North Carolina is the blueprint for business success. With booming small businesses, a resilient economy, and unstoppable momentum, this is where smart companies grow and thrive. Ready to see why everyone’s watching the Carolinas?
North Carolina is not just open for business—it was built for it. With a projected 2.7% growth in real GDP for 2025 and a top-six ranking in WalletHub’s national economic index, the Tar Heel State continues to attract attention from investors, founders, and job creators alike.
Small businesses aren’t just a part of the story—they are the story. Accounting for 99.6% of all businesses and employing over 1.7 million North Carolinians, small enterprises drive this state’s economy. Over the last 25 years, they’ve created the majority of new jobs. In a time of national economic uncertainty, North Carolina is proving to be an exception.
Inclusivity is more than a trend here; it’s a strength. Nearly half of all North Carolina businesses are female-owned, and 9% are Hispanic-owned. That kind of representation builds stronger communities and brings fresh energy to every sector, from retail to research.
Cities like Concord demonstrate how opportunity spreads across the state. With affordable commercial real estate, an ideal population size, and a high percentage of employer-owned firms, it ranked as one of North Carolina’s top cities for small businesses. For startups and established businesses alike, the environment is ripe.
From construction to tech, real estate to scientific services, North Carolina’s economy is wide-ranging. This built-in diversity makes local economies more resilient and gives business owners a stronger foundation to grow and scale—regardless of industry cycles or national headwinds.
North Carolina offers tools to help with Business data and information here
Since 2022, North Carolina has emerged as a national leader in global exports, shipping over $40 billion in goods to international markets. When you add in a skilled workforce, a business-friendly government, and strategic market access, it’s clear: businesses that start here are built to outperform.
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