In the latest episode of In Good Company with the Greater Raleigh Chamber presented by Carr, Riggs & Ingram, Michael Haley and Kyle Touchstone broke down the strategies, partnerships, and long-term planning driving the region’s next chapter.

The conversation focused on economic growth and community development in the Raleigh/Wake County region, with a particular emphasis on where the area stands today, how it got there, and the challenges and opportunities ahead. Michael and Kyle reflected on the Chamber’s mission to support business growth, enhance quality of life, and increase economic opportunity across the region.

Key Themes Covered

1. Regional Growth & Growth Challenges

Population and economic expansion were central to the discussion. Raleigh and Wake County have experienced strong growth driven by business recruitment, talent attraction, and investment, while also facing challenges related to infrastructure needs and managing success at scale.

2. Economic Mobility & Opportunity

The podcast highlighted ongoing efforts to improve economic mobility and ensure the benefits of growth were widely shared across the community. The region’s strong national performance in economic mobility reflected targeted initiatives in workforce development, equity, and inclusion.

3. Affordability & Quality of Life

Affordability and livability emerged as key components of what makes Raleigh attractive. Access to parks, housing options, and job opportunities continued to draw residents and businesses, while rapid growth underscored affordability pressures and the need for balanced planning.

4. Community Impact of Work & Partnerships

The conversation emphasized the broader community impact of economic development—extending beyond job creation to include strong public-private and civic partnerships. Strategies such as the Chamber’s EDGE 7 economic development plan were noted as critical to long-term competitiveness and community well-being.

5. Talent & Workforce Development

Talent remained a recurring theme, with discussion centered on the importance of strong workforce pipelines connected to universities and training initiatives to help attract and retain employers.

The episode offered clear insight into how economic development strategy connects growth with real community outcomes—from job creation and investment to quality of life and equitable opportunity—reinforcing that growth is not just about numbers, but about building a sustainable, inclusive community.