Two-sided Triangle: the region leverages its workforce, educational assets and stable economy for growth while addressing the challenges it brings.

• Position: TRIANGLE ROUND TABLE - Company overview - Interview

Top-flight universities and leading research and technology institutions have created a strong business environment in the Triangle, as evidenced by the number of companies that have operations in the region. But its popularity brings challenges, such as dealing with an influx of people and spreading success between urban and rural communities. BUSINESS NORTH CAROLINA magazine assembled a panel of experts to discuss the region and the opportunities and obstacles it faces. Participating were Randy Brodd. regional managing partner at Charlotte-based .Dixon Hughes Goodman LLP's Raleigh office; Steve Burriss, chief operating officer of Raleigh-based Rex Healthcare; Gene Delsener senior vice president at Boston-based Fidelity Investments' Research Triangle Park office; Charles Haves, president and CEO of Raleigh-based Research Triangle Regional Partnership; Gary Joyner managing partner of the Raleigh office of Atlanta-based Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton LLP; John Kane. CE0 of Raleigh-based Kane Realty Corp. and member of the N.C. Economic Development Board; and Randy Woodson. N.C State University chancellor The round table wow sponsored and hosted by Dixon Hughes. Peter Anderson. BNC special projects editor moderated the discussion. The following transcript has been edited for brevity and charity.

The Triangle has a rich history of research and education. How will they contribute to its future success?

Woodson: Much of the Triangle's economic success is due to the strong universities that form its base. They are a key driver, whether producing talent or conducting research. All of the universities in the region are looking to stimulate growth. It's a big part of what we do. Cisco CEO John Chambers was the keynote speaker at a recent business forum here. He announced to the whole group that N.C. State is the largest producer of graduates that they employ. We're generating the workforce that builds this economy. It's critical for universities to collaborate. Duke University, UNC Chapel Hill and N.C. State, for example, each have strengths. N.C. State doesn't have a medical school like Duke, but it does have a world-class engineering school. The opportunity to come together has never been greater.

Delsener: The education system and the other industries that are here were both important factors in bringing Fidelity to RTP. It helped with respect to the people who decided to relocate as well as the hiring we have clone over the last couple of years. It's been seamless for us.

Hayes: Forty-seven percent of Triangle adults have a college degree compared with about 27% statewide. There are 150,000 college students here and 25,000 graduate each year. So go the universities, so goes our economy.

Burriss: The community-college system and universities develop the health-care workforce. Rex is working with N.C. Slate on projects that it wouldn't have the opportunity to...