A WIN FOR ONE IS A WIN FOR ALL: Local organizations come together to boost the Carolina Core.

We're all in this together: This phrase has become common-place during the COVID-19 pandemic. But in the Carolina Core, this notion has been gaining momentum since August 2018.

Bridging the urban crescent between Charlotte and the Research Triangle at the heart of the state, the Carolina Core is defined not by city or county lines, but by diverse assets connected along U.S. Highway 421 (future Interstate 685) and I-85. The Carolina Core is home to four megasites and several industrial sites, urban research parks and mixed-use developments. Businesses have access to North Carolina's fast-growing metros, while still benefiting from the quality of life of midsized cities and small towns.

Public and private leadership in the Carolina Core is highly engaged and aligned on a vision for the future. Central North Carolina business, education and economic development leaders have coalesced around a cohesive economic growth strategy that focuses on the cumulative impact of the region's globally competitive assets in transportation, education, real estate, workforce and more.

"From our companies to our people to our deep investments in our communities, the Carolina Core is a future-ready region brimming with opportunity set to transform North Carolina," says Stan Kelly, president and CEO of the Piedmont Triad Partnership. "In fact, we believe that central North Carolina is the next engine of transformational growth for the state. The public and private sector have invested hundreds of millions of dollars in infrastructure, sites and higher education, positioning the region as a top destination for business and jobs. When we come together to tell our region's collective story, our potential is unlimited."

The Carolina Core strategy has yielded collaboration and regionalism, with local chamber and economic development leaders who once competed against each other joining forces to sell the region collectively.

"We take pride in working together as a team," says Brent Christensen, president and CEO of the Greensboro Chamber of Commerce. "What sets us apart is our belief that when one of us succeeds in landing a project, we all succeed."

Over the last year, local economic development leaders from the region have participated in joint marketing missions to Chicago, Dallas, Greenville, S.C., and Atlanta to share the Carolina Core story with site-selection consultants. The coalition of leaders has also hosted site-selection consultants and the state's top economic development leaders on visits to the region. Together, these and other collaborative marketing efforts are increasing the visibility of a region on the rise.

"Through the Carolina Core, our region can present a unified voice of our many strengths including prime available sites and land, a diverse and educated workforce, and our innovative mindset," says Mark Owens, president and CEO of Greater Winston-Salem Inc, "When you pull together our unique assets, we are a strong and complete region that is ready for any project."

Today, leaders from the public and private sectors in the Carolina Core come together to fund large development efforts that attract and retain the best talent and entice new companies that want to build out industry clusters.

"Our collaborative, proactive approach through the Carolina Core provides an opportunity to differentiate central North Carolina in a highly competitive economic...