In March, Wake County Economic Development hosted André Müller, a reporter for Neue Zürcher Zeitung or “NZZ,” a German-language daily newspaper published in Switzerland. NZZ is considered one of the leading business publications in Switzerland.

Wake County has long been a magnet for investment from Swiss companies, hosting major global brands across finance, advanced manufacturing, and luxury goods—such as UBS, Audemars Piguet, Roche (Genentech), ABB, Novartis, and many more. Andre set out to understand how and why this trend emerged.

We curated an itinerary for Andre to highlight strategic partnerships and influential players in the Research Triangle that contribute to Wake County’s success. To kick off his visit, Andre attended the Greater Raleigh Chamber’s Life Sciences Outlook event, where he interviewed several key leaders. He later visited Wake Tech, NC State University, and the North Carolina Biotechnology Center, as well as life sciences sites in Holly Springs.

Here are five key takeaways from the article:

1. Wake County has become a strategic hub for global biotech investment
   Wake County is a major center for pharmaceutical manufacturing, anchored by large Swiss investments from companies like Roche (Genentech) and Novartis and driven by demand for resilient U.S.-based supply chains.
2. Swiss-style strengths power Wake County and North Carolina’s success
   Wake County attracts companies using traits long associated with Switzerland: efficient government, low and transparent taxes, strong infrastructure, fast permitting, and close coordination between the public and private sector.
3. Education and workforce development are decisive advantages
   A major pillar of the Research Triangle region’s success is North Carolina’s workforce training system, particularly Wake Tech Community College and its Biomanufacturing Training and Education Center. The program focuses on hands‑on skills like operating bioreactors—the core technology behind modern biotech drugs. This approach resembles Switzerland’s dual education system, blending practical training with academic pathways, giving companies confidence to build large factories side by side.
4. Tariffs accelerated decisions but didn’t create the boom
   U.S. tariffs pushed companies to act faster, but the investments are economically viable on their own, built on decades of regional planning, institutional cooperation, and industrial policy—not short‑term political appeasement.
5. A growth‑first, pragmatic political culture underpins long‑term competitiveness
   The article emphasizes that “degrowth” is not part of North Carolina’s vocabulary. North Carolina’s bipartisan, problem‑solving “purple state” mindset and strong belief in growth stand in sharp contrast to European debates over population limits, helping sustain momentum even amid rapid expansion.

Andre’s visit and subsequent article highlighted the important, growing role that Wake County is playing in the Swiss economy. This visit aligns with WCED’s focus on life sciences, foreign direct investment and global brand awareness strategies.