North Carolina is home to the largest electric power holding company in the U.S.—along with lots of industry research centers, which is why we can provide such a large, educated and diverse energy industry workforce.
Meet some of the diverse energy sector businesses thriving in North Carolina:
North Carolina has the power to keep businesses humming right along.
Our state is brimming with energy—from its nuclear plants and advancements in renewables to our residents themselves. A number of factors contribute to the strength and diversity of North Carolina’s energy portfolio. Here are just a few of them:
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- The lowest corporate income tax rate in the U.S.
- 2.5% corporate tax rate
- NC is ranked No. 1 for lowest state and local tax burden in the United States by Ernst & Young and the Council on State Taxation
- A concentrated, diversified and growing industry
- Since 2010, NC gleaned several top-five rankings, including:
- No. 2 in growth in turbine manufacturing
- No. 3 in fossil fuel power generation
- No. 5 in semiconductor and related device manufacturing
- Since 2010, NC gleaned several top-five rankings, including:
- The highest concentration of Tier 1 research universities
- Three within 25 miles of one another:
- Duke University
- The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- North Carolina State University
- All three contribute to local businesses by:
- Feeding the workforce pipeline
- Creating and maintaining industry partnerships
- Fueling an innovative business environment
- Three within 25 miles of one another:
- Large, diverse and growing energy workforce
- 39,000+ energy and energy-efficiency workers, doing everything from manufacturing and distribution to energy-efficiency equipment
- Industry growth of 9.3%, or 3,300 jobs, in NC since 2010
- NC is the fastest-growing energy cluster in the Southeast
- Specialized degree and training programs
- Local universities and community colleges offer a variety of programs and facilities, including:
- N.C. State University—Nuclear Energy Program
- N.C. Central University—PHD in Energy & Environmental Systems
- UNC Charlotte—Energy Production & Infrastructure Center (EPIC)
- Central Piedmont Community College—Center for Energy Training
- Local universities and community colleges offer a variety of programs and facilities, including:
- Customized training programs
- NCWorks, the state’s comprehensive workforce development platform, offers customizable training for new and existing businesses in the state
- RTI International
- World-renowned research institute comprised of 3,700+ staff members
- Produces energy research as it relates to economics, public policy and finance
- Energy-related R&D on biomass and biofuels, syngas processing, as well as carbon capture and utilization
- PowerAmerica Institute
- $140 million advanced manufacturing institute that brings together academic, government and industry partners
- Initiated in 2015 at N.C. State University at the behest of President Obama and the U.S. Department of Energy
- Focused on revolutionizing energy efficiency for wide-ranging applications, such as electronic devices, electric vehicles and power grids
- Future Renewable Electric Energy Delivery and Management Systems Center
- FREEDM Systems Center provides research and development to modernize the power grid by optimizing smart-grid technology
- NC State-led effort with U.S. universities working with industry partners
- A National Science Foundation Energy Research Center developed as a model for the new clean energy institute
- North Carolina Clean Energy Technology Center
- Advances a sustainable energy economy through education, demonstration and support of clean energy technologies, practices and policies
- Administered by the College of Engineering at N.C. State University
- NC Sustainable Energy Association
- NCSEA is a non-profit organization supporting public policy and market development as it relates to clean energy jobs, economic opportunity and affordable energy for the state
- Research Triangle Cleantech Cluster
- RTCC brings together leaders in business, government, academia and the non-profit sectors for the purpose of advocating for cleantech growth in the region
- Promotes the Research Triangle Region’s leadership in research, innovation and growth in the cleantech sector
- E4 Carolinas
- A trade association for the Carolinas promoting industry support, education, policy and accelerating economic development and growth for the energy cluster
If you have an economic development project and you'd like assistance, contact a state economic developer using the webform below.