Not long ago, in North Carolina, there was no such thing as a Research Triangle Park. Today, RTP is a world-renowned leader in the biotech industry. It's a cornerstone of North Carolina's Biotechnology Corridor.

The 7,000-acre RTP was named for the triangle formed by the three area universities (Duke University in Durham, the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University in Raleigh). It's the largest research park in the country, with more than 140 organizations.

North Carolina's RTP shows just how much can be accomplished with vision and determination. Today, North Carolina still targets the biotech industry. Its industry cluster, central location, renowned universities, educated labor pool and quality of life work together to attract newcomers to the state.

It's the supportive environment created by this biotech cluster that helped Eisai Inc. decide to stay and expand in the RTP. The New Jersey-based pharmaceutical company is investing $9 million to add 80,000 square feet to its manufacturing and development facility.

The expansion, which is expected to be complete next summer, will result in the creation of about 75 new jobs.

"The intellectual community created by the surrounding universities provides an excellent business environment for companies that are engaged in cutting-edge research and development," said Ray Wood, vice president of pharmaceutical and analytical research and development for Eisai.

Tranzyme Inc. chose a site in RTP for similar reasons. The company, which focuses on genomics-based drug research for neurosensory diseases, collaborates with scientists at Duke and North Carolina, and is in the process of developing collaborations with scientists at North Carolina State.

Locating a new research lab in BD Technologies' Venture Center, located in the RTP, was a natural move.

"The laboratories at BD Technologies provide state-of-the-art facilities and a scientific environment that will substantially enhance the growth of Tranzyme," said Ram Ramabhadran, senior vice president of research and development for Tranzyme. "It will help us to further expand our research programs and provide us with critical interactions with local biotech companies and prominent researchers at the many major universities in the area."

"We chose Research Triangle Park because of the commitment to high-tech growth by the surrounding cities, the universities and local business organizations," noted Vipin K. Garg, president and CEO of Tranzyme.

A High Quality of Life

The region's quality of life also played a role in attracting Eisai and Tranzyme.

The June 2002 issue of Employment Review ranked the Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill area as the best place to live and work in the country. The January 2002 issue of Expansion Management ranked the area as the second "hottest" city in the country for manufacturing expansions and relocations.

The medical and biotechnology industries are also growing in Winston-Salem, where Wake Forest University's School of Medicine provides research facilities and a steady supply of new graduates.

The school is building a new research campus at the Piedmont Triad Research Park as part of a 180-acre expansion to the park. The remainder of the expanded park will be available for other research centers, technology start-up companies, small businesses, laboratories, retail businesses and restaurants.

The expanded research park is considered a major player in North Carolina's Biotechnology Corridor, which includes more than 150 biotech companies spread throughout the state.

Electronics is another industry that North Carolina is targeting. Like biotech, the electronics industry is attracted by the state's educated workers.

Flextronics, an electronics manufacturing services provider, recently announced its decision to locate an East Coast design and manufacturing facility in Youngsville. The company will invest $20 million to locate an 825,000 square foot facility on 75 acres in the Youngsville Commerce Park.

The facility will design, engineer, test and manufacture optical communications products. With ambitious plans to create 1,500 new jobs during the next three years, Flextronics chose a site that could provide available, skilled workers.

Location Enhances State

All companies benefit from North Carolinas central location, but some more than others. The distribution industry - another of the state's primary targets - is particularly fond of the state's centrality.

Winston-Salem recently became a beneficiary of its great location, both in the center of North Carolina and the center of the Southeast region. Federal Express is in the process of opening a new hub at the Piedmont Triad International Airport.

Federal Express is investing $500 million to build a new 9,000-foot runway, new taxiways and a sorting facility. The money will also be used for other airfield and surface transportation improvements.

The 1 million square foot hub will sort packages for distribution along the East Coast. It is expected to open in 2007, when it will initially employ 750 people.

Ann Morris is a freelance business writer based in Leawood, Kan.