Momentum doesn’t have to come at a cost. In today’s economy, the most competitive regions make strategic investments to drive growth while removing barriers that slow it down. In the Triangle region, you’ll find the capital city (Raleigh), located in a powerhouse county (Wake County), all in one historic region.
More Momentum.
Less Friction.
Doing Business in the Research Triangle Region of North Carolina
You want a place where ideas move fast, partnerships come naturally, and business gets done without unnecessary obstacles, where everyone at the table has the same goal.
The culture of collaboration is a major draw. From building a personal network to assimilating into the business community, aligning priorities and partnering could not be easier. Cross-collaboration among government, public, and private sectors, and higher education institutions is the result of years of effort to eliminate friction and drive momentum.
Keep the Momentum
With more young people moving here every day the Triangle is a “brainpower cluster” with one of the highest concentrations of well-educated talent in the country where half of the population have a bachelor’s degree or higher. Our 10 colleges and universities (including three top tier research universities) and six community colleges attracts some of the brightest minds in the U.S. and the world, contributing to the area’s high performing workforce.
The ease of doing business in the Raleigh metro is one of the most desirable traits of the state and attracts highquality companies and talent. The Raleigh metro has a pro-business regulatory environment and a low cost of living, making the metro a competitive place to live and work. Business costs are 5% below the national average and North Carolina has a AAA bond rating.
Rental rates in the Triangle market are 5% or more below the national average, offering businesses meaningful savings on occupancy costs. But that’s just the beginning—North Carolina’s commercial electricity rates are approximately 14% lower than the national average, helping reduce ongoing operational expenses. Even construction costs in the Raleigh MSA come in at over 25% below the national average, making development and expansion significantly more affordable.
Cities and towns in Wake County are the primary providers of water and wastewater services, with Raleigh providing service for its citizens as well as several smaller municipalities. Duke Energy is the primary provider of electricity to Wake County residents via the 900 megawatt Shearon Harris Nuclear Power Plant located in southwest Wake County.
Wake County enjoys a competitive tax environment which helps to create one of the most pro-business cities in America. North Carolina currently boasts the lowest corporate income tax rate in the United States at 2.25%, with a strategic plan to phase it down to 0% by 2030.
Additionally, the personal income tax rate has been steadily decreasing—from 5.499% in 2019 to 4.50% in 2025—and is projected to further decline to 3.99% by 2030.
Well-planned communities with quality infrastructure and transportation are the most likely to realize a bright economic future. Wake County and its municipalities are fortunate to have the business community working alongside staff and elected officials to determine how to maintain and expand services and facilities required to accommodate the region’s future growth.
Raleigh-Durham continues to see major new investments as the region’s hub for transportation, walkability, and greenspace. Our region has enjoyed a sustained mobility advantage due to strategic transportation investments based around a data-driven allocation formula, our geographically dispersed population and job centers, as well as the fortuitous location of north-south interstates that redirect through traffic away from our daily commuting routes.
Our Ecosystem
The Raleigh metro is propelled by a diverse economy of technology, life sciences, advanced manufacturing, clean technology and more.
The Triangle continues to see major new investments as the region’s hub for transportation, walkability, and greenspace. Our region has enjoyed a sustained mobility advantage due to strategic transportation investments based around a data-driven allocation formula, our geographically dispersed population and job centers, as well as the fortuitous location of north-south interstates that redirect through traffic away from our daily commuting routes.
Raleigh-Durham International Airport has over 400 daily departures on 19 major airlines to more than 77 non-stop destinations each day. More than 15 million passengers travel through RDU annually. The two upgraded terminals offer numerous, locally-focused dining and shopping opportunities, as well as provide the latest technology and services.
Halfway between New York and Florida, Raleigh offers easy access to an international airport, three tier-one research universities, and a car ride to the mountains and the beach. Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) is ranked as one of the best mid/large-sized airports and has ten major airlines with 400+ daily flights. We’re also located right on I-40 which runs straight through the country to California and close to I-95, which runs north-south on the East Coast.
What makes the Raleigh metro one of the best places to live and work in the United States? The Raleigh metro is home to a diverse economy, a highly educated and skilled workforce, a welcoming culture, a strong business climate, world-class colleges and universities, and a collaborative spirit unique to our region
Success happens when momentum outpaces friction, and the Triangle region has momentum:
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