privilege of attending the 2025 SelectUSA Investment Summit in Washington, D.C. This year’s event stood out for the strength, clarity, and strategic focus of the conversations taking place. The international companies and delegations in attendance came with clear intent to explore partnerships, identify investment opportunities, and deepen their presence in the United States. 

Even amid an increasingly complex geopolitical and economic landscape, one thing was clear throughout the Summit: interest in the U.S. remains strong. Conversations with representatives from Europe, Asia, and beyond revealed continued enthusiasm for opportunities in innovation, advanced manufacturing, and workforce development — particularly in communities like ours. The Research Triangle — with its concentration of world-class universities, technology hubs, and high quality of life — continues to resonate with international companies. 

The summit officially kicked off on an exciting note with the announcement of Genentech’s $700 million investment in Holly Springs, North Carolina. This investment is expected to create hundreds of high-quality jobs, further strengthening the Triangle’s position as a leader in life sciences and biomanufacturing. It was a proud moment for our region and helped carry strong momentum for the Triangle throughout the remainder of the conference. 

Another standout moment was a special reception at the British Embassy, where we joined fellow economic developers and international representatives to foster connections with UK-based firms. The North Carolina reception — hosted by the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina — was also a valuable opportunity to connect with site selection consultants, statewide colleagues, and international partners. 

Outside the Summit itself, our team engaged in additional efforts to strengthen international ties. Prior to SelectUSA, we were honored to support a delegation visit from Taiwan, in partnership with North Carolina State University and the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina. The visit included targeted business-to-business matchmaking and in-depth conversations focused on the state’s innovation and advanced manufacturing ecosystems — especially in semiconductors, clean energy, and technology. This type of bilateral engagement lays essential groundwork for future investment and collaboration. 

Following the Summit, we kept the momentum going by hosting a delegation from the Indo-American Chamber of Commerce and a group of Indian companies exploring U.S. expansion opportunities. The Research Triangle’s deep talent pool and sector diversity — from biotech and IT to clean energy — provided an ideal backdrop for their exploration. Hosting these global leaders gave us the opportunity to showcase not only our assets, but also our readiness to support meaningful, long-term investment. 

Throughout the SelectUSA Summit and the surrounding delegation visits, the atmosphere was one of purposeful engagement. While the global landscape continues to evolve, I return to Wake County more encouraged than ever about North Carolina’s role in the global economy. Our ability to convene, connect, and collaborate with international partners is growing — and the world is clearly taking notice.