WCED Promotes Area to Consultants and Brokers

Wake County Economic Development project manager James Sauls traveled to Charlotte, N.C., and Greenville, S.C., Dec. 10-11, 2008, to call on-site location consultants and brokers. Sauls joined the trip organized by Debbie Lilly, vice president of client services for Research Triangle Regional Partnership (RTRP). The group was invited to make presentations to familiarize the consultants and brokers with Raleigh, Wake County and the Research Triangle area.
 
The team met with representatives from the following companies: Binswanger, Fluor Global, Tax Advantage Group, McCallum Sweeney Consulting and InSite Consulting Group. The group received positive feedback on the county’s and region’s efforts at recruiting projects to the market. One consultant stated that the market has and will continue to receive looks from prospects because of the reputation that the region has among site selection and business environments. Several consultants recommended that the region continue to focus on renewable resources, and the services associated with the industry, as they have seen a steady increase in this sector.
 
Recently, the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) released their 2009 Federal Economic Development Agenda and will present the Executive Summary to the Obama administration and Congress. One focus of the agenda is to encourage the development of renewable energy and energy-efficient technologies and industries. Wake County Economic Development and RTRP are currently studying how to identify and support the recruitment of this sector.