From today’s Raleigh News & Observer:
Raleigh’s economic developer, James Sauls, explained how he sells the city to companies looking to relocate. His competition for new jobs often isn’t within the state, he said.
“We do not compete with Charlotte very often; we’re two different economies,” he said.
When companies name top contenders for a move or expansion, Sauls says six cities are typically on the list with Raleigh: Atlanta, New York, Austin, Texas; San Jose, Calif.; Boston and Washington.
And
But one factor didn’t influence Ipreo’s move [from New York]: the Triangle’s plans to eventually add light rail and other expanded transit options. [Executive Vice President O’Hara] Macken says his employees live all over the Triangle, and those who have experienced rush hour in the Northeast think driving to work here is easy.
“I think (transit) would have been more critical to us if we were going somewhere where there was traffic congestion,” he said, adding that his workers would still like a rail line to Chapel Hill, Durham and the airport.
Interesting.
