A:  Contact our international office in your region of the world or directly contact the international recruitment staff in Raleigh, North Carolina:

A: We provide – free of charge – a full range of site selection services to companies and individuals interested in investing in North Carolina.  These services include:

• Research and analysis of labor markets
• Business costs and benefits
• Supplier chains
• State-to-state comparisons
• Industry studies
• Statewide building and side database
• Personalized visit itinerary development and implementationIntroduction to utility providers: rail, water, sewer, roads electricity, telecommunications and natural gas.
• Introduction to community leaders: banks, attorneys, accountants and educators.
• Environmental permitting review, assistance and evaluation.
• Recruiting, screening and training of labor force with assistance through state and local organizations.
• Relocation assistance: visas, quality of life issues, schooling and housing.
• Financing and incentives packages using various federal, state, regional and local programs.

A: We have developed an extensive network of allies in all fields of business from attorneys, to local community leaders to utility companies. Your company can access this network through our office in your region of the world or through our staff in Raleigh, N.C.

A: North Carolina’s per capita state and local tax rates are among the lowest in the 50 states.

State and Local Taxes – a brief sketch of all state and local taxes payable by most corporations and individuals.

A: Companies that meet certain requirements can take advantage of tax credits and other incentives that lessen the tax burden and lower the overall costs of locating and doing business in North Carolina.

The Department of Commerce serves as a “one-stop” financial center with all the information you need about funding alternatives in our state.

For more information on financial advantages offered by our state, visit the Incentives section of our website.

A: North Carolina has the tenth largest international presence in the United States, with firms hailing from more than 30 countries around the globe.

Below are the statistics for some countries with foreign investments in North Carolina:

•  Canada
•  France
•  Germany
•  Italy
•  Japan
•  Mexico
•  Netherlands
•  Sweden
•  Switzerland
•  United Kingdom
  
  

A: Due to the unique rewards of doing business in our state, a variety of non-US foreign-owned companies have chosen to locate in North Carolina.  These firms have invested more than $25 Billion in North Carolina.

For a complete list of foreign-owned firms, see the International Firms Directory.

A: These are mistakes we hear about most often:

• Investors try to equate how business is conducted in their home country with how business is conducted in the U.S.  Both formal and informal methods of conducting business are different.  Businesses should approach the U.S. market with no preconceptions and ask questions to assess the facts on all issues in which they are involved.
• Investors fail to request assistance or seek professional advice before making decisions.  With so many services available to assist companies in locating to North Carolina -- both free and “fee-for-service” -- no business executive should feel they are working on their own.  Gather a team of resources you can call on to address technical questions in each area of your company’s needs.
• Companies fail to include in the site selection team the individuals who will ultimately run the facility.

A:  We provide support to guide you through incorporating.  While not required by law, we encourage you to seek professional counsel early on in your process to address your unique needs.

To get started, download  Legal Aspects - Preparing to Do Business in North Carolina that discusses legal issues in-depth.

Our Business and Industry (B&I) Services division offers comprehensive location services from initial contact through site location to future growth and expansion. 

Our industrial developers work closely with other public and private development organizations to give you the assistance and resources you need to get your facility operating as soon as possible.

Below, you’ll find links to other areas of our website and to other agencies that can help you incorporate your business.

• A Guide to Incorporating Your Business in North Carolina  published by the North Carolina Secretary of State's Office.
• See the Choosing a Legal Structure section of our website.
• Department of the Secretary of State
• North Carolina Department of Revenue
• North Carolina General Statutes

A: A number of industry sectors have capitalized on North Carolina’s excellent business environment and achieved national prominence including:

• Biotechnology, Pharmaceuticals and Life Sciences
• Information and Communications Technology
• Motor Vehicle and Heavy Equipment
• Business and Financial Services
• Chemicals and Plastics
• Textiles, Apparel and Textile Machinery

For more information on our targeted industries, visit the Profiles of Industry section of our website.

A: To get started, download  Legal Aspects - Preparing to Do Business in North Carolina that discusses legal issues in-depth.

For detailed visa and immigration issues, see the Employer Issues section of our website.  The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services may be able to help you if you have a question about immigration procedures, or need clarification, by calling its National Customer Service Center (NCSC) at (800) 375-5283.  This toll-free call center has additional information and, during their specified office hours, can connect you to live assistance in English and Spanish.  The NCSC will be able to answer most questions -- although they cannot provide information about the status of immigration cases over the telephone.

A: North Carolina International Consular Corps – listing of Consular Officers who can perform the following functions:

• Promote their country’s trade within the Consular District.
• Assist and protect nationals of their country.
• Explain their country’s achievements in culture and tourism.
• Protect their country’s shipping interests and adjudicate on shipping matters.
• Administer oaths, legalize foreign documents and issue passports, visas and certificates.

For the Consulates and Trade Offices in Georgia click here.

A: North Carolina offers many international schools,mainly located in the major cities.

• For a list of international schools in Research Triangle Park area
• In Charlotte, eight international schools also help students maintain language skills and cultural identity:  The Japanese Language School, The German School, The Chinese School, The Korean School, The French School, The Swedish School, The Islamic School and The Vietnamese School.  Also in Charlotte is the public school, Smith Academy of International Languages.
• Carolina International School in Harrisburg

A: North Carolina is home to the sixth largest major airline hub in the nation, with:

• Three major airports:  Charlotte, Raleigh-Durham, and Piedmont Triad, two with daily direct international flights.
• 11 regional airports
• 32 of the East Coasts' "million plus" population centers within two hours' flight time

The state’s airports offer commercial and general aviation services, including U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Department of Agriculture and U.S. Department of Citizenship and Immigration services to clear international flights.

Our transportation network offers a seamless distribution infrastructure, providing the ability to quickly transport goods.  FedEx has chosen North Carolina for its new mid-Atlantic hub that is expected to open before the end of the decade.