I've seen some great things happen when you develop trust across boundaries. This holds promise.
We have a strong transportation system, a strong manufacturing work force and a comprehensive work-force training system with an advanced manufacturing component to offer.
We are delighted that the Piedmont Triad proposal was selected for this grant. The WIRED grant gives us both the financial and technical resources to develop an integrated strategy to restore the Piedmont Triad's global economic competitiveness.
This project has unfolded just as we hoped it would. The traditional economic impacts have been substantial - including things such as investment and employment numbers.
In a sense, PART has stepped in to bridge the council of government divide and provide a platform that's critically important to us from both a transportation and land-use planning perspective.
Dell being in the Triad has validated our message that the Piedmont Triad is an excellent place to do business.
The key to successful regional economic development is leadership. So to embrace a regional vision really requires leaders to understand the value of the importance of regions and the value of working collaboratively at regional levels.
When Dell, a company that conducts intensive due diligence, selects you, other companies certainly take notice. That's reflected in the increase in recruitment activity since Dell chose the Triad last year.
You want growth - it is a clear indicator of economic health. But you don't want growth that is so rapid that it outstrips your capacity and your infrastructure.
These are important contacts for us. Greenville is home to some of the industry's top consulting firms, while several of the national firms have regional offices in Charlotte.