The state of North Carolina sees a direct correlation between an investment in its educational infrastructure and its ability to attract company expansion and relocation projects. The tie that binds those two points together is a highly skilled work force.

There are 36 private colleges and universities, in addition to the 16-campus University of North Carolina system. Through these institutions, every region of the state is afforded educational opportunities, cultural resources and business support.

Along with four medical schools, three engineering schools, one veterinary and one dental school, some of the nation’s leading graduate programs are offered through the state’s universities and colleges.

North Carolina ranks sixth in the nation in per capita appropriations for higher education, and its institutions conduct more than $1 billion in sponsored research annually.

The state also has the third-largest community college system in the country with 58 schools. The system is recognized nationally for its customized work force training program, which provides high quality training and services that give North Carolina’s businesses and industries a competitive advantage.

In addition, the community college system provides work force training in biotechnology through the statewide BioNetwork program and BioWork course. The community colleges, along with the UNC System, industry trade group NCBIO, the Biotechnology Center and five biomanufacturing companies, are part of the North Carolina Biomanufacturing and Pharmaceutical Training Consortium.

Work Force Attracts Companies

Expanding companies almost always cite a quality work force as a primary factor in their decisions to locate in North Carolina.

A statewide system of programs raises the quality of workers by bolstering work force placement, training and policies. The system also prepares North Carolinia residents facing economic disadvantage, job loss and other barriers to employment.

Comprised of work force partner organizations, including the Department of Commerce, the North Carolina Community College System and the Employment Security Commission, the state’s work force investment system brings together the resources that individuals, employers and work force professionals need to prosper in the global economy, resulting in: increased employment, higher earnings, strong educational and occupational skills and more competitive businesses.

The highly skilled work force means high-tech expansion and retention projects in the state.

RF Micro Devices (RFMD), a manufacturer of microchips for global wireless communications industries, will invest $103 million to expand its facilities in Greensboro.

The company plans to hire about 300 new employees and invest in new machinery and equipment during the next three years.

With this project, the company, which was founded in Greensboro in 1991, will have invested more than $500 million and will increase its work force to more than 2,100 employees.

The new wafer fabrication facility will locate in Enterprise Park III, near Piedmont Triad International Airport.

In addition, RFMD plans to build a smaller $15 million facility in Mooresville, which will employ 50 workers.

The majority of the new jobs will be skilled manufacturing positions.

The company received an 11-year Job Development Investment Grant (JDIG) for the expansion project. Over the life of the grant, the North Carolina Department of Commerce estimates the project will generate a cumulative gross state product value of $ 639.8 million, produce a cumulative net state revenue impact of $9.5 million and contribute up to $1.4 million to the state’s Industrial Development Fund for infrastructure improvements in economically distressed areas. This contribution is required of grant recipients that locate in the state’s more prosperous counties.

For each year the company meets required performance targets, the state will provide a grant equivalent to 70 percent of the state personal income withholding taxes derived from the creation of the new jobs.

If RFMD creates all of the jobs called for under the agreement and sustains them for 11 years, the company could receive a maximum benefit of $4.25 million.

Wind Tunnel eXtreme, a high-tech automotive research and development firm, will open a facility in Salisbury, creating 29 jobs and investing $60 million during the next three years.

Wind Tunnel eXtreme is a research and development group that tests and designs aerodynamic features for automobiles. The company will also provide aerodynamic testing and validation services.

“[We] chose North Carolina because of its proximity to the center of automobile racing,” said Don Babb, CEO of Wind Tunnel eXtreme. “The Charlotte area has all of the elements we were looking for: a home base for NASCAR, a major international airport and the availability of a highly qualified work force.”

The announcement was made possible, in part, by a $30,000 One North Carolina Fund grant.

The One North Carolina Fund provides financial assistance through local governments to attract business projects that will stimulate economic activity and create new jobs. One North Carolina Fund grants require and are contingent upon a local match.

An Investment in Biotechnology

The state also has a bustling biotechnology industry. The state ranked third in the nation in the number of biotechnology companies for the fourth consecutive year, according to Ernst and Young’s 2007 industry survey. More than 436 bioscience companies are headquartered or have operations in North Carolina, employing more than 52,000 workers, according to the state’s Biotechnology Center.

Since 1984, North Carolina has invested more than $187 million in its biotechnology infrastructure. That investment includes a range of grants and loans for startup companies and education training programs.

The latest investment is in Research Triangle Park startup company Precision Human Biolaboratory (PHB). The Biotechnology Center awarded $250,000 to the company to boost its commercialization and development of a blood test for major depression.

The loan amount was the maximum available under the Biotechnology Center's Strategic Growth Loan program, which was launched in 2006 to help new North Carolina biotechnology companies survive the startup process.

“Thanks to the North Carolina Biotechnology Center's help, we are developing a diagnostic tool that has the potential to greatly assist the medical, psychiatric and drug development communities in their efforts to address one of the highest frequency and most debilitating conditions our society faces,” said Yiwu He, a co-founder of PHB.

West Pharmaceutical Services Inc., a manufacturer of components and systems for injectable drug delivery and plastic packaging, will expand in Kinston, creating 154 jobs and investing $18.7 million during the next three years.

“Our decision to expand in Kinston recognizes the value of our work force and the positive economic climate in North Carolina,” said Donald E. Morel, chairman and CEO of West Pharmaceutical.

The expansion was made possible, in part, by a $300,000 One North Carolina Fund grant.