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Research Triangle Leaders Share Insights on Job Creation

Summary: 
The mayors of the Research Triangle share how their cities are working to create opportunities through innovation.

Today, the President traveled to North Carolina to meet with the Jobs and Competitiveness Council at the corporate and U.S. manufacturing headquarters of Cree, a leading manufacturer of energy efficient LED lighting. In addition, this morning members of the Jobs Council and senior Administration officials held five Listening and Action Sessions across the Research Triangle (Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill, North Carolina) to solicit input on how the public and private sectors can partner to create jobs and opportunities for small businesses. The mayors of the Research Triangle share their insights on how their cities have worked to create opportunities through innovation.

Mayor William V. “Bill” Bell of Durham explains that his city’s approach to job creation includes “strategic use of economic incentives to entice quality companies to relocate to Durham, bringing new jobs with them; creating a friendly atmosphere for budding entrepreneurs and for major corporate expansion; and using economic development grants and incentives to help support capital investment and job creation in existing high-growth industries.”

Mayor Mark Kleinschmidt of Chapel Hill fills us in on how the region has spurred economic investment: “Many years ago, North Carolina’s leaders had the foresight to understand the importance of innovative research and development when they created Research Triangle Park.  As a result, the Triangle has become a world class center of research and a model of forward thinking economic development.  This work has ensured that the United States has remained competitive in advanced manufacturing, innovation, and research and development.”

Finally, Mayor Charles Meeker of Raleigh lays out the three pillars of his city’s investment in innovation, “Raleigh’s commitment to sustainability is a cornerstone of its vision for the future. That vision is broad and comprehensive, focusing on the interdependent relationships of environmental stewardship, economic strength and social integrity. These three fundamental elements of sustainability define the vision and will serve to guide decisions Raleigh will need to make as a 21st Century City of Innovation.