Economic Development

Creating Jobs Across North Carolina

As a land-grant university, NC State is dedicated to excellent teaching, the creation and application of knowledge, and engagement with public and private partners. By uniting our strength in science and technology with a commitment to excellence in a comprehensive range of disciplines, NC State promotes an integrated approach to problem solving that transforms lives and provides leadership for social, economic and technological development across North Carolina and around the world.

The Economic Development Partnership works across the state to attract new businesses and industries to North Carolina. Working closely with the N.C. Department of Commerce, the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina (EDPNC), and local and regional economic development organizations, Director Tom White is instrumental in helping recruit companies to the state while providing real-world opportunities for students and faculty. Under Tom’s leadership, NC State actively participates in outreach and engagement projects with local communities across the state to support economic development.

Job Creator, Community Builder

Tom White's work with partners across the state continues to create new opportunities for North Carolinians.

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Meet Tom White

As Director of the Economic Development Partnership, Tom White leads economic development initiatives for NC State, serving as the liaison to local, regional and state economic and workforce development entities. These strategic partnerships result in new jobs and capital investment for North Carolina, as well as meaningful opportunities for students and faculty.

Prior to joining NC State, Tom served as the Director of the N.C. Department of Commerce’s Division of Employment and Training. He was also president and CEO of the Greater Durham Chamber of Commerce. A graduate of Duke University, Tom received his Master of Public Affairs from NC State.

If you’d like to connect with Tom, he can be reached at:

Local Solutions to Global Challenges

As part of the NC Coalition for Global Competitiveness, Tom White shares about how communities across the state are stepping up to solve big challenges.

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4,835 Jobs

created and $9.8 Billion invested across North Carolina in FY23 through economic development partnerships

Economic Impact

Here are a few examples of how NC State’s Economic Development Partnership is supporting North Carolina economic development:

  • Toyota announced a $1.3 billion capital investment along with more than 1,300 new jobs at the Liberty/Randolph County megasite. Read more.
  • VinFast, a Vietnamese auto manufacturer building a new line of electric vehicles, announced 7,500 jobs with a capital investment of $2 billion to build an advanced manufacturing plant at the Moncure megasite in Chatham County. Read more.
  • Boom Supersonic will invest $500 million and create 2,000 advanced manufacturing jobs in Greensboro at the Piedmont Triad International Airport megasite. Read more.
  • Amazon announced a new 500-job Amazon Distribution Center in Johnston County.
  • Plant Pathways, a university spinout in stevia production, will invest $5 million to develop lab and office operations in Broadway/Lee County.
  • Xerox will create 200 new jobs to expand its innovation operations in Cary.
  • Ontic, a global aerospace company, announced 100 jobs and a $100 million investment in Granville County.

Clocking In Podcast

Voices of North Carolina Manufacturing

In this episode of the "Voices of North Carolina Manufacturing" podcast, Director Tom White shares about trends in the state's economic and workforce development landscape. Tom explains goals of the Economic Development Partnership, his role, how his mentors shaped who he is today and how the pandemic is affecting North Carolina's economy.

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NC State's Tom White discusses workforce development initiatives with the National Association of Workforce Board

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Workforce and Community Development

In addition to partnerships with statewide workforce development organizations, NC State also leads outreach and engagement with local communities to assist in strategic community development projects. For example:

  • Statewide collaboration to secure a $500,000 USDOC Economic Development Administration grant to launch the new NC Workforce Development Academy for the fall 2022 semester
  • A Municipal Research Lab economic impact analysis in Henderson/Vance County
  • Contract with the Benson Town Council to develop an Economic Development Strategic Plan
  • Partnership with the Town of Angier to develop a Community Visioning Plan
  • Collaboration with the Town of Creedmoor on a reclamation land design project in partnership with NC State’s College of Design